Season 7 Episode 4: The Hot Towel
Larry rats out Christian Slater at Ted and Mary’s anniversary party, but later gets his payback at a restaurant rendezvous with an old flame; Larry’s doctor regrets ever giving him his personal number.
I loved it. I think a lot of fans were divided about last week’s reunion episode but one thing it did do was get a lot of Seinfeld fans to finally watch Curb. And this was a perfect follow-up for those new fans to get a real feel for the show. I agree with some that Larry has become a little more aggressive than in the past, but I don’t think that’s made him unlikeable. He’s evolved? Devolved perhaps? Regardless I still find myself agreeing with Larry’s take on almost every social convention. Whilst no one can really condone his behaviour, have we really ever been able to? To me he is the same old Larry, just a little more passionate! And as he gets older doesn’t that make sense?
This episode was classic Larry. He was rude, he was obnoxious, he was insensitive, he was unlucky and his general misbehaviour bit him in the ass. My dad and I watched this together and we had some serious fits of laughter (a welcome change from last week).
Highlights (spoilers)
- “If they were hairy”.
- Larry on women, “It’s a lot easier to work with their desperation than mine.”
- “I’m a lefty unhooker.”
- The unwritten rule of food “allotments” at a party. I completely agree, you’ve gotta “see what kind of action there is” when it comes to a plate of caviar.
- The longest wrong number phone call in history.
- The nerve of Ted and Mary inviting Jeff and Susie to dinner on Larry’s coin. I think Larry was being polite by calling it “odd”! Especially after that “bullshit” gift.
- And finally the scene that had me in hysterics. Larry to the singing daughter of his close friends that put him up for the night, “SHUT THE FUCK UP!” To be fair, she was fucking terrible.
What did you think?
It’s episode 4 and it was average at best.
As you mentioned, Larry seems more aggressive. He really needs Cheryl by his side, at least for a couple of scenes, to make him look more sensitive, and just to have a real friend he can relate to. He seems more secluded, and even picks fights with Jeff, his long best buddy.
I feel like the show lost it’s sense of balance, and the realism he managed to achieve, is becoming too absurd, and forced. In the singing daughter scene, although he was the only to admit how terrible she was, he could have planed his response more thoughtfully, involving more interaction or subtext. Instead, he immediately lashed out at the little kid, and before you knew it, the scene was over. In the past Cheryl would have straightened him up, and it was such fun see Larry getting banned from sex, or other affectionate activity as punishment. It was more grounded.
Well, the episode had some funny parts, but I’m really worried with the overall feel of the series. Seinfeld’s 8th and 9th’s seasons were funny, but they were too cartoonish. The same with this episode. The situations aren’t developing the way the used to. In the chase scene, wasn’t Leo supossed to be living with Larry? They have completely ignored him. At least Curb is still more fun than anything else on TV.
This was my least favorite episode this season. It had some funny parts, but it was generally a let down. In response to Galaghad’s post, yes Larry is more aggressive, but that’s what happens when you take the balance (Cheryl) out of the equation, and I find it interesting/entertaining to explore this Larry unleashed. 🙂
Overall, I did enjoy this episode, but some of it seemed a bit forced. This is nothing new when it comes to the latter seasons, but I agree that it just didn’t develop or come together as it should. After the first two great episodes, I feel a bit disappointed, but live in hope that things will pick up again as the season progresses. And yes, of course it’s still the funniest thing on television.
Some good, some bad. Mostly good though. It did have that LD “cringeable” feel again too it, which is what its all about.
bit too contrived for my liking…
the one thing I found to be totally unbelievable was Larry eating a forkful of Mary-Jane’s pudding with HER fork!!! there is no way on earth he’d ever try someone else’s food or use their fork
but still some good moments – always love the Dr.’s performances
@Si
the one thing I found to be totally unbelievable was Larry eating a forkful of Mary-Jane’s pudding with HER fork!!! there is no way on earth he’d ever try someone else’s food or use their fork
After being in each other’s tongue? lol I do find it believable. xD
As far as the pie is concerned, I wasn’t convinced by the way it was there on the side, and that she didn’t offer any to Larry when she got her own. Call me anal, but little things like that would make me feel a little bit better… I could stop nitpicking over trivial things and think more about the gags!
i really didn’t think the show could fall this quickly. not with larry at the helm. out of the 64 episodes that have aired, episodes 1, 3 and 4 of this season are undoubtedly the worst. if you (thinking like a producer) are going to rely on larry instigating arguments as the foundation of the show’s humor, at least make the story lines exciting.
Denise Handicapped was a great episode. Nice job Larry.
I liked this episode best of the season thus far. It was packed and maybe contrived in parts, but had the tone that made season 3 so great. larry yelling shut the fuck up was one of the funniest moments in the last two seasons. I watched it over and over doubled over. good.
I agree with hector insofar as Larry telling Sammy to ‘shut up’ was one of the funniest scenes on the show in awhile. It’s all context. I don’t like a lot of the contrived stuff that has appeared over the past few scenes, but that particular bit was, for some reason, laugh out loud hilarious.