Frasier is battling the flu and in no mood to help anyone, Sherry is staying over with Martin more frequently, and she and Daphne are finding themselves embroiled in minor clashes over Martin's breakfast.
Tropes:
- Commercial Break Cliffhanger: Parodied when Daphne shows up at Niles's apartment and asks if she can spend the night there. The scene abruptly fades to black, showing Niles fainted. He regains consciousness to see Daphne hovering over him:Daphne: Relax, Dr. Crane. I'm just unbuttoning your shirt...
[Niles faints again. Cue commercial break.] - "Could Have Avoided This!" Plot: Daphne storms out of the apartment after arguing with Martin and Sherry. She ends up at Niles' place where the heatwave almost leads them to act on their Unresolved Sexual Tension before Daphne suddenly realizes she left her medication at home. When they stop by to pick it up Frasier resolves the argument meaning Daphne can stay and doesn't have to go back to Niles' apartment. Niles bitterly "thanks" Frasier for ruining his chance with Daphne, but Frasier points out that Niles unconsciously knew the situation was wrong and sabotaged himself.Niles: No, we just came back to fetch her damn thyroid pills.
Frasier: You're a doctor, why didn't you just use your prescription pad?
Niles: ...Oh my god.
Frasier: And isn't there an all-night pharmacy across the street from your building?
Niles: OH MY GOD! - Heat Wave: Seattle is experiencing one which puts everyone's nerves on edge and causes tempers to fray. It also contributes to the UST between Niles and Daphne as his building doesn't have air conditioning and he only has a single fan.
- I'm Standing Right Here: After Frasier patches things up between Sherry and Daphne:Daphne: You're a good psychiatrist, Dr. Crane.
Sherry: You sure are, hon'. You see, Marty? It isn't just a lot of hooey! - Instantly Proven Wrong: When Martin and Sherry catch Niles picking up Daphne's thyroid pills. He assures them that Daphne is so upset that there's no way she's coming back to the apartment tonight. Cue Daphne walking through the front door.
- Mandatory Line: Roz and Bulldog only have one scene where they're fighting.
- The Matchmaker: Sherry attempts to set Daphne up with guys she knows. Daphne doesn't appreciate this as they're all complete strangers that she has nothing in common with.
- Metaphorgotten: Frasier attempts an elaborate Visigoth metaphor to describe his flu but is so sick he loses track of what he's saying halfway through. His inability to finish the metaphor is even more upsetting to him.
- Missed Him by That Much: It's implied that Daphne is literally seconds away from jumping into bed with Niles, then her watch beeps to remind her to take pills which she doesn't have with her.
- Noodle Incident: The audience never learns why Roz and Bulldog were fighting as Frasier cuts off all of Roz's attempts to explain what caused it.
- Open Mouth, Insert Foot:Martin: Now you don't want to say anything you'll regret, you're acting like a couple of fishwives...! (Sherry and Daphne take a break from glaring at each other to glare at him) See? I'm regretting that one already.
- Shout-Out: The title cards for the episode are all references to the works of Tennessee Williams. Niles mentions the playwright by name when commenting on the heatwave.
- Sick Episode: Frasier has the flu and doesn't want to deal with anyone else's problems. Roz points out this is great news for their callers.
- Something Else Also Rises:
- Niles is fiddling with his stereo when Daphne remarks how hot she is and how she'd love to get out of her clothes. As he stares at her, the tray of his CD player pokes out at the same level as his crotch. He discreetly pushes it (the tray!) back in.
- Daphne comes downstairs from her bath wearing Niles's bathrobe as he is preparing drinks and snacks. The fan blows open the robe below the belt, revealing her bare legs and a glimpse of her underwear. The champagne bottle pops in Niles's hand and overflows onto the table.
- Stealth Insult:Daphne: You've had your big conk in my business all day!
Sherry: That better mean "nose"!
Daphne: And what if it doesn't? - Unresolved Sexual Tension: Daphne ends up at Niles' apartment after fighting with Sherry and Martin. The heatwave and their discussion about their lacklustre sex lives almost results in them sleeping together before Daphne remembers she's forgotten her thyroid pills.
- What You Are in the Dark: Subverted. Frasier points out that Niles unconsciously brought Daphne back to Frasier's apartment because he knew that seducing her wasn't right. Niles, however states they only came back to get Daphne's pills. Frasier points out that as a doctor, Niles could have easily got more pills for her without coming back to Frasier's. Niles' horror at realising this suggests that he would have seduced Daphne if not for his idiocy.
- You Need to Get Laid: Sherry thinks Daphne's grouchiness is because she isn't getting any. Daphne is outraged by this but eventually confides in Niles that Sherry may have had a point.