Daphne believable as the object of such idealization?
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luciole2 — 9 years ago(July 31, 2016 11:33 PM)
Well it was only Niles who thought she was a goddess and It kind of made sense with him.
Not just Niles. Donnie was obsessed with her, too. Freddie had a huge crush on her.
I agree with the decision to cast Jane Leeves in the role. She is tall, a former dancer, and very pretty. For the show, her beauty was left in a more
natural
state as opposed to being overly processed or played up like Sofia Vergara's character in Modern Family. I'm sure she
could
have been dolled up like a bombshell, but that might undermine the sweet and quirky personality of her character. -
detroit-velvet-smooth — 9 years ago(August 05, 2016 07:18 AM)
her beauty was left in a more natural state as opposed to being overly processed or played up like Sofia Vergara's character in Modern Family
That's not just the difference between the shows but the respective decades. Women's makeup was much more matte and natural looking in the 90s. You can even compare Victoria's Secret models between the two times to see the difference. Everyone looks like Vegas showgirl these days in comparison. Things were much earthier then but that was coming off of the 80s afterall. -
shrilltrills — 9 years ago(July 21, 2016 07:37 PM)
Like others have said, it was only Niles who was so obsessed with her. Other guys seemed to see her as, like you said, just kind of more good looking in an average way. You know what they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And obviously, something about her just struck him from the very beginning.
It's kind of cool actually. Even though it's just a TV show, it's kind of an example that every one of us can be the most beautiful person in the world to someone, no matter how conventionally attractive we actually are. -
ClayGorgon — 9 years ago(July 21, 2016 08:30 PM)
Jane Leeves is attractive.
I think it's quite believable that Niles would fancy her. Daphne being British perhaps lent her an edge in his eyes.
The attraction is made far more interesting by virtue of the fact that she's not some kind of glossy super model.
So many times in movies and TV shows, a bombshell actress would be cast for us, guys, to drool over. It's become quite a cliche, really.
There is such a thing as plain beauty, and Daphne has that quality about her. -
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.