These are in no particular order at all, I just re-watched the entire series for the third time, so I chose one from each season that I consider my favorite right now. Detour (Season 11, Episode 21) is also in this list, but there were only 10 slots :) I’d say there isn’t a single episode I don’t like, but these ones really stand out.
I consider any two multi-part episodes listed as a single episode.
1. Ham Radio is just too funny. That final scene is amazing. It's one that has slowly crept up my list and its the one episode that I could watch 1000 times and never, ever tire of. All the jokes are perfectly set up and executed. "You also told me that my gamekeeper sounded too cultured, that my Irishman sounded more Protestant than Catholic, and that my dwarf was too tall."
2. Patrick Stewart...need I say more? He's brilliant. The episode also plays on the homosexual stereotypes that Frasier had long lived on the edge of, going back to The Matchmaker and The Impossible Dream. "I've dreamed all my life of being half of a power couple. And now I am. Is it perfect? No. But I'm having fun!"
3. It's just a great episode that may not be as funny as the rest of the top ten, but considering this episode had 7 years of anticipation and a near two season long build, they completely stuck the landing. It's also the moment when the show took a clear turn and the very structure of episodes would soon be forced to change to a more formulaic A story and B story structure. "And don't pretend you're not listening, Mrs. Richman! Your laundry is not that interesting"
4. While many Frasier episodes are built upon miscommunication, most of them are miscommunications or assumptions, but this episode entirely built upon, well, deliberate lying that gets completely out of control. Every character has motivation for behaving the way they do. The way the final scene builds and builds and builds is like nothing else in the series. And it's all capped off with what is possibly the best closing line, "I'll never understand how two two men like you could've been spawned from that sweet, courageous old astronaut."
5. I don't think I need to explain why The Ski Lodge is on here. It's probably in every top ten list, if not #1 on a majority of them. It is the ultimate episode in terms of unintentional miscommunications and assumptions escalating to the point of lunacy. "I see, it's a threesome you're after! Well I don't do those anymore!"
6. As a stoner, I appreciate so much about this episode. The pairing of the story of Frasier/Freddy's distance/coming together mixed with the absurdity of Niles think he's high while Martin is unknowingly blitzed is such a great pairing. The dialogue is simply terrific all the way through. There are too many good lines, and obvious good ones to quote, that I'll leave with a more unsung one: "I'm especially looking forward to something called 'the munchies' stage. It's where one enjoys bizarre food combinations. I'm thinking of pairing this Chilean seabass with an aggressive zinfandel!"
7. I wasn't sure if I should include the finale, but it really is a perfectly put together finale. We get a classic scene of miscommunication (they think Frasier is dying), one last instance of Niles/Frasier failing to throw a grand event, along with the more traditional finale things like people moving, changing jobs, taking the next steps in life. It's all so well done and leaves us satisfied with finality, while also leaving us with hope in the unknown as it is revealed at the end Frasier went to Chicago for Charlotte instead of San Fran...Frasier was always looking for love, and though we don't know if he'll get it, the show leaves us hoping it works out for him. "Wish me luck."
8. I can't think of an episode that better describes Frasier's inflated ego than this one. It's so perfectly represented in the performance of his theme song jingle. It's so over the top and verbose and needlessly erudite, just like Frasier himself. There is a smattering of great lines all throughout the episode too. "Yes, but if less is more, think how much more more will be" and "the trombone frightened me!"
9. Not only does this episode set up Frasier ultimate arc for the series, it sends of Julia Wilcox with a bang. That Pictionary scene is probably in my top 5 scenes of the entire series and is the sole reason it's in here above a few other episodes. "Get out."
10. Simple just a wonderful episode. It's all one location, which Frasier has only done a couple times (Dinner Party). It's a nice way for the audience to reflect on the first season and already see how these characters have grown during it. It's also the first time anyone acknowledges Niles's infatuation with Daphne. "Are you happy?"
Making a top 10 for Frasier is nearly impossible. Tomorrow this list would be different. Some honourable mentions:
Season 1: Give Him The Chair!, Author Author, Frasier Crane's Day Off
Season 2: The Matchmaker, Flour Child, Seat of Power, Breaking The Ice, Dark Victory
Season 3: Adventures of Bad Boy and Dirty Girl, The Friend, Moon Dance, Chess Pains, Look Before You Leap
Season 4: The Impossible Dream, Our Father Whose Art Ain't Heaven, Four For the Seesaw,
Season 5: Frasier's Imaginary Friend, Halloween, Room Service, Roz and The Schnoz
Season 6: Good Grief, The Seal Who Came to Dinner, Decoys, Dinner Party, IQ
Season 7: Momma Mia, Radio Wars, A Tsar is Born, RDWRER, Dark Side of the Moon
Season 8: Taking Liberties, The Show Must Go Off, Daphne Returns,
Season 9: Don Juan in Hell, Room Full of Heroes, Bla-Z-Boy, Wheels of Fortune, War of the Words, The Guilt Trippers
Season 10: Enemy at the Gate, Door Jam, Daphne Does Dinner, Trophy Girlfriend, Roe to Perdition, Fathers and Sons
Season 11: No Sex Please, We're Skittish, Sea Bee Jeebies, Freudian Sleep, Boo!, And Frasier Makes Three, Detour