The show Seinfeld might just go down in history as the best comedy series of all time–but at the very least, it will prove to have greatly influenced all comedic series that came after it. This is certainly true as of today, anyway. From that first strange introduction where Kramer was “Kessler” and Elaine had yet to exist, the show demonstrated promise.
The show experienced ups and downs as any show does, but ultimately persevered and continues to hold a strong fan base. Any older show will have growing pains, but through the years as some things go out-of-date, there is still much more to be enjoyed from the show than not. A look back at the very first season provides a few things fans loved from Seinfeld.
The Signal
George and Jerry spend the better part of the pilot episode trying to figure out whether a woman who has asked to stay in Jerry’s apartment is interested in him or not.
George centers his argument around the idea that there is always a “signal,” if only Jerry would learn how to read it, sending Jerry off on a wild goose chase trying to find what counts as a signal.
Elaine And Jerry’s Friendship
It’s crazy and slightly frightening for some fans to look back at the Elaine-free pilot and consider that the entire show could have existed without her character–although, of course, it couldn’t, for that would be a different show entirely.
As soon as Elaine hits the screen her combination of humor with Jerry works so well that fans can’t imagine the show without her.
Kramer Leaves The Door Open
In a classic moment of Kramer demonstrating his obliviousness, Kramer manages to leave Jerry’s apartment door wide open while no one is home.
When Jerry emphasizes that he just bought a new lock, but that it requires that the door, of course, be shut, Kramer offers only the flabbergasted reply that he only popped out to grab something from his apartment.
The Friends’ Love
Seinfeld is famous for being the show without major plotlines, or, as some affectionately call it, “the show about nothing,” but despite its loose narrative form the show is certainly about something.
One of the greatest things a person can take away from watching is the foundational feeling of mutual affection that the lead characters share from the start.
Elaine’s Dream
In one of Elaine’s first scenes, the viewer becomes more acquainted with the particular quality of the character’s hilarity when Elaine attempts to explain a dream she had to Jerry while they sit at a dinner party.
Elaine enthusiastically launches into a recounting of her dream with a child-like relishing of sharing a story with a good friend, later confronting Jerry about his lack of interest.
Jerry Breaks Up With A Friend
Jerry faces trying to break things off with his childhood friend Joel. After repeatedly receiving ever-dreaded calls from Joel, Jerry laments to his friends how he wishes he didn’t have to spend time with the man, and how a person can’t really break up with a friend.
However, Jerry tries just this–ending with Joel bursting into tears and responding to the breakup with even more drama than the usual romantic split.
The Dating Trip
Jerry takes a new girlfriend on a trip thinking that it will bring their relationship to a new level.
Instead, the opposite occurs. She finds all the things he considered charming and cozy to be drab and underwhelming, and rather than speed up their relationship the trip, as George prophecized it would be, is a “relationship killer.”
Apartment Craze
One of the most notorious things to come out of season one is the focus on real estate, something that stands true to today and that viewers see no end of any time soon.
Most anybody who lives in a city knows the struggle of trying to find the next best, cheapest apartment. Elaine in particular is crazed with apartment fever, and in this episode stalks her friend’s possibly soon-to-be-vacant apartments like a scavenger.
Kramer’s Inventions
Kramer begins his theme of proposing new inventions to the friends.
He is insistent on the genius, for example, of starting a business that would feature people making their own pizzas, and the idea that continues to crop up in later episodes but that begins in season one with Kramer urging the friends to invest, sure that the business is the next best thing.
Jerry’s Laundromat Relationship
There’s a reoccurring drama of Jerry’s relationship to laundromats and dry-cleaners. In the first episode, Jerry prompts George to attend the laundromat with him, and once there cozily props himself atop a machine and insists that they stay until the full cycle has finished.
His specific rituals for the laundromat become an endearing quality of Jerry’s, and his trials and tribulations with clothing maintenance establishments become a regular gag.
