Top Seven Episodes of Seasons One & Two

[upperco]

http://jacksonupperco.com/2017/04/25...asons-one-two/

[upperco]

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

Any list from 1-2 has to include "The Heart Attack." It's the episode where the show breaks out of its irony-first mode and embraces slapstick. It took half a year or so after that to break completely free.

I don't consider "The Heart Attack" a seasonal stand out. I think we'd already seen broad slapstick-based centerpieces in the previously aired "The Statue" and "The Revenge" (the latter of which was produced after, but aired before "The Heart Attack") and this installment's real claim to importance is an escalation in the show's dark and soon-to-be-trademarked irreverence, channeled here, most notably, through a reliable emerging source: George's neuroses.

But while the entry is thematically poised to be strong for George (and even his three cohorts), I find Charles' teleplay less laudably drawn for the characters in practice, transfixed more by its story and dissident tone (and to a larger degree than some of its contemporaries from this low-concept era) -- with a second act that doesn't comedically live up to its predecessor and, even worse, story beats that are idea-driven instead of character-driven. (In spite of the strength of this foursome, this last point will become more of a problem as the show progresses.)

However, as will be noted next week, choosing the best episodes of this series -- unlike, for instance, Murphy Brown -- is less about disqualifying entries for potential missteps than it is celebrating those that boast elevated charms. In the case of "The Heart Attack," I think it's a fine entry for which reasons to highlight could easily be concocted (as with nearly any Seinfeld outing), but I simply think there are funnier options... with far more rewatching character material.

Stay tuned for my thoughts on Season Three... next week!