Unlocking the Hidden Niles Easter Eggs in Frasier Reboot Episode 3

Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Frasier reboot episode 3.

Summary

In episode 3 of the Frasier reboot, there are subtle hints about Niles Crane's absence and the loss of the dynamic relationship between him and Frasier. David unknowingly wearing the same jacket as Frasier creates a comedic scene reminiscent of a memorable moment between Frasier and Niles from the original series, illustrating their shared fashion sense.

Freddy's mention of Frasier and Niles' failed restaurant highlights their tendency to quit, while Frasier's concerns about his legacy stem from Niles mocking his radio show.

In the Frasier reboot episode 3, titled "First Class," there are several hidden references to Niles Crane. Frasier Crane starts his life anew in Boston, 19 years after leaving his hometown of Seattle. He now faces fresh challenges, including entering a new professional field and repairing his strained relationship with his son, Freddy. Unlike in Seattle, he must navigate all of this without the support of his closest confidante and brother. Niles is absent from the Frasier reboot as David Hyde Pierce chose not to be a part of the project.

Despite being the headliner, the original Frasier provided Niles with his own compelling storyline that some argue surpasses that of his older brother. Over the course of the show's 11-season run, the youngest Crane sibling experienced significant personal growth, particularly in his romantic pursuits. By the conclusion of Frasier, Niles found himself in a state of great happiness, being in a loving relationship with Daphne and recently becoming a father to their first child, David. While Niles' story is now fully resolved, his absence in the reboot leaves a noticeable void, particularly as Frasier's firstborn continues to search for his true path in life.

4 David Accidentally Matching With Frasier Like Niles Did

In the third episode of the Frasier reboot, Frasier is getting ready to teach his first class at Harvard. He searches through his closet in a hurry to find the perfect jacket to match his entire outfit. In the living room, Freddy and Eve are rehearsing for her upcoming auditions and pay no attention to Frasier's inquiries about his fashion choices. Eventually, Frasier decides on a tweed jacket with elbow patches, as it gives off the academic vibe he wants to convey to his students. Just when Frasier feels confident about his appearance, he opens the door to find David wearing the exact same jacket, prompting him to quickly change.

Interestingly, this situation is reminiscent of an episode from the original Frasier series that humorously shocked both Frasier and Niles. In Season 4, Episode 10, "Liar, Liar," the Crane sons coincidentally showed up at Cafe Nervosa wearing the same outfit. This indicates that David has inherited his father's sense of fashion. While he also displays traits from Daphne and the Moon family, the Frasier reboot recreating the fashion mishap between Frasier, Niles, and David serves as a reminder of the younger Crane brother.

3 Olivia Describing Frasier & Niles’ Relationship

Frasier, despite his success as a public speaker, quickly realizes that teaching is not as simple as he initially thought. In the episode "First Class," he struggles to connect with his Harvard students when he realizes they only seek his advice for personal matters. However, the head of the school's psychiatry department, Olivia, is unperturbed by this. In fact, she encourages him to embrace his celebrity status. Ultimately, Olivia reveals her true intentions – she wants Frasier to act as a mere spectacle rather than an actual educator, in order to spite her sister, who recently became the provost at Yale. After pushing Frasier into conducting a Dr. Crane-themed class, which almost pushes him to quit, Olivia finally confesses her hidden motives for hiring him.

She proceeds to discuss the experience of having a sibling "with whom you share a highly competitive and intense relationship." This understandably strikes a chord with Fraser, who is intimately acquainted with this sentiment due to his dynamic with Niles. Despite their close bond, Frasier and Niles maintained a rivalry as siblings that often escalated to extreme levels. As revealed by Martin in the original show, this animosity has persisted between them since their childhood days.

Remarkably, the segment manages to allude to Niles without explicitly mentioning him by name. Nonetheless, Frasier's facial expression and his subsequent decision to remain at Harvard suggest that he is contemplating his brother and how he can relate to Olivia's situation. Furthermore,

bringing up Frasier and Niles' bond in the Frasier reboot episode 3 is a reminder of what the new show is missing — their electric and highly entertaining dynamic.

2 Freddy Recalls Frasier & Niles’ Failed Restaurant

Niles, Frasier's brother, is not mentioned by name until episode 3 of the show. Surprisingly, it is Freddy who brings him up while teasing his father for considering quitting Harvard, just as Frasier did when he announced his intention to drop out of the Ivy League. Freddy highlights Frasier's tendency to quit and supports his point by recalling the time when both he and Niles gave up on their restaurant business after just one night. However, it should be noted that the brothers quickly realized that the industry was not suited for them after the incident in the Frasier episode, "The Innkeepers."

In the 1995 episode of the original series, Niles and Frasier teamed up to purchase Seattle's oldest restaurant, as it was on the brink of closure. The duo had meticulously planned the grand opening, but their overbearing behavior towards the staff resulted in them having to take charge of the kitchen themselves. Interestingly, this was not the first time that someone from the Crane family mocked Niles and Frasier's calamitous business endeavors. In fact, their father had also poked fun at them, further highlighting the striking similarities between Freddy and Martin.

1 Frasier’s Legacy Worries Came From Niles’ Mockery

Feeling defeated after resorting to his old TV show antics to captivate his students, Frasier confides in Alan about the state of his legacy. He aspires to make a genuine impact in the world, and he doubts that hosting Dr. Crane achieved that. As an educator now, he remains uncertain whether his flair for showmanship will help him achieve his goal of honing the intellect of his peers. This unease is heightened by Niles' constant ridicule of Frasier's radio show in Seattle.

Although the younger Crane briefly experimented with the concept of radiotherapy and even produced a few episodes while his brother was ill, he firmly believed that it was inferior to his private practice. Without Niles expressing his own thoughts, Frasier becomes fixated on his criticisms during the Frasier reboot. While Niles' opinion of Dr. Crane remains uncertain, Frasier's lack of pride in what the show has become highlights his regrets. Tune in to Paramount+ every Thursday for new episodes of the Frasier reboot.