Here we are with The Robbery. Jerry is certainly wearing an awfully dated black and white patterny tie for the opening monologue.

First to the apartment with Jerry packing for a trip and readying Elaine to take on the responsibility of house sitting. Best of all his instructions, rules for the refrigerator where apart from no meat and dairy, there should be “no soft cheeses of any kind”. Lovely detail. George arrives for the airport run…perhaps this is the first of the “ride to the airport” minor storylines which occur throughout the series. It’s also the first mention of Elaine’s bad room-mate who we meet in future episodes – “the waitress-actress”. And the apartment-swapping conceit emerges…George apparently has a great two bedroom that would be just right for Jerry and Elaine could move into Jerry’s old apartment thereby escaping her awful room-mate. This foreshadows a later episode where Elaine tries to get an apartment in the building.

Jerry returns from his trip, wanders in to turn on the TV and discovers…no TV. Elaine emerges from the bathroom in bare feet with a huge plunger (which wonderfully is not mentioned at all) to reveal that he’s been robbed “someone…left the door open”. Cue Kramer who now appears to be building the timelessness (or rather the “out of timeness”) of his character with the vintage style shirts. Caught up watching The Bold and the Beautiful he inadvertently left Jerry’s door open. His excuse:

Kramer: “I’m human”
Jerry: “In your way”.

Ha!

Some standup on the ineptitude of police procedure and the uselessness of “calling the police”.

Jerry decides to consider moving. With George and Elaine he inspects the new apartment, the main attractions of which are a fireplace, walk-in closet, its proximity to the park and its courtyard where Jerry can barbeque. Needless to say, although Jerry initially decides to take it, a jealous coin toss between Jerry and George (who also likes the apartment) prevents either of them getting it. (The coin hits the table… “Interference!”).

In the diner, George is wearing a white cricket style jumper which seems a little strange. (although I guess it might be a baseball sweater?). Still arguing over the apartment, the waitress overhears them and she ends up taking it. Nicely she invites them to the housewarming where they’re kicking themselves for letting it go.

I’m not sure why this episode isn’t called The Apartment. But it sure does introduce some of the New York specific themes – of rent, good vs bad apartments, the park – that continue to be followed through so many of the later episodes. It also has one of the very early trademark George snorts, as well as one of Kramer’s sliding entrances through Jerry’s doorway.