Season 1 is drifting and dragging by this episode. George and Jerry's characters often seem mixed together, where lines they say sound written by the other. The standup that was sharp in the pilot is lacking here. Seinfeld's poor acting is also frustrating in this episode, where he is meant to be annoyed during lunch with a friend, but keeps cracking up and breaking character. Elaine is absent much of the episode. When she does appear at the end of the episode it's painfully clear that Louis-Dreyfus has done much of the heavy lifting in the prior two episodes. I've seen comparisons of Elaine and Jerry to Danson and Long in Cheers. Sorry, no. Seinfeld season one's charm is largely carried by Elaine with Jerry tagging along as a poor man's Ted Danson. This show does eventually find its stride once George mirrors Larry David and Elaine is decoupled from Jerry. But season 1 has so far been a bumpy start.
Review of Male Unbonding
