When Brighton fails French, Maxwell orders that a Private Tutor be hired for him. Fran selects Philippe, a handsome Frenchman, for the job and he proposes to her.
- Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkeys: Maxwell claims that the French "surrendered in every war they've ever been in." Philippe counters, "That is because we are lovers, not fighters."
- Citizenship Marriage: As indicated by the title, this is what Philippe is after.
- Europeans Are Kinky: When Philippe is exposed as a philanderer, he tries to excuse himself by saying, "Fran, you do not understand. In France, men are like bees. We must pollinate all the flowers in the garden."
- Everyone Looks Sexier if French: When told that he's getting a French tutor, Brighton hopes this trope will swing his way and that he'll end up with a sexy female tutor. Instead, Fran hires a male French tutor whom she finds sexy. When Maggie is jealous, Fran suggests that she fail Italian in the hopes of getting an Italian tutor.
- Guile Hero: After catching Philippe passionately making out with C.C., Niles takes it upon himself to expose the guy as an opportunistic creep who only wants Fran for the sake of a green card. When C.C. initially is happy to let Fran marry Philippe so she can have Maxwell all to herself, Niles convinces her she could earn a lot of brownie points with Maxwell if she "saved" Fran from such a scumbag. The next thing you know C.C. rats Philippe out and Fran kicks him to the curb.
- Hurricane of Puns:Philippe: Did you study your French last night?
Fran: Well, how's this? [French-kisses him] Did I pass the oral exam?
Maxwell: Ah, Philippe, I see you're exposing my nanny to your native tongue.
Fran: Mr. Sheffield, I'm sorry, I guess I just have no French resistance. - Keep It Foreign: In the French dub, Philippe is an Italian tutor.
- Meet the In-Laws: But right before Sylvia does meet him:Sylvia: Someone proposed to you without even meeting your mother?
Fran: [realizes] Gee, you know I never made that connection before. - Poirot Speak: Philippe speaks English with stereotypical French phrases thrown in.
- Right Behind Me:Brighton: Fran, you've gotta promise me you won't tell Dad I failed French. You know what a pain he can be.
[Maxwell appears behind him]
Fran: Your father? The most compassionate, understanding, handsome—
Brighton: He's standing right behind me.
Fran: Oh, yeah! - Running Gag: Fran thinking that "je t'adore" ("I adore you") means "shut the door." There's a payoff when she rejects Philippe at the end:Philippe: But, chérie, je t'adore.
Fran: My pleasure! [slams the door in his face]
