When Frasier, Niles and Martin go to Boston to have Thanksgiving with Frasier's ex-wife Lilith and son Frederick, Frasier and Lilith obsess with getting Frederick to a prestigious school that they start harassing the Headmaster, Dr. Campbell, while Niles and Martin keep causing harm to Frederick and desperately try to conceal it from Frasier and Lilith while Roz housesits for Frasier and has friends over.
Tropes:
- Batman Gambit: Discussed by Roz and Daphne, comparing notes on Frasier:Roz: I don't know how you live with him.
Daphne: Huh, I don't know how you work with him.
Roz: Well, I have learned a trick: when he's really bugging me, I ask if he hasn't lost a little weight. Before you know it, he's checking his butt out in the glass of the candy machine.
Daphne: Really? I tell him he's gained weight. He skips dinner, sulks in his room, and I have the whole evening to myself. - Bittersweet Ending: Frasier and Lilith manage to get Frederick in the Mabury Academy, but they are not allowed to be anywhere near the school on account of them badgering Dr. Campbell.
- Deadpan Snarker: Some of the finest examples in the whole series:
- While Frasier is giving Roz instructions on house-sitting for him:Frasier: Oh, and by the way, I frown on overnight guests.
Roz: Then you're not doing it right. - When Lilith conscripts Niles to help with Thanksgiving dinner:Niles: Well, how far along are you?
Lilith: I'm nearly done defrosting.
Niles: (unable to resist) ...And the turkey?
Lilith: Might I suggest you stuff it?
- While Frasier is giving Roz instructions on house-sitting for him:
- The Determinator: Frasier and Lillith are hellbent on getting Frederick into this particular school, even though they make an even worse impression every time they try to win Dr. Campbell over. It works out in the end.
- Dude, Not Funny!: Discussed In-Universe by Niles, remembering a past Thanksgiving before his separation from Maris:Niles: Do you remember the year I plopped that big wedge of pumpkin pie in front of her, and we all laughed? Then I put a big scoop of whipped cream on top of it and we laughed some more! Then her eyes welled up with tears and we all knew it was time to stop.
- Idiot Houdini / Karma Houdini: Niles and Martin get off scot-free after repeatedly (though accidentally) injuring Frederick. While their attempts to look after Frederick fail miserably, but Frasier and Lilith are completely oblivious to it.
- The Tag: Dr. Campbell is finishing his wine in his messy Living Room before noticing his chair missing its pattern, which was caused by Frasier.
