Previous Episode Next Episode 
War of the Words

‘War of the Words’

Season 9, Episode 18 -  Aired March 12, 2002

Frederick visits Seattle to take part in a spelling bee.

Quote from Martin

Frasier: I've really done it this time, haven't I? I feel terrible. He just hates me.
Martin: No, he's disappointed, that's all.
Frasier: Still, he knows that if I made a mistake it was only because I wanted him to win so badly.
Martin: Oh, he'll get over it. Remember when you were thirteen, you had that science project? I came in your room and sat on it? You forgave me.
Frasier: True. I spent six months working on that project.
Martin: Well, my point is, accidents happen. He'll come to see that.
Frasier: I suppose you're right. Three perfectly good chairs in my room, you had to sit on my hybrid orchid.
Martin: Well, let's hope Freddie's as forgiving as you are.

Rate

Quote from Frasier

John: Crane, no hard feelings.
Frasier: No feelings at all.
John: Now, don't be like that. You're not the first person tempted to get around the rules, you just got caught.
Frasier: I did not "get caught".
John: Well, cameras never lie and cheaters never prosper.
Frasier: And you never shut up!

Quote from Niles

Niles: Freddie?
Frasier: What's going on?
Security Guard: I caught these two fighting in the men's room.
Warren: He punched me.
Frasier: Is this true?
Frederick: He deserved it.
Niles: Why'd you do it, Freddie?

Quote from Niles

Frederick: He called my dad a cheater.
Frasier: You were defending me?
Niles: Where's your blazer?
Frederick: It's in the bathroom.
Niles: Oh, dear. If it's touched the floor, we'll have to destroy it.

Quote from Frasier

John: Crane, why don't you talk some sense into your boy, there?
Frasier: Freddie?
Frederick: Dad, I want to spell.

Quote from Niles

Frasier: Sudden death. Scrips-Howard rules.
John: Bring it on.
Niles: People, stop please. Look at yourselves. This is wrong. What are words, after all, but a way to communicate, to bring us together? But you, you're using them as weapons. Now, we still have an opportunity to walk away from here as winners, and wouldn't that be the greatest Spell-a-bration of all?

Quote from Niles

Frasier: He's right, son, let's go home.
[The Cranes walk away]
John: Yeah, we're all winners. Except for the two cheaters!
[The Cranes stop, briefly, but keep walking]
Warren: Hey, you know how to spell "loser"? C-R-A-N-E.
[Again, the Cranes halt for a moment, before they carry on.]
John: You don't have to worry about ever seeing him again, son. Chances are he'll end up in a state school.
Niles: How dare you! [to Freddie] Can you take him?
Frederick: Yeah!
Niles: Then spell his ass off!

 Page 2