The Shocking Truth Behind Frasier's Heartbreaking Response to Martin's Fate Unveiled After 24 Years

Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Frasier reboot pilot.

Summary

In the Frasier reboot, Frasier's response to Martin's death can be attributed to a previous episode where Martin takes charge of planning his own funeral, giving his sons the chance to confront the reality of his eventual passing. Throughout the original series, the core emphasis was always on Frasier's dynamic with his father, despite the radio show being a prominent feature. Over time, their bond grew stronger, ultimately enabling Frasier to handle Martin's death in a mature and composed manner in the reboot.

Martin's funeral in the Frasier reboot sheds light on a few details, such as the Seattle PD conducting a full memorial service and Daphne delivering a heartfelt speech. It appears that Martin's specific wishes for roast beef and bagpipes were also honored.

In the original Frasier episode from 24 years ago, we witness Frasier's emotional response to Martin's passing in the reboot. Kelsey Grammer's return to the small screen coincides with a tragic event within the Crane family. As unveiled in the pilot episode of the Frasier reboot titled "The Good Father," John Mahoney's character, Martin, has already departed. Frasier's return to Seattle from Chicago, where he had resided for the past two decades, was motivated by the need to attend his father's funeral. Although their relationship had its complexities, Frasier and Martin were able to mend their dynamic during the 11 years they spent together in Seattle.

Martin Started Planning His Funeral In Frasier Season 7

In contrast to Cheers, Frasier was marketed as a sitcom suitable for the whole family. While Frasier's radio program at KACL played a significant role in his life in Seattle, the main focus of the series was always his relationship with his father. It was widely known that Frasier and Martin had a challenging relationship; Frasier even went as far as claiming that his father was deceased during his time on Cheers, which signified the depth of their rift. This initial dynamic served as the foundation for their journey in Seattle, and as they spent more time together, their bond gradually began to heal. Therefore, it is surprising that Frasier appears unaffected by Martin's passing.

The Frasier reboot makes connections between Frasier's bond with Freddy and his previous relationship with Martin. It's too early to gauge how the new show will address the evolving dynamic between Frasier and Freddy. However, in the pilot episode, they find something in common as they discuss Martin's recent passing. Frasier appears to have already adjusted to his father's death, which is intriguing. Though he isn't devoid of emotion, considering he wears his heart on his sleeve, his reaction seems inadequately expressed. Frasier's response to Martin's demise in the reboot can be traced back to an incident from the Seattle-based series 24 years ago.

In season 7, episode 5 of Frasier titled "The Dog That Rocks The Cradle," aired in 1999, the main storyline focused on Bulldog's return to Roz's life, while the secondary plot revolved around Martin expressing his dissatisfaction with his friend's funeral. In response, Frasier and Niles suggested that Martin should plan his own funeral, not because they expected him to pass away soon, but because it would be a practical decision. Given Martin's distinct preferences compared to his sons, it made sense for him to have everything he desired for his funeral, with his sons simply overseeing the arrangements.

Initially doubtful, Martin eventually agreed. Without his sons' knowledge, he explored various options and even purchased a burial plot for himself and his boys. This contributed to Frasier and Niles accepting the inevitable reality of their father's eventual passing. As psychiatrists, they were accustomed to addressing difficult conversations and ideas, having openly discussed death years before the events in Frasier season 7, including the brothers requesting a video message from Martin for the family archives. However, without Martin taking proactive steps to plan for his death, his sons would not have been able to adequately prepare themselves for this future eventuality.

Everything We Know About Martin’s Funeral

The Frasier reboot begins after Martin's funeral has already taken place, indicating that the new series is unlikely to portray the actual ceremony. Due to David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves' decision not to participate in the revival, Paramount+ had to come up with a solution, resulting in Frasier moving to Boston. However, the reboot provides some insights into Martin's final service. Firstly, the flag that Freddy receives suggests that Martin received full memorial honors from the Seattle PD. Additionally, Daphne delivered a speech during the service.

If we assume that the Crane brothers honored their father's wishes from the original Frasier show, it is reasonable to believe that Martin had his desired roast beef memorial, as he had mentioned it while discussing his burial plot with his sons and Daphne. Unless he later changed his mind, bagpipes would have also been part of Martin's funeral, despite some resistance from Daphne, as he insisted on having them.