Plot

Frasier's new girlfriend thinks Martin is gay and tries to set him up with her uncle.

It is Valentine's Day. Niles cancels a boys' night out with Frasier at the opera to be with his girlfriend Mel. Hoping to meet a beautiful woman he has been eying from across his box at the opera for several weeks, and not wanting to go alone, Frasier asks Martin to go with him. Having to choose between that and staying at home to watch Sophie's Choice with Roz and Daphne, Martin decides on the former and accompanies Frasier to see Rigoletto. Later at the opera, Frasier sees the gorgeous woman. He and Martin meet her (Emily, Marg Helgenberger) and the woman's mother, Helen (Mary Louise Wilson), during intermission. As Helen tries to ask Martin out on a date, Martin, finding her unattractive, panics. After a pause he lies and tells her he is gay. That evening, Emily brings her gay uncle, Edward (Brian Bedford), to Frasier's apartment, hoping to set him up with Martin. Martin does not realize that Edward is gay until it is largely too late. Realizing Edward's true sexuality and heightened interest in him, Martin pretends that he and Niles are an item. Niles finds a way out and leaves. While Frasier hopes to have a long Romantic night with Emily, Edward reminds her that he needs to get home as it is getting late. Emily readies to leave as she is Edward's ride. Just then, in the spirit of Valentine's Day, Martin offers to give Edward a ride home, giving Frasier and Emily the evening together.

Rather than go stag to the opera on Valentine's night, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) convinces Martin (John Mahoney) to join him so that he can flirt with an attractive female patron (guest star and Emmy Award winner Marg Helgenberger, "China Beach"), but when her mother (guest star Mary Louise Wilson) has eyes for a disinterested Martin, the senior Crane convinces her that he's gay -- so she immediately sets him up with her mature gay uncle (guest star Brian Bedford). After inviting everyone home for a nightcap, Frasier learns the truth and forces his father to carry out the charade for the sake of his own budding romance.

Frasier plans to introduce himself to a beautiful woman he has seen at the opera, but brings Martin along to the opera so as not to look lonely. The woman's mother takes a shine to Martin, and he pretends to be gay to deflect her advances. Frasier makes his overture, and Emily comes to his apartment for a nightcap, bringing along her uncle, Edward, as a date for Martin.—crouchbk