Breaking the Ice (Frasier episode)

Infobox Television episode | Title = Breaking the Ice
Series = Frasier
Season = 2
Episode = 20
Airdate = 18 April 1995
Production =
Writer = Steven Levitan
Director = Phillip Charles Mackenzie
Guests = Rick Cramer (ranger)
Prev = Someone to Watch Over Me
Next = An Affair to Forget
Episode list = List of Frasier episodes (Season 2)"Breaking the Ice" is the twentieth episode of season 2 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

After a conversation with Roz in which she reveals that she inadvertently told a man that she loved him, Frasier realises that he has never heard Martin say "I love you" to him. This comes to bother him, especially after hearing Martin easily say it to both Eddie and his friend Duke on the phone. When Duke informs Martin that he has to pull out of an ice fishing trip, Martin angles for Frasier to accompany him; whilst Niles is uncharacteristically eager to go, apparently in an attempt to impress Daphne, Frasier is more reluctant. Frasier confesses his thoughts to Daphne, who urges him to go along in an attempt to bond with Martin; seeing how both Niles and Martin are enjoying themselves (with Niles purchasing an excessive array of fishing equipment and unnecessarily garish clothes), Frasier eventually relents and agrees to go along as well.

When they arrive at the cabin, Frasier is disappointed to learn that the cabin is not "lake-adjacent" as he had anticipated; it is, instead, a shack on the frozen surface of the lake, and as such is cold and unwelcoming. Whilst Niles appears to be getting into the spirit of things, having memorised a great deal of fish-related trivia that he incessantly brings up in conversation, Frasier is soon cold and miserable, and Niles' over-enthusiasm begins to grate on his nerves. Eventually, after an argument, Frasier decides to drive back to the motel where they will be staying, but when Niles poorly throws the keys to Frasier they drop down the hole and sink, thus stranding the three on the ice overnight. Faced with the prospect of the night in a cold, cramped cabin, Martin reveals that he has brought along a bottle of whisky to keep them warm, and the three Crane boys are soon quite merry and entertaining themselves with a drinking song, "Libiamo ne'lieti calici," from the Verdi opera "La Traviata".

When Martin briefly leaves the cabin to relieve himself, Frasier questions why his brother is so uncharacteristically enthusiastic about fishing, having demonstrated no prior interest in the activity. Niles admits that he's not enjoying himself at all, and is merely feigning enthusiasm; however, he envies the close relationship that has developed between Frasier and Martin, and wishes to develop a similar attachment. In return, Frasier admits his real reason for going, acknowledging the ludicrousness of his insecurity in face of the fact that Martin, who clearly loves his sons, is perfectly willing to spend time on a frozen lake simply because his sons are with him. When Martin returns, and learns Frasier's reasons, the sons are surprised by his defensive reaction; despite his insistence that he was actually saying "I love "ya" to Eddie and Duke, thus making it entirely different, Martin acknowledges that he has difficulty saying such things and wishes he found it easier; eventually, he manages to say "I love you" to both his sons, who reciprocate.

Episode title cards

*"Roz Doyle and the Temple of Doom"
*"I only have ice for you"
*"Proof that Hell really does freeze over"

Memorable Quotations

Frasier: Is something wrong?
Roz: Yes. I told a guy I love him.
Frasier: Somebody you know this time?

"Niles is bemused by the smell of Martin's tackle box covered by Daphne's air freshener"
Niles: It smells like a fish died and all the other fish sent flowers.

"Daphne encourages Frasier to go ice fishing with Martin"
Frasier: So you're suggesting that I go along and pretend I'm enjoying myself in something that gives me absolutely no pleasure at all just to hear the words “I love you”?
Daphne: Why not? Women have been doing it for centuries.

"Martin may be about to say what Frasier hoped he would say"
Martin: Well, I can't say it if you're lookin' at me!
Niles: Would it help you if we left?
Martin: Just for that, I'm doin' you second!

External links

*imdb title|id=0582355|title=Breaking the Ice