The Slicer

What makes this episode stand out among the general preposterousness of late Seinfeld is the dream sequence with which it opens. As the series progressed, Jerry, George, and Kramer increasingly became empty, cartoonish parodies of the original characters, while Elaine -- intelligent, self-aware, an aspiring writer -- became increasingly embittered, even gripped by a kind of existential horror at her intimate cohabitation with these three chuckleheads, as symbolised in her dream of being trapped, suffocating, under a duvet with all three of them forever. It was almost as if the series' writers went out of their way to come up with storylines that would torture her, e.g., sleep deprivation caused by an incessantly barking dog or, as in this episode, a loud alarm clock that a neighbour has forgotten to deactivate after going on holiday. The dream sequence therefore lends a fleeting sense of depth amid the two-dimensional silliness, even a glimmer of tragedy (a character becomes tragic only when he or she gains a deeper awareness of the agonising ineluctability of his or her situation -- Oedipus, Elektra, Hamlet, Hedda Gabler...). One might even draw a comparison with Flann O'Brien's 'At Swim-Two-Birds' (1939) or Gilbert Sorrentino's 'Mulligan Stew' (1979), comic novels in which a fictional writer's characters develop a painful awareness of their absurd ontological situation of being forever trapped inside the text of a caricatural bad novel. This episode opens with Elaine dreaming she is metaphorically trapped and closes with her literally trapped inside her apartment, dependent on the three others outside in the hall, who, ludicrously, are using Kramer's slicer to feed her slivers of meat under the door. And therein, the episode provides almost a metafictional commentary on the situation of the character herself.

I like the bit where she uses the slicer to cut the bottom of her shoe

First of all, Kramer is in seventh heaven because he has traded for commercial meat slicer. He spend his time making paper thin pieces of lunch meat. At times, he says, they are so thin you can't see them. Elaine is being driven nuts by an alarm clock whose alarm goes off and stays on because she is traveling in Europe. Kramer blows a fuse by putting a paper clip in a socket. But then a cat that has been fed electronically has no food, but the door is locked. Meanwhile, George has a new job and needs to cover his past transgressions by doctoring a photo in the boss's office. Jerry has been dating a dermatologist who he insults by saying she isn't a real doctor. This leads to Kramer pretending to be dermatologist to help George. It's absolutely hilarious. There are so many great scenes I can't begin to relate them all.

George gets a new job. What can go wrong now?

This review right here was typed on a February 27 2023. In a place unknown.

What is the episode about?: Jerry dates a dermatologist

George tries to erase himself from his new boss's photo

Elaine battles a cat

Kramer takes on meat.

How would I rate the story and Production?: They story flowed really well. It was nonstop amusement from 3.5 of the cast. Elaines cat story was merely ok, I guess. The other 3 held their own connecting each story together.

Production was great. No complaints. Could do without Elaines story and still be okay.

Highlight: Foto guy.

Kramer being a doctor

Jerry's revenge date

Elaine you can tell hit the wall. She went from Doll face to wall face.

Girlfriend attractiveness level: 9. Pretty lady top 7 of Jerry's date list in the series.

Villian?: Mr. Kruger for being a jerk to George back in 89.

What can be learned?: For Jerry ask before to revenge

George: your instincts are always right... Or was it the opposite?

Kramer Elaine is a Bword of a friend. Drop them like potatoes.