The Ring Cycle (Frasier episode)

Infobox Television episode | Title = The Ring Cycle
Series = Frasier
Season = 10
Episode = 01
Airdate = 9 September 2002
Production =
Writer = Jon Sherman
Director = Kelsey Grammer
Guests = Sam Johnson (Reno officiant)
Ron Canada (Judge Anderson)
Twink Caplan (Bridget)
Prev =
Next = Enemy at the Gate
Episode list = List of Frasier episodes (Season 10)

"The Ring Cycle" is the first episode in season 10 of American sitcom "Frasier".

Cast and characters

Main cast and characters

*Kelsey Grammer – Dr. Frasier Crane
*David Hyde Pierce – Dr. Niles Crane
*John Mahoney – Martin Crane
*Jane Leeves – Daphne Moon
*Peri Gilpin – Roz Doyle

Recurring cast

*Millicent Martin – Gertrude Moon
*Saul Rubinek – Donny Douglas
*Ashley Thomas – Alice May Doyle

Plot outline

Unable to wait any longer, Daphne and Niles hasten to a casino in Reno in the middle of the night and get married secretly. Roz finds out when she tries to phone Daphne during the night. On returning to Seattle, Niles and Daphne are eager to break the good news to Frasier and Martin, until they discover that both would be devastated if they had missed the ceremony. To spare their feelings, Niles and Daphne pretend that they are not yet married, and that the wedding is in three days at the courthouse. Unfortunately, on the day Daphne's mother objects to a civil ceremony, and Daphne agrees to wait until they find a church and a minister. However, once Gertrude has gone, she changes her mind again and they proceed with the civil ceremony without her. Later on, Gertrude apologises to Daphne, saying that as long as she is able to attend the wedding, it does not matter where it is held. Niles and Daphne therefore feel obliged to go through the whole process a third time for her benefit, but by this time their personal vows are becoming less significant, and less memorable.

Episode Title Cards

*"Blame it on Reno"

Cultural reference

The episode title comes from the cycle of music dramas by Richard Wagner, originally called "Der Ring des Nibelungen" but often referred to as "The Ring Cycle". Here, the reference is to wedding rings.

Memorable Quotations

"Roz has brought Gertrude to the courthouse for the wedding. Gertrude spent the whole trip criticising her driving"
Gertrude: Well, in "my" day people didn't drive so recklessly. Do you know why?
Alice: Is it because you rode dinosaurs?
Gertrude: "(to Roz)" You should talk to your daughter. "(exit)"
Roz: "(to Alice)" When we get home, you're getting ice cream.

"Frasier attempts to reassure Daphne's mother that a civil ceremony does not mean a Godless union"
Frasier: For if you truly believe in the omniscience and omnipresence of the Lord, then surely are we not always in His presence?
Gertrude: No, He lives at the church!