Title: A Ditch in Time
Directed by: James Burrows
Written by: Tom Reeder
Air Date: January 3, 1985
Previous: A Ditch in Time
Next: The Heart Is a Lonely Snipe Hunter
Guest Starring: Kelsey Grammer, James Karen
"Whodunit?" is the 13th episode of the third season of Cheers.
On Diane's night off, she comes in with Frasier and Frasier's idol, eminent psychiatrist Dr. Bennett Ludlow (James Karen). Dr. Ludlow points out that while he was once Frasier's mentor they are now peers, both psychiatrists, but Frasier can't treat Dr. Ludlow with anything other than obsequious flattery. While Frasier is trying to work up the nerve to tell Dr. Ludlow that there's a chunk of beef Wellington from dinner on his tie, Carla strolls right up, insults Dr. Ludlow, and flicks the chunk of meat off.
Dr. Ludlow is instantly attracted to sassy Carla. He immediately asks her out, much to Frasier's horror. Then the whole bar is shocked to learn that Dr. Ludlow is going to ask Carla to marry him, and Carla is pregnant yet again.
Carla's pregnancy was written into the script because Rhea Perlman was pregnant. Shelley Long's pregnancy, however, was hidden for much of Season 3. Carla and Bennett's son Ludlow Tortelli would pop up in Season 7 episode "I Kid You Not."
Tropes:
- As You Know: Just to make sure that the audience knows who Dr. Ludlow is and his relationship to Frasier, Frasier says "I turn to jelly when I'm in the presence of my mentor, Dr. Bennett Ludlow."
- Ask a Stupid Question...: When Sam suggests that maybe Dr. Ludlow has been blowing off Frasier because Ludlow's been going out with Carla, Frasier shoots back "Either that or he had to finish his paper route on Mars." Sam's right, of course.
- Comically Missing the Point: When Sam asks Carla who gave her a bouquet of roses, Carla demurely tells him "None of your damn business". After Carla leaves, Coach presses Sam and he reiterates what she said. Coach is offended thinking Sam is saying it to him, and is in a huff about it for the rest of the episode.
- Continuity Nod: Another reference to the Hungry Heifer, the unappetizing steakhouse that Norm goes to. It seems their chicken dinner was "a bowl of pellets and a handful of grain."
- Deadpan Snarker: Carla's on a sarcastic rampage this ep.
- Delayed Reaction:
- As Diane's scolding Sam for suggesting Carla and Dr. Ludlow could be dating, Ludlow enters and embraces Carla, just as Diane turns around. It takes her a moment for this to register, and then she screams.
- And again when Carla corrects her statement she has five kids to "six".
- Don't You Dare Pity Me!: Carla very firmly insists that nobody at Cheers offer her any sympathy after Ludlow leaves, so they oblige. Then she scolds them for it.
- Hypocritical Humor:
- Hearing a particularly weird statement from Coach, namely that he dreamt about being an insomniac (rather than realizing he just hadn't fallen asleep to begin with), Cliff comments "one day that man's head is gonna pop open and flies are gonna come out." Cliff isn't exactly one to comment on that.
- Frasier claims Diane had been fawning over Dr. Ludlow when they meet, even though he was the one being obsequious.
- I Need a Freaking Drink: Frasier pounds down his brandy in one gulp after his agonizing about the food on Dr. Ludlow's tie is resolved by Carla flicking the chunk of meat off.
- I Resemble That Remark!: Norm comes into the bar depressed, saying his boss chewed him out for lacking energy. "Or something, I guess."
- Little Known Fact: This week from Cliff, the tie was invented as a bib, and the pinkie finger will one day disappear.
- Open Mouth, Insert Foot: When an oblivious Ludlow comes into the back room, after Carla's told Diane about her pregnancy, Diane starts jabbering on about family until Carla tells her to beat it.
- Opposites Attract: The sophisticated, erudite doctor and the earthy waitress sure do make an odd couple.
- Questioning Title?: "Whodunit?"
- Sophisticated as Hell: Dr. Ludlow tries chatting up Carla, but his methods don't go anywhere until he asks whether he should look her up in the phone book under "hot babe".
