Au Revoir, encore

When Frasier first aired eleven years ago, I wasn't too sure about how long it would last. To me, Frasier Crane was not the most obvious character from Cheers to base a new spinoff series around. He was stuffy and melodramatic -- traits that you don't usually find in a comedic leading man. But after the first episode, I was hooked. Kelsey Grammer was able to transform his Frasier into a multidimensional character, turning those bad traits into strengths. He used them as a base that revealed Frasier as somebody who used his intelligence and arrogance as a mask for his insecurities. Underneath it all, he was like everybody else. Normal and messed up. Matched with the most talented ensemble cast and excellent writing and direction, not to mention a top-notch hometown for the characters, Frasier was a sitcom without peer. Better than Friends (sorry, Lisa) because of its writing. Better than Seinfeld, because of its heart. Frasier was all about redemption, love, wisdom, and starting over. All wrapped up in top notch comedic farce.

For many years, I followed it as closely as Friends. That is, until after Daphne and Niles got together. Then the plot got a little stale. But it never got away from the point that Frasier was always trying to improve himself, always trying to find love. Always looking out for everyone he cared about.

The series finale wrapped things up in its own often understated way. Just like all finales (look to the Friends finale as a good example), it involved tying up loose ends, saying goodbyes, and moving on. I've watched the Frasier finale a few times now (I've got it taped, along with the accompanying Dateline special, as well as our local Evening Magazine feature on the sitcom), and the last five minutes of the show (the goodbyes) has me wiping tears each time. I know, it's supposed to be emotional. But it wasn't like the end of most shows. It was done with class, befitting of this much beloved show.