[10.17] Kenny On the Couch


Kenny On the Couch                               Written by Bob Daily 
                                                Directed by David Lee 
=====================================================================
Production Code: 10.17
Episode Number In Production Order: 234
Original Airdate on NBC: March 4, 2003
Transcript written on June 2, 2003

Transcript {Kelly Dean Hansen}

Skyline: A crane is seen hoisting an object over the skyline.

ACT I

[Scene 1 - KACL
Frasier is ending his show.]

Frasier: Well, I think we've got time for one last caller.  Go ahead,
         Mindy, I'm listening.
  Mindy: [v.o., softly] It's about my mother, Dr. Crane.  Ever since I
         got married, she's been...yes, the cashmere turtleneck is $39.
Frasier: Excuse me, what?
  Mindy: Sorry, I work in catalog sales, and my boss just walked past.
         So, anyway, my mom...yes, it's on sale till the end of the
         month.
Frasier: Mindy, we are pressed for time.
    Roz: Hold on, Frasier.  Cashmere for under 40 bucks?  I'll take one
         in black.  In medium.  Wait, is that medium-medium or unrealistic-
         anorexic-model-medium?
  Mindy: It sounds like you might want to go for the large.
    Roz: Oh, really.
Frasier: [cutting them off] And that's our show.  What size will Roz
         order?  Will she accesorize?  Tune in tomorrow for the exciting
         conclusion.  Good day, Seattle.

[Frasier signs off.  Kenny enters.]

  Kenny: Dynamite show, Doc, one of your best.  Rosalinda, great work on
         the control panel.  I'm going to start calling you "Control
         Freak."  Well, you're probably wondering, "Who put a quarter
         in him today?"  I just got a call from my lawyer.  My divorce:
         final.  I'm back to my tomcat days.  [yelling with mock
         enthusiasm] Lock up your daughters, Seattle!  Kenny Daly's on
         the loose!
    Roz: You might want to lose the wedding ring, tomcat.
  Kenny: Oh, yeah.  Time to remove my shackle. [He attempts to remove
         the ring, but it won't budge.] Well, that's weird.  Ooh, that's
         really stuck!  Funny.  That's how my wife described our
         marriage. [He continues to work at the ring, and begins to
         shake his entire hand violently.] "Stuck!"  [letting his real
         feelings escape] Well, you're not stuck anymore, are you?!
         Oh, damn it, damn it!

[Kenny breaks into sobs and collapses with his head on the radio console.]

Frasier: Kenny, Kenny, come on, come on.  Come and sit down.  All right,
         here.  Take a deep breath.
  Kenny: [recovering] I'm sorry.  This thing's hit me like a ton of
         bricks.  The only good news is I'll start getting a check
         every month.

[Frasier and Roz exchange a look.]

Frasier: Kenny, um, divorce can be one of life's most difficult transitions.
         Have you considered seeing a professional once or twice a week?
  Kenny: I've thought about it, but prostitutes are expensive.
    Roz: He means a psychiatrist, Kenny.  That is what you meant, right?

[Frasier nods yes.]

  Kenny: A shrink?  Oh, geez Louise.  I don't think I'd be comfortable
         talking to a psychiatrist.
Frasier: Well, I'm a psychiatrist.  You're comfortable talking to me,
         aren't you?
  Kenny: Are you offering to be my shrink?
Frasier: No.
  Kenny: Well, I could probably handle that.
Frasier: I was going to refer you to someone.
    Roz: Well, can't you help him, Frasier?
Frasier: Well, I don't know, Roz.  Giving psychotherapy to my employer?
         It's a bit of a gray area, isn't it?
    Roz: [laughing] Oh, come on, it's not like he's a real boss.
  Kenny: [rising] Yeah, Roz is right.  Come on, Doc, I could use a
         little help.
Frasier: Well, I suppose if you'd like to stop by my place and discuss
         your feelings informally, there'd be no harm in that.
  Kenny: Thanks, Doc. [They embrace.] And I'm paying you for your time.
Frasier: No, no, that's hardly necessary.
  Kenny: No, no, no, I insist, now what do you get?
Frasier: Kenny, don't worry about it, I'll gladly do it for free.  What
         do you say we get together Friday night?
  Kenny: Thanks, Doc.  I wish my ex-wife was as agreeable as you.  And
         dead.
Frasier: Okay, maybe tonight's better.

[Kenny exits.  Fade out.]

[Scene 2 - Frasier's apartment
Kenny is lying on the Coco Chanel couch.  Eddie is perched on the back
of the couch, watching.]

  Kenny: [intermittently sobbing] And the one time I was winning, my
         dad "accidentally" knocked over the checkerboard.
Frasier: Ah.
  Kenny: And he made me pick up all the pieces, too.  Fortunately, my
         mom was there with an extra piece of cake. [He breaks down
         and cries more freely.]

[We see that Frasier is sitting cross-legged on the Eames chair, which he
has moved between the couch and Martin's chair, and is holding his
clipboard.]

Frasier: I see. A controlling, narcissistic father and an overprotective
         mother.  It has all the earmarks of a classic Oedipus complex.
         [speaking to the clipboard] Well, well.  Old friend, we meet
         again. [to Kenny] Now, let me tell you, your deep-rooted feelings
         of castration...[A watch alarm beeps.] I'm afraid our time is up.
  Kenny: [still sobbing] Wait, what?
Frasier: This has been fascinating.  I believe we are finally on the brink
         of discovering a road into some real insights.  I can't tell you,
         I believe I'm as exhilirated as you are. 

[He chuckles warmly.  He has moved to the door.  Kenny has slowly risen
from the couch.  Frasier moves to open the door.]

  Kenny: [far from exhilirated] Yeah.  When are we going to talk about
         my divorce?
Frasier: Ah, you may not know it, Kenny, but we already are.  Now, for
         out next session, I want you to write a letter telling your
         father how you feel.  Don't send it, just write it.
  Kenny: [exiting and turning back around] Homework?  You never said
         there was going to be any homework.
Frasier: It's all part of the process.  Good night, Kenny.
  Kenny: But I...

[Frasier closes the door and turns around beaming, quite oblivious
to Kenny's concerns.  Martin enters from the kitchen.]

 Martin: Geez, I thought that would never end.
Frasier: Dad, how long have you been in there?
 Martin: The whole damn time!  I went in for a beer, and Kenny came
         in and started crying and I was trapped. [He gets his coat.]
         So how's talking about checkers supposed to help him through
         a divorce?
Frasier: Dad, the inability to maintain adult relationships often has
         its roots in parent-child trauma.
 Martin: What's your generation gonna do when we're all gone and there's
         no one left to blame?
Frasier: You know, I really can't tell you how exciting it is to roll up
         my sleeves again and delve into someone's psyche.  I don't even
         know where to begin, although you know, I do think it's
         particularly salient that the father never showed any interest
         in the things that were most important to his son.

[During this speech, Frasier has seated himself on Martin's chair.
Martin has largely ignored him and headed for the door.]

 Martin: Sounds good, Fras.  Bye.

[Martin exits the apartment.  He finds Kenny standing outside the elevator.]

  Kenny: Hey, Martin!
 Martin: Oh, hi, Kenny, I didn't know you were here.  How's it going?
  Kenny: Okay, I guess. [He pauses.] I have an emotionally crippled
         father.
 Martin: You don't say. [He calls the elevator, which Kenny apparently
         had not done.]
  Kenny: So, where you headed?
 Martin: Uh, gonna grab a beer at McGinty's.
  Kenny: Really?  Well, I'm sure dehydrated after all that crying.
 Martin: You don't say.

[He has become uncomfortable, and impatiently hits the elevator call
button again.]

  Kenny: You mind if I tag along with you?
 Martin: Sure, why not?

[The elevator arrives.  They both step in.]

  Kenny: Oh, thanks, Martin.  I really appreciate it.  I bet you were a
         great dad. [He starts to sob again.]
 Martin: Oh, geez.

[The elevator closes.  Fade out.]

[Scene 3 - Cafe Nervosa
Niles and Daphne are seated, in the middle of a conversation.]

 Daphne: If you want to learn yoga, why do we need some fancy private
         teacher?  There are classes we could take together down at the Y.
  Niles: Yes, and afterwards there are anti-fungal lotions we can use
         together, too.

[Daphne rolls her eyes.]

  Niles: Just give Ahmrit a chance.  If we don't achieve physical and
         spiritual harmony, the second lesson's free.

[Frasier enters, carrying a small stack of books.]

Frasier: Oh, hello, you two.
  Niles: Hey, Frasier.
 Daphne: Hi.
  Niles: Ooh, Freud, Bettelheim...Jung!  Someone's playing with the big
         boys.
Frasier: [chuckling with satisfaction] Yes, well, it's for my patient.
  Niles: [surprised] You're seeing patients again?
Frasier: Well, just this one for the past three weeks.  Very challenging
         case, too.  The man has father issues, any number of neuroses,
         and a phobia or two.
  Niles: Sounds to me like you've hit the crackpot.

[They exchange a laugh at Niles's quip.  Daphne gives a silent groan
with her eyes.]

  Niles: I'm sorry.  I heard it at a convention.
Frasier: Yes, yes. [He continues to chuckle.]
 Daphne: So how did you meet this new patient?
Frasier: Well, I can't really say, Daphne.  You know, doctor-patient
         confidentiality...

[Kenny enters, interrupting him.]

  Kenny: Hey, shrink buddy!
  Niles: Hello, Kenny.  How are you?  Well, if you'll excuse us, we're
         off to buy sticky mats.

[They all rise.]

 Daphne: [giving in] All right. [Niles and Daphne exit.]
Frasier: Kenny, have a seat, have a seat.  So, uh, how are you feeling?
  Kenny: Like a new man!  Last night was just what I needed.
Frasier: I can't tell you how gratifying it is to hear that.
  Kenny: Yeah.  Me and your dad shut down McGinty's.
Frasier: [a bit surprised] Really?  You and Dad?
  Kenny: Yeah, actually, I'm meeting him here for coffee.  Man, is he
         a hoot.  He made me completely forget about my problems.
Frasier: Well, good for you!  Of course, the object is not to forget
         about one's problems.  It's to understand them.  Of course, that
         can take a lot of work.
  Kenny: Yeah, about the work part...your dad said something last night
         that made a lot of sense.  He said I should get out more, and I
         was thinking, that's going to be tough to do if I'm seeing you 
         twice a week, plus doing all this homework.  I guess what I'm
         saying is...I want to quit.
Frasier: Kenny, I understand it must be painful to uncover what is a very
         painful past.  But I must warn you that if you run away from this
         now, you will only be repeating a pattern that will prolong your
         unhappiness.
  Kenny: I'm okay with that.
Frasier: [agitated] In these past few sessions, we have uncovered territory
         that usually takes months to reach!  I don't mean to toot my own
         horn, but I've been on fire!
  Kenny: Don't get me wrong, Doc, you've been great.  It's just...it's
         not for me.

[Martin enters.]

 Martin: Hey, guys!
  Kenny: Hey, hey, it's Party Hearty Marty!
 Martin: Hey, hey, it's, uh...[He can't remember Kenny's bar nickname.]
  Kenny: Sir Shots-a-lot.
 Martin: Right, hey!          
Frasier: Dad, can I have a word with you for a second?
 Martin: Yeah, sure.
  Kenny: Oh, I'll get us some coffee. [He goes to the counter.]
 Martin: Nice guy.  Doesn't hold his liquor like you think he would.
Frasier: Did you tell him that he should go out more?
 Martin: Yeah, what's wrong with that?
Frasier: Well, he is using it as an excuse to quit therapy.  After one
         night out with you in a bar, the man is ready to throw away
         three weeks of intense analysis!
 Martin: Well, Fras, the guy's finally having a little fun.  Don't you
         want him to be happy?
Frasier: I am not trying to make him happy.  I am trying to cure his
         depression!

[Martin gives a look of puzzlement at the paradox Frasier has just
uttered.  Kenny returns.]

  Kenny: Hey, Marty, does this remind you of anything?

[He tips his head back and downs his coffee as he would a shot of
liquor.]

  Kenny: Ow, hot, hot!
Frasier: [rising] Get the man some water.

[Kenny doubles over in pain.  Fade out.]

END OF ACT I
ACT II

[Scene 4 - Niles and Daphne's apartment
The two of them are on their mats, bended with their legs straight and
their hands on the mats.  The yoga instructor, Ahmrit, wearing a long
white jacket, walks between them.]

 Ahmrit: And breathe...Daphne, that is an amazing Downward Dog.
 Daphne: Thank youl.
  Niles: [knees shaking] What about me, Yogi?  How does my Downward
         Dog look?
 Ahmrit: Oh, dear.  Can we straighten these legs?
  Niles: Oh, I wish.  Congenitally shortened hamstrings are the curse
         of the Cranes.
 Ahmrit: Well, let's try a different pose, then.  Slowly place your
         left leg between your hands, pivot your right heel down, 
         straighten your legs, place your left arm on your ankle,
         raise your right arm, and...triangle pose.  Trikonasan.

[Daphne effortlessly executes the pose.  Niles has problems, and
cannot get his right arm in the air.  Ahmrit, maintaining his
low-voiced, "chant" style of speech, approaches Niles to help.]

 Ahmrit: Here's a block.
  Niles: No, I don't like the block.  I'll use the...
 Ahmrit: Use the block.

[Niles places his left hand on the block and then raises his right
arm.]

 Ahmrit: [moving to assist Daphne] And breathe, and slowly bring your
         back leg up into Half-Moon pose.

[Daphne again does this with ease.  Ahrmit concentrates on her.  Niles
is apprehensive of even trying this.]

 Ahmrit: Now, feel your breath leaving your body like a note being
         blown from a flute. [He accompanies this with a gesture.]
 Daphne: Yes, I feel it!

[Niles is having trouble getting his leg up, and his knee is bent.]

  Niles: I'm a flute, too, Yogi!
 Ahmrit: [patiently] Yes, of course you are.  Straighten that leg,
         Niles. [He tries to assist him.] Straighten it out, straighten
         it out, there we are.  [Niles's leg does not follow Ahmrit's
         hands.] Let's try it again, Niles.  You can do it.  Straighten
         that leg.  Marvel--[He notices that Niles is pointing his
         index finger in the air.] Let's bend the finger, Niles.

[He bends down Niles's finger, but it pops back up again.  His face
expresses frustration, but he maintains his calm.]

 Daphne: [beautifully maintaining the pose] Isn't this wonderful, Niles?
  Niles: [finger still pointing and leg bent] I love it.
 Ahmrit: [giving up] And breathe.  And be completely in this moment.
         Shut out the outside world entirely.

[Niles's leg returns the floor, and with great effort, he raises it
again, still bent.  A cell phone rings immediately after Ahmrit's speech.
He answers it, reverting from his low-volume "chant" to a normal voice.]

 Ahmrit: Oh, hi, Mom.  I'm kind of in the middle of something right now.
         Yes, I'm coming. I told you, I'm bringing the lentils. [pause]
         What do you mean again?  You love lentils. [softer] Niles,
         straighten the leg, straighten the leg. [Niles collapses
         completely.] Okay, child's pose.  That's good.

[Niles recovers, but looks exhausted, and remains seated on the mat.]

 Ahmrit: [normal voice] So what if Jerry brings a different dish to every
         meal?  It doesn't make him a god. [becoming agitated] Has Jerry
         achieved inner peace?  I'm just asking, Mom, has Jerry achieved
         inner peace? [softly, aside to Niles and Daphne] I have to take
         this call.  Would you pleas excuse me?

[Ahmrit exits to the rear.  Daphne emerges gracefully from her pose.]

 Daphne: Oh, that was fantastic!  I feel so energized!
  Niles: Oh, you are really good!  I hope I'm not holding you back.
 Daphne: You're doing wonderfully.  He's paying you so much attention.
         I think he sees real potential. [She towels off her hands.]
  Niles: [still seated on the mat] You don't have to soothe my ego.  Yoga
         isn't about competition.  [without enthusiasm] It's about 
         achieving enlightenment and integrating your inner and outer
         lives.

[Niles folds his arms and pouts.  Daphne wants to speak, but is at a loss
for words.  Fade out.]

[Scene 5 - Cafe Nervosa
Kenny and Martin are seated.  Frasier enters.]

Frasier: [suspiciously] Hello.
  Kenny: Well, this is awkward.  I believe you know Martin.
Frasier: [shaking Martin's hand] Yes, we've already met.  Kenny, there's
         no reason to feel awkward.  Believe me, I have other things to
         do with my evening than to share my expertise with someone who
         could use it.  Now if you'll excuse me. [He goes to the counter.]
  Kenny: So are we still on for McGinty's tonight?
 Martin: Yeah, sure.  And Kenny, I've been thinking about what you've
         been going through, and I've come up with the answer.  A suede
         jacket.

[Kenny is slightly confused.]

Frasier: [to the waiter] Did you hear that?  A suede jacket.  I must have
         missed that lecture at Harvard Medical School.
 Martin: You look good in it, and women love to feel it.  It's like you're
         a feast for all the senses.  I used to have a suede coat when I
         was single.  Hester made me put it away, but I'd pull it out
         whenever we'd have a fight, and in a minute, she'd be purring
         like a kitten.
  Kenny: You should break it out again.
 Martin: Oh-ho, at my age?  It would kill me.  Hey, you got time to do
         a little shopping.
  Kenny: Sure, I think I've got my good credit card with me.
Frasier: [who has had difficulty enduring the conversation about the
         jacket] Leather won't cure your problems, Kenny.  It's a
         temporary high.

[Martin and Kenny exit, meeting Niles and Daphne on the way in.]

 Martin: Hey, guys!
  Niles: Hi.
 Daphne: Hello.
Frasier: Oh, Niles, Daphne, hi, come join me.
  Niles: [ordering] Two low-fat lattes, a hazelnut biscotti, and...
 Daphne: And one blueberry scone.
 Daphne: Your brother set such a brisk pace walking over here, I could
         barely keep up with him.
  Niles: Daphne, you don't need to do that.
 Daphne: Why not?  Shouldn't I be proud of my husband's brisk pace?
  Niles: [explaining] Daphne's trying to build up my ego because she
         outperformed me at yoga.  It's not a competition.
 Daphne: You see.  He's already mastered the teachings.  Spiritually,
         you're way ahead of me.
  Niles: Stop it!  Frasier, wasn't that your Patient X that was leaving
         with Dad?
Frasier: Ah, yes, now my ex-Patient X.  Actually, I'd like to discuss it
         with you if you've got a few minutes.
  Niles: Yes, well, coincidentally, I just read a fascinating paper on
         early termination.  Now, the hypothesis was...
 Daphne: I think I'll get something to eat.
  Niles: Oh, you have something here.
 Daphne: Something else.
  Niles: Oh, well, here, try mine.
 Daphne: Please, just let me go. [She quickly leaves the table.]
  Niles: So, so whose decision was it to terminate your sessions?
Frasier: Kenny.
  Niles: Well, uh, early individuation can stem from anything from
         transference to delayed adolescent rebellion.
Frasier: If only it were that complicated, Niles.
  Niles: What happened?
Frasier: Well, it's Dad.  He's been taking Kenny to McGinty's every
         night.  He's giving him therapy in the form of beer and fun.
  Niles: Poor Kenny!
Frasier: I know!  I've got to do something.  I-I-I can't just stand
         by while Dad undermines me.
  Niles: Oh, just be careful not to turn this into a competition.  As
         analysts, we have to be above that.
    Roz: [who has been speaking at the counter to Daphne] Hey, Niles!
         I hear Daphne kicked your ass at yoga.
  Niles: [nyah-nyah] Oh, yeah?  Well, Frasier just lost a patient.

[Niles is immediately embarassed.  Frasier is mildly irritated, but
shakes it off and drinks his coffee.  Fade out.]

[Scene 6 - Niles and Daphne's apartment
They and Ahmrit are all on mats in a prone position.]

 Ahmrit: Nice Bhujangasana, Daphne.  And yours is very nice too, Niles.
         You're doing so much better this week.
  Niles: Thank you.  I just did what you suggested, and imagined myself
         having the reptilian sinuousness of a lizard scuttling across
         the desert floor.
 Ahmrit: I thought I said rain forest.
  Niles: You did, but I don't like the damp.
 Ahmrit: [rising] This next move is a little trickier.  I'll demonstrate
         on Daphne.  First of all, bring up your knees like this.  Now
         bring your arms back towards your ankles.
 Daphne: [collapsing with sudden pain] Ooh.  I don't think I can do this
         one, it hurts.
 Ahmrit: Oh, don't push.  You should be feeling discomfort, not pain.
         If you feel pain, ease yourself gently back towards discomfort.
  Niles: Is it something like this, Yogi?

[Niles is performing the move perfectly, but his lips pursed.  He is
controlling himself with great effort.  Daphne gasps.]

 Ahmrit: I'm impressed, Niles.  You know, perhaps one day, you might
         be able to achieve upward bow--Urdhbadhanurasana.
  Niles: Oh, you mean this one?

[Niles turns on his back and arches upward, supported by his hands and
feet.  His head is upside down.  He executes it perfectly.]

 Ahmrit: [amazed] Yes!
  Niles: Oh, remind me to tell Rosa to vacuum the sisal.
 Ahmrit: I'm speechless, Niles.  I've never seen such a rapid improvement.
 Daphne: How did you do that?  Oh, I think I tweaked a muscle on that
         last pose.
  Niles: [still arched upward]  Oh, no, we should put some ice on that.
 Daphne: [rising] Good idea.  I guess we know who's better at yoga now.
         [She exits toward the kitchen.]
  Niles: Now, Daphne, there's no better.  It's all about achieving
         oneness of body and spirit.

[Ahmrit approaches to help Niles out of the pose.  With Daphne gone, he
feels safe to say the following to Ahmrit.]

  Niles: Okay, now I need you to take me to the hospital. [He
         painfully comes out of the pose.]
 Ahmrit: What?
  Niles: I broke my body.  I dislocated my shoulder and...I think that 
         one of my ribs has achieved two-ness. 

[Ahmrit helps Niles to his feet.  Daphne re-enters.]

 Daphne: What's going on?
  Niles: [leaning on Ahmrit and concealing his pain] Ahmrit and I were
         just going to go out and get a chai tea.  Can we get you one?
 Daphne: [going up the stairs] No thanks.  You're amazing.  You have
         so much energy.
  Niles: Ah, well...you know what they say. [waiting for her to leave]
         Quickly, quickly...
 Ahmrit: Just imagine the pain leaving your body like a wisp of smoke.
  Niles: Yes, if you could get the door, I'm starting to hemorrhage.
 Ahmrit: Okay.

[He helps Niles exit, and closes the door.  Niles thanks him with a
gesture.  Fade out.]

McGINTY'S: GOOD FOOD, GOOD FUN, BAD SECURITY
[Scene 7 - McGinty's Bar Kenny and Martin are seated at a table. Frasier enters and appoaches. Kenny is wearing a suede jacket.] Martin: Hey! What are you doing her, Fras? Frasier: Just thought maybe the three of us could have a little chat. [A blonde approaches Kenny and he rises, placing his arm around her.] Kenny: Hey, Doc. This is Trudy. Frasier: Ah. Delighted I'm sure. Trudy: [drunkenly] Hey! Kenny: I'd love to stay and chat, Doc, but me and Trudy have a dinner date with the Colonel. [Trudy continues to hang on him.] Frasier: Well, if you think you're ready for that. Kenny: Well, I'm not hungry now, but I probably will be when we get there. See you guys later. Martin: Bye. Trudy: Nice to meet 'ya. Frasier: Likewise, I'm sure. [as they exit] Have a great time! [Kenny gestures happily back to Frasier.] He's doomed. [He takes a seat.] Martin: What are you talking about? He scored, and she's a cheap date. Frasier: Oh, Dad, please, he is not ready for a relationship. How could you let him do something like this? Martin: Don't blame me for that, it was the jacket. He wasn't here ten minutes before she wanted to touch it. Frasier: You know what, all you're doing is allowing him to wallow in his state of denial. And what if she rejects him, hmm? The man already has abandonment issues. Martin: Oh, will you cut out the psychological mumbo-jumbo? Let the guy have a good time. Frasier: What did you just say? Martin: I said let the guy have some fun. Frasier: No, before that. You said "psychological mumbo-jumbo." So that's how you characterize my life's work? Martin: I'm just saying that I don't think therapy is for everybody. Like Kenny--he just needed to loosen up. Frasier: [angrily] Oh, really? So tell me, Dr. Party-Hearty-Marty. Who, in your expert opinion does need therapy? Martin: [thinking] Well...Hitler. Frasier: [deeply shocked and taken aback] Hitler? Martin: Yes, and that woman with all the different personalities, um... Sybil. Frasier: [scowling] Hitler. And Sybil. Anyone else? Martin: [thinking] No. Frasier: [jumping back suddenly] Great! An entire science devoted to Hitler and Sybil. Do you believe that...that Niles and I have been wasting our lives? [becoming passionate] Do you think Mom wasted her life? Martin: Now, you calm down, Frasier. I'm just saying that you overcomplicate things. Yes, Kenny needed to talk out some problems, but he didn't need to analyze every moment of his childhood. That's where it gets into the mumbo-jumbo. Frasier: I'm just trying to get to the root of his problems. Martin: You know what, I think you needed to give therapy more than he needed to get it. Frasier: And you know what I think? I think I'm finished listening to you! [He rises and quickly sits again.] All right, fine, maybe I did enjoy it. Look, it's what I was trained to do, it's what I love to do, and I still think I was doing Kenny some good. Martin: Well, Frasier, you know, Kenny's not the only one with mental problems. Frasier: And what's that supposed to mean? Martin: It means you can start seeing other patients. Frasier: [realizing that he was offended too easily] Oh, right, right. Well, I've thought about that. Martin: Why not, if you love it? Frasier: You know, perhaps I could start seeing people a couple of nights a week. I could even convert Daphne's old room into an office. Martin: Well, if you do, while they're waiting, they're watching what I want to watch. [Kenny re-enters, looking depressed.] Kenny: Hey, guys. Martin: Kenny! What happened? Frasier: Are you all right? Kenny: I don't think Trudy and I are a fit. When we got to the parking lot, her boyfriend pushed me down and took my jacket. Martin: Aw, I'm sorry. Kenny: I feel like such a loser. Martin: No, you're not a loser. And if you need to talk about this-- Frasier's pretty good at this sort of thing. Frasier: Well, Kenny, I'll tell you what. Whenever you're ready, okay? For the time being, why don't you let a couple of buddies get you a beer, okay? [He raises his hand to call a server.] Kenny: Thanks. You know it's too bad that Trudy was just setting me up to get mugged because up to that point, we were really cooking. Well, here's to dating! [Kenny downs his beer. Frasier and Martin roll their eyes at each other. Fade out.] Credits: Frasier is sitting on the couch. Martin enters from the rear, carrying his old suede jacket. He admires it for a minute, and then he attempts to put it on. After a great struggle, he manages to get his arms through the sleeves. It is much too small, and he cannot pull it shut. He struggles unsuccessfully with the bottom buttons, and manages only to button the top button, leaving the rest open. He walks to the door and asks Frasier to give his opinion. Frasier, who has been deeply engrossed in a book, looks up, glances briefly, gives a thumbs-up sign, and returns to his book. Martin returns the gesture and exits.

Guest Appearances

 Special Guest Star
 ALAN CUMMING as Ahmrit

 Co-starring
 MARY KOWALSKI as Trudy

 Guest Caller
 LAURA LINNEY as Mindy

 and
 TOM McGOWAN as Kenny

Legal Stuff

 This episode capsule is copyright 2003 by Kelly Dean Hansen. This episode 
 summary remains property of Frasier, Copyright of Paramount
 Productions and NBC. Printed without permission. 
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