Ep 22. Are You Being Served?

In the Frasier season 4 episode Are You Being Served?, the Crane brothers are drawn into the world of high-end department stores when Frasier's producer, Roz, asks him to speak at her company's executive retreat. They find themselves at the posh "Wolfgang's," the store where Frasier and Niles' mother, Hester, used to shop. Frasier is initially hesitant about speaking at the event, worried about the snobbishness of the audience, but Niles is excited at the prospect of being back in Wolfgang's, reminiscing about the memories of shopping with their mother.

Once they arrive, they quickly realize that the store is not what it used to be. The customer service is terrible, and the staff seems disinterested in helping anyone. Furthermore, they discover that the executive retreat is taking place during the store's annual inventory count, and the employees are completely overwhelmed. Frasier sees an opportunity to make a difference and takes charge, seizing the chance to help out and restore the lost prestige and elegance of the Wolfgang's of old.

Meanwhile, back at Frasier's apartment, Martin is dealing with a different kind of customer service problem. He's been having trouble with his new remote-controlled garage door opener, and when he calls customer service for assistance, he's put on hold for hours. The frustration of the situation causes him to become more and more irritable, much to the annoyance of Daphne, who is trying to get some peace and quiet to study for her upcoming naturalization test.

As the day goes on, Frasier finds himself fighting an uphill battle in his efforts to improve the situation at Wolfgang's. The staff is hostile and resistant to change, and Frasier's suggestions are largely ignored. Meanwhile, Niles has become distracted by the return of his former crush, superbly played by Jane Leeves (who would eventually join the cast as Daphne). But just when all seems lost, Frasier comes up with a masterstroke that saves the day, and at the end of the day, Wolfgang's is back to its former glory, much to the relief of the exhausted employees who were dreading facing the mess the next day.

Are You Being Served? is a great episode that draws on the strengths of the show's characters. Frasier is in his element as he attempts to impose order on an unordered situation, while Niles gets to indulge in his love of all things luxury. Meanwhile, Martin and Daphne provide a comic counterpoint to the action, as their bickering over the garage door opener adds a touch of absurdist humor to the proceedings. Overall, it's a very satisfying episode that showcases the show's knack for finding the humor in everyday situations.