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The Engagement (Seinfeld episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Engagement" is the seventh-season
opener (along with the 111th overall episode) of the NBC
sitcom
Seinfeld. It aired on September 21, 1995.
breaks up with a woman after she beats him in a game of chess. When he tells Jerry
about it, they both realize that they have done nothing with their lives and decide they are going to make some changes. However, being told about the consequences of marriage by Kramer
, Jerry backs out, unknown to George. Elaine
comes in and tells Jerry and Kramer that a barking dog is keeping her from getting a good night's sleep. Kramer says he knows someone who can "fix her problem".
They go to see Newman
. After seeing Newman's clear disdain for dogs, Elaine becomes unsure if she really wants to go through with his plan. She is undecided at the moment, but later calls Newman back and says she wants to do it. Jerry takes his girlfriend Melanie out to dinner, but is bothered when she eats her peas one at a time.
George, after contemplating what to do with his life all afternoon, finally decides to visit his old girlfriend Susan Ross. When she buzzes him up and answers the door, he asks her, "Will you marry me?" The next day, George visits Jerry to tell him the news: he is getting married (after hours of convincing). All seems well until Jerry informs him that he broke up with Melanie because of the way she ate her peas. George is angry that Jerry did not keep his side of the "pact" to change, made the day before at Monk's
, but Jerry convinces him he should be happy that he is engaged.
Later that night, Elaine, Kramer and Newman rent a van and prepare to steal the dog. Jerry goes to George's apartment and asks if he is ready to go see a movie (Firestorm with Harrison Ford
), but George tells him Susan wants to see a different movie (The Muted Heart with Glenn Close
and Sally Field
). It is at this time that George is showing signs of regret about his decision.
This episode features Mario Joyner as a movie patron who exits a theater with Jerry talking about a great Harrison Ford movie they just saw in front of a newly engaged George and Susan. Mario Joyner will reappear in the episode The Puerto Rican Day Parade as "Maroon Golf." Mario Joyner and Larry David are the only two actors to play two different characters on the entire show.
Newman returns to the van with the dog and Elaine is surprised that it is so small. They try to get it to bark to verify if it is the right dog, but to no avail. Kramer drives them far away from the city, before finally stopping near Monticello
. He gets out and leaves the dog at a random doorstep, but it rips a piece of his shirt (with a tag from Rudy's vintage shop) before he can let it go. Back home after the movie, Jerry calls George to inform him that a New York Yankees
game is being rerun if he wanted to watch it, but Susan wants him to come to bed and watch an episode of Mad About You
that she taped. George again voices his annoyance at Jerry that he backed out on the pact.
The dog manages to find its way back to its house and owner, carrying the piece of Kramer's shirt it had ripped and Elaine is again woken up during the night by its barking. The next day, Jerry tells her the news of George's engagement. With the shirt scrap as evidence, police officers visit Kramer and Newman and nab them for dognapping. Newman responds to this turn of events lightly, having ample confidence that he will not be arrested. The episode ends with Kramer, Newman and Elaine sitting in the back of a police car. Elaine decides to make some changes with her life.
Seinfeld (season 7)
Season seven of Seinfeld, an American comedy television series created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, began airing on September 21, 1995, and concluded on May 16, 1996, on NBC.-Production:...
opener (along with the 111th overall episode) of the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
Seinfeld. It aired on September 21, 1995.
Plot
GeorgeGeorge Costanza
George Louis Costanza is a character in the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Jason Alexander. He has variously been described as a "short, stocky, slow-witted, bald man" , "Lord of the Idiots" , and as "the greatest sitcom character of all time"...
breaks up with a woman after she beats him in a game of chess. When he tells Jerry
Jerry Seinfeld (character)
Jerome "Jerry" Seinfeld is the main protagonist of the American television sitcom Seinfeld . The straight man among his group of friends, this semi-fictionalized version of comedian Jerry Seinfeld was named after, co-created by, based on, and played by Seinfeld himself.The series revolves around...
about it, they both realize that they have done nothing with their lives and decide they are going to make some changes. However, being told about the consequences of marriage by Kramer
Kramer
-People:*Kramer , a musician and record producer.Fictional* Cosmo Kramer, a character from the American sitcom Seinfeld, usually referred to as just "Kramer".For other people, real or fictional, with the last name of "Kramer", see Kramer...
, Jerry backs out, unknown to George. Elaine
Elaine Benes
Elaine Marie Benes is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Elaine's best friend is her ex-boyfriend Jerry Seinfeld; she is also good friends with George Costanza and Cosmo Kramer...
comes in and tells Jerry and Kramer that a barking dog is keeping her from getting a good night's sleep. Kramer says he knows someone who can "fix her problem".
They go to see Newman
Newman (Seinfeld)
Newman is a recurring character on the television show Seinfeld, played by Wayne Knight from 1991 until the show's finale in 1998.-Background:...
. After seeing Newman's clear disdain for dogs, Elaine becomes unsure if she really wants to go through with his plan. She is undecided at the moment, but later calls Newman back and says she wants to do it. Jerry takes his girlfriend Melanie out to dinner, but is bothered when she eats her peas one at a time.
George, after contemplating what to do with his life all afternoon, finally decides to visit his old girlfriend Susan Ross. When she buzzes him up and answers the door, he asks her, "Will you marry me?" The next day, George visits Jerry to tell him the news: he is getting married (after hours of convincing). All seems well until Jerry informs him that he broke up with Melanie because of the way she ate her peas. George is angry that Jerry did not keep his side of the "pact" to change, made the day before at Monk's
Monk's Cafe
Monk's Café is a fictional coffee shop from the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. The exterior of Tom's Restaurant on the corner of West 112th Street and Broadway, near Columbia University, is often shown on the show as the exterior of Monk's, though the interiors were shot on a sound stage. The coffee shop is...
, but Jerry convinces him he should be happy that he is engaged.
Later that night, Elaine, Kramer and Newman rent a van and prepare to steal the dog. Jerry goes to George's apartment and asks if he is ready to go see a movie (Firestorm with Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is an American film actor and producer. He is famous for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series. Ford is also known for his roles as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, John Book in Witness and Jack Ryan in...
), but George tells him Susan wants to see a different movie (The Muted Heart with Glenn Close
Glenn Close
Glenn Close is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and...
and Sally Field
Sally Field
Sally Margaret Field is an American actress, singer, producer, director, and screenwriter. In each decade of her career, she has been known for major roles in American TV/film culture, including: in the 1960s, for Gidget or Sister Bertrille on The Flying Nun ; in the 1970s, for Sybil , Smokey and...
). It is at this time that George is showing signs of regret about his decision.
This episode features Mario Joyner as a movie patron who exits a theater with Jerry talking about a great Harrison Ford movie they just saw in front of a newly engaged George and Susan. Mario Joyner will reappear in the episode The Puerto Rican Day Parade as "Maroon Golf." Mario Joyner and Larry David are the only two actors to play two different characters on the entire show.
Newman returns to the van with the dog and Elaine is surprised that it is so small. They try to get it to bark to verify if it is the right dog, but to no avail. Kramer drives them far away from the city, before finally stopping near Monticello
Monticello, New York
Monticello is a village located in the Town of Thompson in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 6,512 at the 2000 census. It is the seat for the Town of Thompson and the county seat of Sullivan County...
. He gets out and leaves the dog at a random doorstep, but it rips a piece of his shirt (with a tag from Rudy's vintage shop) before he can let it go. Back home after the movie, Jerry calls George to inform him that a New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
game is being rerun if he wanted to watch it, but Susan wants him to come to bed and watch an episode of Mad About You
Mad About You
Mad About You is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 23, 1992 to May 24, 1999. The show starred Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt as a newly married couple in New York City. Reiser played Paul Buchman, a documentary film maker. Hunt played Jamie Stemple Buchman, a public relations specialist...
that she taped. George again voices his annoyance at Jerry that he backed out on the pact.
The dog manages to find its way back to its house and owner, carrying the piece of Kramer's shirt it had ripped and Elaine is again woken up during the night by its barking. The next day, Jerry tells her the news of George's engagement. With the shirt scrap as evidence, police officers visit Kramer and Newman and nab them for dognapping. Newman responds to this turn of events lightly, having ample confidence that he will not be arrested. The episode ends with Kramer, Newman and Elaine sitting in the back of a police car. Elaine decides to make some changes with her life.
Quotes
- George: You know, it was really wrong of you to back out on that deal.
Jerry: I didn't make a deal. I just shook your hand.
George: Yeah, well that's a deal where I come from.
Jerry: We come from the same place.
- Kramer: What do you think they'll do to us?
Newman: Ah, don't worry about a thing. In twenty minutes, the whole place will be swarming with mailmen. We'll be back on the street by lunch.
- Jerry: I had a very interesting lunch with George Costanza.
Kramer: Really?
Jerry: We were talking about our lives, and we both kind of realized...we're kids. We're not men.
Kramer: So then you asked yourselves, "Isn't there something more to life?"
Jerry: Yes! We did!
Kramer: Yeah, well, let me clue you in on something: there isn't.
Jerry: There isn't?
Kramer: Absolutely not. I mean, what are you thinking about, Jerry? Marriage? Family?
Jerry: Well...
Kramer: They're prisons! Man-made prisons. You're doing time! You get up in the morning, she's there. You go to sleep at night, she's there. It's like you gotta ask permission to use the bathroom. (pleading voice) "Is it all right if I use the bathroom now?"
Jerry: Really?
Kramer: Yeah, and you can forget about watching TV while you're eating.
Jerry: I can?
Kramer: Oh, yeah! You know why? Because it's dinner time. And you know what you do at dinner?
Jerry: What?
Kramer: You talk about your day! "How was your day today? Did you have a good day today or a bad day today? Well, what kind of day was it? I don't know, how 'bout you, how was your day?"
Jerry: Boy!
Kramer: It's sad, Jerry. It's a sad state of affairs.
Jerry: I'm glad we had this talk.
Kramer: Oh, you have no idea!
- Newman: (when cops show up at his door) What took you so long?