For those of you who don't already know, I am deeply, hopelessly and completely in love with Niles :D and while I love him in every single episode, I think DHP really took the character to new places at the start of season six. It's like he developed the character over the hiatus or something, and returned in season six with some changes.

First off, he looks different (and really good) in season six. You can see some changes from the moment he walks in the door behind Daphne in the premiere, "Good Grief." If you compare that to, say, "The Maris Counselor," you can see that he's put on a little weight (which only filled him out a little bit) and ventured away from that little boy haircut he had in the earlier season-- you know, where it was two lengths in back, like a lot of little boys wear their hair. The new haircut (a typical man's haircut) and the extra weight seem to somehow lend stability to the character, who was often rather neurotic. Even just the way he walks in the door is different. He looks more confident, healthier, and stronger.

That's not to say he wasn't still on the neurotic side, but even in that very first episode of season six, his actions too show that he seems to have grown into himself and is a much calmer, happier Niles. He helps Frasier through his grief over his job loss, which, I think, is the first time we've ever really seen Niles in a stronger emotional place than Frasier and actually helping Frasier through something. It seems like in previous episodes it was always the other way around. And while he still had his neurotic moments throughout the rest of the series, it seemed like season six was the beginning of a more practical, more resilient Niles than we'd seen in the past, and a lot of that carried him right through his divorce and right on to some of the trials in his courtship and relationship with Daphne (and her parents). I wonder if DHP and/or the writers thought that out and did that on purpose as a way to show a different side of the character once he was free of Maris? Just the fact that it happened seems like someone must have thought it out. But either way, the changes look really good on him and I really love Niles in season six. :)

Season Six was a good one for Niles. There was a lot of comedic genius moments from DHP, with the classic "Three Valentines" scene, and "IQ." Not to mention "Decoys" & "Visions of Daphne." I agree, Season Six was one of Niles'/DHP's best. :D

Season six was so cool for Niles. He had been through many ups and downs with Maris, and he was finally free. He was stronger and a little more confident, but not too much, because that would have been boring. "How to Bury a Millionaire" and "Taps at the Montana" are my absolute favorites. Seeing Niles kick up his feet and relax in his new apartment at the Shangrala is just priceless. But the entire season is great.

Great post! DHP really did look a lot better in the latter seasons and I did notice a huge difference in Niles' personality because I watched one of the first season episodes a few nights ago. I love how they developed his character throughout the years. This is kind of off-topic, but I think one of the best examples of how brilliant DHP is can be seen in Season 11's "Crock Tales". I'm sure everyone knows by now that the scenes in that ep aren't really flashbacks (which is what makes it brilliant) but the way DHP goes from 1993 nervous and shy Niles to the more confident one of later seasons in the same episode is just amazing to me.

Great post! DHP really did look a lot better in the latter seasons and I did notice a huge difference in Niles' personality because I watched one of the first season episodes a few nights ago. I love how they developed his character throughout the years. This is kind of off-topic, but I think one of the best examples of how brilliant DHP is can be seen in Season 11's "Crock Tales". I'm sure everyone knows by now that the scenes in that ep aren't really flashbacks (which is what makes it brilliant) but the way DHP goes from 1993 nervous and shy Niles to the more confident one of later seasons in the same episode is just amazing to me.
Wow! That's true-- I never really thought about that-- that is so true!! I knew that they weren't really flashbacks, but I had forgotten that that of course would mean that the actors were playing the characters in different times of the series in that one episode.
And I love it that Niles/DHP had so many character-developing changes throughout the series; it's my opinion that he had the skill and ability to do it so either he (DHP) had a hand in the creative development of the character, or 'the powers that be' recognized it and developed the character for him. Either way, it was a huge contributor to the quality and longevity of the show (and for me, the main reason I even watched that show at all).
That's awesome! Thanks for pointing that out! :)

Wow! That's true-- I never really thought about that-- that is so true!! I knew that they weren't really flashbacks, but I had forgotten that that of course would mean that the actors were playing the characters in different times of the series in that one episode.
And I love it that Niles/DHP had so many character-developing changes throughout the series; it's my opinion that he had the skill and ability to do it so either he (DHP) had a hand in the creative development of the character, or 'the powers that be' recognized it and developed the character for him. Either way, it was a huge contributor to the quality and longevity of the show (and for me, the main reason I even watched that show at all).
That's awesome! Thanks for pointing that out! :)


Sigh... Yeah, I tend to pay more attention to DHP than anyone else on the show. Gee, I bet no one on this board would ever know that, given how much I talk about him, right? :crazy: ;)