Summary
A new update about theFrasierreboot season 2 will further destroy Niles Crane, but I believe it’s for the better, considering David Hyde Pierce’s stance on the show. The Paramount+ revival took years to get off the ground, with Kelsey Grammer spearheading the endeavor. As much as I love the original show, I, too, was skeptical about the possibility that the reboot would get made despite its predecessor’s success. In the end, the reviews for theFrasierreboot season 1 were divisive, but I thought that some tweaks could make it better, hence why it deserved a second season.
Plot specifics for what comes next for Grammer’s character continue to be tightly under wraps. The main reason forFrasier’s move to Boston was to re-establish his relationship with his grown-up son, Freddy. Any fan of the original series knows that it was an attempt to mimic Frasier’s own complicated relationship with Martin in the original show. I believe that theFrasierreboot season 1 finalefully solved that. As the revival moves the character’s final act in Boston forward, season 2 will pull him back to his roots, which also effectively threatens to destroy Niles beyond repair.
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The Frasier Reboot Season 2 Will Return To Seattle
Frasier Has An Upcoming Fun KACL Function In His Hometown
After spending the whole ofFrasierreboot season 1 in Boston, Grammer’s character is already set to have some homecoming in season 2. Per the official information from Paramount+, one episode in the show’s sophomore year will be set in the Emerald City. Not much has been revealed about what the outing will be about, but it involvesFrasier reuniting with his KACL co-workers: Dan Butler’s Bob “Bulldog” Briscoe and Edward Hibbert’s Gil Chesterton, as well as, Harriet Sansom Harris' eccentric agent Bebe Glazer. Peri Gilpin’s Roz Doyle will also be present in the nostalgia-filled offering.
I am truly excited for thisFrasierreboot season 2 episode, especially knowing who’s involved. However, it isn’t lost on me the implication that this will have on Niles' continued absence from the show. One of the perks of Frasier’s move to Boston is that it physically separates him from his brother and Daphne, who are both still based in the Pacific Northwest. Since Frasier hasn’t been back to Seattle throughout the revival’s first year, Paramount+ was able to get away with not featuring the younger Crane. However, it’s highly suspicious if Frasier comes back home and does not meet him.
The Frasier Reboot Season 2 Is Running Out Of Excuses To Explain Niles' Absence
Niles' Absence Is Detrimental To The Frasier Reboot’s Storytelling
I have coveredFrasierextensively forScreen Rant— both the old show and the new one. My stance on Niles' absence is clear — I hate it. Pierce’s chemistry with Grammer was one of the reasons why the Seattle project was successful. Beyond that, it’s ridiculous that the Crane brothers don’t have the need to stay closer together after losing their father. Granted that Frasier spent the last couple of decades in Chicago, but between the death of Martin and his break-up with Claire, I would assume Niles would be keen on being near him. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Not having Niles in theFrasierreboot is such a shame, and based on what’s known about season 2, the Paramount+ series is trying to recapture some of the best elements of his character. Whether they succeed is currently unknown. With the upcoming Seattle-based episode, theFrasierreboot is running out of excuses about this. The fact that he already missed theChristmas-themed Frasierrevival season 1 ending although all of his family was in Boston was already a stretch. It would take a lot to convince me that the Cranes cannot reunite in the Pacific Northwest this time.
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Frasier Cutting Off Niles Is So Much Better For The Reboot’s Future
A Petty Crane Brother Fight Isn’t Anything New Anyway
The interesting thing is thatPierce never really changed his stance on theFrasierrevival. Long before Paramount+ announced it, he had already made it clear that he was against the idea. He explained that he didn’t want to repeat his old performance and not be able to explore other projects, and also believed that there was no need for it. There’s also the idea that revisiting the show risks ruining its otherwise flawless legacy. Several years later, he maintains his opinion. As eager as I am to see Niles again, I fully understand where Pierce is coming from.
At this point, a falling-off between the Crane brothers sounds better rather than the revival being limited by its storytelling simply because it is unable to feature Niles.
So now, we’re faced with a dilemma. Does theFrasierreboot continue to find ways to explain Niles' absence, or should they find a way to fully address the character’s situation? At this point, a falling-off between the Crane brothers sounds better rather than the revival being limited by its storytelling simply because it is unable to feature Niles. This way, the Paramount+ show can move on without constantly being haunted by the glaring void of Pierce’s character. Niles isn’t also painted as a bad brother for not even taking the time to see Frasier in Boston.
Aside from Frasier and Freddy, Niles and Daphne’s son, David is also based in Boston in theFrasierreboot.
I’m not suggesting that they go at it with each other. However, we all know that both Frasier and Niles can be extremely competitive and petty with each other — something that the original show leaned on multiple times. A ridiculous fight that results in them not talking to each other can be a good reason for Niles' continued absence. SinceMartin is no longer around in theFrasierreboot to force them to reconcile, they can drag the issue on for as long as possible.
Will Niles Ever Appear In The Frasier Reboot?
It Will All Depend On Pierce’s Decision
For now, the chances that theFrasierreboot season 2will feature Niles are very slim to none. The good thing is,Pierce’s recently said that he is no longer opposed to being involved, just as long as it’s only going to be for a special one-off appearance. So, Grammer can come up with a narrative about him visiting Boston, which is fairly easy. If it’s up to me, however, I would rather see him in a special Niles-themed episode and not mixed in with other cameos, simply because of how much he meant to the original show.
Frasier
Cast
Follow Frasier Crane in the next chapter of his life as he returns to Boston, Mass., with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge and an old dream or two to finally fulfill.
