Seinfeld: The Series Rewatch - "The Truth" (S3, E2)

JT's comments below originally ran as part of Place to Be Nation's "Seinfeld: The PTBN Series Rewatch" project.

Best Character

Elaine was really good here but didn't quite crack the top spot for me. That spot again goes to George, who I thought was great in just about every scene he was in. His coffee shop breakup speech was epic, his mumbling explanation to Jerry was great and his cowering sucking up to Patrice at he hospital followed by his complete and utter defeat at the end was magnificently well played. I am worried that we will start taking George for granted as we move along because he set the bar so high out of the gate that he has some work to do to remind us just how perfect he is.

Best Storyline

As much as I loved George in this episode, I thought his storyline was a bit blah. Part of that was due to Patrice being unlikeable in anyway and part was that it didn't feel all too believable. Jerry's had potential but was really just background noise to kill time and fuel George's story. So, that leaves us with Kramer, Elaine and Tina, a storyline that was a very worthy recipient of this award. Kramer and Tina worked really well together and Elaine suffering through their obnoxious affection is something we have all had to experience at some point in our lives. I also love that nothing wrapped up at the end, with Kramer and Tina still banging on the couch while Elaine sulked to her room.

Ethical Dilemma of the Week

Should George have held off on breaking up with Patrice until Jerry's issues were settled? Once he offered to handle such an important matter for Jerry, it would have been nice of him to see it through. Even though Patrice pushed him into torching their bridge, he initiated the breakup first. He should have suppressed that rage, got Jerry in the clear and then lit the flame.

Relationship Scale (Scale 1-10)

Kramer and Tina are damn near perfect for each other, completely whacked out and ignorant to the feelings around them. They seem really happy together with their jungle dancing, African food and couch sex. I wish they would have stuck together longer because the interaction was really good and could have led to some continued high level annoyance for Elaine. Relationship Grade: 8/10

What Worked

Elaine feels stronger right out of the gate; Kramer is clearly in a more primary role as well, being focused on in a storyline; Jerry's explanation about George's accountant girlfriend was funny and well delivered; Watching George trying to wriggle out a relationship for the first time was great and his breakup speech was amazing, just torching Patrice on his way out of it and then not being able to let her leave without paying for part of the bill was the bow on the gift of a scene; George then having to explain to Jerry that he broke up with her was really good too, especially with Kramer slipping out of the apartment; Elaine torturing George by teasing telling him the truth was about the worst thing someone could do to him and it was glorious; Kramer's towel dance was great; Jerry and George talking to Patrice like she was five years old was good too.

What Didn't Work

Jerry's over the top attempts at long bits can be a little boring, specifically his speech about the Krakatoans; He also was fighting back laughter more than once in this one, which feels like regression for him; Having Patrice sent to a mental institution felt a little over-the-top for what is usually a reality based sitcom; Patrice was super annoying, even if that was the goal and I was sad to see George end up back with her.

Key Character Debuts

N/A

Iconic Moments, Running Themes & Memorable Quotes

- "Thomas Carlisle. 1864." - Patrice "Tommy C..." - George
- "You come barging in here, asking me to contribute money to a volcano relief fund for Krakatoa..." - Jerry "It was supposed to erupt!" - Kramer
- "Have you ever been through an audit? It's hell...the financial equivalent of a complete rectal examination!" - Jerry
- "When I was working, I spent baby!" - George
- George uses "BABY!" for the first time
- "I've driven women to lesbianism before, but never a mental institution..." - George
- "My friend Bob Sacamano had shock treatments but his synapses were so large, it had no affect." - Kramer
- "I'm incapable of guile..." - George "He's never guiled." - Jerry
- "That's Karma." - Elaine "No that's Kramer" - Jerry

Oddities & Fun Facts

- Jerry's designer mullet is growing in
- Kramer doesn't pay taxes
- Jerry mentions that Kramer has no income
- The scatting in the theme music is already gone
- Jerry has a cousin named Douglas, who had a mental breakdown over a lack of soda

Overall Grade (Scale 1-10)

The dialogue and running gags are progressing at a rapid rate, with jokes coming faster and crisper. I think that has to do with comfort all around, both with the actors getting to know their characters and their comfort with each other. It was great having multiple scenes where all four were together and interacting. I thought all four did good work here, especially George and Elaine. I am thrilled to see Kramer getting a lot more rub too, being included in main storylines and feeling like one of the gang as opposed to the weirdo neighbor. I thought this was a solid episode but one that never kicked it into that next gear. It felt safe, staying close to home and working off dialogue as opposed to building into something manic. And that is perfectly fine at times, especially now that the show can thrive if the storylines sag thanks to the improved chemistry, dialogue and character development. Final Grade: 5/10