Frasier Crane’s interesting choice of footwear in the Frasier reboot backs up the theory that he is becoming Martin. Niles and Daphne’s relationship may be the most prominent romance from the original series, however, its best love story is actually between Frasier and his father. Forced to live together after Kelsey Grammer’s therapist moved back to Seattle, the Cheers spin-off spent 11 years gradually developing the dynamic between the pair. Some of Frasier’s most touching moments involved the father and son, so Martin’s absence in the Frasier reboot will definitely be felt.
Due to John Mahoney’s death in 2018, the Crane patriarch won’t be in the new show. It’s still uncertain how his fate will be handled, but it’s safe to assume that the actor’s real-life passing will be reflected in its storytelling. Kelsey Gramer, who not only returns as Frasier Crane but also produces the endeavor, has promised that it will honor the legacy of both Mahoney and Martin. None of the official marketing materials for Paramount+’s Frasier reboot has made any direct reference to Martin. However, a curious choice in Frasier’s new look for his return can be an indication of how he will be honored.
Frasier’s New Footwear Confirms He’s Transforming Into Martin
In light of the show’s nearing release, Paramount+ has released a new character poster that offers a proper look at Grammer’s reprisal of his most iconic role. The character is wearing the same clothes he is sporting for the most part of the trailer, but the still image allows fans to scrutinize his overall look, including his choice of footwear. As a man of refined taste, Frasier was used to wearing the finest loafers or oxfords, so his orthopedic pair in the revival is unsurprisingly causing a stir. It’s uncertain why Frasier is wearing them, but the best possible way to explain this is that he is becoming Martin.
Before the release of the one-sheet, Frasier wearing plaid in the trailer already suggests he is turning into Martin. For context, the always-impeccably dressed therapist would often wear suits in solid and neutral colors. Meanwhile, Martin opted to sport plaid shirts with his comfortable slacks. Seeing Frasier wear his father’s favorite item of clothing can be a visual indication that the reboot is drawing parallels between them. Frasier’s athletic shoes aren’t exactly a copy of Martin’s style, who usually wore his beat-up black leather footwear. However, it still supports the idea.
Frasier choosing more relaxed shoes despite them not being exactly stylish is reminiscent of Martin’s no-fuss outlook in life. As a police officer, the Crane patriarch was more grounded than his boys, who usually wore expensive clothing. In the original show, it’s difficult to imagine Frasier sporting the sneakers he is wearing in the reboot. Granted that he wore athletic shoes, however, they were still mostly fashion forward, and they definitely fit an overall look. Wearing hideous but comfortable-looking footwear in the reboot suggests that Frasier has learned to somehow follow in his father’s footsteps when it comes to dressing up, prioritizing comfort over style.
Frasier’s Shoes Make No Sense Unless They’re A Reboot Plot Point
It’s uncertain if the Frasier reboot will address the controversy surrounding Frasier’s choice of footwear. Regardless of the real reason why he is wearing that non-aesthetic footwear in the new show, it’s imperative that the matter be at least acknowledged. Not doing so opens up the Paramount+ endeavor to criticism about not truly knowing Grammer’s character. As previously mentioned, there is no way that Frasier would opt for those shoes knowing how ugly they look unless there’s a deeper meaning to wearing them. If Niles were around in the Frasier reboot, he would be terrified to learn about his brother’s footwear.
Why Frasier Is Becoming More Like Martin In The Reboot
Even without the shirt and the shoes, Frasier becoming more like Martin in the reboot makes so much sense in terms of narrative. For starters, it will be a great way to honor Mahoney’s character, which is something that Grammer has already promised. Including direct references to the character and consistently dropping his name are decent ways to do that, but showing how much impact he’s had on his son is much more effective. Secondly, it honors the original series. While Frasier ultimately left Seattle at the end of the show, this shows that spending time with him actually made a difference in his life.
As Frasier grows older and is now at the age where he has to repair the fractured relationship with his own grown-up son, it will be powerful for the reboot to show him understanding his father more. Before their reconciliation in the original series, Frasier had a very difficult dynamic with his father — so much so that he even claimed him to be dead in Cheers. Making him more the Crane patriarch in the Frasier reboot is a great way to continue the evolution of their relationship despite Martin’s absence.
