Frasier, S04E04 “A Cranes’ Critique” (1996)

The Frasier episode “A Cranes’ Critique” centers on the reclusive author T. H. Houghton, who wrote a single novel that became a favorite of the young Frasier and Niles. Now, Houghton has written a second novel that he hesitates to share. When Frasier and Niles discover and surreptitiously read the manuscript, they offer Houghton their thoughts:

“Frasier: Mr. Houghton, you know, there is one further thing I’d like to add about your book.

“Houghton: Yeah?

“Frasier: Well, it’s the way you modulated into the second person narrative during the flashback scene. Frankly, it beggars anything Faulkner attempted.

“Houghton: Really? That’s very flattering.

“Niles: Wait, I have one too. The way you so skillfully mirrored the structure of Dante’s Divine Comedy was inspired.

“Houghton: Really?

“Frasier: Yes, yes. But the inferno of the bordello…

“Niles: Which we noticed had exactly nine rooms!

“Frasier: Uh-huh. To the purgatory of the assembly line and finally to the paradise of the farm.

“Houghton: You both saw that?

“Niles: Oh, it practically jumped off the page.

“Houghton: Well, that’s very perceptive of you.

“Frasier: Well, thank you. Our turn to be flattered.

“Houghton: You’re absolutely right. This whole book is crap!

“Niles: Beg your pardon?

“Houghton: How could I be so blind? I lifted the entire structure from Dante.

“Niles: Oh, you mean you weren’t going for that.

“Houghton: Of course not. This confirms my worst fear. I have nothing original left to say. I’m an empty shell. I was a fool to think I had a second book in me. [reading from his manuscript] “The winters were harsh on the farm.” Well, here’s something to warm them up. [starts throwing the pages into the fire]”    —KACL780.net: The Frasier Archives Transcripts

Season Four of Frasier is available to stream on Paramount+ (subscription required).

Contributed by Mark Coggeshall

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