- Maris disappears without a trace for two days; when a frantic Niles finds out that she has simply flown to New York for a shopping trip, he angrily confronts her, leading to their separation.
- After a relieved Niles learns that Maris' mysterious three-day disappearance took her on a shopping spree to New York, Frasier tells him to demand an apology from her instead of giving her a welcome home gift. Niles takes his brother's advice and reads her the riot act, but when he later refuses to aplogise, Maris asks for a divorce.
- Maris has been missing without trace for three days. Frantic, Niles is convinced that she's been kidnapped; plans to sweep the koi pond, however, are put on hold when Maris' recent credit card transactions are checked, indicating that she is merely indulging in a shopping expedition in New York City, and Niles is relieved. Frasier, on the other hand, is subdued and annoyed, and he points out Maris' lack of concern in going on a shopping spree without leaving word. He persuades Niles to stand up to his wife for a change and confront her about her selfishness, which he does. However, rather than apologising, Maris demands a divorce and throws Niles out. Frasier feels responsible, and gives Niles sanctuary at his place, but is unable to talk Maris round. Eventually Maris agrees to take Niles back on the condition that he apologize to her, however he finds himself uncertain on if he should just that or refuse to be pushed around anymore.
- After his show goes to commercial break, Frasier is approached by Noel about an "anonymous" petition he has been passing around about introducing a new character to Star Tre - a four-breasted alien queen obviously based on Roz, which has drawn quite a few laughs at Roz's expense. He signs it anyway as a joke. Frasier then gets a distressed phone call from Niles, who tells him that Maris has been kidnapped. He leaves the station and meets up with Niles and Martin at Niles' house. He is perplexed to learn that Maris hasn't been seen for three whole days and Niles only noticed just now because she usually keeps him at such a distance. Martin, on the phone with one of his police contacts, learns that Maris' credit cards have been charged at several high-end fashion and jewelry stores in New York. When Niles finds out that not a single charge has been made to any restaurants, he is overjoyed as he realizes that Maris hasn't been kidnapped, just gone on a shopping trip.
Frasier, however, is has a more negative view on the affair because of Maris' selfish behavior. Confronting Niles with this, he gets Niles to start expressing his frustrations - by taking decorations from the house and smashing them. The relief and satisfaction it brings him is cut short when Maris's car pulls into the driveway. However, Frasier convinces him to finally confront Maris with how he really feels about their relationship. Later that day, Frasier, Martin and Daphne return to Frasier's apartment after having dinner at a restaurant. While Martin and Daphne take Eddie for a walk, Frasier is greeted by Niles, who let himself in after voicing his frustrations to Maris and going to the apartment to await her apology. Shortly afterwards, Maris calls the apartment with a response, just not the one Niles was hoping for - she wants a divorce.
As Niles settles in for a stay at Frasier's apartment while he and Maris are separated, Frasier, against Martin's advice, goes to talk to Maris and try to convince her to handle the situation more rationally. Instead, she first dumps a bucket of water onto him, and then lets loose a pack of guard dogs. The next day, Niles is uncharacteristically happy and upbeat, all in obvious denial about his situation. He later goes back to his and Maris' house to get some things and move them to a new apartment he found. He also says goodbye to the staff, some of whom want to come with him. As Niles is about to leave, he is overcome with regret and becomes desperate to stay. Just then, Marta passes on an offer from Maris - she will take Niles back if he says this has all been his fault. Niles seems to consider it, but ultimately decides against it.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content