Daphne believable as the object of such idealization?
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nine_inch_nailed — 9 years ago(July 28, 2016 05:30 AM)
She was "the object of such idealization" for one man. Yes, it's totally believable, even more so when you consider Niles' circumstances.
Armchair Critic Law 38:
If a film has a plot twist, overanalyse. -
ClayGorgon — 9 years ago(July 28, 2016 07:40 AM)
Spoilers ahead!
What I find quite amusing is how jealous Niles is of Freddie's relationship with Daphne.
Like in
The Unnatural
when Freddie comes to visit, and he's constantly going for these public displays of affection- to rub it in Niles' face.
Niles
: Frasier, do you really think it's healthy for a little boy
to be so obsessed with a woman he can't possibly have?!
Frasier
: Niles, have you actually sunk so low as to be jealous of him?
Niles
: No, I'm not jealous, I'm just a bit, well maybe envious.
Martin
: That's ridiculous! What have you got to be envious of?
Daphne
: [off screen ] Hold on!
Daphne runs back and forth through the room with Freddie clung to
her having a fun piggyback ride.
Freddie: Wheeeee!
Niles looks on with anger
And then in the end of the episode, Daphne picks up Freddie to give him a hug, and Freddie looks over her shoulder and puts on a sly smile for Niles, who's watching them. Niles smiles back, as he pictures himself in Freddie's place.
It's one of my favorite moments in the series.Some of that jealousy resurfaces in
The Apparent Trap
and then , later in
Cranes Unplugged
where Niles and Daphne are together already
Niles
: Freddie, about what you just saw - I know you've always had
special feelings for Daphne, and there's something I need to
tell you.
Freddie:
I already know about you guys.
Niles
: Oh. Uh, and you're OK with that?
Freddie
: I liked her when I was a little kid. I'm over it now.
I mean, she's like a hundred.
Niles
: She most certainly is not. It just burns you up
that I got her-
All this made me realize how much I care about the later seasons of
Frasier.
It's so nice to watch the shift in the dynamic of these characters' relationships. -
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ClayGorgon — 9 years ago(July 31, 2016 07:47 AM)
Yes, there's a purposely theatrical quality to Daphne's disregard of the whole thing. I think it works because the show is a farce.
Just watch something as early as
A Midwinter Night's Dream
in Season 1. The way Niles hovers over her, as she closes her eyes.
Or in
Frasier Gotta Have It
-season 5- where they're sharing stories of their love lives, and when Daphne finishes her account, Niles rises in front of everyone,barely in control, and without saying anything, slowly walks out of the apartment.
One of the funniest scenes , actually.
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Hanz-Willhelm2 — 9 years ago(August 01, 2016 12:29 PM)
For the most part no but the episode in which Niles went dancing with her and she pretended to be his lady, I can see how that night would amp up the way one feels about someone.
Was ist der Sinn des Lebens? -
Insomniatic102 — 9 years ago(August 11, 2016 01:06 AM)
I have to say in several seasons she was an absolute knockout. Even if she wasn't though, people fall in love with less than models all the time, including strong sexual attractions.
Also consider how repressed and starved for attention Niles was. -
isbabo — 9 years ago(August 28, 2016 11:13 PM)
I think a combination of Niles situation and the fact that Jane Leeves IS quite attractive both played in to it.
Watching her now, esp in the early seasons (my favourite ones) she just has such a dated look to her that it takes away from her beauty, but in 1993 that big hair look was still in. She was a bombshell when the show debuted. -
zuzupetal_99 — 9 years ago(October 09, 2016 12:57 AM)
I think the main reason why Niles was infatuated, was because he got to know Daphne, and interact with her almost daily. She may not have been the most gorgeous thing on the planet, but she became that to him, because he got to smell her hair, or she'd touch his hand, or be kind to him, all the time. Most women probably didn't pay much attention to him, even his own wife, so to him, this was exciting to fantasize about a woman that was real and in his life all the time, and she was very pretty. But she was Venus to him, because she interacted with him all the time and was always there at Frasier's house and for all the occasions - big & small.
Are you going to your grave with unlived lives in your veins? ~ The Good Girl -
paul_tachian — 9 years ago(December 27, 2016 07:35 PM)
All true, but one more thing: expectation. Daphne exceeded them.
Watch that first season episode (#2?) where Niles does the double-take after being introduced to Daphne. Beautifully acted by both.
First impressions, love at first sight etc. -
Hanz-Willhelm2 — 9 years ago(October 10, 2016 10:05 AM)
The heart wants what the heart wants. She was young, pretty, had a cute figure and was exotic (being from another country and having an accent).
I'm sure lots of men would find her stunning.
Really, the way Niles freaked out and worshipped her as perfect was really too much to believe about any woman. Any man who idolizes someone that much has some problems of his own to work out. To see any other human of either gender as worthy of such worship and idolization is unhealthy.
Was ist der Sinn des Lebens? -
ClayGorgon — 9 years ago(October 10, 2016 10:39 AM)
To get stuck in a loveless marriage for someone of Niles' character while being in the presence of a woman who was always friendly and supportive, and whom he also found attractive was enough to make such idealization possible.
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Clothes-Off — 9 years ago(October 15, 2016 10:47 PM)
No offense but this whole topic seems ridiculous to meespecially since the show from which Frasier was spun, Cheers, had a very sweet first season episode in which Coach tells his daughter (Allyce Beasley) that she's as beautiful as her late mother was, while the daughter had been very insecure about looking like her mother. To the coach she was a goddess.
See also the BBC situation comedy, The Vicar of Dibley in which a ditzy girl with an odd fashion sense captures the affection of the head of the parish council's son. The episose in which the father threatens to cut him off if he marries her is to die for.
"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!"
C. M. Burns -
BelleStar82 — 9 years ago(October 17, 2016 09:10 PM)
Why is it hard to believe? I see the point if it was an average Joe, but we are talking about Niles here. Niles' type wasn't flashy "bombshells." When he first met Daphne she was tall, thin with long flowing hair and wearing flower-print dresses. She had a classic/English rose look that I think fits in with Niles' character and refined taste.
He obviously was physically attracted to Daphne, but he wasn't into vulgarity; he was grossed out by Roz even though Roz is pretty. -
Vic_Hitler — 9 years ago(January 17, 2017 11:35 AM)
Hated her.
She hams up that way over the top British accent the same way Sofia makes a clown show out of her Spanish accent.
It's like somebody doing a really bad impression of a British accent.
Plus, Jane Leeves is a fugly mutt, flat chested, flat assed, bean pole legs - nothing attractive about her. And that silly hair hanging in her eyes all the time! Good grief
They dragged out the Niles infatuation trope for what8 seasons?
Yes, wealthy big city psychiatrists always go for the laundry lady.