 Norm is invited to a painting party at Cliff s house, a party that only Norm shows up to and one where there was no food or beer. But Norm s problems are minuscule compared to Frasier s. Frasier is still depressed, unemployed and pining for Diane. His life is in the doldrums, and he s drinking heavily. Diane thinks what he needs to get out of his slump is to exercise his psychiatric chops, and asks the gang if anyone has a problem he can diagnose. Barring that, she suggests that the problem need not be real. She thinks that Sam is the ideal candidate and depression the wanted diagnosis. However one of the symptoms of depression Sam doesn t want to mess with, namely loss of sex drive. But he agrees if only to help his friend Frasier. Sam tells Frasier all the classic symptoms of depression, but Frasier refuses to help. However the next day, Frasier bounds into the bar full of enthusiasm. The reason for the change is that he dreamed he was a real psychiatrist again, and had helped Sam with his problem, and now, he wants to help Sam. His conclusion is that Sam s depression is caused by the fact that he still loves Diane. Frasier pressures Sam to admitting at least to him that he loves Diane. Sam does so, which causes Frasier to break down in tears - he has lost Diane forever - but it is at least the catharsis he needs to move on with his life sans Miss Chambers. Sam and Diane talk about what to do, and decide to continue along with the ploy. But Frasier further tells Sam that to overcome his depression, he has to admit to Diane that he still loves her. In private, Sam and Diane discuss the details of their "story" Sam is to tell Frasier, the discussion which leads to arguments about who loves who more and realities of past episodes between the two. The argument comes to a head just as Frasier walks in on them. Sam can t take this anymore, and tells Frasier the truth about his depression being made up only to help him get out of his slump. Frasier is offended that the two more pitiful people in the world than him pitied him. But at least Frasier has come back into his own as a human being from this episode and tries to convince Sam and Diane that they truly do love each other, regardless of what they really want in life. Sam and Diane quietly admit to each other that there is some truth to Frasier s words, and leave it at that for the time being.