Roz’s Frasier Season 2 Return May Have Shut Down One Of The Biggest Theories For Good

The return of Peri Gilpin’s Roz Doyle in Frasier season 2 seems to have finally shut down one of the biggest theories surrounding the reboot. Following the passing of actor John Mahoney, who played Martin Crane, and David Hyde Pierce’s refusal to return as Niles Crane, Kelsey Grammer’s Dr. Frasier Crane looked like the only original Frasier character who’d return for the reboot. However, in the Frasier reboot’s season 1 finale, Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott) surprises his father by inviting Roz to their Christmas celebration in Boston. Of course, Roz has a long history with the show’s titular character.

The producer of KACL 780’s Dr. Frasier Crane Show, Roz is also Frasier’s long-time friend. At first, the incredibly sardonic Roz doesn’t see eye-to-eye with Frasier. Slowly, the pair’s workplace friction dissipates and they become close. In Frasier season 3, episode 22, “Frasier Loves Roz,” Roz comes to believe that Frasier has unrequited feelings for her, creating a comedic series of misunderstandings. However, Frasier and Roz do sleep together in season 9, just after Roz breaks up with her long-term partner. While the duo agree to remain friends, their chemistry still feels romantic in the reboot.

There Have Long Been Theories About A Frasier & Roz Romance

Frasier & Roz Sleep Together In Season 9 Of The Original Series

Since the original show’s earliest seasons, there have been theories about a Frasier and Roz romance. In Frasier‘s series finale ending, Dr. Crane winds up following Charlotte (Laura Linney) to Chicago. While the Frasier reboot doesn’t quite reveal why Charlotte left, it seems like the couple never married, leaving Frasier single when he uproots his life again and moves to Boston. While this certainly opens the door for a Roz-Frasier romance, the original series seemed solidly against the idea. In fact, after the friends sleep together in season 9, Roz freaks out and heads home to Wisconsin for space.

The Frasier reboot waits until the very end of season 1 for its Roz guest appearance. When she surprises Frasier at Christmas, the show’s titular character is thankful to see a familiar face who really knew his late father, Martin. Primarily, Roz consoles Frasier as he weathers his first Martin-less holiday season. Even so, Frasier and Roz getting together seemed more likely after the reboot’s season-one finale. Both characters are single and feel a bit isolated. All of this, plus the news that Gilpin would have a more substantial role in season 2, hinted at a reignited romance.

There’s No Hint Of Romance With Frasier In Roz’s Season 2 Return

Frasier & Roz’s Marriage Pact Doesn’t Figure Into The Frasier Reboot

In the Frasier reboot’s sophomore outing, Roz reappears in the third episode, “All About Eve,” and there’s really no attention paid to her potential for a relationship with Frasier. As the episode’s title implies, episode 3 centers on Eve (Jess Salgueiro), Freddie’s friend who’s raising a baby on her own. Initially, Frasier plans a fun night out for the whole group, including Roz, who winds up at the apartment building when plans with her own daughter fall through. When Roz, a fellow single mother, sees how exhausted Eve is, she insists on a girls’ night out.

Not only does Roz spend the majority of the episode with Eve and the other Boston women, but she lands a date with another guy. It’s clear that she and Frasier are still very close friends, but the third episode does nothing to tease a romance between them. At the same time, Roz is considering moving to Boston, which would make a Roz-Frasier romance easier to pull off. Not to mention, several season-two stills tease Roz and Frasier in some romantic-looking situations. While those stills could echo “Frasier Loves Roz,” it’s hard to know what’s in store.

In the original series’ sixth season, Frasier misunderstands Roz yet again, believing that she’s interested in a fallback marriage pact. The idea is that if both of them are single by a certain age, they’ll just marry each other — or so Frasier thinks. When he expresses his interest in the idea, Roz clarifies that she was actually going to suggest they kill each other. Although Roz’s dark humor overshadows the moment, Frasier has long teased the pair’s enduring and deep relationship.

Why Frasier & Roz Are Better Off Staying Friends

The Pair’s “Will They, Won’t They” Romance Already Played Out In The Original Frasier

Looking at the Frasier series as a whole, it seems like Frasier and Roz are better off being friends. The would-be couple’s “will they, won’t they” romance defined several episodes in the original series, so it does feel a tad played out. Moreover, even though fans have long wondered why Frasier and Roz never ended up together, the reboot doesn’t appear interested in providing any clear-cut insight into the pair’s potential future. Instead, the Frasier reboot seems to be keeping that narrative door open, even if a platonic friendship between the pair is the more compelling thread.