Analytical Episode Guide-Seinfeld (Season 2, Part 1)

An Analytical Episode Guide to :

 

Season 2, Part 1

After airing in the summer of 1990, the series' second season was bumped off its scheduled premiere of January 16, 1991, due to the start of the Persian Gulf war. It settled in a regular time slot on Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. and eventually flipped with veteran series Night Court to 9:00. I always liked this paring, not sure why but these shows kind of complimented each other. It was also amusing to see Night Court which was on its last legs, followed by Seinfeld which was just getting started.

As I discussed before, I am doing these in the order they are presented in the DVD sets. Here now are the first five episodes :

Episode 1, Season 2

The Ex-Girlfriend

 

Plot Summary-George finally musters the courage to break up with his girlfriend     Marlene. When he asks Jerry to go pick up some books he left, he accidentally strikes up a relationship of his own with her. At first he is annoyed by her, but then begins to fall for her. He is afraid to tell George, but he is then inspired by Elaine’s confrontation of an acquaintance to reveal the truth. George gives Jerry the green light, and Jerry thinks all is good until Marlene breaks up with him after seeing his comedy act. Kramer’s only role is bragging about the amazing fruit got at Joe’s fruit stand, and our first time seeing his love for golf.

Best Quote-“You’re a cashier!”…..an astonished Jerry to Marlene

Nitpick of the episode-George leaves his books at Marlene’s. This sound like the same George who couldn’t even read Breakfast at Tiffany’s later on? Actually, if you look at the books they show quickly they are all self-help books, which kind of makes sense.

Seinfeldism of the episode-Elaine is referred to as the “Queen of Confrontation” by Jerry

Deleted Scenes-The opening scene in the car is longer, George proposes faking a kidnapping to get out of his relationship. Also there is more with Kramer and the cantaloupe.

Episode Fun Fact-The actress who played Marlene would appear again in “The Big Salad” as a very different character.

Final Thoughts-The writing in these early episodes is amazing. It’s really true, every little thing is analyzed and dissected. First we get the details about how George broke up with his girlfriend, and then his thoughts on the chiropractor which is pretty funny. The difference to later episodes is really amazing. This is one episode where I don’t mind the standup coming in the middle of the episode, it comes at a good spot and is real funny. Elaine sort of gets a story, but I would bet anything if this were a later episode we would have seen her confrontation, not just heard about it. Early in the series everything was seen through Jerry’s eyes, so no cast members had scenes without him. By the end of this season, Larry David finally started to realize how limiting that is and, as we will see in a moment that started to change in a big way.

Grade=B-, This is a clever episode and pretty funny, though nothing above average.

Episode 2, Season 2

The Pony Remark

Plot Summary-Jerry takes Elaine along with his parents who are in town for to the 50th anniversary dinner of their second cousin Manya and her husband. At the dinner, Jerry  and Elaine are trying to make conversation when he accidentally insults Manya. The next day, Manya has suddenly passed away and Jerry wonders if he was responsible. He goes to the funeral even though it means missing the championship softball game. This is really the only story in the episode, George whines about never having sex, and Kramer decides to build levels in his apartment to live like they did in Ancient Egypt.

Best Quote-“Who figures an immigrant is going to have a pony?”….Jerry trying to defend himself

Nitpick of the episode-Gotta agree with Jerry, glad that Leo is proud of his son but, my lord, the kid just works at the park department! Not really a nit, but I have wanted to say that for ages.

Seinfeldism of the episode-There really isn’t one, so here is Jerry’s offensive remark: “In fact, I hate anyone who ever had a pony when they were growing up”. Manya immediately responds, “I had a pony!”

Deleted Scenes-None in this episode.

Episode Fun Fact-First appearance of Uncle Leo, who would go on to become a favorite recurring character with good reason.

Final Thoughts-This may be the first truly relatable episode. Who hasn’t blurted something out that they regretted almost instantly? This show was actually nominated for a writing Emmy. I can see Jerry’s point, if Manya had a pony where she lived then why did she come to this country? But that doesn’t excuse what he said. This was a great episode, very well written.

Grade=B+, dropped a point because George is hardly in the episode, the creators still hadn’t figured out how to give each character equal plot lines.

Episode 3, Season 2

The Busboy

 

Plot Summary- When George gets a busboy fired, he and Kramer go over to the man’s apartment to apologize. In the process Kramer leaves the apartment door open and the busboy’s cat escapes. Elaine has a guest from out of town named Ed whom she can’t wait to see leave. However, the alarm clock doesn’t go off and she is unable to get him on his plane despite her best efforts. When Elaine’s friend runs into the busboy at Jerry’s apartment, a fight occurs.

Best Quote-“The busboy’s coming!”….Kramer

Nitpick of the episode-As funny as the scene where Elaine panics trying to get Ed to the airport is, it’s also foolhardy of her. It would have been easier to endure one more day, and bid him adieu the next day. She could have at least made sure he was packed and ready to go the night before.

Seinfeldism of the episode-No real one, but this is the first time George and Kramer get a scene without Jerry, and we can easily see why it was not the last. It's also unique for the show at the time to show Kramer out of Jerry's apartment and interacting with society a little.

Deleted Scenes-None in this episode

Episode Fun Fact-This was the first time on this show that two seemingly separate stories come together at the end. Also, finally the other co-stars get the story and Jerry just kind of observes what is going on. We also get the first glimpse of George’s odd obsession with bathrooms. As you may know, this was the final episode of the season but for some reason appears here in the DVD set, which is why it is a little more ahead of the shows which will follow it in terms of characterization.

Final Thoughts-As I mentioned, this episode is a sign of where the series would go with two separate stories converging at the end. However, I have to say this episode is not one of my favorites. Maybe there is too much of the busboy, and I feel no sympathy for him since he did kind of deserve to get fired.  I never felt like George had to be guilty about anything, what was he supposed to do ignore the menu? Sure George points the finger at the busboy, but really wouldn’t he have taken the blame anyway? Plus, if he was fired just like that that probably wasn't the first mistake he's made. Anyway, I am over analyzing. The scene where Elaine tries anxiously to get rid of her friend Ed is hilarious, I still remember laughing out loud when I first saw that scene.

Grade=C-, Elaine’s great scene isn’t enough to make this episode a winner

Episode 4, Season 2

The Baby Shower

Plot Summary- Jerry agrees to let Elaine have a baby shower for an old friend named Leslie who once humiliated George on a date. Kramer convinces Jerry to get illegal cable, and the Russian men appear to install it the same night as the shower. After an aborted flight, George brings Jerry home hoping to confront Leslie. Instead, he bows down to her like a wimp while another woman yells at Jerry because he never called her again after they went out on time. Jerry changes his mind about the cable, and the Russian men respond by busting Jerry’s TV.

Best Quote-“Alright I said I had a good time and I’d call, but who takes that literally?”…..Jerry

Nitpick of the episode-Jerry’s story in this episode is remarkably dated. At the start of the episode we see him playing with rabbit ears, or antenna.  I know it’s not fair to judge it from today point of view, but honestly even for 1991 that seems dated. He is a successful standup comedian and he can’t afford basic cable? And the reason the cable installers are Russian is beyond me.

Seinfeldism of the episode-None, there is a surreal dream sequence where Jerry gets gunned down in his apartment.

Deleted Scenes-None in this episode.

Episode Fun Fact-This episode was the result of taking three separate stories and blending them together. Still pretty unusual for this show at this time.

Final Thoughts-This episode is interesting, it is fun to see three stories flow together in one scene. You really need to pay attention to the opening scene to understand the final one. Leslie is a very obnoxious character, maybe one of the few on this show I would have loved to see someone punch in the face. George is really in character, all set to stand up to the woman and then becoming a sniveling wimp.

Grade=C, sorry the cable story is just weak. You could cut it and lose almost nothing. Everything else is pretty solid.

Episode 5, Season 2

The Jacket

 

Plot Summary-Jerry buys an expensive suede jacket with a funny lining. He and George agree to meet with Elaine’s father and go out to dinner. However, when they arrive Elaine has not showed yet. Jerry and George have to tolerate Elaine’s very overbearing father. Elaine had been held up because of Kramer and some doves. When leaving for the restaurant, it begins to snow but Jerry is unable to reverse his jacket and it ends up ruined. George’s only ”story” is a song from Le Mis he can’t get out of his head.

Best Quote-“We had a funny guy with us in Korea. Tailgunner. They blew his brains out all over the Pacific. There's nothing funny about that”….Mr.Benes

Nitpick of the episode-Tough one, but I tend to wonder why Jerry doesn’t stand up to Elaine’s father. If I spent tons of money on a coat, I would do what I wanted with it. Elaine might be furious but she’d get over it. But I can see why that would be awkward.

Seinfeldism of the episode-Kramer asks Jerry if he could do a “solid” for him.

Deleted Scenes-The opening scene in the store was longer.

Episode Fun Fact-Lawrence Tierny played Elaine’s father. Think he was scary on the show? Apparently he played a practical joke on set involving a knife, and he scared the crew so much we never saw him again.

Final Thoughts-This is a really good episode. There is something really amusing about seeing Jerry and George so terrified by Elaine’s father. Normally in sitcoms, characters would never express that kind of emotion so openly. This is one of the things that make Seinfeld so realistic. At least finally Kramer gets involved with the story, even if it is in an indirect sort of way.

Grade=A-, The show is really good, even with the lack of storylines for the other characters but George does get a few great lines.

We will continue our look at season 2 next week.