Niles is close to reconciling with Maris, but uncovers a secret about her that changes everything.
Examples:
- An Aesop: If your spouse refuses to reign in their flaws, it is best to divorce them to rid yourself of the toxicity.
- Big Brother Instinct: Frasier starts to lay into Niles for derailing the group therapy session but when Niles explains why he's so upset Frasier immediately redirects his ire to the "contemptible bastard" Schenkman.
- Fatal Flaw: Parodied. When conversing with Frasier about Dr. Schenkman, Niles tells him that Schenkman said that his flaw is that he is 'too predictable' when having sex.
- Gallows Humor: The last scene sees Niles resort to this regarding the end of his marriage, with the other Crane men joining in to make him feel better by making jokes about their own disastrous love lives.Frasier: Well, this may come as small consolation to you, but I believe each of you has some work to do to catch up with me in the "failed romance" department. Divorced twice, left at the altar once.
Martin: Well, I haven't exactly been burning things up lately. Things with Sherry fizzled, then "Sleeping Beauty" tonight...
Niles: I'll challenge you. Fifteen years with Maris, and I end up in bed with her lover.
[Martin almost spills his drink everywhere]
Martin: Ah geez, I didn't need to hear that!
Niles: No, no Dad, it was an accident. It was pitch dark, I thought he was Maris.
Frasier: It's a natural mistake. Uh... what tipped you off?
Niles: [Dissolving into giggles] The heat from her side of the bed!
[The men fall apart laughing] - Grew a Spine: Niles finally decides to put his foot down and end the marriage once he uncovers his wife's affair and adultery attempt.
- Hard Truth Aesop:Frasier: Sometimes you just have to accept that a relationship is just BAD! Doomed! And no amount of discussion can save it!
- Hypocritical Humor: This bit from Frasier when Niles gets hysterical due to finding out about Maris and her affair with Dr. Schenkman;Frasier: No one is here to judge anyone else's behavior. (The second the door closes, he rounds on Niles) What the hell are you doing, you lunatic?!
- Last Straw: Niles has decided that Maris cheating with their marriage counselor and planning to marry him was enough for him to withdraw from his marriage.
- Mandatory Line: Roz only shows up at the beginning of this episode.
- Mood Whiplash: All over the place in this episode. The joke about Niles finding his marriage counselor is sleeping with his wife is followed by Niles having to deal with the fact his marriage counselor is sleeping with his wife. Then Niles tries to put on a brave face at work but starts to go into a breakdown. Talking about it with Martin and Frasier, he makes quips about Maris's total lack of love, but it's still the end of his marriage.
- Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: If Maris intended to have Niles bend over backwards for her the rest of her life, she blew her chance by having an affair with Dr. Schenkman and not breaking it off before Niles could discover it.
- Noodle Incident: When Niles mentioned the times he has pleaded with Maris, he mentioned that one of those incidents included doing it through a pet door. Frasier mentions that he tended to some chihuahua bites.
- Not What It Looks Like: Dr. Schenkman tries claiming this when Niles catches him in Maris's bed, before admitting that this is nuts, and it is exactly what it looks like.
- Rage Breaking Point: Niles attacks Dr. Schenkman when he keeps trying to downplay his affair with Maris.
- Refuge in Audacity: Schenkman attempts this when he offers more frequent sessions in exchange for his affair with Maris. That's when Niles starts strangling him.
- Squick: In-Universe. Martin reacts with disgust when Niles states that he ended up in bed with Dr. Schenkman.
- Tempting Fate: At the beginning of the episode, it seems things are going well for Niles and Maris, having found Dr. Schenkman. However...
- That Came Out Wrong: Frasier's advice about some relationships being doomed is entirely accurate... but maybe not the thing to yell out in front of an entire group of people at couples' therapy.
- Wedding Ring Removal: After deciding his marriage is over, Niles removes his wedding wing and throws it off the balcony while declaring that Maris can't hurt him anymore. As he turns to go back inside Martin tells him that the ring landed on his Mercedes and dented the bodywork.
- Wham Episode: Niles finally decides to end his marriage with Maris once and for all.
