I love the Seinfeld show, but was disturbed by the episode of 2/20. Kramer seems to be progressing from eccentricity to mania. Will we see him committed in a future episode? Watching Newman go up in flames was more distressing than funny. Am I missing something here?
18 posts
Before I start, I want to say that I respect your opininion, but YES, you are missing something, and that something is the spirit of the show... The whole idea behind the show is to not take it at face value, you have to take it as entertainment, see the characters in their eccentricies...the show has always been a bit "out there" taking a seemingly ordinary situation (a parking garage, an adopt-a-highway program, etc.) and taken it to the extreme, as well as tying up all the stories together at the end (ie. Elaine's chinese food being delivered by Newman, who hits a machine dropped by Elaine dumping garbage after meeting george jackhammering for his keyring, flodding Jerry's girlfriend's apratment, and hitting a puddle of paint thinner left by Kramer on his highway and being charred <phew!>)...
TSalloum wrote:
Well, all of that stuff was funny -- except seeing Newman engulfed in flames. That really bothered me. I was not bothered by what happened to Susan, but actually seeing Newman's terror and pain upset me just a tad.
It WAS a joke, right? The writers haven't really killed Newman like they did Susan, did they? I assume Newman will be back next week, he's too good a character. I liked the reference to the Hindenburg disaster. I wonder how many people missed it. -John
John Patrick Riley wrote:
During the closing credits, they showed that Newman was alive, but burned and in tremendous pain. Not sure how they can just pretend it didn't happen, but I guess we'll see.
John Patrick Riley wrote:
of course it was a joke...Newman was alive and...well, he wasn't well, but he was alive at the end of the episode, and walking...he'll be back, maybe not next week (he isn't in every episode), but soon enoug I'm sure...
[email] (debbie) wrote:
You hit it right on the head. I agree completely.
** The escalation of media violence. What belonged in
a horror film yesterday is considered tame enough
for a comedy today.ariosa wrote:
Your not missing anything my friend. Everyone on the show seems to have become manic....
Yeah. And if I might just weigh in, I think the 2/20 episode was a bit too silly, in fact quite a bit. And the Newman scene WAS unbelievably frightening.
Maybe I'm just prudish. Does anyone recall the double CHEERS episode where Woody got married (the minister died, and the Cheers gang had to keep it from everyone)? I thought that episode hilarious; others thought IT was silly. Oh, well.
But if this is true, how come no one questions the far-fetchedness of "the" eccentric-turn-maniac-then-retarded Peterman? And basically I agree with you on the part of Newman, but if we finally accept the death of Susan, which I still can't, we shoudn't be surprised that Newman get burned on this episode. At least he's still alive, and he won't be kicked out of the show in the near future.
Kramer's antics in this episode put people in danger. Susan just disappeared. But we see Newman subjected to one of the most excruciatingly painful forms of injury. It was sadistic. Ariosa
Are you telling me that George's inconsiderateness and cheapness that lead to Susan's death and the gang's indifference to her death are justifiable? Not sadistic? The only difference is that one doesn't show it and one showing it all. But they are both the same beyond the face value. It's like saying you can speak whatever sexual innuendo you want as long as you don't show your sexual organs. Typical hypcrisy.
MichHotBoy wrote in article ...
lead
justifiable?
If he'd known the envelopes would kill her, it wouldn't be justifiable. It's not _wrong_ to be cheap. It's just.. well - cheap!
Their reactions were not sadistic, but honest. Why pretend? _That's_ "hypcrisy"!
I haven't seen the scene with Newman. It sounds like a funny one, though.
you
And a good day to you.
most
Kramer didn't mean to cause any damage - he was trying to make people "more comfortable". And just the sight of him driving along painting over lanes with black paint - LOL!
As for Newman, I hate to say this, but I have to: it's just a TV show, kids. Newman didn't really burn to the bone. I'm sure if he was in pain, he wouldn't be walking down the street. Watch the scene again, and this time stop worrying for Newman's safety.
Don't forget that George went through a 3 month "grief" period...refer to the first episode of this season...
This definitely was not Seinfelds best moment as a show but as always at least two of the four charachters had great stories goin ( Jerry's and Georges's in this one).
jeff c.
The funny part of the Newman fiasco was him singing "Three Times A Lady" by the Commodores while, unbeknownst to him, his doom was at hand.
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+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - +On Fri, 21 Feb 1997, ariosa wrote: