Our take
A last-minute Christmas Eve shopping panic, played for every ounce of snobbish horror, with a sweet father-and-son scene to finish. The mall expedition is the comic heart, two fastidious brothers lost among the crowds, while the worthy toys versus the wanted toy is a relatable seasonal dilemma. Martin's homely decorations win the day, and John Mahoney gives one of the show's best father moments here. Funny, festive and gentle.
What happens
On Christmas Eve Frasier learns that the shipment of educational toys he ordered for his son Frederick has been delayed, and that what the boy actually wants is an action figure, which his worthy presents could never replace. With time running out, Frasier and Niles are forced to go where neither man has ever gone before, a shopping mall on Christmas Eve, in search of toys to put under the tree. Niles, meanwhile, announces that his estranged wife Maris has cut off his money. Back at the apartment, Martin shows that his own style of decorating for the holidays is in fact lovely and cosy, and he consoles his son when Frasier's attempts to please Frederick and avoid disappointing him go wrong.
Can the kids watch it?
Rated PG by the BBFC for very mild language and comic sex references; a good family pick.
Cast and crew
Starring
- Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane
- John Mahoney as Martin Crane
- Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon
- David Hyde Pierce as Dr. Niles Crane
- Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle
Guest stars
- Dan Butler as Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe
- Luke Tarsitano as Frederick Gaylord Crane
- Edward Hibbert as Gil Chesterton
- Tegan West as Jack
- Becky Ann Baker as Marge
- Ray Liotta as Bob (voice)
Writer
- David Lloyd
Director
- Philip Charles MacKenzie