The Maris Counselor

Infobox Television episode | Title = The Maris Counselor
Series = Frasier
Season = 05
Episode = 13
Airdate = 3 February 1998
Production = 40571-111
Writer = David Lloyd
Director = Jeff Melman
Guests = Rob Reiner (voice of Bill)
Bob Dishy (Dr. Schenkman)
Amy Van Nostrand (Janice)
John Waters (Roger)
Bess Myerson (Mary)
Prev = The Zoo Story
Next = The Ski Lodge
Episode list = List of Frasier episodes (Season 5)

"The Maris Counselor" is the thirteenth episode in season 5 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

Plot outline

Niles has good news: his couples counselling with Maris is going exceptionally well. In fact, at the advice of their therapist, Dr. Schankman, he is planning to surprise Maris that evening with a romantic evening. Unfortunately, while preparing his erotic surprise in the bedroom, complete with roses and classical music, he is unaware of an unexpected guest, also planning his own romantic rendezvous with Maris in that very bedroom. He is soon horrified to discover that his wife's illicit lover is Dr. Schankman himself. He feels infuriated and devastated by his therapist's betrayal. To make matters worse, Schankman claims to be in love, and to have never met a warmer, kinder, more selfless soul. The shock and pain of this event reduces Niles to tears in the middle of a couples therapy session the next day, which Frasier is helping him to run. After some thought, Niles wonders if it could be a case of transference, and decides to have one more attempt at talking to Maris. However, while approaching the house he has a sudden realisation: he has done this so many times before, and yet this is the final outcome.

Episode title cards

*"In case you're interested, it's a brown ermine"
*"The going rate for closure is $1411.80"

Memorable Quotations

"Niles has broken down in tears in the middle of his therapy group. Frasier is trying to keep the patients calm by claiming it is empathy"
Frasier: We've had quite a catharsis here. Now, traditionally it is the "patients" that make the breakthroughs, but we mustn't be sticklers.

Trivia

*This episode marks the ending of the Niles / Maris separation arc, and the beginning of the Niles / Maris divorce arc. Niles and Maris' marital issues will not be completely resolved until the season six episode, "To Tell The Truth".

ee also

*List of Frasier episodes