Seinfeld: The Stock Tip Review

There are SPOILERS for this episode. Fair Warning to those who haven't seen this episode.

Seinfeld always had the mantra of "no hugging, no learning." That meant the characters didn't learn anything following what they did throughout its run. The Stock Tip is an interesting one in its own right. Not because of the plot idea, but the way Larry David and Jerry wrote this episode. It was still in its infancy and they were trying different things while still straying from most typical sitcoms of the time.

It's another Jerry and George episode. For this one, George looks at the stocks and decides to invest in one involving opera. He gets Jerry to get a piece of the stock as well. Things go south and Jerry panics. No one knows where the man in charge is following the stock going down a few points. George tries to visit the main guy, but fails at trying to talk to him. In the end, he keeps his stock, while Jerry sells his.

I know this is a very, very early episode in its run, but it's an extremely rare sight to see George on the receiving end of something good. The end of the episode shows him acting like a big shot and explaining a new stock to Jerry and Elaine, but we also get to see a bit of cheapness with footing a meal bill. As with the other episodes of this season, David and Jerry are still trying things with the characters that would eventually mold them and make them really loved.

Jerry has a B-plot for The Stock Tip. He is still with Vanessa, the woman who he staked out a few episodes before. An idea in his mind is taking her for a weekend getaway. Elaine offers ideas of where to go and George thinks it would ruin the relationship. It's funny that even Vanessa shares the same sentiment as George, although a little more optimistic. The predicament for what happens next is expected. A romantic together leads to a break up with Jerry knowing how bad of an idea it was.

Elaine's story is another relationship one. Her newest boyfriend is a delight, but has cats which gives her allergies. One thing to see is how she is regarding animals. She was a bit like an activist in the early seasons. Still, she has her moments. Kramer is only in a couple scenes. His stuff is smiling at Jerry's misery because of the stock decline and another idea he has. I think his roll out tie dispenser is not a bad idea in itself.

Really, all four characters have funny moments throughout the episode. There is a bit of Superman humor and a couple other small bits that make the episode good. For a very short first season, Seinfeld may not had been strong, but it was consistent at getting laughs.

Score: 7 out of 10

I'm taking November off from TV review blogs. I'll come back sometime in December and start doing some reviews of The Simpsons. Enjoy the reviews of both Seinfeld and The Simpsons for now.