Analytical Episode Guide-Seinfeld (Season 2, Part 3)

An Analytical Viewer's Guide to :

 

Season  2, Part 3

Episode 11, Season 2

The Heart Attack

 

Plot Summary-George thinks he is having a heart attack, turns out he needs his tonsils out even though he already had them out when he was young. Fearing an operation, George lets Kramer take him to a holistic healer who proceeds to make him even sicker. Jerry tries to figure out what he wrote late at night when he heard something funny, and Elaine becomes attracted to George's doctor and goes on a date with him, only to have it revealed that he has a fetish for tongues, causing her to break up with him.

Best Quote-“Meningitis? Scoliosis? Lupus? Is it Lupus?!”…..George

Nitpick of the episode-The whole ambulance scene is totally absurd. First of all, why is George purple? Second, why are the ambulance drivers fighting over Chuckles? And it’s not little argument, they are fighting like mad dogs about this. Way over the top. Then they stop the ambulance and get out having a fist fight. Really?????? The ambulance winds up crashing, and we get the hilarious site gag of Jerry in a neck brace. Groan!!!!!!!!!!!

Seinfeldism of the episode- Maybe the first time we hear about a real life product, Chuckles, too bad it’s so lame!!!

Deleted Scenes-There was a whole sub-story with Elaine and a Reader’s Digest which got cut, the opening was originally longer.

Episode Fun Fact-Larry David puts in his first of several on screen cameos, he did many appearances and voice’s over the course of the series.

Final Thoughts-Here it is, the one episode I dreaded having to watch when I decided to do these. Simply put, I HATED HATED HATED this episode! The first time I saw it, I couldn’t believe what I was watching. It is just so ridiculous. Ok, to be fair I can understand how the idea of George thinking he is having a heart attack could be funny, and the first scene in Monk’s is pretty good, but, wow! A holistic healer? I already complained about the ambulance scene, and then the fact George needs his tonsils out is just dumb (and I am not even getting into the whole growing back thing, maybe they can I don’t know). For a series that is supposed to about real life, this doesn’t come close. Nothing in this episode works. The characters don’t even feel right, Elaine’s story is just gross, and Jerry’s story just falls flat in the end.

Grade=F (think I explained why)

Episode 12, Season 2

The Revenge

 

Plot Summary- George impulsively quits his job, and then regrets the decision. Jerry convinces him to go back as if nothing happened but he gets fired. George plans to get revenge on his boss by drugging him and spoiling a big anniversary party. Meanwhile, Jerry thinks he lost money at a Laundromat and Kramer schemes to dump cement into a washing machine as revenge.

Best Quote-“Why pass up the opportunity to go to prison?”…..Elaine

Nitpick of the episode-And the guy didn’t realize what Kramer was doing because????

Seinfeldism of the episode-George decides to slip his boss a “mickey”, Jerry doesn’t want to mix his clothes with Kramer’s because “my guys don’t know your guys”.

Deleted Scenes-None in this episode.

Episode Fun Fact-Larry David actually did quite his job at SNL and then walked back in, but it worked out for him. Also, this episode is the first time we hear about Newman. We don’t see him, only hear him. In the original air for this show Larry David did the voice but when the episode was syndicated Wayne Knight redubbed the dialogue, so he would always be Newman.

Final Thoughts-This episode has a very relatable premise, who hasn’t wanted to get revenge on someone who did them wrong? Since its Seinfeld, both attempts backfire and Jerry and George are the one’s burned. But that is the way the show worked. The only problem is that Kramer and Elaine don’t really have stories; they are part of Jerry and George’s story. Although we do get out first mention of Newman.

Grade=B-, Not bad at all.

Episode 3, Season 13

The Deal

 

Plot Summary-Jerry and Elaine try to find a way they can remain friends but also pursue a sexual relationship. It doesn’t work out very well, after Jerry gives Elaine a bad birthday gift they decide the relationship isn’t working. Jerry and George discuss the situation Jerry decides he has to try again. The last scene is Elaine coming out of Jerry’s bedroom. George and Kramer have no story.

Best Quote-“Now you listen to me. I want details, and I want them right now. I don’t have a job, I have no place to go. You’re not in the mood? Well you get in the mood!”….George to Jerry

Nitpick of the episode-I have to say, Elaine sure doesn’t hold up her end of the deal.

Seinfeldism of the episode-Jerry and Elaine try to find a way to keep “that” (their sexual relationship) from interfering with “this” (their friendship). Ok, you need to see the scene to appreciate this one.

Deleted Scenes-None in this episode.

Episode Fun Fact-This is the only Seinfeld episode to have a scene with real emotion, when Jerry and Elaine discuss the ending of their physical relationship. Also, in the scene where Kramer gives Elaine the bench Jerry’s door keeps opening and closing between shots.

Final Thoughts-This episode has a lot of funny moments. First the very well done scene where Jerry and Elaine try to work out their arrangement and then the scene in the coffee shop when Jerry tells George about what happened is a classic George moment. However, the romantic story kind of bogs down the show. If you ever wondered why Jerry and Elaine didn’t get together, just watch this episode. It changes the whole dynamic. The creators must have realized it to, because despite how this show ends in the next episode Jerry and Elaine and once again just friends.

Grade=B+, Not bad but definitely an early episode

Just 3 episodes this week as we conclude season 2. The season started slowly, but after Seinfeld moved behind Cheers on Thursday’s the show took off. Thankfully, season 2 did well enough that NBC ordered a full season for the next year. Next week, we will begin our look at season 3.