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The Gift Horse

‘The Gift Horse’

Season 5, Episode 2 -  Aired September 30, 1997

On Martin's sixty-fifth birthday, Frasier and Niles can't help competing to give him the most extravagant gift.

Quote from Martin

Martin: Here you go. Hey, no offense, but your teeth look like hell. I gotta tell you, the rest of you's not looking that much better either. Do you want me to give you a little rubdown, huh? Ah, that takes me back. Of course, your coat was a lot shinier in those days. Hell, so was mine. We were something, weren't we Agides, huh? Riding crowd control. People'd just step aside to let us pass. Now, they're putting you out to pasture and I'm riding the buses. It's fun getting old, isn't it?

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Quote from Martin

Frasier: You know, it is a little troubling that you feel more comfortable talking to your horse than you do to your sons.
Niles: Actually, we might be able to help you with what you're going through. The ageing process.
Martin: Now, come on, now, stop it. You see, this is the problem. I know everything you're going to say. First of all, you'll start talking about sixty-five as being some sort of passage. And then you'll start spouting these theories and quoting Freud and who knows what else. Until, by the time you get through analyzing me, I'm going to be sixty-six. Look, when I tell Agides something, you know what he does? Nothing. He just listens to me.
Niles: We listen.
Frasier: That's my slogan, "I'm Listening." You know, Dad, listening is the foundation...

Quote from Niles

Martin: When I saw Agides today, it was kinda of a shock to see how old he's gotten and I just, it made me realize how old I've gotten.
Frasier: Dad, you still have a lot of-
Martin: Now, come on.
Frasier: Sorry, sorry.
Martin: Look, it's not a problem you can solve, Frasier. It's just a fact of life. People get old.
Niles: Well, I guess this horse wasn't quite the banner gift I thought it would be.
Martin: Oh, yes, it was, Niles. I'm feeling a little bit sorry for myself right now, but I'll get over that. But I love this
horse. It's the greatest present I've ever gotten.
Niles: Well, I'm glad, Dad. But, you know, I think I may have misled you. The horse is from me and from Frasier.
Martin: Oh, Jeez, I'm sorry. Thanks a lot, Fras.
Frasier: Well, actually, it was mostly Niles's idea.
Martin: Well, then, thanks to both of you.

Quote from Niles

Frasier: Niles, what a generous gesture. How can I ever thank you?
Niles: By calling your super and getting rid of that monstrosity in your apartment. I do visit from time to time, you know.

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