This one won the Emmy that year for Outstanding Writing.
Pez. A simple idea propels the entire episode and generates many, many laughs. This is also one of those rare episodes where Kramer is praised by the other characters for having good ideas. 9/10
Barbara Stock, Ernie Sabella. Another one of those classic episodes. Famous for having a quirky structure, and a great George story. Only 29 episodes into it’s run and the show continues to demonstrate a willingness to abandon it’s formula and try different things. 9/10
Coma. One of the most frantic episodes, where many of the scenes are funny enough to stand alone, they can be watched in isolaton and still make sense (they are also very funny). Also: Wayne Knight (finally) joins the cast. Immediately he, and Newman, seem right at home. 9/10
Red Dot. Contains my favourite George scene: the one where he is fired for having sex with the cleaning lady. 10/10
Parking Cars. This is one of the first episodes where the gang selfishly wreak havoc on the lives of innocent by-standers. Many great scenes, but Elaine breaking up with the guy in the wheelchair is a real classic. 10/10
Tawny Kitaen, Susan Diol. Kramer at his best: saying inappropriate things (about a nose job) and carrying a story arc across several episodes (about a coat). And, yet, as good as Kramer is in this episode… George also gets space to shine. In fact, this episode is an example of him at his worst (i.e. funniest). 10/10
Tape. Pure comedy gold from start to finish. Every one of the regulars shines, and there are too many great laughs to list. 10/10
IQ Test. Another classic episode. Every scene, every character… pure comedy gold. George at his best. 10/10
Parking Garage. Clever and hilarious. One of the stand out episodes. Not overstating to call it a masterpiece. To get comedy from something so mundane and ordinary? Genius. 10/10
Dog. For once being a show about nothing hurts… as nothing happens. And despite good observations, not much is funny. 5/10
Valerie Mahaffey. I notice that s3 episodes have shorter scenes, and zip along much better. And, even though it is only something as basic as everyone taking the same taxi at the very end, this episode ties all four main characters into the same location at the end. 8/10
Massage. Much to love here, especially Jason Alexander’s command of physical comedy. He gets huge laughs, time and time again, with no dialogue. 9/10
Deal. Goes somewhere the show shouldn’t (I feel) but has many superb scenes. George’s first appearance, for example, and his reaction to the news that Jerry and Elaine are sleeping together. Yet, despite this (and others hilarious moments) it’s still an episode that seems overly serious (in the wrong way) and has moments that make me cringe. But, I laughed a lot, so… 9/10
George Quits. A classic episode. Just wonderful from start to finish. Full of great ideas, and Jason Alexander, Michael Richards & Julia Louis-Dreyfus are superb! Each one getting one hilarious character-defining moment. Best scene? George talks with Jerry about his career options. 10/10
Stephen Tobolowsky. George’s heart attack gives Jason Alexander a chance to shine, even if the script is a bit messy: the bit with the ambulance guys at the end comes out of nowhere!! 8/10
Michael Chiklis, Teri Austin. It’s got a great story structure, and things connect wonderfully at the end, but it fails to generate many laughs along the way. I can see why NBC held it back until the third season. 5/10
Wedding Ring. Jerry and George are at their selfish/shallow best here. Back when sitcoms didn’t have leads like that. (Also have to say: I love how strong that bond of friendship is between Jerry and George. They confide everything in each other.) 9/10
Phone Message. George at this best, and two very strong ideas driving the story. Wonderful. MVP: Jason Alexander. 10/10
Chinese Restaurant. It’s not the funniest episode, but it is the first really clever one, and it is deservedly celebrated because it is an example of the show raising the bar. Both for itself, and for sitcoms in general. 10/10
