Episode 3 in Series 1 (The Stake-out) sees the introduction of further key characters and a few recurring jokes. Following the opening standup where Jerry wears a particularly ill-fitting suitcoat and tie, we meet Elaine and Jerry in the video shop. While incidentally discussing pornography, they strike a deal. Jerry will go with Elaine to a friend’s birthday if she will go with him to a family wedding. She’s won over with the encouraging proviso, “There’s a lot of people to mock”. That is a good reason to go to a family wedding.

The birthday party is notable mainly for the fact that Elaine has her hair up – a very unusual look for these early series, as well for her attention seeking conversation about her dream where Jerry had wooden teeth. Needless to say this ruins Jerry’s moment with the woman, Vanessa, across the table.

Then a great scene in Jerry’s apartment introducing his parents for the first time. His mother’s character was so beautifully realised by Liz Sheridan right from this first appearance. However, this is the one scene in the whole of the nine series where his father isn’t played by Barney Martin. Nevertheless, the writers clearly have an ear for writing parents, and his father’s crazy scheme that Jerry should stake-out the lobby of the building where the birthday party woman works is a delight. The only other strange thing about these scene apart from the one-off Dad, is that Jerry’s kitchen cupboards appear to be black.

Some more show-about-nothing dialogue between George and Jerry takes place while they loiter round the lobby on their stake-out. George’s “cover” to say he is in fact an architect is introduced for the first time (to make an impression in a later episode where he takes credit for the extension to the Guggenheim while trying to charm a date). But most wonderful is the introduction of the fake name “Art Van Der Lay” – the importer/exporter. This fabulous name returns as comic gold as the program progresses. Stay tuned.

Back at the apartment Jerry plays with scrabble with his mother and they have an argument over the Kramer-inspired word “quone”. And then, the following scene at Jerry’s apartment we meet some of his relatives (who we never see again) including an Uncle Mac who is writing a book. The later Uncle Leo may well have been inspired by this early character. The plot loosely resolves itself as Elaine and Jerry agree that they can talk to each other about other people and Jerry does some standup on the difficulties of men and women becoming friends following a relationship.

Art van der Lay….I love it.