Last night's episode, "The Pool Guy", is one of those rare, defining moments of Seinfeld.
Not only is this episode about "colliding worlds" between Susan and Jerry, George, and Elaine, it is also a metaphoric and poetic view of two different philosophical "ideals" - The New Episodes and The Old Episodes. In this episode, the convergence between old styles and new styles mesh into each other, albeit apprehensively.
Yes, I was disappointed to see Seinfeld slowly drift into New Episode territory, but this episode remains of the best in the show's history.
But there are problems reflective of New Episode mentality...
Elaine has an attitude, and begins to show her lack of affection for the core friendship between her three friends that has been built over the years. She refuses to even recognize George's strained arguments. She is becoming a sitcom character - not the "real" person we have enjoyed since the show's incarnation.
Jerry understands what is happening - he knows the worlds are truly colliding, yet he refuses to do anything about it. At this defining moment, Jerry's character is revealed. What matters more to him? His best friend, or the powers and influences of political correctness and social stupor? The result is obvious.
Kramer in this episode is wonderfully lost in his own eccentricity. His downfall would come later in the season.
George fights it out in this episode. He is our only hope in the face of the coming ideals of New Episode. He fights for the ethics that had been built during the past 6 years. He fights for the friendship. He fights against the threat Susan possesses.
Susan represents a metaphor. This metaphor can be described by looking at current social ideals - it's that simple. She represents normality, political correctness, apathy, and ordinariness. Yes, everything that is against the original essence of Seinfeld.
This episode describes an epic battle that has now spanned three years, and will soon come to a close.
The forces of Old Episode vs. New Episode have been fighting for dominance. "The Pool Guy" is Seinfeld's best representation of this.