Sarah 103

I want Church to tell Bertha, who will then tell George and ask if there is something he can do. George somehow save the day because he will do anything for his wife and also appreciates Watson. My understanding is that young men of that class in that era usually moved out of their parents' home and got their own apartment after graduating college. I am not sure about where Oscar and Larry are living.

To me the frustrating thing is that if they wanted to show racism during this era, they could have done that with Peggy and her family in New York. It would be fantastic and a great opportunity for the audience to see that racism was not confined to the south and that it existed in the North, but in more subtle ways. They did a bit of it in season 1, but I want to see more of it. I also want them to explore the differences in the Black community in New York. We've seen glimpses of the elite through Peggy's family, but what about those who are less affluent? Does the Black elite ever interact with them, and under what circumstances, and what does that interaction look like? What struck me about George's line in that conversation is that he supported the idea of the workers being able to spend more time with their family. I think as long they are seen in a public place (like a park) with a social equal it would be acceptable. There might be gossip from people who saw them in the park, but unless they held hands or kissed, it would probably not damage their reputations. I agree. I thought Oscar was investing his own money.

@hiisa I am actually rooting for John Leguizamo to take over the show. He's on my short list along with Dulce Sloan and Roy Wood Jr.

I think Bertha would approve. Marian is from a good old money family. She is highly unlikely to do anything that would cause a scandal or harm Bertha's social climbing schemes/desires. Agnes would not approve of the marriage at all, because she would see Larry as not only new money, but also would think his job is only slightly better than a tradesman. I wish the series would explore the more subtle racism of New York, and also the world/enclave the educated Black elite managed to carve out for themselves. Most people know the story of the post-Reconstruction South and how awful it was. The story of the educated Black elite in the north doesn't feel like a story we've been told/heard a million times before. Peggy's story in New York is something new and different and something I want more of. Best scene of the episode for me. The way he unhooked her necklace felt so intimate. I loved the way her immediate first reaction when he told her about his business/work problem was essentially "What can I do to help?" I loved the way he looked at her when she asked if he was coming to bed. It was practically a smoldering look. Individually, they are pretty horrible people, but as a couple they are amazing; I root for them and throughly enjoy their scenes together. We may get that in future episodes. I do not see why it would be a problem. There's no question Ada was marrying someone beneath her, but it was still a respected educated member of the community. Also, I think Agnes is very "You can't say that about my sister. Only I can say that about my sister." Anyone who tried to snub Ada would experience the wrath of Agnes.

@StatisticalOutlier Thank you for your summary/quotes/explanation. If I understand it correctly, they shot on digital, but put it through (to use a simpler less technical term) a filter in order to make it look like it was filmed/shot on film stock from the the 1970s. In addition, they also framed/set-up the shots to mimic the cinematography (especially handheld cinematography) of low-budget/mid-budget 1970s movies. Did I understand your post correctly? If I did, then this explains pretty much everything I noticed, but could not actually put into words or accurately describe. Thank you!

I thought this movie was excellent. I loved seeing the relationships between the characters develop, grow, and change. Did anyone else think that Dominic Sessa (he played Angus Tully) looked like young Donald Sutherland? It isn't just the hair, it's his build, the shape of the face and some of his features. The movie looked and felt 1970s. It wasn't just hair, clothes, and music. There was something about the way it was shot (camera angles?) or how it was filmed that was pure 1970s. If anyone can provide insight into this, it would be greatly appreciated.

David was named in memory/honor of one of the show's creators, David Angell, who was killed in the 9/11 attack. David was born in 2004 during the final episode of the original Frasier.

I love this. I can hear Niles saying that. It does make wonder about David's parents. I can't picture Daphne putting that kind of pressure on her child. I'm also not sure about Niles either. I think I am starting to piece together the story Freddy told his friends. They know Lilith exists and who she is, so that would explain his knowledge of "the finer things/snob stuff/highbrow culture." He told lies about who his father was, which somehow should explain why he seems more like a "regular guy" except when he's drunk. I like drunk Freddy. I want to see more of him. Overall, I really enjoyed this episode.

Yes! This is exactly what I want/hope to happen with his storyline. I want him to ultimately be successful enough to have his own shop. This is a crucial and important point. It explains Jack and also why most of the other servants seem supportive of him. They understand that being in service, especially for someone of Jack's generation, may not be a lifelong career. Names go in cycles. What for one generation is an old person name, to a slightly younger generation is a pretty name that you do not hear much any more. I would much prefer Ruby, Opal, and Pearl instead of the more modern names (like all the spellings of Caitlin or spelling "Brittany" with three "t"s or two "n"s)or something that looks like someone trying to come up with a name based on letters they drew while playing scrabble.

I like this theory. Because Bertha cared so much about getting a place in society and wanting to rise through the ranks, it makes sense that she would not want her son doing something that would damage the family name or cause a scandal.

That makes sense. He has business contacts. He is not above putting pressure on them for something that will make his wife happy. He could also have pitched it is good for their business. The opera is a chance to "accidentally" meet people that you want to discuss business with but can't get an appointment with them during the regular workday. I think that was set up pretty well in the first season and there is no reason to think that Bertha has changed dramatically now that her daughter is out in society. I think she is just as controlling as ever. The fact that Gladys was so surprised she was able to go to the theatre and the party after with not much of a fight when she was clearly expecting an argument is quite telling. YES! I was trying to find a way to say this while @AntFTW and @RachelKM did it perfectly. Jack is going to figure out a way to build a better alarm clock and will make an absolute fortune from it. He may never become as wealthy as the Russells, but he will be able to live very well and certainly be able to quit his current job.

This works for me. It keeps Ada and Agnes in the same house, which you need for the plot. It brings someone new into the mix, which can be fun. I would enjoy watching him interact with Marian and Oscar. It would be fascinating to see how he reacts to living in a house with servants. This chain of events is completely plausible and totally works for me. I accept that this is what happened and explains how Mrs. Astor found out the truth about Enid Turner.

David is in college; he's at Harvard. Niles and Daphne are still in Seattle. I think the writers are still figuring out the character.

I can see it going either way. What you said is true, but she is also very much about tradition, the proper way, and is against change and the new. This is one of the many reasons why I love them as a couple. They support each other unconditionally and until recently had near absolute trust each other.

I'm not sure that work, because he still has position in society and since he is married, there were functions/events his wife would be expected to attend with him. Too many absences might result in gossip and questions. There's part of me that wishes we could have had that quick montage. I want to see what the old fashioned pre-telephone version of "The Telephone Hour" was like among the servants. I'm going with she started out lonely and horny, but then developed a real relationship with strong feelings for him. My wording and volume were slightly different, but pretty much the same reaction. I hope this happens. I always want to see more of the younger generation interacting. At this point, I do not see Larry and Marion as a romantic couple, but I do see them as friends. However, I would not rule out friends to lovers as possibility. Yes, but I am not completely satisfied with this as the entire explanation. It feels like there is more to the story and I want to know what it is. This would have worked really well. The only thing I can think of was that Enid Turner really wanted to show off her accomplishment and let Mrs. Russell know what happened and that she landed on her feet and then some. He is a young man in love, and love makes you stupid. Love makes almost everyone stupid, so he is not alone in that. Yes, pretty much. No one is going to make a fuss or cause a scene in front of the other guests. However, that news will travel and gossip will reach the ears of almost every proper society hostess. I am so glad they are back together as the power couple I know and love. It's very strange to be rooting for him when he's trying to help Bertha succeed, and then in the same episode rooting against him when he's dealing with his employees/business matters. I like the juxtaposition of the storylines. There is such a stark contrast and it's fascinating to see two completely different events with different stakes happening at the same time. Enid can't help him, but I can see Oscar doing it for the fun of it. Also, he may still want revenge because George did not allow him to court and marry Gladys. Because it's America, I want the show to tap into the myth that with the right combination of luck, talent, and skill, anyone can become rich. It ties into George's comment about fighting a war to get rid of titles and nobility. I want Jack to succeed on his own. Also, it would shock and appall Agnes if a servant did something on his own time that caused him to become wealthy enough to leave her household because he found better employment in another occupation, especially as a self made man.

Can we permanently retire Helping Hands? The guest star had actual talent. It was such a waste of screen time.

I'm still mad we didn't get to hear the story, which I am guessing was probably close to the truth, that she told Oscar during dinner. I have the exact same question. I'm not sure it's important, but it's something I'd like to know. I agree. I was rooting for them so I hope the marriage happens. I root for the Russells as a couple. They are an unstoppable force when united. I think it's because Marian is a shipper on deck for Ada and the Reverend, and that's fun to watch. Also, they are giving her just enough to keep her in the story, but not making her the central focus, which works better. Me too. It's a D plot, but I'm oddly invested in it. It's fun watching Marian be a shipper on deck for Ada, but also having the young student play shipper on deck for her widowed father and Marian. Honestly, me too. Maybe that's part of why this season is so much better. They have fully embraced the over the top soapiness of the upper class storylines. It reminded me of One Night in Memphis. All of the different perspectives and how to deal with being Black and trying accomplish something in a White dominated/controlled world. If Enid Turner were smarter and more like Bertha, that's what she would have done. However, Enid is not nearly as clever as Bertha. I agree with you that Bertha would have gone for the deal. YES! This is part of the reason why I love the domestic side of him. At work, he's a horrible robber baron, but at home he is almost the perfect husband and father. He supports Bertha and will try to move heaven and earth to make her happy and give her what she wants. This makes me wonder, what was the gilded age equivalent of a tv dinner? A sandwich? Only if one party can prove infidelity during the marriage or both parties agree to a lie.

Frasier and Lilith argued and traded cutting remarks all through the original series. To me, the big difference was it was just the two of them alone or among another adults. I do not remember them going at each other that way when Freddie was in the room. I agree with your overall assessment of the episode. I would be okay with David as a less mature version of Niles. I am not okay with David as an overgrown child. Show me more of the version of David who was running the trivia game and less of the version of David who was mistaken for an orphan when he visited the firehouse. I thought Freddie in this series was pretty close in age to how old Frasier was at the start of his series (the original Frasier).

I'm shipping them too. I think they're a perfect couple and they'd be good for each other. I think part of it is the human desire to have someone to tell good news to. Since she did not have close friends and may no longer be in touch with family, he was the best option. I think the problem is going to be she wants a (summer) fling, and he is going to want marriage and a real future with her. I get the joke, but a given name of Christina with Tina as a nickname sounds plausible. I think that's it. The younger servants do not see this as the rest of their life. They are aware that they have options. I think Jack has far loftier expectations/dreams than any of the others. He is ruthless. We've seen it dealing with the world of high society, especially the women, but we haven't seen it in his professional capacity yet. No, the plan was to show him the wealth and power George had and if the union man played ball, some of this could be his. George didn't count on the union man having ideals, principles, and being a real believer in a cause. Unless Agnes knows the best thing to do if she wants the relationship/marriage to happen is to discourage Marian. Also, I think Marian works better when she is not in plot lines of her own but tagged into other people's stories. Less time spent on Marian and more time spent on other character's plot lines makes for a much more enjoyable and better series.

It's not a Cousin Oliver situation at all. Cousin Oliver was brought in because the youngest kids were too old to be the cute little kid. Cousin Oliver was designed to let the writers/series continue to tell the same kind of stories they were telling. David is serving a completely different role. I thinking take more before introducing David would have been a positive. It would have given the writers more time to figure out who the character was and what role he serves in the story/series. It feels like they did not put enough thought into who the character was or fully develop him as much as they could have.

My understanding wasn't that Marion was going to earn a living and spend the rest of her life as an art teacher. I thought this was something interesting to fill her time. An opportunity presented it and she took it. I do not see her actively looking for it or seeking it out, but someone may have mentioned it to her/asked her and she said yes. Is the idea the first son is going to inherit the business (or however the family originally made/currently makes money) so he needs the ultimate/perfect upper-class wife to fulfill that role? We know that is not who Marion is, which would explain why the 1st son is not a possibility. Or, is it the 1st son is looking for new money to add a quick influx to the family fortune? Is there less pressure on the 2nd or 3rd son in terms of who they marry, as long as they marry someone from a respectable background who will not cause a scandal?

This episode was the best use of David so far. He works best in small doses and for a quick joke or two. His line about the winner getting to solve increasingly difficult series of puzzles/riddles was the first time I really believed this was absolutely the son of Niles and Daphne.

Seeing Frasier and Lilith make fun of Allan's outfit and Freddie getting in on the fun was the first time I really believed that this Freddie is absolutely Frasier and Lilith's son. I agree with this. Also, I think Lilith's best/best cutting insult was when she made fun of the ads that ran during Frasier's talk show and then claimed to have never seen an episode, because she knew saying she had never watched his show would be something that would upset him and hurt his ego the most.

This episode was wonderful. The last time we saw Freddie he was a young teenager. People change so much between then and their 30s, so it doesn't bother me. As soon as Lilith and Frasier started talking/arguing about who knew their son better, I instantly thought of the Friends episode "The One With the Embryos" which has the trivia contest and Ross playing host, and how perfect David would be for the way too into it Ross like gameshow host, and that's pretty much exactly what happened. Eve's joke about Freddie turning 10 makes more sense later in the episode. It's actually kind of adorable. The bowling party is Freddie's chance to have the typical kid birthday party (with the more age appropriate twist of an open bar) he never experienced growing up. If Freddie's firefighter friends knew who Lilith was, then she must have not only known about the lies he he told regarding his past, but was more or less on board with them. Lilith was far more accepting of Freddie's change in life choices/career path than Frasier, which is interesting. This doesn't mean that Lilith immediately accepted it, but she is clearly on much better terms with her son and has clearly been part of his new life for longer than Frasier. I loved Lilith and Frasier bantering/arguing, but there was something about it that bothered me. I don't remember seeing them go at each other like that in front of Freddie before. Maybe I'm forgetting an episode, but I never remember them behaving like this in front of Freddie on Frasier. When he was younger, they at least tried to be civil with each other when Freddie was in the room/within earshot.

New trailer that actually makes it clear the new version is a musical.