But the season's most pivotal story arc is the separation of Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and Maris. "Moon Dance," which marked Grammer's directorial debut, is a series benchmark, as a crestfallen Niles tangos with his unrequited love, Daphne (Jane Leeves), at a high society ball. Not that the Crane family still doesn't have issues to work out. Frasier cannot abide being beaten at chess by Martin (John Mahoney) in "Chess Pains." Frasier and Niles ill-advisedly go into joint practice in "Shrink Rap," and find themselves on the opposite sides of a sanity hearing in "Crane vs. Crane." Lilith is sorely missed, but in this season's blast-from-the-past episode, Shelley Long returns in "The Show Where Diane Comes Back." It is a joy to see Cheers resurrected, if only in Diane's self-absorbed new play, which Frasier agrees to back. And any episode with Frasier's amoral agent Bebe (Harriet Sansom Harris) is must-see television. Frasier's humor was character-based, rather than topical, giving it a longer shelf life. For those who lament the end of one of television's gold standard series, this box set will be excellent therapy. --Donald Liebenson

Synopsis
With its witty dialogue, sophisticated characters, and classic slapstick situations, Frasier is a prime example of smart television comedy. Centered around pompous psychiatrist Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) and his call-in radio show in Seattle, the series' brilliant ensemble cast includes his prim and proper brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce), their retired cop father Martin (John Mahoney), live-in home care assistant Daphne (Jane Leeves), brassy radio producer Roz (Teri Gilpin), and a charismatic Jack Russell terrier named Eddie. Series 3 introduces Mercedes Ruehl as Frasier's new boss Kate Costas and features a guest appearance by former Cheers co-star Shelley Long.