As the second season nears its end, 'Seinfeld' has come a bit of a way so far despite not yet finding its stride and identity. This episode in particular seems like a recipe for a classic down the road and while writer Larry Charles has some great ideas present here, they never come together in a way that feels particularly satisfying, especially given the intent for chaos here.
If we consider the numerous storylines at play here, then there's the expectation that the climax will be hectic and therein should lie the comedy. 'Seinfeld' is usually brilliant at intertwining separate storylines into one cohesive climactic whole but here in "The Baby Shower" as with many other early 'Seinfeld' attempts, it never really comes together.
So let's quickly consider the plot lines at play here:
That certainly is a formula for a 'Seinfeld' classic but I find "The Baby Shower" numbingly dull and low on energy. Even George's story with him attempting to get back at a woman for something so in the past should be hilarious but I never really found myself laughing at any of it, largely because the episode as a whole really lacks any zip.
Whether the criticism is unfair or not, I really dislike Jerry's 'nightmare' that he has on the plane over his fear about the illegal cable being installed in his apartment. It doesn't really fit the style and even tone of the series in retrospect, however unfair a criticism it may be.
The Elaine/Jerry interactions really drag the episode down too, especially the overlong scene early in the episode that ends with Elaine getting Jerry's apartment to run the baby shower. Perhaps I'm used to a more zippy and high pace 'Seinfeld' but an episode like "The Baby Shower" particularly suffers from a lack of intent. There's no real intent in pacing and the absence of even early Larry David hurts "The Baby Shower".
There's the recipe of a 'Seinfeld' classic that the series, still in its infant stages, cannot quite optimize to its fullest. It's a real missed opportunity in my opinion, as is a lot of the show's first two seasons.
If we consider the numerous storylines at play here, then there's the expectation that the climax will be hectic and therein should lie the comedy. 'Seinfeld' is usually brilliant at intertwining separate storylines into one cohesive climactic whole but here in "The Baby Shower" as with many other early 'Seinfeld' attempts, it never really comes together.
So let's quickly consider the plot lines at play here:
- Kramer hooks Jerry onto illegal cable and promises to have his source get it up and running by the time Jerry gets back from a gig
- During his absence, Elaine borrows Jerry's apartment to run a baby shower for a friend
- George had a particularly bad experience with this woman and wants to use this occasion to crash her baby shower and get back at her
- Jerry's gig is canceled due to a blizzard and he makes his way back to the apartment (with George) as the baby shower is running, only to discover that the illegal cable is being installed at the time as well
That certainly is a formula for a 'Seinfeld' classic but I find "The Baby Shower" numbingly dull and low on energy. Even George's story with him attempting to get back at a woman for something so in the past should be hilarious but I never really found myself laughing at any of it, largely because the episode as a whole really lacks any zip.
Whether the criticism is unfair or not, I really dislike Jerry's 'nightmare' that he has on the plane over his fear about the illegal cable being installed in his apartment. It doesn't really fit the style and even tone of the series in retrospect, however unfair a criticism it may be.
The Elaine/Jerry interactions really drag the episode down too, especially the overlong scene early in the episode that ends with Elaine getting Jerry's apartment to run the baby shower. Perhaps I'm used to a more zippy and high pace 'Seinfeld' but an episode like "The Baby Shower" particularly suffers from a lack of intent. There's no real intent in pacing and the absence of even early Larry David hurts "The Baby Shower".
There's the recipe of a 'Seinfeld' classic that the series, still in its infant stages, cannot quite optimize to its fullest. It's a real missed opportunity in my opinion, as is a lot of the show's first two seasons.