S09 E08

The Betrayal

Aired Thursday, November 20, 1997 Β· 30 min

The gang goes to a wedding in India in this special episode told in reverse. Meanwhile, Kramer uses his superstition to try to make sure he won't drop dead.

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Posts per day after the first airing

The morning after

the same night
32 posts
The Betrayal--Classic Seinfeld
MFLuder84820 posters
πŸ˜‚ Loved it

Fans rave about The Betrayal's reverse chronological structure and clever script, with many praising its innovative approach despite some confusion about motivations.

the next day
23 posts
11/20: Brilliant!
Michael Rashed17 posters
πŸ˜‚ Loved it

Fans praise the brilliant reverse-chronological structure and writing of the backwards episode, with standout comedic moments and dialogue throughout.

the next day
21 posts
Bathrooms n India
The News Guy-(Mike)16 posters
πŸ™ Disliked itπŸ”₯ Controversial

Viewers debate whether George's refusal to use Indian bathrooms in "The Betrayal" contradicts his established character trait of being knowledgeable about and comfortable using public restrooms.

the next day
19 posts
Jerry Moves In (20Nov97 ep)
Sean Vanderfluit18 posters
❓ Question

Fans debate whether Paul Buchman from Mad About You should have been Jerry's neighbor in The Betrayal's flashback sequence, with disagreement over whether the shows share a universe.

5 days later
14 posts
Babu
shaunh14 posters
❓ Question

Viewers discuss whether Babu from Pakistan could plausibly appear at a wedding in India, with some noting Pakistan was historically part of India and others defending the show's comedic license.

the next day
14 posts
The Last Show SUCKED
Timothy Hall12 posters
😑 Hated itπŸ”₯ Controversial

Viewers are split on the backwards chronological format used in The Betrayal episode, with most criticizing it as unfunny while others defend the experimental structure.

the next day
13 posts
Backwards episode
Hussein Kanji13 posters
❓ Question

Viewers discuss plot details from the backwards-told episode, asking about George's bathroom habits and a scene involving Kramer at a port-o-potty.

3 days later
13 posts
time to get rid of senior Costanzas
Marc Mandell13 posters
😐 MixedπŸ”₯ Controversial

Fans debate whether George's parents should be removed from the show, with most defending the Costanzas as comedic assets despite criticism of their loud personalities.

the same night
10 posts
The Betrayal (spoiler)
unknown9 posters
πŸ˜‚ Loved it

Fans praise the reverse-chronological episode as incredible, with appreciation for callbacks to earlier episodes and continuity details.

2 days later
10 posts
Susan - Came Back from the Dead?
Chad Seeraty10 posters
🧠 Theory

Viewers discuss whether Susan appeared in The Betrayal episode, with clarification that the episode was told in reverse chronology and showed events from years earlier when Susan was still alive.

Best of the morning after

β€œYou should say that that episode was "otherly advantaged"...or even the out-moded "developmentally delayed".”

β€œAccording to Jerry Seinfeld in a recent 60 minutes interview, the idea behind "Seinfeld" is that the characters ARE despicable!”

β€œOverall, the best episode of the season (I know that's not saying a whole lot) and one of my favorites of the series!”

β€œElaine's ass in Jerry's face...Jerry: "All right, it's time to go!"”

β€œExactly and of course don't forget the fact that George can be a bit of a hypochondriac --so he'd be afraid to catch any diseases.”

β€œOr is it so possible that my mind is spinning like a top?”

Over the years

2 days before it aired
29 posts
Jerry Seinfeld contemplates the end - must read
Daniel Cohen16 posters
🀯 Prediction❓ Unresolved

The upcoming reverse-chronology episode will either ruin the show or be a monumental success depending on execution quality.

Fans debate whether the show should end soon, with concerns that an upcoming reverse-chronology episode could either be groundbreaking or disastrous, comparing it to Sondheim's theatrical precedent.

3 weeks later
28 posts
PROTEST AGAINST SEINFIELD
unknown23 posters
πŸ™‚ Liked itπŸ”₯ Controversial

Poster defends Seinfeld against accusations of antisemitism and racism, arguing the show satirizes everyone including itself and that critics misinterpret storylines.

5 months later
20 posts
"Backwards" Episode: Did Anyone...
Mark Kayfabe17 posters
❓ Question

Fans debate whether the backwards episode works if scenes are reordered chronologically, with mixed opinions on its quality and whether it requires an open mind to appreciate.

3 years later
17 posts
Huge Mistake!!!!
Tariq Ashraf10 posters
πŸ—£οΈ Quotes

Fans debate a continuity error in The Betrayal episode regarding Kramer's name on the apartment buzzer and Paul Buchman's presence, referencing a Mad About You crossover.

10 months later
16 posts
Is Susan REALLY dead?
R.P.15 posters
❓ Question

Fans clarify that Susan's actress is alive; only her character died on the show in the May 1996 season finale.

6 years later
15 posts
backwards episode
Darius Fatakia15 posters
πŸ™‚ Liked it

Fans praise the backwards-told India wedding episode for its clever storytelling and gimmick execution, with most agreeing it's one of the show's best despite the unconventional format.

8 years later
15 posts
maybe it hasbeen done before
big lipped texan9 posters
😐 Mixed

Fans debate their favorite and least favorite Seinfeld episodes, with mixed opinions on "The Betrayal" backward episode; some find it innovative and funny while others find it confusing and annoying.

5 months later
13 posts
error in rerun of "Betrayal"
Ken Sosnowski9 posters
❓ Question

Fans discuss scenes from "The Betrayal" that appear to have been cut from reruns, including Kramer banging on the Port-a-Potty, FDR's rock-in-snowball bit, and Jerry's milk-covered keys.

3 years later
13 posts
Backwards episode edited to normal??
Big Daddy10 posters
❓ Question

Fans discuss the idea of editing The Betrayal episode to play in chronological order rather than backwards, with some finding it an interesting creative exercise similar to reordering Pulp Fiction.

6 weeks later
12 posts
e-mail question
ericperlin10 posters
❓ Question

Poster asks what e-mail is after hearing it mentioned in The Betrayal episode, seemingly unaware it's a real technology, prompting respondents to accuse them of trolling.

5 months later
11 posts
"The Betrayal"
unknown8 posters
❓ QuestionπŸ™‚ Liked it

Fans discuss why NBC hasn't rerun "The Betrayal" episode despite repeating other Season 9 episodes multiple times, with speculation about a planned top 10 countdown airing.

3 years later
11 posts
LOMAS?
❓ Question

Fans discuss the correct name and appearances of Kramer's friend, with debate over whether it's Lomas, Lomax, or Lomez, and recall a scene from the backward episode.

4 years later
8 posts
Early life of the main charachters
Jonathan Seinfeld8 posters
❓ Question

Fans discuss the early life backstories of Seinfeld characters revealed throughout the series, noting George and Jerry met in childhood, Elaine is from Maryland, and other biographical details.

5 months later
8 posts
george's boots- the betrayal
terry meighan7 posters
❓ Question

Fans discuss George wearing elevator boots in "The Betrayal" and explain that he continues wearing them around his girlfriend Nina because they made him appear taller when they first met.

4 years later
8 posts
Recurring character???
Robert Tobgi5 posters
❓ Question

Fans discuss whether FDR from 'The Betrayal' is the same actor as the Cable Guy character, with someone clarifying they are different actors.