A Lilith Thanksgiving

Infobox Television episode | Title = A Lilith Thanksgiving
Series = Frasier


Caption = Frasier and Lilith entering Dr.Campbell's home.
Season = 4
Episode = 07
Airdate = 26 November 1996
Production =
Writer = Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano
Director = Jeff Melman
Guests = Paxton Whitehead (Dr. Colin Campbell)
Lisa Banes (Pamela)
Jane Lynch (Cynthia)
Prev = Mixed Doubles
Next = Our Father, Whose Art Ain't Heaven
Episode list = List of Frasier episodes (Season 4)

"A Lilith Thanksgiving" is the seventh episode in season 4 of American sitcom "Frasier".

Cast and characters

Main cast and characters

*Kelsey Grammer – Dr. Frasier Crane
*David Hyde Pierce – Dr. Niles Crane
*John Mahoney – Martin Crane
*Jane Leeves – Daphne Moon
*Peri Gilpin – Roz Doyle

Recurring cast

*Bebe Neuwirth – Lilith Sternin
*Trevor Einhorn – Frederick Crane

Plot outline

Niles' plans for a 'rustic' thanksgiving retreat for the family (complete with mints on the pillows) are scuppered when Lilith arranges a meeting for Thanksgiving morning, with the headmaster of the Marbury Academy, a very exclusive school, with the aim of getting Frederick in. As a result, the family goes to Boston. Daphne visits her transvestite uncle Jackie (who is a minister of some sort) while Roz is housesitting for Frasier.

Lilith leaves Niles in charge of preparing the Thanksgiving meal, and Martin in charge of entertaining Frederick, while she and Frasier go to meet Dr. Campbell. Things start to go wrong at both ends: once at Dr. Campbell's house, Frasier damages a valuable chair; meanwhile, Frederick sustains some injuries while playing with Martin. Frasier and Lilith return home, but then become over-anxious to ingratiate themselves, and go back to Dr. Campbell on the pretext of looking for a missing earring. Dr. Campbell finds their persistence increasingly irritating, but this just makes them more determined, even to the point of bribery. All the while, they never notice the numerous ailments that Frederick has acquired in their absence.

Episode title cards

*"Stop saying “Doctor”"
*"Beware of geeks bearing gifts"

Memorable quotations

"Frasier asks why Lilith hasn't gone with her husband to a volcano site"
Niles: Because if she accidentally fell in, the shockwave from the hottest thing in Nature meeting the coldest would actually crack the Earth in two.
Frasier: "(incredulously)" As if a smile from Maris couldn't freeze mercury!

Martin: Nice neighbourhood. I noticed a whole bunch of kids Freddie's age playing in the street.
Lilith: Yes, he's spent many happy hours at his window observing their play patterns.

"Before the interview, Frasier and Lilith agree to set their petty disagreements aside for Frederick's benefit"
Lilith: This may be the most important thing we ever do to ensure his happiness.
Frasier: Not counting our divorce.

"Dr. Campbell on the phone to a prospective parent"
Dr. Campbell: Well, Senator, rules may not mean anything on Capitol Hill, but they still mean something to me. And that is why young Noah will be seeking his education elsewhere.

"After playing catch with Martin, Frederick has acquired a black eye"
Martin: I still don't know how it happened. I lobbed it right to him.
Niles: Oh, when are you going to learn, Dad? The only thing the Crane boys are skilled at catching is sarcastic nuance and the occasional virus.

"Dr. Campbell responds to the attempted bribe with unconcealed contempt, and tries to get rid of Lilith and Frasier"
Dr. Campbell: I'll have you know that in 22 years I have never accepted a bribe. I have to tell you that I find this utterly offensive…"(looks at amount on cheque)"…in every possible way. And now, if you don't mind, I have guests on the way, and a turkey so undercooked, a skilled veterinarian could still save him.

ee also

*List of Frasier episodes