Recap / Cheers S 8 E 6

Episode: Season 8, Episode 6
Title: How to Marry a Mailman
Directed by: Andy Ackerman
Written by: David Lloyd
Air Date: November 2, 1989
Previous: The Two Faces of Norm
Next: Death Takes a Holiday on Ice
Guest Starring: Bebe Neuwirth, Monty Ash, Victoria Hoffman, Raymond Flynn

"The Storks Bring a Crane" is the 6th episode of the eighth season of Cheers.

Rebecca has discovered that it's the centennial anniversary of Cheers (disregard that "founded in 1895" sign. Sam made that up to appease Carla), and she plans to throw a party for it.

Things don't go off to the greatest start. The minute the mayor arrives, Cliff is arrested for writing letters, the barbershop quartet Rebecca's hired is annoying the crap out of everyone, and Lilith and Frasier's child is late... until Lilith goes into labor in the middle of the bar.

First appearance of Frederick Crane, who'll be a recurring character through Frasier.

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Tropes:

• Abusive Parents: Apparently Esther Clavin likes to tell Cliff that on top of her guilt trips over carrying him and giving birth to him, she routinely tells him she wished she'd sold him off to the Romani.
• And Starring: Mayor Raymond Flynn gets a "Special Appearance by" credit.
• Ask a Stupid Question...: Frasier and a heavily pregnant Lilith (she's two weeks overdue) come into the bar.
  Carla: Haven't popped that kid yet?
  Frasier: Oh no, Lilith had the baby weeks ago, we just popped it back in for old times' sake.
• Berserk Button: Sam really hates barbershop quartets for whatever reason.
• Big "SHUT UP!": Carla to the quartet. Later on, everyone else does it.
• Cuteness Proximity: Lilith and Frasier with baby Frederick, when Frasier thinks he made a face. Lilith corrects him that a newborn is too young to make an expression, so he's just gassy. They coo anyway.
  Lilith: It's probably just gas.
  (Beat)
  Lilith and Frasier: Aww, his first gas!
• Delayed Reaction: Returning to the maternity ward with Gale, Frasier notes Lilith and her baby are resting, so he decides to leave them to it. It's only then that the fact Lilith's sitting there with their baby sinks in, and Frasier jumps out of his skin.
• Dirty Old Man: Mr. Weaver, the one hundred and six year old man who Rebecca calls to the party, who likes feeling up ladies, and fakes a heart attack to get attention from said ladies.
• Dr. Jerk: The doctor at the hospital responds to a despondent Lilith explaining she was so certain she was about to give birth, saying she needs support at that time, by telling her simply "false labor, go home."
• Epic Fail: Woody attempts to do Lamaze with Lilith, to prevent her hyperventilating. He manages to knock himself out.
• Hospital Hottie: Sam meets an attractive nurse while in the hospital with Frasier and Lilith. He ends up going out with her, because he's Sam.
• Incredibly Lame Fun: While waiting for a doctor, Lilith starts counting holes in the ceiling tiles. Then Frasier interrupts her, and she has to start over again.
• It's a Costume Party, I Swear!: Rebecca wanted to get into a turn of the century mood, complete with costumes, but she's the only one who bothers turning up in one.
  Rebecca: Now I look like an idiot!
  Carla: That's why!
• Not Helping Your Case: As Cliff's been dragged out by the police, Rebecca tries assuring the mayor he doesn't represent the average Cheers client, as Frasier and Lilith walk past, still arguing about Lilith's pregnancy.
• Politician Guest-Star: Raymond Flynn, mayor of Boston, comes to the bar for Cheers' 100th anniversary celebration.
• Retcon: The "1895" sign was outside of Cheers for the whole run of the series, but the writers wanted to write a centennial episode, so in this episode we learned that Sam made up the 1895 date to appeal to Carla's superstition.
• Screaming Birth: Lilith's false labor has her screaming her head off.
• Skewed Priorities: Carla is more concerned about Mr. Weaver having a heart attack on the pool table because people want to use it.
• Something Only They Would Say: The mayor and his aides are uncertain whether Cliff is the nutjob who's been writing those letters, until Cliff tries to defend himself by saying he's a member of the US postal service.
  Mayor: Yup, he's the guy alright.
• Small Name, Big Ego: Cliff sends unspecified but apparently threatening letters to the mayor of Boston telling him how to run the city. He also thinks he's been snubbed by George Bush because the man didn't respond to Cliff sending him a fruit basket at his inauguration.
• Troll: Carla goes down to the police station to torment Cliff.