“Frasier” 2023 seems to be the result of a writing crew that love the character but aren’t sure how to evolve him. The show often deviates from the classic “Frasier” formula — such as when we learn that Dr. Crane basically became Dr. Phil during his time in Chicago. Other times, we’ve seen flashes of the classic character we all remember.
This strange mix was evident in episode 6, wherein Eve (Jess Salgueiro) sets up a blind date for both Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott) and Frasier. When the first date, played by “Grace and Frankie” alum June Diane Raphael, arrives at Frasier’s door there’s some confusion over who she’s there to see. Frasier and Freddy then compete to win her over, with the former eventually winning out. But just as things seem to be coming together, Frasier’s actual date, Siobhan (Jacqueline Obradors) arrives. The doctor then decides he wants to pursue Siobhan, attempting to bribe his son into taking Raphael’s character out to dinner — prompting Freddy to comment, “Are you kidding me? You’re doing this again?” Unfortunately, both women overhear his machinations and decide to leave. But Frasier can’t help but sneak in a quick comment about how both of them wanted him.
One of Frasier’s animating character traits from the original series was his love of women and inability to ever settle down with just one. That quality has rarely been seen on the new show, although there is a moment early in the season when Dr. Crane becomes momentarily convinced that Eve has fallen for him. So far, the revival’s attempts to subvert his old traits and invent new ones have been mixed at best, but with episode 6, we get to see our old friend horny Frasier in all his glory. Except, something felt off …