March 3, 2012

Analytical Episode Guide-Seinfeld (Season 4, Part 1)




An Analytical Episode Guide to:
 

Season 4, Part 1

Season 4 was the breakthrough season, when Seinfeld finally established its identity and became the show we would learn to love. The arc in the season of Jerry and George creating the show within the show was just brilliant. Some of the best episodes, and the most classic moments and lines, come from this season. The real turning point was when the show moved behind Cheers on Thursday night. Suddenly the show had its audience, and was producing the strongest episodes of its entire run. It’s no surprise at all Seinfeld won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series after it was over, and it all started with these six episodes.

Episode 1, Season 4
The Trip
 
Plot Summary- Jerry takes George with him to Los Angeles where he is appearing on The Tonight Show. The duo decides to also try to track down Kramer. While they made their way through airport security and deal with the maid in the hotel, Kramer has found his acting careers has dried up. He meets a woman who is later murdered by a serial killer. After Jerry’s so-so Tonight Show appearance he and George learn Kramer is now suspected of being the same killer.
Best Quote-“We’re going on a two day trip. Who are you, Diana Ross?”….Jerry to George who has over packed.
Nitpick of the episode-Not sure if it’s wise for George Wendt and Corbin Bernsen to make fun of a crazy fan who could be sitting in the audience (of course it’s just George, but they don’t know that). The whole discussion about tucking in the sheets in a hotel bed never made sense to me. How hard is it to pull the sheets out if you want? I used to bring an extra blanket on trips.
Seinfeldism of the episode-George doesn’t like his sheets tucked
Deleted Scenes-None for this episode
Episode Fun Fact-This episode and the next first aired in the summer, because NBC wanted to keep the show popular through the Olympics which dominated the programming that August.
Final Thoughts-This is a tough one. This show and the next are fish out of water shows, and it is kind of funny to see very New York-ish Kramer seem normal around LA. However, at the same time the show just feels flat. The cameos by Fred Savage, George Wendt and Corbin Bernsen feel forced, and it really isn’t that funny. Of course having the plot about a serial killer doesn’t help. Also having no Elaine doesn’t help, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss was off having her first child.
Grade=C, Good effort but just not the same show

Episode 2, Season 4
The Trip Part 2
 
Plot Summary-Still in LA, George and Kramer try to get in touch with the police to inform them that they know Kramer couldn’t be the murderer. They finally get a ride to the police station in a cruiser, which is diverted by a carjacker breaking into a car. Kramer is arrested and while the officer is grilling him, another body is found proving Kramer is innocent. Jerry finally apologizes for their stupid fight over the keys, and Kramer insists he is staying. The next scene Jerry and George are in New York, and Kramer has suddenly returned and everything is normal again.
Best Quote-“Cops eating Milano’s? What kind of crazy town is this?”…..Jerry
Nitpick of the episode-Some episodes seem so dated, and this one is no exception. Jerry and George spend five minute finding and using a payphone. When was the last time anyone used a payphone? I know, I know. But it’s still funny. Then again even if they had cell phones at the time it wouldn’t have changed the story much.
Seinfeldism of the episode-Ummm…..none really unless you count the discussion about how much to tip a maid.
Deleted Scenes-None for this episode.
Episode Fun Fact-One of the cop’s who pick Jerry and George up would return the series playing the role of Elaine’s boyfriend Jake Jarmel.
Final Thoughts-This episode is a strange diversion for the series. For three episodes (including The Keys) everything is kind of strange. Then at the end of his one, order is restored to the world. The scenes of Jerry and George in LA are more amusing in this episode; they really seem out of place. It was also good to get a rare sincere moment when Jerry apologizes to Kramer for their argument; the moment is quick but effective. This episode has a great ending when we find out the man arrested earlier in the episode, who George let go by no shutting the door of the police car behind him, is in fact the serial killer everyone has been looking for.
Grade= C+, stronger episode but still glad that they are back in New York at the end

Episode 3, Season 4
The Pitch
 
Plot Summary-Jerry is approached by some executives at NBC who say they would be interested in discussing any ideas for a show he might have. As Jerry and George discuss salsa, George realizes that the show should just be people talking, and everyday stuff. He sells Jerry on the idea and they go together to pitch it. However, George blows the interview with his showing off. The deal seems dead until George dates the woman executive named Susan. George brings her up to Jerry’s apartment but Kramer throws up on her before he can explained why they are there. Meanwhile, Kramer runs afoul of a nut named Joe Davola who attacks him and could have really hurt him If not for the helmet he had gotten from Newman which saved his life.
Best Quote-“You know, you really need some help, and a regular psychiatrist couldn't even help you. You need to go to, like, Vienna or something. You know what I mean? You need to get involved at the University level, like where Freud studied, and have all those people looking at you and checking up on you. That's the kind of help you need. Not the once a week for eighty bucks, no. You need a team”….Jerry tearing into George. (I don’t usually use quotes this big but I couldn’t pass this one up)
Nitpick of the episode-Boy, Susan had no idea what she was in for when she started dating George in this episode. Just an observation.
Seinfeldism of the episode-George suggests that the show Jerry pitch to NBC be a “Show about nothing” enough said!
Deleted Scenes-None for this episode.
Episode Fun Fact-Julia Louis-Dreyfuss was still on maternity leave but did manage to put a brief cameo in this episode and the next.
Final Thoughts-Okay, first of all let me say that Joe Davola was the worst recurring character ever. He wasn’t funny or charming, and I am glad they never brought him back after this season. Now, that being said I have to say this episode is very well written. The idea of turning the show inside out so we can get a glimpse of how Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David came up with it is very inspired. It really creates a new dimension to the series. It’s been said that people who encounter the characters on this show end up suffering, and no one embodies that better than fake NBC president Russel Dalrymple. We meet him here as a strong network exec and by the end his obsession with Elaine has ruined his life. We’ll get into that more in a few weeks.
Grade=A

Episode 4, Season 4
The Ticket
 
Plot Summary-Jerry and George try a second time to pitch their idea for the TV series, while also running afoul of crazy Joe Davola. Frustrated, Jerry throws out a watch his parents gave him. Thanks to a faulty police scanner Kramer gave him, Newman got a speeding ticket. He tries fighting it in court with Kramer as a witness, however Kramer is still feeling the effects of Davola’s attack and is not quite himself.
Best Quote-“There’s no excuse good enough to justify walking away from a conversation with one of my relatives. You could be a fireman in a fire truck on the way to a fire”….Jerry (for some reason all the quotes are his this week)
Nitpick of the episode-The cop that Jerry talks to at the end of the episode deserved to be reported to someone. All Jerry wants him to do is walk them out because they think Davola is waiting for them, and he can’t take two minutes to do it? Also, I suppose I can understand why Newman blames Kramer for his speeding ticket, but the truth is it’s his own fault. A radar detector isn’t a permit to speed.
Seinfeldism of the episode-It’s hard to explain, but the excuse for Newman’s speeding was because a friend was going to kill himself. Kramer is supposed to pretend to be the friend. As Newman and Kramer discuss motives, Kramer comes up with the motive “I was never able to become a banker”.
Deleted Scenes-None for this episode.
Episode Fun Fact-This was actually part of a one hour season premiere with the previous episode
Final Thoughts-Not as good as the previous episode, but it does set the seeds for what would be the story arc for the season. One thing I wanted to say, I always resented the insinuation in the episode that being on medication equals crazy. That being said, this is a good show. We get the first Kramer and Newman moments at the hearing, and Kramer’s head injury this time is played more effectively than in “The Letter”.  The only complaint is more Davola stuff, which I hated. Every time I see this episode I almost wish Newman had been seen more, he really fit into the group well.
Grade=B+, not bad at all

Episode 5, Season 4
The Watch
 
Plot Summary-Jerry’s parents Helen and Morty are in from Florida so Morty can see a back specialist. His wallet is stolen (or so he thinks) before he can hear the diagnosis. George turns down the offer from NBC saying it’s much too low. Elaine returns from abroad and indicates her relationship has gone south. However, she is unable to break up with him so she brings Kramer in to pretend to be her fiancée. Susan’s father gives George a box of Cuban cigars which he proceeds to pass down to Kramer.
Best Quote-“Oh, god it’s probably from sleeping on that sofa,”…Elaine after being told Morty is seeing a back specialist. She obviously still remembers her experience with the sofa in “The Pen”.
Nitpick of the episode-I know I pick on George a lot, but what in the world is going through his head when he compares himself to Ted Danson? Then he turns down the offer?? What in the world is he thinking? There’s dumb and then there is just plain stupid. He crosses that line in this episode.
Seinfeldism of the episode-Elaine “tells” that her relationship is no longer working by touching her face.
Deleted Scenes-There were more scenes of Jerry explaining to Kramer exactly what happened to the watch
Episode Fun Fact-Elaine finally returns in this episode.
Final Thoughts- It’s kind of funny, just when you start to wonder why Elaine was ever on this show since you really don’t miss her, she suddenly reappears and you wonder where in the heck she’s been! The scene where Elaine returns is one of the best moments in the series. I think while the writing held up without her, her presence was essential for the dynamic to work. Anyway, this episode is funny as we see just how crazy Jerry’s father it.  We also see George being confident, which blows up in his face. Kramer doesn’t really have a story in this one.
 Grade=B+

Episode 6, Season 4
The Wallet
 
Plot Summary-After the deal is canceled because of George’s stupidity; he scrambles to make up for his mistake and get the deal back on. Jerry’s parents wonder what happened to the watch they gave Jerry which bears a striking similarity to the one Uncle Leo has on. Meanwhile, Elaine’s plans to have Kramer assist her in braking up with her boyfriend do not go as expected. She also meets a guy named Joey on the street.
Best Quote-“Do you have a decalf cappuccino?”…..Kramer
Nitpick of the episode-Well Jerry certainly learns how a lie can come back to haunt you, doesn’t he?
Seinfeldism of the episode-Jerry’s parents never let him pay, but this time his father has no wallet (best I could do).
Deleted Scenes-None for this episode.
Episode Fun Fact-This episode as well the one’s which came before and after it are unique in that they continue the same story right through back to back. The amazing thing is they stand out very well all by themselves too.
Final Thoughts-I get the feeling that this was a two parter because Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David decided they wanted to make it a two parter, not because it deserved to be. I mean the whole scene in the restaurant is stretched so thin that every time I see this episode I can’t believe it. Typical George, when it turns out he screwed up he turns around and blames Jerry, even though Jerry was against what George did. George’s efforts to get the deal back on are classic and we also get some classic Kramer moments too.
Grade=C-, Not as strong as the episode before it.

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