The Surprising Twist: Why Daphne, Not Frasier's Sons, Delivered Martin's Eulogy in the Frasier Reboot

Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Frasier reboot pilot.

Summary

Daphne, with her close bond and deeper understanding of Martin's world, was chosen to deliver the eulogy at his funeral in the Frasier reboot pilot. Frasier and Niles, known for their emotional volatility, were deemed unsuitable as they might have created a scene. Daphne proved to be a fitting representative for the family.

Martin's funeral was a significant event that included various aspects. Daphne delivered a heartfelt speech, Bulldog played a role in the proceedings, and the Seattle PD conducted a full memorial with the flag being presented to Freddy. Additionally, bagpipes added a poignant touch to the ceremony. The Frasier reboot sheds light on Daphne's involvement in delivering the eulogy, which is explained by a specific reason. In this small screen comeback of Kelsey Grammer as the beloved therapist, the Cranes face a tragedy – the death of Martin. Inspired by the passing of John Mahoney in 2018, the Frasier reboot wastes no time in addressing the fate of the character, revealing that Frasier had to travel from Seattle to attend his father's funeral. While the Paramount+ project doesn't extensively focus on the family's grief, it offers some glimpses into the send-off for the Crane patriarch.

Frasier Reboot Revealed That Daphne Delivered Martin’s

In Cheers, Frasier announced that his father had already passed away — something that NBC later contradicted in the spin-off when they introduced Martin. Despite this inconsistency in the storyline, the original Frasier managed to resolve the narrative issue by revealing Frasier's lie about his father's status. Regardless, the entire situation proved to be worthwhile. Martin became the heart of the family comedy, with his relationship with Frasier arguably being the show's most compelling love story. Naturally, Martin's death will significantly impact Frasier's story as he works on repairing his strained relationship with his own son. Given this, one would assume that either Frasier or Niles would deliver the eulogy at Martin's funeral. However, that wasn't the case.

While the Frasier reboot pilot doesn't dwell on the fact that Martin has passed away, it dedicates the latter part of "The Good Father" to Frasier and Freddy dealing with the loss. Despite their strong bond in the original Frasier series, the father and son have become estranged in recent years, following Freddy's decision to leave Harvard. Frasier confronts his son about not attending his grandfather's funeral. The oldest Crane sibling then proceeds to share the details of the ceremony, mentioning some familiar faces who were involved.

Eulogy Daphne Had Always Taken Martin’s Mortality Seriously

In addition to its comedic value, Frasier was lauded for its ability to address weighty subjects, such as death. As therapists, both Niles and Frasier fearlessly tackled this topic, allowing them to approach Martin's mortality with a touch of humor. In the third season of Frasier, the brothers persistently urged their father to record a message for future generations of the Crane family. A few years later, despite Martin's excellent health, they managed to convince him to plan his own funeral. Initially hesitant, Martin eventually gave in to their request.

Why Frasier & Niles Didn’t Deliver Martin’s Eulogy

Daphne, however, took Martin's mortality much more seriously. Despite being trained to accept death as part of her profession in healthcare, her main duty revolved around preserving life. It is noteworthy that Daphne shared a better bond with Martin compared to his own sons. Prior to Frasier relocating to Seattle, both he and Niles struggled to connect with their father due to their limited common interests. Repairing their relationship took several years, but even then, it remained evident that the Crane men were still vastly dissimilar. Conversely, Daphne and Martin instantly connected as kindred spirits from the beginning.

Being Martin's children, Frasier and Niles had a significant role to play in commemorating their father's farewell. In the original Frasier series, the Crane brothers were prominent figures in the social scene of Seattle. They were not hesitant to engage with others, so it was presumed that speaking in public to honor their father would not pose any difficulties for them. Nevertheless, it should be noted that both brothers tend to be emotionally volatile, which would have hindered their ability to deliver a suitable eulogy. Additionally, considering the peculiar rivalry between Frasier and Niles, it was deemed more appropriate to enlist the help of Daphne to deliver the speech, thereby avoiding any potential disruptions.

Finally, Daphne was a more suitable choice to represent the family at Martin's funeral. Despite Frasier and Niles' high social status in Seattle, they did not belong to the world that their father was a part of. Given his background in the police force and his circle of friends, it is likely that the attendees at his funeral would have been like-minded individuals. While Niles and Frasier would have been capable of delivering a remarkable speech to honor their father, they would have struggled to connect with Martin's acquaintances present at the service. On the other hand, Daphne, who had a similar upbringing and shared similar preferences with the Crane patriarch, would have been able to establish that connection.

Everything We Know About Martin’s Funeral

Given Martin's death in the Frasier reboot, it is highly unlikely that the actual ceremony will be depicted. This is mainly due to the absence of physical appearances by Niles and Daphne in the Paramount+ endeavor. Nevertheless, certain aspects of Martin's final service have been disclosed. Alongside Daphne's speech, Bulldog also played a role in the ceremony. Additionally, Frasier revealed that his father received a complete memorial tribute from the Seattle PD, and the flag used was ultimately presented to Freddy.

Prior to the Frasier reboot, there were established aspects of Martin's farewell if the Crane brothers adhered strictly to their father's wishes. Martin had discussed everything he desired for his send-off as he made preparations for his own funeral. Given that it was Frasier and Niles' initiative, it is reasonable to assume that they fulfilled Martin's request. It can be inferred that bagpipes would have been played at the Crane patriarch's funeral as well.