What was it about Daphne that made Niles fall in love with her?

[andress_jade]

I was just sitting here thinking about what made Niles fall in love with Daphne? I know it was love at first sight for him, but what was it about her that made him fall so hard? What was so different about her than other women?
When Niles first met her, she was folding laundry. She was dressed very casually, pants and a shirt and her hair was partially down. She wasn't dressed to the nines or wearing lots of makeup. She just looked casual. Maybe that's why Niles liked her so much because she wasn't trying to be something she wasn't. She was pretty in her own way and didn't have to try, she just was. She was very down to earth and domesticated. She was funny and treated everyone around her with respect by calling everyone around her "Mr. Crane", "Dr. Crane", etc.
Maybe Niles saw something in her that he didn't see in Maris. Daphne had a warm heart and a sweet smile. She was the complete opposite of him and it took him by surprise. I think he was taken aback by the fact that someone like Daphne is happy when she is helping someone else, taking care of someone else. She was very unselfish and worked hard. He thought most women were like Maris, cold, selfish, domineering, controlling, and pretentious. He saw Daphne and saw that it just wasn't true. A woman can be beautiful by just being herself and not living up to someone else expectations.
I think that's why it took him so long to tell her how he felt about her. He thought he was out of her league. Someone as wonderful as her would never go for someone like him. He had his wine, opera, fine dining, expensive suits, a doctorate in psychology and his obsession with cleanliness and perfection. They were so different.
Daphne wasn't used to all of that. She came from a somewhat poor family, her father worked all the time and then spent his time at the pubs, she was the youngest and had to take care of her older brothers and the only girl. She had never seen an opera, or knew a lot about wine or fine dining. She just knew hard work and sacrifice. She cared about people but was a survivor as well. She knew how to take care of herself. I think that surprised Niles as well. Daphne was a tough cookie and didn't take crap from anyone. She didn't need someone to take care of her. Maris was high maintenance, Daphne was not.
I believe that through her, Niles saw that life wasn't all about being rich or popular but rather what was on the inside. Daphne showed Niles what he had been missing in his life and what he needed in his life. Daphne changed his life, it was fate and it was meant to be.
Niles never tried to change Daphne and Daphne never tried to change Niles, they loved each other for who they were and what they wanted to be.
There should really be a couple like Niles and Daphne in real life because they are what it's all about.

[Kristen]

Very well said! And I couldn't agree more. I think a lot of it was that Daphne genuinely cared about people, which is something Maris has never done. And I think Niles was afraid of rejection. Maris rejected him in every possible way, so he was afraid if Daphne didn't want him, either, he'd end up all alone. And they had to overcome so many things, like the Donny/Mel drama, and I think it just made them stronger in the end.

Can't wait till Andrea sees this thread, b/c I'm sure she'll write a book about it!

[Yooch]

I don't know, that's why love's such a mystery. When it clicks it clicks, you don't know why. For Niles, Daphne was one of those special ones, which is unexplainable. Call it the right chemistry, or whatever you want to call it. And when the feeling's reciprocal, as in Daphne and Niles's case, it's the greatest thing in the world.

[Schmoopie]

I couldn't agree with this more! I definitely think it was love at first sight. Sometimes you just know... And it probably goes without saying that every post on this thread (except for mine of course) has made me want to melt!

[andress_jade]

Originally Posted by Yooch

I don't know, that's why love's such a mystery. When it clicks it clicks, you don't know why. For Niles, Daphne was one of those special ones, which is unexplainable. Call it the right chemistry, or whatever you want to call it. And when the feeling's reciprocal, as in Daphne and Niles's case, it's the greatest thing in the world.

I agree with you on this! I never thought of it that way, the way you explained it made perfect sense. Niles and Daphne were pure perfection. It something you just don't question. I know that is why I loved them so much.

[Kristen]

There's a quote in my Frasier book where Jane talks about this very thing, and she says that it's b/c Niles has never met anyone like Daphne before, b/c she's all about taking care of people, unlike Maris. I'm paraphrasing, but that was more or less what she said. So I think we're all kind of on the right track here. I mean, who would know more than Jane, right? hehe

[andress_jade]

Originally Posted by Kristen

There's a quote in my Frasier book where Jane talks about this very thing, and she says that it's b/c Niles has never met anyone like Daphne before, b/c she's all about taking care of people, unlike Maris. I'm paraphrasing, but that was more or less what she said. So I think we're all kind of on the right track here. I mean, who would know more than Jane, right? hehe

You're right, she was there so she would know, she was Daphne, after all.

[Pat]

It comes to mind the episode (season 3) Kisses Sweeter Than Wine when Niles misleads Daphne about the carpander Joe and then tries to patch things up...


Niles: Joe.
Joe: Yep?
Niles: [goes over to him] You have to ask Daphne out again.
Joe: Are you nuts? You heard what she said.
Niles: Yes, but if you ask her again; she'll say yes.
Joe: Hey, maybe I've changed my mind.
Niles: Oh no, you haven't changed your mind. You're just letting
masculine vanity and hurt feelings keep you from something
that other men can only dream of in their oxblood seated
leather wingback chair with the lights off.
Joe: Look, Dr. Crane, I just don't think it'll work out - okay?
Niles: No, it's not okay. If you had ever... smelt her hair,
you'd know she's worth at least one more try. She is an
angel, and she is a goddess - and she's waiting for you in
the bathroom.

[Pat]

What a great couple

[Pat]

andress_jade,

You should write a romance novel of N&D - not leaving off where the show ended, but perhaps a story between episodes when they just started dating.

Perhaps taking up right after the episode Taking Liberties.

I would love to read that one.

[Pat]

Left off from season 8, episode "Taking Liberties"...

“I'll tell you when you're through, you spineless twit, AND YOU'RE NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!” Mel yells at Niles from Frasier’s kitchen when the other guests can hear.

“Opera time, opera time!" Frasier runs to the light switch and frantically flicks it on and off, like the house lights at an intermission. "On to the show!”

To no avail, everyone's attention is on the kitchen, including Daphne, who has entered from her room just in time to see Mel storm out of the kitchen.

Niles followed her out of the kitchen “That's it, Mel, I'm sick of these games!”

“Niles,” Mel is faced with the guests. She turns to him, “don't make a scene.” Her voice was much more humane this time.

Niles threw his hands up. He had reached his limitations. “I don't care! I love Daphne, and I'm not putting her through this torture another second!” He aggressively swings his arm in front of himself. “This sham of a marriage is OVER!”

For a moment, there is a silent standoff. Then everyone from the board rushes to comfort Mel.

Diane comes up behind Mel to take her by the upper arms to comfort her. “It's all right, dear, we've known for some time he doesn't deserve you.”

Mel seems somewhat dazed. She points at Niles. “Well, you've seen what I have to put up with. I've tried so hard, I really have.”

Lois who is also at Mel’s side adds, “I don't know how you've put up with him this long.”

Mel turns from him. “I just want out.” She throws her hands up as she starts for the door.

Ted follows Mel and the girls on the way out. “Don't worry, I'll handle the divorce papers personally! This jackass will be out of your life by the end of the week!”

“You mean it?” Niles looks to him hopefully as they depart.

Before he goes, Alan gives Frasier an amused look that spells doom to Frasier’s prospects for a board seat.

Murchie is the last one out. Holding the door handle, he remarks to Frasier, “See you around, Crane.”

Niles stood in the dining area of Frasier's apartment facing the closing door of Mel and her friends.

"I love you, too," Daphne said standing behind him. She had heard the whole thing.

Niles turned to her and held out his arms. She embraced him. The weight of the world had just been lifted off of the man's shoulders. The perfect storm was over. Now he was in the arms of his real one true love. Was this possible? Was he dreaming? The warmth of her hold told him it was real; the smell of the perfume in her hair. Thank the Good Lord, this was the beginning of a great new life.

Frasier stood there crestfallen.

Roz was still sitting on the couch. "Oh, come on, Frasier," she said, "you don't want to spend the evening with those snobs anyway."

Worth, who had been flirting with her all night, opened the door to stick his head back in. "Coming, Roz?"

Roz grabs her purse. "Yeah, I'll be right there." She gets up from the couch, but stops in the doorway to face Frasier. "I'm just getting an early start on the candy drive." With that, she departs, closing the door behind her.

Niles stood beside Daphne holding her hand. "Frasier, I'm-I'm sorry I ruined your evening."

"It's all right, Niles. It's a small price to pay to finally see you and Daphne together."

Niles turns to his girl to look into her eyes and see her beaming smile. "It's true - we're free!"

She laughs.

Niles continues, "No more hiding! Where do you want to go? Dinner? Dancing? London? Paris?"

"Why don't we go for a walk?"

He takes a deep breath. "Even better."

"If you'll allow me." Ferguson takes their coats from the rack to hand to them.

"Thank you, Ferguson." Niles takes his garment in appreciation.

"My pleasure, sir."

Niles heads for the door while Ferguson places Daphne’s jacket over her shoulders.

"Thank you, Ferguson," Daphne heart fully tells him.

"It was my privilege, Miss Moon."

Daphne walks over to the door where Niles is waiting to open the door for her. Niles follows her out, closing the door behind them.

<<< taking the story from here >>>

[Pat]

Daphne reaches for the elevator button, but Niles stops her.

“You know what, I forgot something,” he said.

She turned to him. “What is it?” She intended to wait for him to go back into Frasier’s apartment to retrieve something.

“Just this.” He placed his left hand against her cheek and softly caressed her lips with his.

She welcomed his kiss – yearned for it.

His lips trailed across the side of her cheek and to the side of her neck.
Her breathing became more rapid. She almost didn’t realize that he began to press her against the wall of the hallway. She reached around him to pull him closer.

The elevator doors opened and Mrs. Everly, Frasier’s neighbor, stepped out.
Niles being startled, bounded back. “Thanks for catching me Daphne. I don’t know what happened. It must be that buckling knee from my old squash injury back in prep school.”

Mrs. Everly gave him the strangest look when she passed.

He looked back at his girl. She smiled so brightly at him. “I love you. I love everything about you.”

“And I you. Oh,” he noticed the elevator closing and stopped the doors to allow her to enter first.

The doors closed and Niles hit the ground floor. They were alone together. Niles smiled.

“What are you thinking? What’s that smile for?”

“I was just thinking that if this elevator was to get stuck between floors, I don’t think that would be a bad thing.”

Daphne smiled at that. “Maybe if the lights went out and the call button wasn’t working…”

“I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t even try the call button.”

“Niles, I want to take it slow, but tonight, I want to sleep with you.”

Niles eyes widened the size of coffee saucers and his heart skipped a beat. “Excuse me?!”

“Don’t get me wrong. I want to respect your previsee, but I just want to wake up next to you. Not make love, just hold you all night in our clothes and wake up in your arms. We could sleep in and I could make you breakfast.”

“Oh! Oh. I thought you wanted to sleep together.” Niles took a deep breath and let it go.

“Oh no. I just want to hold you and enjoy the simplest things of our relationship like holding hands, kissing, sleeping in until noon, eating brunch together. We’ll have plenty of time for that stuff later. And don’t think I didn’t think about ripping your clothes off and giving you a good romp right here in the elevator.”

The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Daphne stepped out, but Niles was stunned by her words and couldn’t move for several seconds. The picture she just drew of them in the elevator he was having trouble erasing from his mind.

Daphne came back into the elevator to get him. “Come along.” She took his hand and led the way out again.

[andress_jade]

Originally Posted by Pat

Daphne reaches for the elevator button, but Niles stops her.

“You know what, I forgot something,” he said.

She turned to him. “What is it?” She intended to wait for him to go back into Frasier’s apartment to retrieve something.

“Just this.” He placed his left hand against her cheek and softly caressed her lips with his.

She welcomed his kiss – yearned for it.

His lips trailed across the side of her cheek and to the side of her neck.
Her breathing became more rapid. She almost didn’t realize that he began to press her against the wall of the hallway. She reached around him to pull him closer.

The elevator doors opened and Mrs. Everly, Frasier’s neighbor, stepped out.
Niles being startled, bounded back. “Thanks for catching me Daphne. I don’t know what happened. It must be that buckling knee from my old squash injury back in prep school.”

Mrs. Everly gave him the strangest look when she passed.

He looked back at his girl. She smiled so brightly at him. “I love you. I love everything about you.”

“And I you. Oh,” he noticed the elevator closing and stopped the doors to allow her to enter first.

The doors closed and Niles hit the ground floor. They were alone together. Niles smiled.

“What are you thinking? What’s that smile for?”

“I was just thinking that if this elevator was to get stuck between floors, I don’t think that would be a bad thing.”

Daphne smiled at that. “Maybe if the lights went out and the call button wasn’t working…”

“I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t even try the call button.”

“Niles, I want to take it slow, but tonight, I want to sleep with you.”

Niles eyes widened the size of coffee saucers and his heart skipped a beat. “Excuse me?!”

“Don’t get me wrong. I want to respect your previsee, but I just want to wake up next to you. Not make love, just hold you all night in our clothes and wake up in your arms. We could sleep in and I could make you breakfast.”

“Oh! Oh. I thought you wanted to sleep together.” Niles took a deep breath and let it go.

“Oh no. I just want to hold you and enjoy the simplest things of our relationship like holding hands, kissing, sleeping in until noon, eating brunch together. We’ll have plenty of time for that stuff later. And don’t think I didn’t think about ripping your clothes off and giving you a good romp right here in the elevator.”

The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Daphne stepped out, but Niles was stunned by her words and couldn’t move for several seconds. The picture she just drew of them in the elevator he was having trouble erasing from his mind.

Daphne came back into the elevator to get him. “Come along.” She took his hand and led the way out again.

That's awesome, Pat! I love it! I could so totally see that happening between them. Taking Liberties is one of my favorite eps because we get to see Niles with a spine and finally stand up for Daphne. He never had a spine when he was with Maris, but his love for Daphne helped him to be stronger.
I also love Something Borrowed, Someone Blue when he finally confesses to Daphne that he loves her, something we have been wanting to hear for 6 years. I love the part when she called him Niles for the first time as they drove away together. Amazing.

[Pat]

Originally Posted by andress_jade

That's awesome, Pat! I love it! I could so totally see that happening between them. Taking Liberties is one of my favorite eps because we get to see Niles with a spine and finally stand up for Daphne. He never had a spine when he was with Maris, but his love for Daphne helped him to be stronger.
I also love Something Borrowed, Someone Blue when he finally confesses to Daphne that he loves her, something we have been wanting to hear for 6 years. I love the part when she called him Niles for the first time as they drove away together. Amazing.

Yes, I remember my wife (not a Frasier fan) walking in the room while I was watching Taking Liberties on DVD. She asked, why doesn't he stick up for her. She stayed to watch him go off on Mel. I was silently saying "YES!!!"

[Pat]

Originally Posted by andress_jade

That's awesome, Pat! I love it! I could so totally see that happening between them. Taking Liberties is one of my favorite eps because we get to see Niles with a spine and finally stand up for Daphne. He never had a spine when he was with Maris, but his love for Daphne helped him to be stronger.
I also love Something Borrowed, Someone Blue when he finally confesses to Daphne that he loves her, something we have been wanting to hear for 6 years. I love the part when she called him Niles for the first time as they drove away together. Amazing.

Something funny about Something Borrowed, Someone Blue. I watched the episode with my wife when it aired, where Niles drives off in the RV with Daphne, and had to wait for the next season to see what happened. My wife said that she thought she heard that at the start of the next season, Niles drives Daphne back to her wedding. So I had to wait until the next season thinking that Niles didn't really get together with Daphne. What a wonderful way to find out they were really together.