JT's comments below originally ran as part of Place to Be Nation's "Seinfeld: The PTBN Series Rewatch" project.
Best Character
I was hoping for a Morty repeat victory but I have to go with George here as he was strong throughout. He was basically paying for his sins the whole time between tossing Jerry under the bus, pathetically begging Russell for an offer and sheepishly sharing the news with the Seinfelds. I will give an honorable mention to Dr. Reston, who is really good in his role.
Best Storyline
I am going to go with Kramer and the good doctor. I loved the scene with the K-Man and Elaine prepping and also watching Dr. Reston mind-meld Kramer was a thing of beauty. By the end, Elaine is still stuck with her Svengali.
Ethical Dilemma of the Week
Should George have stolen Russell's address from Susan? I guess. He was pretty desperate. He has some balls though, working his way all the way into the apartment. I am shocked Russell didn't push harder and just accepted George's rambling explanation about how he got there.
Relationship Scale (Scale 1-10)
Dr. Reston and Kramer's bromance was fantastic. They started as enemies, but by the end Kramer had given him his girlfriend and a Cuban cigar while also locking down a top notch psychiatrist at no cost. Take that Steve Wille! Relationship Grade: 10/10
What Worked
I love Helen trying to fix up Jerry at the restaurant and it was a nice dichotomy with Morty ranting about Jimmy Sherman's shady practices; George selling out Jerry to Susan to make himself look good was great; Kramer and Elaine prepping for the phone call was really funny; Dr. Reston is a fantastic Svengali; Morty trying to pay the bill with no wallet is vintage Morty; George's pathetic visit to Russell's apartment is entertaining, with Russell being a sheathed and his wife being a bitch and it is all capped by George wanting to use the bathroom; Kramer sitting in the squeaky leather chair always makes me laugh loud, followed by the decaf cappuccino debate; Jerry hearing Naomi's terrible laugh right after he gets her number is great, as is the close call for Kramer and Davola; George having take a beating by Jerry in front of the Seinfelds after already groveling to Russell was nice payback for his stupidity; Great callback from Helen with the "How can anybody not like you?" as was Jerry referencing the parking spot; Morty chucking the wallet full of cash in the trash can and Leo finding it was a perfect bookend.
What Didn't Work
The way Russell says "Costanza" bothers me.
Key Character Debuts
Naomi
Iconic Moments, Running Themes & Memorable Quotes
- "I don't understand this jeweller, Jimmy Sherman. He brings in a watch, it takes over a week to fix. He fixed
yours in one day." - Morty "Oh, you know these jewellers, they're enigmas. They're mysteries, wrapped in a riddle." - Jerry
- "No, no. I don't wanna say it out loud. Kills the spontaneity. You know, Gleason, he never rehearsed." - Kramer
- "Alright, fine. You figure something out. I'd be very curious to know how you pick up a check with no money. 'Cause if this works, the whole monetary system's obsolete, we're back to wampum. I'm going to the bathroom." - Jerry
- "They give you some portion here, huh?" - Uncle Leo
- "There's a George Bonanza to see you." - Doorman "Costanza. Costanza." - George "George Costanza." - Doorman "The guy who pitched him the show with the stories about nothing. Jerry Seinfeld. Jerry Seinfeld's friend." - George "Seinfeld friend." - Doorman
- "Look at this building. What is this?" - Kramer "I don't know. It's a building." - Elaine "The door's on a diagonal." - Kramer "So what?" - Elaine "It's architecturally incorrect." - Kramer
- "Oh, what time is it? Eight thirty? I'll tell you what's on. You got Major Dad, Blossom, very funny program..." - George "Blossom's on Monday." - Russell "Are you sure? Oh, look who I'm talking to. The president of NBC." - George
- "Okay uh, yeah. I'll have a uh, you have a decaf cappuccino?" - Kramer "I don't think we have that." - Dr. Reston "Well, that's a little strange." - Kramer "Uh, why does that surprise you?" - Dr. Reston "Well, it's uh, it's a very popular drink." - Kramer "This is an office." - Dr. Reston "That's true. But, you know, I can't help but think that uh..." - Kramer "So tell me Mister Kramer..." - Dr. Reston "...Okay, yes, shoot." - Kramer
- "Oh yeah. Actually, I'm a little disappointed. I kind of had my eye on uncle Leo." - Naomi
- "What ever happened with NBC and the deal?" - Helen "Ah, George turned it down." - Jerry "He turned it down?" - Helen "Yeah." - Jerry "Why did he do that?" - Helen "Because of Ted Danson." - Jerry
Oddities & Fun Facts
- We see inside Kramer's apartment for the first time
Overall Grade (Scale 1-10)
I may just have to start a new category for episodes like this as we start to reach pinnacle level Seinfeld. There aren't going to be many bad episodes, if any. So, episodes like this may be our new baseline. It is still really good. There were pretty much no flaws. It advances storylines, provided lots of laughs and was excellently executed. But it was missing that special spark to elevate it to elite level. And that is where we now live with this rewatch. The range is Very Good to Elite. That is all. I really liked a lot of his episode and am continuing to dig the running story of the sitcom development. And Dr. Reston rules. Final Grade: 7/10
Best Character
I was hoping for a Morty repeat victory but I have to go with George here as he was strong throughout. He was basically paying for his sins the whole time between tossing Jerry under the bus, pathetically begging Russell for an offer and sheepishly sharing the news with the Seinfelds. I will give an honorable mention to Dr. Reston, who is really good in his role.
Best Storyline
I am going to go with Kramer and the good doctor. I loved the scene with the K-Man and Elaine prepping and also watching Dr. Reston mind-meld Kramer was a thing of beauty. By the end, Elaine is still stuck with her Svengali.
Ethical Dilemma of the Week
Should George have stolen Russell's address from Susan? I guess. He was pretty desperate. He has some balls though, working his way all the way into the apartment. I am shocked Russell didn't push harder and just accepted George's rambling explanation about how he got there.
Relationship Scale (Scale 1-10)
Dr. Reston and Kramer's bromance was fantastic. They started as enemies, but by the end Kramer had given him his girlfriend and a Cuban cigar while also locking down a top notch psychiatrist at no cost. Take that Steve Wille! Relationship Grade: 10/10
What Worked
I love Helen trying to fix up Jerry at the restaurant and it was a nice dichotomy with Morty ranting about Jimmy Sherman's shady practices; George selling out Jerry to Susan to make himself look good was great; Kramer and Elaine prepping for the phone call was really funny; Dr. Reston is a fantastic Svengali; Morty trying to pay the bill with no wallet is vintage Morty; George's pathetic visit to Russell's apartment is entertaining, with Russell being a sheathed and his wife being a bitch and it is all capped by George wanting to use the bathroom; Kramer sitting in the squeaky leather chair always makes me laugh loud, followed by the decaf cappuccino debate; Jerry hearing Naomi's terrible laugh right after he gets her number is great, as is the close call for Kramer and Davola; George having take a beating by Jerry in front of the Seinfelds after already groveling to Russell was nice payback for his stupidity; Great callback from Helen with the "How can anybody not like you?" as was Jerry referencing the parking spot; Morty chucking the wallet full of cash in the trash can and Leo finding it was a perfect bookend.
What Didn't Work
The way Russell says "Costanza" bothers me.
Key Character Debuts
Naomi
Iconic Moments, Running Themes & Memorable Quotes
- "I don't understand this jeweller, Jimmy Sherman. He brings in a watch, it takes over a week to fix. He fixed
yours in one day." - Morty "Oh, you know these jewellers, they're enigmas. They're mysteries, wrapped in a riddle." - Jerry
- "No, no. I don't wanna say it out loud. Kills the spontaneity. You know, Gleason, he never rehearsed." - Kramer
- "Alright, fine. You figure something out. I'd be very curious to know how you pick up a check with no money. 'Cause if this works, the whole monetary system's obsolete, we're back to wampum. I'm going to the bathroom." - Jerry
- "They give you some portion here, huh?" - Uncle Leo
- "There's a George Bonanza to see you." - Doorman "Costanza. Costanza." - George "George Costanza." - Doorman "The guy who pitched him the show with the stories about nothing. Jerry Seinfeld. Jerry Seinfeld's friend." - George "Seinfeld friend." - Doorman
- "Look at this building. What is this?" - Kramer "I don't know. It's a building." - Elaine "The door's on a diagonal." - Kramer "So what?" - Elaine "It's architecturally incorrect." - Kramer
- "Oh, what time is it? Eight thirty? I'll tell you what's on. You got Major Dad, Blossom, very funny program..." - George "Blossom's on Monday." - Russell "Are you sure? Oh, look who I'm talking to. The president of NBC." - George
- "Okay uh, yeah. I'll have a uh, you have a decaf cappuccino?" - Kramer "I don't think we have that." - Dr. Reston "Well, that's a little strange." - Kramer "Uh, why does that surprise you?" - Dr. Reston "Well, it's uh, it's a very popular drink." - Kramer "This is an office." - Dr. Reston "That's true. But, you know, I can't help but think that uh..." - Kramer "So tell me Mister Kramer..." - Dr. Reston "...Okay, yes, shoot." - Kramer
- "Oh yeah. Actually, I'm a little disappointed. I kind of had my eye on uncle Leo." - Naomi
- "What ever happened with NBC and the deal?" - Helen "Ah, George turned it down." - Jerry "He turned it down?" - Helen "Yeah." - Jerry "Why did he do that?" - Helen "Because of Ted Danson." - Jerry
Oddities & Fun Facts
- We see inside Kramer's apartment for the first time
Overall Grade (Scale 1-10)
I may just have to start a new category for episodes like this as we start to reach pinnacle level Seinfeld. There aren't going to be many bad episodes, if any. So, episodes like this may be our new baseline. It is still really good. There were pretty much no flaws. It advances storylines, provided lots of laughs and was excellently executed. But it was missing that special spark to elevate it to elite level. And that is where we now live with this rewatch. The range is Very Good to Elite. That is all. I really liked a lot of his episode and am continuing to dig the running story of the sitcom development. And Dr. Reston rules. Final Grade: 7/10
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