10 Reasons Why Frasier Is The Best US Sitcom In History

4. The Through-Line

From episode one to episode two hundred and sixty four there has been quite a basic through-line and that was Frasier's search for love. It's easy to forget this during the middle seasons of 6/7/8 because, similar to Ross and Rachel, the emphasis was heavily on Niles and Daphne but the line was always about the title character making his way through the romantic world as he heads towards his fifties. It's a shame that after season seven audiences began to dip slightly for Frasier. Season eight didn't work quite as well as many had hoped due to Jane Leeves' pregnancy so just when we thought we'd get Niles and Daphne together, she was sent off to 'fat camp'. This slight viewing dip was never rescued and this means that seasons 9/10/11 have, by some, been left 'undiscovered' but, if anything, this is when Frasier, both man and programme, hit their stride. With the focus back on Frasier we really did see the sadness in the man as he saw his brother marry the love of his life and even his father pair up with Ronee. Hell, even Eddie the dog has more success than Frasier. It is this loneliness that plays its final card in the last season where Frasier signs up for a match-making service run by Laura Linney's Charlotte only to fall in love with her. The final episodes all move towards Frasier leaving Seattle, and his loving family behind, but it's only in the last few seconds of the episode you realise where he's gone.