JT's comments below originally ran as part of Place to Be Nation's "Seinfeld: The PTBN Series Rewatch" project.
Best Character
While I enjoyed Jerry and Elaine's negotiations and Kramer's last minute charge, George being back in the role of relationship guru was too tough to overcome. It was good to see him back and you can tell he really enjoys being able to help Jerry through his conundrums. I love that we now know he has a pretty sad sack love life but when Jerry is in a tough spot, he is immediately dispensing advice like a true lothario. I won't rank this too highly on the Costanza Scale, but he was definitely the most enjoyable this time around.
Best Storyline
Well, there was really only one story in this episode as every scene centered around Jerry and Elaine resurgent romance. There were some highlights throughout mainly due to the high volume number of scenes about this issue, but I can't say it was one of my favorites and it felt a bit too stereotypical for Seinfeld.
Ethical Dilemma of the Week
Jerry and Elaine's friendship is a rarity as it is not often that former lovers can maintain that level of closeness. Sure, there was still some tension and a few hints here and there, but they seemed fairly well adjusted. Well, until you toss porn and boredom into the mix. Their buried feelings bubbled over and they rationalized their way back into the bedroom. So, was it a good idea? Sure, why not? They clearly had feelings they needed to explore and they are consenting adults capable of weighing the options. The risk was there, but they were better off exploring it now instead of letting it build even more over time.
Relationship Scale (Scale 1-10)
Having Jerry and Elaine suddenly seem tempted to have sex felt a bit forced and out of left field by this point. Throughout season one, there was a lot of teasing about the two of them still harboring feelings towards each other, but we hadn't seen much of it lately. All of a sudden it all comes up and we get to see what they were like as a couple. And it was kind of annoying. Jerry is back to being whiny and Elaine is being a typical TV woman, clingy and needy. It didn't feel right. And neither did Jerry's confession about Elaine being "IT" and admitting he can't even imagine running into Elaine in five years and finding out she has a husband. Relationship Grade: 2/10
What Worked
Elaine wanting to watch some sort of porn with Jerry is pretty hot and their discussion about hooking up and setting rules was entertaining; George's incredulous reaction to Jerry and Elaine's plans to be friends with benefits was really good, including comparing Jerry to a loser gambler in Las Vegas; George and Jerry shopping for Elaine's gift led to some good lines, especially from George who is now in his favorite position of coaching Jerry through his love life; Jerry giving money to Elaine as a birthday gift is a top notch fuck up and Kramer rubbing salt in the wounds by getting her the bench and a sweet card was fantastic
What Didn't Work
The idea that Jerry and Elaine are in a sex drought is jarring; Tina is obnoxious, but that is probably the goal of the character; They did their best to Seinfeld-ize it, but it still felt like a standard sitcom story shoehorned in; I hate that Whiny Jerry returned and Elaine trashed all her recent character development and became Obsessive Girlfriend Stereotype; Jerry & Elaine proved here why they shouldn't be a couple
Key Character Debuts
Tina, Elaine's roommate
Iconic Moments, Running Themes & Memorable Quotes
- Elaine & Jerry are intimate for the first time since the show started
- "I don't have a job, I have no place to go. You aren't in the mood? Well, you get in the mood!" - George
- We see Elaine's apartment for the first time
- "To a wonderful girl, a great pal...and more." - Jerry's birthday card to Elaine
- "Yeats." - Kramer
- "She must have taken some kind of seminar." - Jerry referencing Elaine's skills.
- "What's the deal with Aquaman? Can he go on land or is he just restricted to water?" - George
-" What is it about sex that just disrupts everything?" - George
- Jerry gives Elaine $182 as a birthday gift
- George gives Elaine $91 as a birthday gift
Oddities & Fun Facts
- Jerry now has cable in his apartment
- Elaine is very good in bed according to Jerry
- Season Two ends with Jerry and Elaine as a couple
Overall Grade (Scale 1-10)
While the show was seemingly ahead of its time with a focus on having admitted Friends with Benefits that discuss ground rules and a plan around sex, it wasn't enough to make this one count. It felt like a season one episode and that wasn't a good thing. This episode really felt out of place and seemed like they just wanted to have some sort of cliffhanger since it was filmed last for the season, although in reality three more episodes (The Baby Shower, The Chinese Restaurant and The Busboy) aired after this during the original run so it must have been jarring to viewers to have Jerry and Elaine spontaneously not together again. Plus, it felt like we were back to early George, where he is a bit more confident and not as concerned with money or failure, so the whole thing just felt off. This was easily one of my least favorite episodes since the early days and it was disheartening to see after all the progress and growth of season two. Oh well, bring on season three...bring on SEINFELD. Final Grade: 3/10
While I enjoyed Jerry and Elaine's negotiations and Kramer's last minute charge, George being back in the role of relationship guru was too tough to overcome. It was good to see him back and you can tell he really enjoys being able to help Jerry through his conundrums. I love that we now know he has a pretty sad sack love life but when Jerry is in a tough spot, he is immediately dispensing advice like a true lothario. I won't rank this too highly on the Costanza Scale, but he was definitely the most enjoyable this time around.
Best Storyline
Well, there was really only one story in this episode as every scene centered around Jerry and Elaine resurgent romance. There were some highlights throughout mainly due to the high volume number of scenes about this issue, but I can't say it was one of my favorites and it felt a bit too stereotypical for Seinfeld.
Ethical Dilemma of the Week
Jerry and Elaine's friendship is a rarity as it is not often that former lovers can maintain that level of closeness. Sure, there was still some tension and a few hints here and there, but they seemed fairly well adjusted. Well, until you toss porn and boredom into the mix. Their buried feelings bubbled over and they rationalized their way back into the bedroom. So, was it a good idea? Sure, why not? They clearly had feelings they needed to explore and they are consenting adults capable of weighing the options. The risk was there, but they were better off exploring it now instead of letting it build even more over time.
Relationship Scale (Scale 1-10)
Having Jerry and Elaine suddenly seem tempted to have sex felt a bit forced and out of left field by this point. Throughout season one, there was a lot of teasing about the two of them still harboring feelings towards each other, but we hadn't seen much of it lately. All of a sudden it all comes up and we get to see what they were like as a couple. And it was kind of annoying. Jerry is back to being whiny and Elaine is being a typical TV woman, clingy and needy. It didn't feel right. And neither did Jerry's confession about Elaine being "IT" and admitting he can't even imagine running into Elaine in five years and finding out she has a husband. Relationship Grade: 2/10
What Worked
Elaine wanting to watch some sort of porn with Jerry is pretty hot and their discussion about hooking up and setting rules was entertaining; George's incredulous reaction to Jerry and Elaine's plans to be friends with benefits was really good, including comparing Jerry to a loser gambler in Las Vegas; George and Jerry shopping for Elaine's gift led to some good lines, especially from George who is now in his favorite position of coaching Jerry through his love life; Jerry giving money to Elaine as a birthday gift is a top notch fuck up and Kramer rubbing salt in the wounds by getting her the bench and a sweet card was fantastic
What Didn't Work
The idea that Jerry and Elaine are in a sex drought is jarring; Tina is obnoxious, but that is probably the goal of the character; They did their best to Seinfeld-ize it, but it still felt like a standard sitcom story shoehorned in; I hate that Whiny Jerry returned and Elaine trashed all her recent character development and became Obsessive Girlfriend Stereotype; Jerry & Elaine proved here why they shouldn't be a couple
Key Character Debuts
Tina, Elaine's roommate
Iconic Moments, Running Themes & Memorable Quotes
- Elaine & Jerry are intimate for the first time since the show started
- "I don't have a job, I have no place to go. You aren't in the mood? Well, you get in the mood!" - George
- We see Elaine's apartment for the first time
- "To a wonderful girl, a great pal...and more." - Jerry's birthday card to Elaine
- "Yeats." - Kramer
- "She must have taken some kind of seminar." - Jerry referencing Elaine's skills.
- "What's the deal with Aquaman? Can he go on land or is he just restricted to water?" - George
-" What is it about sex that just disrupts everything?" - George
- Jerry gives Elaine $182 as a birthday gift
- George gives Elaine $91 as a birthday gift
Oddities & Fun Facts
- Jerry now has cable in his apartment
- Elaine is very good in bed according to Jerry
- Season Two ends with Jerry and Elaine as a couple
Overall Grade (Scale 1-10)
While the show was seemingly ahead of its time with a focus on having admitted Friends with Benefits that discuss ground rules and a plan around sex, it wasn't enough to make this one count. It felt like a season one episode and that wasn't a good thing. This episode really felt out of place and seemed like they just wanted to have some sort of cliffhanger since it was filmed last for the season, although in reality three more episodes (The Baby Shower, The Chinese Restaurant and The Busboy) aired after this during the original run so it must have been jarring to viewers to have Jerry and Elaine spontaneously not together again. Plus, it felt like we were back to early George, where he is a bit more confident and not as concerned with money or failure, so the whole thing just felt off. This was easily one of my least favorite episodes since the early days and it was disheartening to see after all the progress and growth of season two. Oh well, bring on season three...bring on SEINFELD. Final Grade: 3/10
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