Rescue Me

Diane and Frasier are ready to tie the knot, but Sam still loves her. So Season 3 ends with Sam on a plane, heading for Florence. There is a precursor, a dream sequence where Sam shows up at the wedding, sweeps Diane off her feet, and carries her away (she even says she will do everything he says or wants). Boing!!! Anyway, things are set up for next season. But this whole thing gets kind of dry. Perhaps, because I"ve already seen all these episodes before.

I watched this on Netflix and there appears to be some damage on the film (video?) towards the end. I don't mind it one bit, it actually kind of works for the dream sequence thing, but I'm writing about it here because I'm quite curious, and I've seen nothing written about it. The trivia section here was the last place I looked. Similar to the time difference between Boston and wherever Diane and Frasier are in Europe is ignored. Although with the possible exception of Sam's planning to fly to Florence.

What I'm referring to is that Cheers is open, and hopping with a full contingent of regulars at the same time Frasier and Diane are attempting a romantic dinner. Now, maybe people just didn't care about that kind of thing back then, but I think it's worth noting.

If you allow for the Italian way of life in having the big meal in the middle of the day rather than the evening, the math couldn't possibly work out because it goes the wrong way. Let's say it is Pranzo, and it's 2 o'clock in the afternoon - then it would be 8 in the morning in Boston. If it IS an evening meal, then it for the bar to even be just open (at a reasonable - or even legal - time, and immediately "hopping") it would have to be 10pm. I guess that's the most possible, but even an hour later seems quite unlikely, Frasier's later character's penchant for late dinners not withstanding. Even if you say the bar opens early, it couldn't possibly be that busy, say at 2 or 3 in the afternoon, with regulars in tow.

I didn't care to notice it happening in prior episodes while the show bi-located, but I wouldn't be surprised if this was a constant inconsistency that season.

The episode begins with a final cold opening featuring Nicholas Colasanto. The gag is a good one - Coach at his most Yogi Berra - and then we're off to yet another cliffhanger episode.

It's a pretty well done episode considering much of the drama is done over the phone. Frasier has asked Diane to marry him, and Diane calls to tell Sam. Is she trying to soften the blow? Or does she want Sam to object? Deep down we all know the answer before the characters do, but it doesn't matter. The triangle has reached its endpoint, and we're left wondering whom will Diane choose.

It's still pretty funny, especially the scene where Frasier and Diane have to console the maître'D over the death of *LUIGI* (chokes back sob). Navigating this social nightmare plays like a preview of Frasier's own show. You can easily imagine Frasier and Niles having to deal with this same situation.

Cheers is often neatly divided into the Diane Years and The Rebecca Years, but this is as much an inflection point for the series. Things won't be the same from here on in.