Title: Peterson Crusoe
Directed by: James Burrows
Written by: David Angell
Air Date: December 13, 1984
Previous: Diane's Allergy
Next: A Ditch in Time
"Peterson Crusoe" is the 11th episode of the third season of Cheers.
Norm comes into the bar a far cry from his usual jolly self—in fact, he's dazed with shock. In response to the questions from the guys at bar, Norm tells them that he went in for a routine physical as part of his new job. The X-ray the doctors gave him revealed a "spot". Norm, naturally, is horrified.
The gang is trying to cheer Norm up when Vera calls the bar. Norm's fine! The spot was just a flaw on the X-ray film! Norm is obviously thrilled, but he's still left with an existential crisis and the realization that he has nothing to show for his life. Norm makes a radical decision: he will leave Boston and his humdrum accountant's life behind, and travel to the island of Bora Bora, fulfilling a childhood dream.
In the B-plot, Carla and Diane engage in a contest to see who can get the most tips in an evening. When Diane wins, Carla has a little existential crisis of her own.
Tropes:
- Alternate Catchphrase Inflection: Instead of his usual hearty "Afternoon, everybody!", a clearly BSOD-ing Norm delivers a funereal "Afternoon, everybody." And instead of shouting out "NORM!", the gang at the bar collectively says a much quieter, questioning "Norm?"
- Ask a Stupid Question...: A stressed-out Norm has less patience than usual when Coach says something dumb, after Norm tells the bar that the doctors found something on his chest X-ray.Coach: Something bad Normie?
Norm: No, a happy face. - The Bet: Carla bets Diane that she can get more tips over the evening and even gives Diane a $10 head start. When Diane gets a fat $20 tip right at closing time to win, Carla is incensed.
- Carpe Diem: Norm decides to do this after his health scare, resolving on the spur of the moment to sail to Bora Bora. Naturally, he chickens out.
- Plot Hole: How the heck did Norm hide in Sam's storeroom for a week? There's no bathroom in there!
- Shout-Out: The episode title is a shout-out to Robinson Crusoe.
- Unexpected Positive: Played straight and then averted. The "spot" on a chest X-ray that so terrifies Norm, after a routine physical, turns out to be a flaw in the X-ray.
