They didn't have to tell the viewers the time line. I thought that was tacky. They only put it in there for people like my parents who started watching the show 3-4 years ago.
The idea to have the episode in reverse was tremendous. However, I think they picked a good episode to show backwards. The Timberlands and the drinking were the only parts I liked.
Imagine if they did a past episode like The Limo in reverse. The show starts with the 4 being rocked back and forth by an angry mob, and ends with Jerry and George deciding if they should pretend to be Murphy and O'Brien. That would have been epic.