In Defense of the Frasier Reboot's Fresh Take on David's Character

Summary

Frasier reboot co-creator Joe Harris defends David's character, saying he is "not fully formed yet" and will grow as the show progresses.

David's unique blend of Niles' neuroses and Daphne's empathy makes him a distinct character. In the Frasier reboot, his presence has the potential to significantly shape the growth of Frasier's persona and pave the way for the return of his parents, Niles and Daphne.

Frasier reboot co-creator Joe Harris defends the portrayal of David, the adult son of Niles and Daphne. Despite Jane Leeves and David Hyde Pierce declining the opportunity to return for the Paramount+ project, the Crane-Moon family remains represented in the revival through David. In the Frasier reboot pilot, David accompanies his Uncle Frasier to Boston to further his education at Harvard after attending Martin Crane's funeral.

When addressing criticism of the character in an interview with TheWrap, Harris explains that David is still in the process of development. This means that as the Frasier reboot progresses, he will continue to evolve as an individual. The showrunner adds that while David will bear similarities to his parents, he will ultimately become his own distinct character.

We did not intend to replace characters one-to-one. Many viewers may instinctively compare the new characters to Niles or Daphne. However, we believe it would be unfair to both the old and new shows. This comparison is evident in several reviews, as people try to identify similarities between the old and new characters.

David is a mix of his parents' qualities. He inherits Niles' neuroses and Daphne's empathy and humanity. At the same time, he has his own distinct personality.

How David Can Be Integral To The Frasier Reboot

We discussed his current state of metamorphosis as a college freshman, where he is not fully in the stage of adulthood. As a result, he feels somewhat uncomfortable in his own body and is still in the process of discovering his true identity. Throughout the story, we have observed glimpses of his father and mother, but our ultimate goal is for him to develop into a unique and independent character.

Taking on the roles of two beloved characters in the original Frasier is a challenging task that the revival and actor Anders Keith have embraced. Fortunately, Harris and his team have a clear agenda for developing David's character going forward. Currently, he primarily fulfills a supportive role, appearing in select scenes and providing comedic moments. However, there is a lack of substantial focus on him beyond that. As the show progresses, there is immense potential for David to become a crucial figure in the Frasier reboot through various means.

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To begin with, as one of Frasier's Harvard students, David holds the potential to help his uncle acclimate to his new job. Frasier episode 3 briefly explores this concept, but falls short in fully exploring it. However, as David matures, this dynamic may evolve and develop further in the future.

Additionally, David's presence in the Paramount+ show opens up the possibility for his parents to make their much-anticipated appearance. Although the original plans for Niles in the Frasier reboot were abandoned when Pierce declined involvement, it would be relatively simple to bring him and his wife to Boston now that their son is residing there.

Niles as a father in the Frasier reboot would have been amazing. In the old show, he had concerns about being a parent, so exploring that in the revival would have been a great nod to the original series. However, it seems unlikely to happen due to Pierce's position on the Paramount+ project. Nonetheless, Niles and Daphne seem to have done a fantastic job raising their son. Although he can be awkward, it's possible that he will eventually overcome this and gain more self-confidence.