The Ex-Girlfriend (23 Jan. 1991)

After George breaks up with his girlfriend, Jerry decides that he wants to see her.

Director:

Tom Cherones

Writers:

Larry David (creator), Jerry Seinfeld (creator),

Stars:

Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Jerry Seinfeld	...	Jerry Seinfeld
Julia Louis-Dreyfus	...	Elaine Benes
Michael Richards	...	Kramer
Jason Alexander	...	George Costanza
Tracy Kolis	...	Marlene
Karen Barcus	...	Receptionist

Storyline

George has gone cold on his latest girlfriend, Marlene, but he hates breaking up and is tied up in knots at the prospect. Jerry encourages him to just do it quickly, just like taking off a band-aid. He finally works up the gumption to do it but forgets a few books at her apartment and asks Jerry to get the for him. Soon Jerry is under Marlene's spell, wanting her and wanting to break up with her at the same time. Elaine meanwhile is growing increasingly annoyed with one of her neighbors who won't acknowledge her when they pass each other in the building.

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Plot Keywords:

chiropractor | canteloupe | answering machine | waiting room | 555 phone number | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 January 1991 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shapiro/West Productions, Castle Rock Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

23 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

GEORGE'S GIRLFRIEND COUNTER: #2-Marlene, the boring Southern belle.

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Goofs

Right before Kramer is going to take the cantaloupe back, he has half of it in his hand and the other half is on the counter. The shot goes to Jerry and Elaine then quickly back to Kramer. The half on the counter is now gone but Kramer did not have time to pick it up. Instead there is now only a slice on the counter, which is what Elaine picks up later.

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Quotes

Marlene: I'm sorry Jerry, I just can't be with someone if I don't respect what they do.
Jerry: You're a cashier!

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Connections

References The Blob (1958)

User Reviews

A splendid start for Seinfeld's second season!

Jerry talking about traffic, George having girlfriend problems, Elaine having problems with people in general, Kramer occasionally passing by with his latest crazy idea... It's all business as usual in the twisted universe of Seinfeld, whose second year begins as brilliantly as the previous one ended.

At the center of events is George's ex-girlfriend, Marlene, whom Jerry starts dating. Needless to say, he gets tired of her attitude pretty quickly, although he finds himself unable to dump her because of the "psychosexual hold" she has on him. In the meantime, Elaine can't understand why someone she met through a mutual friend doesn't say hello to her anymore, and Kramer insists everyone try the superb cantaloupe he bought at a store that just opened.

As familiar as it has become, the format of the series never gets old or boring: the mix of stand-up comedy, everyday life, quirky characters, yada, yada, yada, (that's "Seinfeldian" for "et cetera") keeps raising hysterical laughs, even when the premise is extremely ordinary (read: dull). I mean, how many stories have we heard about people's ex-girlfriends? Far too many, right? Wrong: in the hands of Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, the subject develops in the most unexpected way, leading to one of the most original break-ups I've ever seen on screen, big or small.

The outspoken king of the episode, though, is George: this is the season where he began to show his more awkward side, and alongside The Apartment (and of course The Revenge) this is his finest moment in Series Two. Whether he is complaining about a chiropractor's bill, demanding that Jerry get some books for him from Marlene's apartment or reacting in a truly unique way to a quite unusual event ("I think I swallowed a fly!"), it is no wonder this insecure loser is one of the most loved characters in the history of US television.