Title: Second Time Around
Directed by: Thomas Lofaro
Written by: Cherie Eichen and Bill Steinkellner
Air Date: February 6, 1986
Previous: Cliffie's Big Score
Next: The Peterson Principle
Guest Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Bebe Neuwirth, Jennifer Tilly
"Second Time Around" is the 17th episode of the fourth season of Cheers.
Things aren't going well for Frasier. After a disastrously short date with one Doctor Lilith Sternin (Bebe Neuwirth), the gang decide to set him up with one of Sam's former paramours. To this end, Sam chooses the pleasant, sexy, but dim Candi (Jennifer Tilly), and despite some initial reluctance from Frasier, the two hit it off. Possibly too well, as Frasier soon announces his intention to marry Candi.
Meanwhile, Cliff is tormenting everyone at the bar by bringing his mother's pretzels around, despite the fact they are completely inedible.
The first episode of Cheers not directed by series co-creator James Burrows (there would only be a handful throughout the 11-year run of the show). The first appearance of Bebe Neuwirth as Lilith Sternin, which was only intended to be a one-off role. She'd proceed to become a recurring character next season, continuing all the way through the series and Frasier.
Oddly, after being promoted to the opening titles in prior episode "Cliffie's Big Score", Kelsey Grammer was again listed as a special guest star in this episode (despite the "A" Plot being centered around his character), and was not promoted to the opening titles for good until Season 5.
Tropes:
- All Girls Want Bad Boys: Frasier manages to turn Candi on by acting like a jerk.
- Brainless Beauty: Candi is very pretty, but she doesn't have a lot going on upstairs, and she knows it.
- Brutal Honesty: Frasier and Lilith's date doesn't go very well thanks to Lilith holding absolutely no punches about anything ever.Frasier: I appreciate your candor.Lilith: No, you don't.Frasier: You're right, I feel like striking you.
- Confusing Multiple Negatives: Sam manages to successfully get Diane with these at the end, regarding whether she'd object to sleeping with him.
- Deadpan Snarker: Carla's on a vicious streak this episode, eviscerating Cliff several times, prompting Norm to ask him why he even bothers opening his mouth.
- Early Installment Character-Design Difference: Lilith appears pretty much fully cooked character-wise but doesn't look as pale she would later appear to be for the rest of the series and its spin-off.
- Early-Installment Weirdness: Lilith's voice is more nasal than it would become in her subsequent appearances.
- Instantly Proven Wrong: Diane, refusing to believe that Frasier would really go for Candi, says "Frasier is far too sophisticated a man to be swept away by her transparent charms." Cue Frasier and Candi coming through the front door and saying "Greetings everybody, say hello to Mrs. Frasier Crane!"
- Hypocritical Humor: Diane is skeptical of the Frasier-Candi coupling. She thinks it's a stunt to get her to express love for him.Diane: Frasier, please tell me if I'm wrong, and I'll be forever silent.
Frasier: You're wrong.
Diane: [whining] No I'm no-ot! - I'll Take Two Beers Too: Frasier reacts to Lilith's forbidding sternness by saying "I'll have two cognacs. What would you like?"
- It's All About Me: Diane assumes Frasier starts dating Candi and then proposes marriage to her simply to get at her. When Frasier tells her it isn't, she whines that he's wrong.
- Kick the Dog: Arguing with Diane, Frasier tells Candi, when she tries intervening "you were not put on this Earth to think". He does, to his credit, immediately apologize.
- Lohengrin and Mendelssohn: Before the ceremony begins, Frasier asks if anyone can play the bar's piano. Woody reveals he can, but apparently the only song he knows is "Heart and Soul".
- Maybe Ever After: The episode ends with Frasier and Candi deciding they need to get to know each other better and resolving to at least take the weekend. As it happened Candi never appeared on the show again; when the writers decided to get Frasier a permanent love interest in Season 5 they brought back Lilith instead.
- Moving the Goalposts: Sam and Diane engage in a round of this at the end.
- My Nayme Is: Candi. It used to be Candy, but she changed it.
- Nice Girl: Despite not being very bright, Candi is a sweetheart.
- Sophisticated as Hell: Frasier tells Diane that there is a phrase in psychiatric circles for her assumption: "HA!"
- Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace: From Frasier's ex-fiancee Diane, no less:Priest: If there is any person present who knows a reason why this couple shouldn't be united, speak now or forever hold your peace.
Diane: I do.
Frasier: Right phrase, wrong wedding. - That Came Out Wrong: After everything's over, Sam says that there's a whole bar outside his office waiting for a wedding, "so it's up to us." Diane naturally assumes this means them. Sam clarifies that he meant serve them drinks.
