Episode 2: The Stakeout

Episode #2; 1:2


Our Summary

Jerry and Elaine get into a tiff over being a spectacle. Eventually decide that they'll talk about other people. Jerry and George create the character of Art Vandelay in order for Jerry to go out with Vanessa.

To fully understand the numbering system, one must realize that this is the second episode created, but it actually starts season 1. Nevertheless we call this episode 2, or 1:2. (season 1, episode 2) This is how the system will work for all eps.


Our Commentary

We get more normal in this ep, which is light years ahead of Ep. 1, specifically in terms of EVERYTHING.
First, Elaine is here, the foundation of their relationship (talking about dates) is created, and George creates his alter ego Art Vandelay. Take a listen:

All of it done brilliantly. True, George is still peripheral and we have no idea what he's doing during the ep. Kramer acts a little less goofy. I hate Jerry's fake dad compared to good old Barney. And why does Jerry ask him about law firms? 1. What kind of a question is that? 2. Isn't this common sense? 3. Why would his dad, a retired clothing salesman, know more than Jerry on this particular subject? Besides that, the stakeout idea is brilliant. We also get to meet a bunch of Jerry's relatives, but where is Uncle Leo? Now it is possible that they're from Morty's side, but otherwise, big error. Also, Jerry's dad (I refuse to call him Morty) has a silver tongue and Helen is like 30 years younger than in future eps. Additionally, Jerry's dad is supposedly so smart that he's the quaff that we should defer to him? Why would he know if "quone" is a word and not Jerry? Jerry, and Kramer for that matter, who should know it isn't a word, because both of them have the greatest vocab ever, or at least the writers/LD do. Thank G-d George is wearing more normal clothing. Great line by Jerry - "So do you date immature men?", even though he's being like Todd Gak, what is that Dutch? Comedy bit at end a little weak, especially compared to opening bit, and rest of the episode, but still decent.

Overall, Jerry's apartment, everyone's clothing, attitudes, personalities, etc. are becoming more normal, making the ep more normal, and thus better. Also, due to more than one plot/story, the ep feels longer, like 22 mins long, unlike episode 1 (1:1 Good News, Bad News), which felt like half that.


EPISODE GUIDE from Jerry Seinfeld: The Entire Domain by Kathleen Tracy

2."The Stakeout" (May 31, 1990)

SUMMARY Jerry goes to a birthday party for a friend of Elaine's, where he meets a woman he is attracted to. On his father's advice, Jerry and George stake out the lobby of the building she works in.

INTRODUCING Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine Benes; George's fictional alter ego, Art Vandelay.

OF SPECIAL NOTE Phil Bruns will later be replaced by Barney Martin in the role of Jerry's father. However, in syndication, Bruns can still be seen in this episode because the producers decided against refilming Bruns's scenes with Martin.

Starting with this episode, the series was retitled Seinfeld.

DIRECTOR Tom Cherones

TELEPLAY Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld

GUEST CAST Phil Bruns (Morty Seinfeld); Lynn Clark (Vanessa); William Fair (Roger); Joe George (Uncle Mac); Ellen Gerstein (Carol); Janet Rotblatt (Woman); Ron Steelman (Artie Levine); Maud Winchester (Pamela)

RECURRING CAST Liz Sheridan (Helen Seinfeld)


Stats


2nd Siyum

Dates/Boyfriends/Girlfriends
JERRY
Vanessa - 1:2 The Stakeout & 1:5 The Stock Tip

First Times
Elaine
Seinfelds (Fake Morty)
Kramer Pop In
George and Kramer
Sharing a Cab


3rd Siyum

The 3rd Siyum was stopped after the first episode, when it took us about an hour to do so. It just wasn't fun. Anyway, we decided that from now on, the 3rd Siyum would not be so crazy, but it would be more like the 2nd Siyum, documenting semi-normal things. We also are going to update stuff that we only started mid-siyum. That said, the 3rd Siyum will not be as exciting as the 2nd Siyum, but atleast we can enjoy the eps.
That said, here is the 3rd Siyum:
First Times
Elaine laugh
Outside apartment
Mr. Kramer

Cars
Artie Levine - Van

Norman Brenner
Man walking into elevator (possible)

Things We Have No Clue About
Jerry Cougar Mellencamp

Full Script