Perspectives on Christmas

"Perspectives on Christmas" is the ninth episode in season 5 of American sitcom Frasier.

Cast and characters

Main cast and characters

• Kelsey Grammer – Dr. Frasier Crane
• David Hyde Pierce – Dr. Niles Crane
• John Mahoney – Martin Crane
• Jane Leeves – Daphne Moon
• Peri Gilpin – Roz Doyle

Plot outline

Christmas is approaching, and everyone in the Crane household has been having a miserable time. Martin has volunteered to play the part of a wise man in a local church pageant, and one of the requirements is to sing O Holy Night, which contains one dangerously high note. He has not told Daphne, but she detects he is keeping something from her, and knowing that he was expecting the results of a recent physical examination, she fears the worst. Niles gets trapped in the Elliot Bay Towers elevator and has to climb out, completely ruining his brand new suit. Frasier takes a phonecall from Roz's mother, who will be visiting for Christmas, and advises her to be sympathetic to Roz about her pregnancy weight gain, unaware that Roz has not even told her mother she is pregnant yet. Roz, of course, is absolutely furious when she finds out.

The episode is mostly in the form of flashbacks from Martin, Daphne, Niles and Roz in turn, who tell their stories while receiving massages (their Christmas present from Frasier).

Episode title cards

• A room with four views

Memorable Quotations

Martin is practising his song with Frasier and Niles. There is one particularly high note giving him trouble
Niles: Why don't you start here (“Oh night”)? And I want to hear you really attack the note.
Martin attempts the phrase of music, and at the ensuing sound Eddie buries his head under a cushion
Niles: Sometimes the note sees the attack coming and retreats.

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