The Frasier reboot episode 7 brings back Lilith for a reunion with her ex-husband. However, the same episode also ruled out any future appearances.
Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Frasier reboot episode 7.
Summary
- Frasier reboot episode 7 brings back Lilith, resulting in one of the funniest and most exciting episodes so far.
- Lilith also lives in Boston, establishing her proximity to Frasier and their son Freddy.
- Frasier and Lilith realize they can't be together in the same room and decide to share Freddy, giving a reason for Lilith's absence moving forward.
The Frasier reboot episode 7 brings back Lilith but also offers an excuse for her to never come back. Now in its final few outings, the Paramount+ project is finally pulling off its biggest surprises both for the audience and Frasier when his ex-wife unexpectedly makes an appearance. Bebe Neuwirth is one of the only two actors who were part of the original show that are confirmed to return in the revival — the other one being Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle. Like Kelsey Grammer, Neuwirth stepped back into the shoes of Lilith quite easily, resulting in one of the funniest and most exciting episodes of the Frasier reboot thus far.
After their love affair played out, Frasier and Lilith separated after the events of Cheers. Despite their rather ugly split, motivated by her having an affair with her co-worker, the pair remained involved in each other's lives. Aside from being both committed to ensuring the best future for Freddy, they also became each other's confidante. Lilith routinely visited Frasier in Seattle for various reasons, but more frequently, it was to ask for help with a personal or professional issue. It's uncertain how their relationship progressed in the 20 years between the original show and the revival, but like always, they continue to have an odd penchant for ribbing each other.
Frasier Episode 7 Establishes That Lilith Also Lives In Boston
Freddy wanted to keep his parents separated to prevent any issues.
Titled "Freddy's Birthday," the Frasier reboot episode 7 is supposed to be about Frasier and Lilith's only son's special day. However, the focal point of the outing is mostly on the former couple as their reunion is unexpected. Freddy actually didn't want his dad to know that his mother was coming for her birthday. Knowing full well how contentious they can be against each other, Freddy wanted to keep them separated to prevent any issues. Unfortunately for him, his plan backfires when Frasier and Alan coincidentally bump into him and Lilith at Mahoney's.
Prior to Lilith's appearance in the Frasier reboot, there was never any mention of how she has been doing since the last time she appeared in the old show. There were references to her, primarily as Frasier invokes her name for jokes, but Freddy never engaged in those types of conversations. Interestingly, however, the Frasier reboot episode 7 makes it clear that Lilith also lives in Boston. This means that she has kept Beantown as her base city after all these years. It's unclear where exactly she lives, but this establishes that she is in proximity with Frasier and Freddy.
Frasier and Lilith Realize They Can’t Be Together In The Same Room
Frasier and Lilith simply decide to share Freddy.
In the few times that Freddy was with both his parents on-screen in the old show, Frasier and Lilith usually acted like adults. They made sure to be civil in front of their child as part of their attempt at co-parenting. Over time, however, that changed, as evidenced in the Frasier reboot episode 7. Freddy's reaction to his parents' bickering suggests that they have been acting like this for quite a while now. No wonder he didn't want them to attend his birthday.
After an intense competition to prove who knows their son better, Frasier and Lilith finally realize the error of their ways. As they sit down for a serious conversation for the first time in the episode, they admit that they cannot be in the same room together. Lilith confesses that she was asserting her territory, having lived with Freddy for decades. Frasier, on the other hand, is motivated by feeling guilty over being mostly an absentee father. Despite this realization, the pair still know that the temptation to bicker with each other is just far too strong and that it's better if they keep away from each other.
This effectively offers the Frasier reboot an acceptable reason for Lilith's absence moving forward. Now that it has been established that she also lives in Seattle, there would have been an expectation to see her more often, especially if she still feels threatened about Freddy living with his father. However, Neuwirth is only guaranteed a one-time appearance in the revival, at least thus far. At the end of the Frasier reboot episode 7, however, Frasier and Lilith simply decide to share Freddy, deciding on a holiday schedule that will see their son spend Thanksgiving with his mother and Christmas with his father.
Will Lilith Return In The Frasier Reboot?
Neuwirth is only guaranteed a one-time appearance in the revival.
At this point, the Frasier reboot is only guaranteed for one season. This means that for it to continue past 10 episodes, the Paramount+ project needs a renewal. There is currently no indication about what the streamer plans for the revival. However, if it ends up only having one year, then that's pretty much it for Neuwirth's Lilith in the show. As previously mentioned, the Emmy-winning actor only signed up for a single-episode appearance, which is in line with her previous arrangement in the Seattle-based series. That said, if the Frasier reboot gets at least a second season, it's safe to say that Lilith will be back for another cameo.
Why The Frasier Reboot Needs Lilith
The Frasier reboot may be setting Lilith and Frasier to rekindle their romance.
Admittedly seeing Frasier and Lilith get romantic is the most shocking moment in the Frasier reboot episode 7. However, this shouldn't come as a surprise for those who have been following their story for a long time since they have always had these bouts of attraction. Perhaps, they may have even always had these for each other, which makes it curious if the Frasier reboot is setting them up to rekindle their romance. If this is the case, then it solves Frasier's desire to find his life partner. The fact that Charlotte and Frasier have broken up and Lilith is seemingly unattached increases the chances of this happening.
Beyond her relationship with Frasier, Lilith's appearance in the revival is also imperative because of Freddy. Like its predecessor, the Paramount+ endeavor is a family show at its core. It is already borrowing storytelling tricks from the dynamic of Martin and Frasier in the original series. However, it has the opportunity to put a modern twist to it by including Lilith. It doesn't mean that she needs to be a series regular. NBC made her relevant by bringing her once or twice every season. If the Frasier reboot moves forward with a couple more years, they can also do that by reuniting her with her son and ex-husband every season.
The Frasier reboot drops new episodes every Thursday on Paramount+.
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Frasier
- Release Date:
- 1993-09-16
- Cast:
- Kelsey Grammer, Jane Leeves, David Hyde Pierce, Peri Gilpin, John Mahoney, Jack Cutmore-Scott, Anders Keith, Jess Salgueiro, Toks Olagundoye, Nicholas Lyndhurst
- Genres:
- Comedy
- Seasons:
- 11
- Story By:
- David Angell, Peter Casey, David Lee, Glen Charles, Les Charles
- Writers:
- David Angell, Peter Casey, David Lee
- Network:
- NBC
- Directors:
- David Lee, Kelsey Grammer, James Burrows, Pamela Fryman
- Showrunner:
- Christopher Lloyd, Chris Harris, Joe Cristalli
- Rating:
- TV-PG
- Streaming Service(s):
- Paramount+
