A Crane's Critique

A Crane's Critique is the 4th episode of Season 4 of Frasier.
==Synopsis==
THE PAGEMASTER -- While out having a cup of coffee with their father, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) unexpectedly spy a reclusive author (guest star Robert Prosky) and take off in pursuit of meeting him. Much to their surprise, they return to find the esteemed author having a beer with Martin. The brothers' excitement about the man's recently completed yet unpublished book -- the first in over twenty years -- compels them to leave their mark on literary history.
==Plot==
While at Café Nervosa with Martin, Frasier and Niles spot T.H. Houghton (played by Robert Prosky), the reclusive one-hit wonder author of Time Flies Tomorrow, a classic novel. Desperate to have a conversation with him, they track him to a bar. While the brothers leave to continue looking for Houghton, Martin parks himself by the bar counter to watch TV. Houghton joins him and they watch sports and start making small talk. After a long search, Frasier and Niles come back, see Houghton and try to compliment him about his book, until another one of his fans approaches him and Houghton brushes him off brusquely. Shortly afterwards, Frasier and Niles come back to Frasier's apartment after going to an art exhibit and run into Martin and Houghton as they are leaving. Learning from Daphne that Houghton spent the entire afternoon at the apartment, the Crane brothers become frustrated that Martin is able to spend so much time with him and learn so much about him while he isn't interested in talking to them.
The next day, Frasier finds out that Houghton is picking up Martin for a double-header Mariners game, which will give him another chance to approach Houghton. When he and Niles learn from Martin that Houghton has written another book, they become ecstatic and want to learn more about it, but Martin doesn't know anything about it. After Houghton leaves with Martin, Frasier and Niles find the manuscript for Houghton's new book, The Chameleon's Song, in a bag he left behind. After bribing Daphne into leaving them alone, they sit down and read the entire manuscript from beginning to end and find it a breathtaking masterpiece even better than Time Flies Tomorrow. Just as they've finished, Martin and Houghton come back from the game. Martin is upset that they went through his things, but Houghton asks them what they thought of it. As Houghton is about to leave, Frasier and Niles praise him for his work. However, when they compliment him on how the book's plot structure mirrors Dante's Divine Comedy, it turns out that Houghton didn't do that on purpose. Now feeling that the book is worthless, Houghton throws the manuscript out the window and thanks Frasier and Niles for saving his reputation. After Houghton leaves, Niles begins to consider that they may have cost the world a literary masterpiece, but Frasier advises him not even to think about the possibility. Niles offers a rare, unconditional compliment, saying this is why Frasier is the elder brother.
TITLE CARDS
*In Another Part of the Forest...
*Question: How Did Babe Ruth Change Musical Theater History?
== Starring ==
:Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane
:Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon
:David Hyde Pierce as Niles Crane
:Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle
:Dan Butler as Bulldog
:and John Mahoney as Martin Crane
Special Guest Star
:Robert Prosky as T.H. Houghton
Co-Starring
:Steven Rotblatt as Bar Patron
Category:Episodes
Category:Season 4