It’s rare for a series finale to fulfill all the lofty expectations that fans have, although Frasier did come extremely close in this regard. The final episode has generally been agreed to be one of the better finales out there, as it did justice to the eleven seasons that fans followed the characters.
Though it ranks at the top of all the Frasier season finales, there were some points that did miss the mark. These still stand out almost two decades after the series finale aired, and need to be addressed. That said, there were points fans loved as well, so here are five each of the hated and loved things about the final episode.
Hated: Charlotte's Abrupt Departure
While Charlotte (Laura Linney) is one of Frasier’s best relationships in the series, she didn’t get as much time on-screen as fans would have liked. Seeing as how the finale was about Frasier dealing with his feelings or her, Charlotte’s abrupt departure wasn’t the right thing to do.
Her last appearance wasn’t even as grand as it could’ve been, coming across as something of a casual romantic partner rather than Frasier’s one true love. It would’ve been better had she left only until the final minutes, as Frasier’s pursuit of her would then be more poignant.
Loved: The Final Scene Between Crane Men
One of the worst things Frasier had done in the series was insult his father. This is why it was so nice to see him be loving toward Martin, as well as Niles, in the finale where three had a scene dedicated to each other out on the balcony.
As fans had seen each one of them go through a lot of doubts and heartbreaks throughout the series, it was lovely to see the three of them at peace. Their promise of staying close was also a nice touch considering how estranged they had been at the beginning of the show.
Hated: Roz's Rushed Ending
Roz didn’t have much to do in the last episode and spent the story either commenting on things or simply hanging around. Although, she did get something of substance when she was promoted to station manager, thereby making her everyone’s boss.
Yet, this wasn’t exactly a lifetime dream of Roz's, nor was it built up for a significant amount of time for fans to anticipate. It seemed more of a consolation prize, seeing as she didn’t have anything else going on for her in the finale.
Loved: Bebe Glazer's Appearance
Sure, she got on some fans’ nerves over the seasons who might have seen her as one of the worst supporting characters, but Bebe’s appearance in the final episode was definitely a hit. That comes down to her being a superb comedic detour while also presenting Frasier with the new job that set the story in motion.
There’s also the joke of her real age being given a major hint here, as Bebe’s son made an appearance. The fact that he was supposed to be around 40 made Frasier realize that Bebe had never been joking about how good her cosmetic surgeries had been.
Hated: Lack Of Returning Characters
Over the years, Frasier had interactions with many characters who became fan favorites. These included the likes of Lilith, Cam Winston, and Bulldog, none of whom appeared in the finale. This was a real letdown, as Frasier’s scenes with these guys were always fun.
Series finales are also a time to bring back previous characters to show how far the main characters have gone, but this episode didn’t indulge in this aspect and it was most definitely a shame since fans would never see these characters again.
Loved: Martin's Wedding
Since fans had already seen a wedding via Daphne’s botched ceremony, as well as her and Niles’ many attempts to get married, there needed to be something different for Martin’s big day. The finale managed to exceed all expectations here.
With everyone at the veterinarian clinic for Eddy, Daphne giving birth there, and Martin and Ronee’s nuptials overseen by Frasier, all family members were able to be involved. It was just the kind of low-key ceremony that a character like Martin would prefer.
Hated: No Cheers References
One of the inconsistencies in Frasier was that it seemed like he completely forgot about the many years he spent in the world of Cheers. Those characters only showed up once each, and fans would’ve hoped the finale might either bring them back or at least refer to where Frasier had started out.
These fans were disappointed, though, as the finale didn’t do anything to remind viewers of Frasier’s time in Boston. This was a major negative point due to the Frasier finale essentially being an ending to the Cheers universe too, and an overall closure was missed.
Loved: Frasier's Decision To Pursue Charlotte
Frasier’s moral alignments are said to be that of a benefactor, which makes him someone who likes to give out love to those closest to him. It was because he took a chance on himself for once when Frasier’s character development was complete, as he realized that career isn’t everything.
Although the ending was left ambiguous, fans generally have no complaints over this because it left enough for interpretation, which was a trademark of the intellectual show Frasier was. It was also a unique way to end the series, with both Frasier’s love and nervousness equally evident.
Hated: Daphne's Brothers Stealing Focus
The kind of slapstick comedy that came from the Moon family was better suited for Cheers rather than Frasier. While these guys would have been passable on a normal episode, their presence in the finale was more than viewers should be expected to handle.
Their over-the-top antics took up minutes from the episode rather than enhance the viewing experience. It’s hard not to think about how this screen time could’ve been dedicated to Niles and Daphne rather than her siblings.
Loved: Frasier's Speech
Frasier’s knack for going on long speeches was usually met with rolling eyes, but his words in the final moments of the series had everybody rapt in attention. The difference in this occasion was that everything he said was appropriate, tugging on both the characters’ heartstrings as much as the viewers’.
It managed to make way for the final scene to be as important as it came across, as it turned out that Frasier had been speaking about the importance of love based on both familial love and the clarity he had over pursuing his romance with Charlotte.