Taking Liberties (Frasier episode)

Infobox Television episode | Title = Taking Liberties
Series = Frasier
Season = 8
Episode = 05


Caption = Niles declaring his marriage with Mel is over as he loves Daphne
Airdate = 21 November 2000
Production = 40571-176
Writer = Sam Johnson & Chris Marcil
Director = Kelsey Grammer
Guests = Nicholas Hormann (Alan Murchie)
Victor Garber (Ferguson)
Noel Conlon (Henry Worth)
Heather Ehlers (Lois Fischer)
Francis Guinan (Ted Fischer)
B. J. Ward (Diane Murchie)
Prev = The Great Crane Robbery
Next = Legal Tender Love and Care

"Taking Liberties" is the fifth episode in season 8 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

*Jane Adams – Dr. Melinda "Mel" Karnofsky

Plot outline

Frasier is perusing the "Help Wanted" section of the newspaper when Niles arrives at Café Nervosa, intent on drowning his sorrows in espresso; he is still trapped in his marriage with Mel, who is still forcing him to act the fool at various social gatherings, now merely out of spite. The latest occasion was at the funeral of a local luminary, whom Frasier is interested to learn employed a butler whose services are now available. So it is that Ferguson, a classically trained and refined Englishman from a long line of butlers, comes to live in the Crane household, immediately impressing the family with his polite manner and charming intelligence. He advises Frasier on appropriate gifts to send to the new chairman of the Opera Board, Alan Murchie, to gain his favour and therefore secure a vacant place on the Board. When hearing of Daphne and Niles' clandestine relationship, he expresses a belief that social class remains too strong a presence in such relationships, inevitably dooming them to failure.

Frasier decides to hold a pre-opera party, at which his place on the board will hopefully be sealed. Once again, Ferguson's talents prove essential, both in organizing the party and ensuring that Martin is removed. Niles arrives to go on a date with Daphne, but unfortunately, Mel has been invited along to the party at the last minute. Daphne begins to despair that the charade will never end and that Niles will not risk his social standing for her.

Mel finally pushes Niles over the edge when she brashly announces that the two will attend a New Year's Eve celebration together. Niles challenges Mel; she responds nastily, claiming that she "hasn't even started with [him] yet!" Ferguson tries to get everyone out, but it is too late-Niles proclaims his love for Daphne, and the high society women rush to console Mel. The lovers finally unite and leave in freedom, while Ferguson, inspired by Niles's bravery, departs to court a lady he himself once loved.

Episode title cards

*"What the butler saw

Cultural references

*Frasier concludes the episode with the line "Carry on, Ferguson", a reference to P. G. Wodehouse's book, "Carry on, Jeeves". The Wodehouse character, like Ferguson, refers to himself as a "gentleman's gentleman", but he is a valet rather than a butler.

Memorable Quotations

"Frasier observes that Niles is in a good mood, so Niles explains that he plans to disregard Mel's instructions and take Daphne out"
Niles: Mel be damned! Daphne and I are going to have a romantic evening together at "my" apartment. Not only that; she's going in "my" car, in "my" back seat, under a pile of "my" coats and blankets!

ee also

List of Frasier episodes