"The Truth" was written by Elaine Pope and directed by David Steinberg both of whom would only feature in a few additional writing/directing credits for the show. It's an interesting point, I think, to make given that "The Truth" is really the first episode in the series that was entirely helmed by crew members who would not maintain a particularly long lasting career with the series and therefore might not be as attuned to the sensibilities of the show. And yet, "The Truth" is very entertaining and funny and another good indicator of the third season of 'Seinfeld' as the point where the show really picked up. There's plenty to credit about Elaine Pope's fine script but it's also worth crediting the third season premiere as the point where the show really gained its voice and this episode rides that momentum high very nicely.
As with "The Note", the world of 'Seinfeld' is suddenly brimming with energy and characterization, dialogue and pacing are very well established here. All the storylines work very well, though none work anywhere near as well as that of George breaking up with a woman and calling her pretentious when she asked him for the truth about his reasons to break-up with her. It's just another absolutely classic George Costanza predicament and Jason Alexander once again knocks it out of the park. The scene in which he unleashes all his criticism of the girl he's dating is one of the show's funniest moments thus far courtesy of both Elaine Pope who realizes where 'Seinfeld' truly excels at and Jason Alexander for his impeccable delivery. He really has come to embody the character with these early season three episodes and it's no wonder that few characters in all of sitcom are arguably as beloved as he.
The other storylines are all very good supporting material. There's Jerry, who has unwisely put his faith in George dating the woman who happens to be an accountant after his recent tax gets audited. There's Elaine who is becoming fed up with Kramer and her roommate's sexual activities in her apartment. And lastly, there's a really minor side-plot of Kramer who finds a windshield on the side of the road and decides to make a coffee table out of it for his new girlfriend!
The central attraction of this episode is undeniably George and writer Elaine Pope wisely understands this and builds up an episode that adequately supports that storyline. Jerry's tax issue is seamlessly blended into the narrative and there's plenty of humour watching the scenario unfold after George breaks up with the girl. Kramer gets some outlandish material and as a result, we are treated to some wonderful Michael Richards physicality. Even Elaine finally is starting to get some material of her own, however small it may be so far, it works very well.
I simply found "The Truth" to be very entertaining. It helps that 'Seinfeld' is certainly on the rise as early into the third season as it is and as a result, this episode is brimming with life and energy. The show no longer feels like the stagnant cringe-fest of the first two seasons and now feels like a show on the rise towards legendary status. The dialogue is strong, the characters are developing into their now renowned personalities and the chemistry between the stars is really forming. Even more impressive is the fact that this episode was written and directed by two people who made their debut for the series here and ended up doing very little for the series as a whole, at least as far as episodes are concerned. And yet, they formed a stellar team and perfectly understood what 'Seinfeld' does best.
As with "The Note", the world of 'Seinfeld' is suddenly brimming with energy and characterization, dialogue and pacing are very well established here. All the storylines work very well, though none work anywhere near as well as that of George breaking up with a woman and calling her pretentious when she asked him for the truth about his reasons to break-up with her. It's just another absolutely classic George Costanza predicament and Jason Alexander once again knocks it out of the park. The scene in which he unleashes all his criticism of the girl he's dating is one of the show's funniest moments thus far courtesy of both Elaine Pope who realizes where 'Seinfeld' truly excels at and Jason Alexander for his impeccable delivery. He really has come to embody the character with these early season three episodes and it's no wonder that few characters in all of sitcom are arguably as beloved as he.
The other storylines are all very good supporting material. There's Jerry, who has unwisely put his faith in George dating the woman who happens to be an accountant after his recent tax gets audited. There's Elaine who is becoming fed up with Kramer and her roommate's sexual activities in her apartment. And lastly, there's a really minor side-plot of Kramer who finds a windshield on the side of the road and decides to make a coffee table out of it for his new girlfriend!
The central attraction of this episode is undeniably George and writer Elaine Pope wisely understands this and builds up an episode that adequately supports that storyline. Jerry's tax issue is seamlessly blended into the narrative and there's plenty of humour watching the scenario unfold after George breaks up with the girl. Kramer gets some outlandish material and as a result, we are treated to some wonderful Michael Richards physicality. Even Elaine finally is starting to get some material of her own, however small it may be so far, it works very well.
I simply found "The Truth" to be very entertaining. It helps that 'Seinfeld' is certainly on the rise as early into the third season as it is and as a result, this episode is brimming with life and energy. The show no longer feels like the stagnant cringe-fest of the first two seasons and now feels like a show on the rise towards legendary status. The dialogue is strong, the characters are developing into their now renowned personalities and the chemistry between the stars is really forming. Even more impressive is the fact that this episode was written and directed by two people who made their debut for the series here and ended up doing very little for the series as a whole, at least as far as episodes are concerned. And yet, they formed a stellar team and perfectly understood what 'Seinfeld' does best.