"Male Unbonding" does have that particular distinction among Seinfeld episodes, being the only episode in the one hundred and seventy or so episodes of the show whose title does not begin with 'the', an interesting fact in itself. It also has the now iconic Kramer idea of a bake-your-own-pie pizza parlour, an idea that I could not believe was introduced this early into the show.
While these four episodes so far have proven to be rather deflated viewing experiences on the whole, each episode has shown glimpses of the show it would go onto become and this episode begins to solidify Kramer as a character more. He's still not the absurdly energetic and strangely endearing off-kilt personality that he would go onto become but the mannerisms are coming slowly and Michael Richards is slowly getting into character.
I enjoyed "Male Unbonding", whether or not that is an unpopular opinion of sorts, I do not know. The central story here does not relate to Kramer though it is probably the one aspect of the episode that would be most effective marketing given how much of a classic Kramer idea it is. The central story is all Jerry and his desperate attempts to terminate a friendship with a childhood friend that he is becoming increasingly exasperated with. The episode is all about male bonding and the episode sees Jerry attempt to undo said bond, hence the title.
The stand-up is amusing, if unspectacular, but it services one of the central themes of the episode nicely. I for one enjoy the stand-up, mostly the opening piece in which Jerry muses over the strange way in which men can bond over something as trivial as someone operating basic tools. He adds just enough of a charm to the performance and delivery of the piece that despite it definitely worthy of being categorized as weak stand-up, I cannot help but enjoy.
The central story works quite nicely for me here. I enjoy the dynamic between Jerry and his friend Joel and both the chemistry and the writing here are fairly decent. Watching Jerry's desperation stretch as he continuously falters in his attempts to end this unwanted friendship is amusing and it is neatly capped by the scene in which Jerry begins compiling a list of excuses to use against Joel in the future.
Although the Kramer story is famous in Seinfeld's vocabulary, it is underused here. It's little more than a conception on Kramer's part and I cannot remember if it reappears in the show before the fourth (or fifth) season in which Kramer attempts to bring in Poppie into the business.
"Male Unbonding" gets some things quite right I feel. Straight man Jerry is enjoyable and well defined here, the mundane concept and relatable human complication of trying to end an unwanted relationship is great and the central story offers just enough laughs. It certainly isn't great Seinfeld but if I'm being honest, the first season just isn't and this might be my favourite of the episodes so far.
While these four episodes so far have proven to be rather deflated viewing experiences on the whole, each episode has shown glimpses of the show it would go onto become and this episode begins to solidify Kramer as a character more. He's still not the absurdly energetic and strangely endearing off-kilt personality that he would go onto become but the mannerisms are coming slowly and Michael Richards is slowly getting into character.
I enjoyed "Male Unbonding", whether or not that is an unpopular opinion of sorts, I do not know. The central story here does not relate to Kramer though it is probably the one aspect of the episode that would be most effective marketing given how much of a classic Kramer idea it is. The central story is all Jerry and his desperate attempts to terminate a friendship with a childhood friend that he is becoming increasingly exasperated with. The episode is all about male bonding and the episode sees Jerry attempt to undo said bond, hence the title.
The stand-up is amusing, if unspectacular, but it services one of the central themes of the episode nicely. I for one enjoy the stand-up, mostly the opening piece in which Jerry muses over the strange way in which men can bond over something as trivial as someone operating basic tools. He adds just enough of a charm to the performance and delivery of the piece that despite it definitely worthy of being categorized as weak stand-up, I cannot help but enjoy.
The central story works quite nicely for me here. I enjoy the dynamic between Jerry and his friend Joel and both the chemistry and the writing here are fairly decent. Watching Jerry's desperation stretch as he continuously falters in his attempts to end this unwanted friendship is amusing and it is neatly capped by the scene in which Jerry begins compiling a list of excuses to use against Joel in the future.
Although the Kramer story is famous in Seinfeld's vocabulary, it is underused here. It's little more than a conception on Kramer's part and I cannot remember if it reappears in the show before the fourth (or fifth) season in which Kramer attempts to bring in Poppie into the business.
"Male Unbonding" gets some things quite right I feel. Straight man Jerry is enjoyable and well defined here, the mundane concept and relatable human complication of trying to end an unwanted relationship is great and the central story offers just enough laughs. It certainly isn't great Seinfeld but if I'm being honest, the first season just isn't and this might be my favourite of the episodes so far.