Ep 12. The Zoo Story

In season 5 episode 12 of Frasier, titled The Zoo Story, Frasier and Niles Crane are in a race to win their father's approval. In an effort to beat each other, they both plan a special day with their father Martin. Frasier decides to take Martin to the zoo, while Niles plans a trip to the opera. Martin, on the other hand, just wants to spend a quiet day at home.

When Frasier and Martin arrive at the zoo, they quickly discover that their visit won't be as quiet as Martin had hoped. They encounter a group of noisy schoolchildren and have to share their path with a group of wild animals that are on the loose. Meanwhile, Niles and Daphne are at the opera, where Niles tries to impress Daphne with his knowledge of classical music.

As the day progresses, Frasier and Martin continue to run into trouble. They get lost and end up in the middle of a water fight, they get stuck in a butterfly exhibit, and they even get locked in the zoo after it closes. Throughout these mishaps, Frasier tries to stay positive and impress his father with his ability to handle any situation.

Meanwhile, back at the opera, Niles is still trying to impress Daphne. He tells her about the time he performed in a production of one of Mozart's operas, but Daphne isn't impressed. She tells him that she prefers a simple evening at home with a good book. Niles realizes that he doesn't need to impress her with his knowledge of classical music, and that he should just be himself.

As the episode comes to a close, the Crane family reunites at home. Martin tells his sons that he enjoyed his time at the zoo, despite the chaos. Frasier and Niles realize that they didn't need to compete to win their father's approval, and that spending time with him is all that matters.

The Zoo Story is a heartwarming episode that showcases the Crane family's love for each other. It also highlights the importance of being true to oneself, rather than trying to impress others. Fans of the show will enjoy seeing Frasier and Niles take on the challenges of the zoo, and will appreciate the episode's message of family unity.