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The Invitations (Seinfeld episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Invitations" is the 24th and final episode of the seventh season of Seinfeld
and the 134th overall episode. It originally aired on May 16, 1996. It is notable as being the last episode written by co-creator Larry David
before he left the series at the end of this season. He did return, however, to write the series finale in 1998. This episode was directed by Andy Ackerman
.
and Susan go shopping for wedding invitations and George decides to buy the cheapest brand in the store. As they run into Kramer, he calls Susan "Lily", much to Susan's annoyance. Then, Kramer
tells Jerry that the bank will offer anyone $100 if they are not greeted with a "hello" by a teller when they enter the building.
Jerry
and Elaine
realize that once George gets married it will be just the three of them. At night, Elaine admits that she is also leaving the group, leaving Jerry and Kramer. In a dream sequence, Jerry and Kramer argue about inventing
a periscope
for use in an automobile
, until he is jarred back to reality by almost getting hit by a car and is saved by a woman named Jeannie Steinman (Janeane Garofalo
).
Meanwhile, George tells Susan that Elaine wants to be an usher at their wedding, but Susan says no, saying that there will be no female ushers. She also says Kramer is no longer an usher since he called her Lily. George warns Susan that if she won't let them be ushers, the two will be devastated. Susan tells George that she doesn't care, and that she'll just let it happen.
The next day, George tells Elaine and Kramer the news when they get to Jerry's house. Jerry tells them about Jeannie. George admits that he didn't want to be with Susan after they got engaged and that he needs to find a way to get out of the relationship without confronting Susan. Elaine suggests smoking in front of Susan since she hates it. Unfortunately, it doesn't work because it makes him sick and Susan is not convinced. Kramer suggests a prenuptial agreement. As George tries it, Susan laughs out loud at him and George realizes he is stuck with the situation. Kramer goes to the bank and upon being greeted with the word "hey" instead of "hello", he asks to see the manager (Stephen Root
).
Meanwhile, George and Susan receive a box of invitations. As George leaves the house, Susan begins licking the envelopes, commenting "Ugh! Awful!" Jerry, however, goes to the bar, only to run into Jeannie again and proposes to her as they become engaged.
Meanwhile, Susan keeps licking the envelopes and she gets sick and then passes out. George goes to the bar and celebrates Jerry and Jeannie's proposal. Jerry and Jeannie go to Monk's Cafe. George goes back to his apartment, only to find that Susan has collapsed on the couch. At Jerry's apartment, Jerry tells Kramer that he doesn't think that Jeannie is his type and he shows regret at getting engaged with her. Kramer tells Jerry that he was unable to get $100 but only to get $20 from the bank. George calls and says that he took Susan to the hospital.
At the hospital, the trio (with Elaine) wait for a reply from the doctor, but he says that Susan has died from licking the envelopes (it was revealed that they were toxic). The trio show sympathy for George. After a brief pause, George casually suggests that the group go out for coffee.
George goes back to his apartment and tries to call Marisa Tomei
to have a date with him after the funeral, but she hangs up (much to George's surprise).
as to the tastelessness of Susan's demise, and the characters' hollow reactions. Seinfeld mocked the backlash in the first scenes of The Foundation
, the following season's opener, where Jerry and George visit Susan's grave. The two only show any emotion when they start remembering the death of Spock
in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
.
Heidi Swedberg
, who played Susan, has stated she enjoyed the fact her character was killed off and had no problem with it, adding in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that fans of the show liked that the main characters were not nice people who "express the things the rest of us think but don't want to admit." Fans expressed frustration and resentment to her when she was recognized on the street for months after the episode's broadcast. Similarly, Jason Alexander
claims that the George fanbase has only ever turned on him in anger twice, one being because of the suggestion that George murdered Susan. The other was the instance
of George eating an éclair out of a trash can.
Larry David later remarked that in retrospect, he was surprised that he killed off Susan in such a manner.
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
and the 134th overall episode. It originally aired on May 16, 1996. It is notable as being the last episode written by co-creator Larry David
Larry David
Lawrence Gene "Larry" David is an American actor, writer, comedian and producer. He is best known as the co-creator , head writer, and executive producer of the television series Seinfeld from 1989 to 1996, and for creating the 1999 HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm, a partially improvised sitcom in...
before he left the series at the end of this season. He did return, however, to write the series finale in 1998. This episode was directed by Andy Ackerman
Andy Ackerman
Robert Andrew "Andy" Ackerman is an American director and producer who is best known for his work on Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine and the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm...
.
Plot
GeorgeGeorge Costanza
George Louis Costanza is a character in the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Jason Alexander. He has variously been described as a "short, stocky, slow-witted, bald man" , "Lord of the Idiots" , and as "the greatest sitcom character of all time"...
and Susan go shopping for wedding invitations and George decides to buy the cheapest brand in the store. As they run into Kramer, he calls Susan "Lily", much to Susan's annoyance. Then, Kramer
Cosmo Kramer
Cosmo Kramer, usually referred to as simply "Kramer", is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Michael Richards...
tells Jerry that the bank will offer anyone $100 if they are not greeted with a "hello" by a teller when they enter the building.
Jerry
Jerry Seinfeld (character)
Jerome "Jerry" Seinfeld is the main protagonist of the American television sitcom Seinfeld . The straight man among his group of friends, this semi-fictionalized version of comedian Jerry Seinfeld was named after, co-created by, based on, and played by Seinfeld himself.The series revolves around...
and Elaine
Elaine Benes
Elaine Marie Benes is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Elaine's best friend is her ex-boyfriend Jerry Seinfeld; she is also good friends with George Costanza and Cosmo Kramer...
realize that once George gets married it will be just the three of them. At night, Elaine admits that she is also leaving the group, leaving Jerry and Kramer. In a dream sequence, Jerry and Kramer argue about inventing
Invention
An invention is a novel composition, device, or process. An invention may be derived from a pre-existing model or idea, or it could be independently conceived, in which case it may be a radical breakthrough. In addition, there is cultural invention, which is an innovative set of useful social...
a periscope
Periscope
A periscope is an instrument for observation from a concealed position. In its simplest form it consists of a tube with mirrors at each end set parallel to each other at a 45-degree angle....
for use in an automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
, until he is jarred back to reality by almost getting hit by a car and is saved by a woman named Jeannie Steinman (Janeane Garofalo
Janeane Garofalo
Janeane Garofalo is an American stand-up comedian, actress, political activist and writer. She is the former co-host on the now defunct Air America Radio's The Majority Report. Garofalo continues to circulate regularly within New York City's local comedy and performance art scene.-Early...
).
Meanwhile, George tells Susan that Elaine wants to be an usher at their wedding, but Susan says no, saying that there will be no female ushers. She also says Kramer is no longer an usher since he called her Lily. George warns Susan that if she won't let them be ushers, the two will be devastated. Susan tells George that she doesn't care, and that she'll just let it happen.
The next day, George tells Elaine and Kramer the news when they get to Jerry's house. Jerry tells them about Jeannie. George admits that he didn't want to be with Susan after they got engaged and that he needs to find a way to get out of the relationship without confronting Susan. Elaine suggests smoking in front of Susan since she hates it. Unfortunately, it doesn't work because it makes him sick and Susan is not convinced. Kramer suggests a prenuptial agreement. As George tries it, Susan laughs out loud at him and George realizes he is stuck with the situation. Kramer goes to the bank and upon being greeted with the word "hey" instead of "hello", he asks to see the manager (Stephen Root
Stephen Root
Stephen Root is an American actor. He is best known for his comedic work on the TV sitcom NewsRadio, in the film Office Space and as the voice of Bill Dauterive and Buck Strickland in the animated series King of the Hill...
).
Meanwhile, George and Susan receive a box of invitations. As George leaves the house, Susan begins licking the envelopes, commenting "Ugh! Awful!" Jerry, however, goes to the bar, only to run into Jeannie again and proposes to her as they become engaged.
Meanwhile, Susan keeps licking the envelopes and she gets sick and then passes out. George goes to the bar and celebrates Jerry and Jeannie's proposal. Jerry and Jeannie go to Monk's Cafe. George goes back to his apartment, only to find that Susan has collapsed on the couch. At Jerry's apartment, Jerry tells Kramer that he doesn't think that Jeannie is his type and he shows regret at getting engaged with her. Kramer tells Jerry that he was unable to get $100 but only to get $20 from the bank. George calls and says that he took Susan to the hospital.
At the hospital, the trio (with Elaine) wait for a reply from the doctor, but he says that Susan has died from licking the envelopes (it was revealed that they were toxic). The trio show sympathy for George. After a brief pause, George casually suggests that the group go out for coffee.
George goes back to his apartment and tries to call Marisa Tomei
Marisa Tomei
Marisa Tomei is an American stage, film and television actress. Following her work on As The World Turns, Tomei came to prominence as a supporting cast member on The Cosby Show spinoff A Different World in 1987...
to have a date with him after the funeral, but she hangs up (much to George's surprise).
Reaction
There was a very mixed reception to the episode's ending — it generated many letters to publications such as TV GuideTV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
as to the tastelessness of Susan's demise, and the characters' hollow reactions. Seinfeld mocked the backlash in the first scenes of The Foundation
The Foundation (Seinfeld)
"The Foundation" is the 135th episode of the American television sitcom Seinfeld. This was the 1st episode of the 8th season. It was originally broadcast on the NBC network on September 19, 1996.-Plot:...
, the following season's opener, where Jerry and George visit Susan's grave. The two only show any emotion when they start remembering the death of Spock
Spock
Spock is a fictional character in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by Leonard Nimoy in the original Star Trek series, Spock also appears in the animated Star Trek series, two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, seven of the Star Trek feature films, and numerous Star Trek...
in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a 1982 American science fiction film released by Paramount Pictures. The film is the second feature based on the Star Trek science fiction franchise. The plot features James T...
.
Heidi Swedberg
Heidi Swedberg
Heidi Swedberg is an American actress known for her role as Susan Ross, the fiancée of George Costanza on the television sitcom Seinfeld....
, who played Susan, has stated she enjoyed the fact her character was killed off and had no problem with it, adding in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that fans of the show liked that the main characters were not nice people who "express the things the rest of us think but don't want to admit." Fans expressed frustration and resentment to her when she was recognized on the street for months after the episode's broadcast. Similarly, Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander
Jay Scott Greenspan , better known by his professional name of Jason Alexander, is an American actor, writer, comedian, television director, producer, and singer. He is best known for his role as George Costanza on the television series Seinfeld, appearing in the sitcom from 1989 to 1998...
claims that the George fanbase has only ever turned on him in anger twice, one being because of the suggestion that George murdered Susan. The other was the instance
The Gymnast
"The Gymnast" is the 92nd episode of Seinfeld. This was the 6th episode for the 6th season. It aired on November 3, 1994, during a special "Blackout Thursday" night on NBC, in which all shows in the Must See TV line-up, except this one, featured a fictional New York City blackout .- Plot :Jerry...
of George eating an éclair out of a trash can.
Larry David later remarked that in retrospect, he was surprised that he killed off Susan in such a manner.
Episode Notes
- YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
owner George SteinbrennerGeorge SteinbrennerGeorge Michael Steinbrenner III was an American businessman who was the principal owner and managing partner of Major League Baseball's New York Yankees. During Steinbrenner's 37-year ownership from 1973 to his death in July 2010, the longest in club history, the Yankees earned seven World Series...
, a confessed fan of the show, long portrayed on Seinfeld by the voice of Larry DavidLarry DavidLawrence Gene "Larry" David is an American actor, writer, comedian and producer. He is best known as the co-creator , head writer, and executive producer of the television series Seinfeld from 1989 to 1996, and for creating the 1999 HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm, a partially improvised sitcom in...
, filmed scenes for a guest appearance in this episode, but none of the footage made it to air. Reportedly, Steinbrenner disapproved of the morbid plot twist in which Susan is killed; and the gang's apparent indifference towards it. Steinbrenner has publicly stated his objections to the story several times, and said that is the reason he refused to allow his cameo to be shown. However, the Season Seven DVD release indicates that the scenes were cut simply for time, and Steinbrenner and the producers of the show, hold no grudge. - Jerry and Jeannie mention that they are scheduled to be married on September 21, the first day of Fall. That would have occurred on September 21, 1996, exactly a year after the seventh season began and George proposed to Susan.
- The bank manager is played by Stephen RootStephen RootStephen Root is an American actor. He is best known for his comedic work on the TV sitcom NewsRadio, in the film Office Space and as the voice of Bill Dauterive and Buck Strickland in the animated series King of the Hill...
in a cameo, who was starring in NewsRadioNewsRadioNewsRadio is an American television situation comedy that aired on NBC from 1995 to 1999. The series was created by executive producer Paul Simms, and was filmed in front of a studio audience at CBS Studio Center and Sunset Gower Studios...
(which also aired on NBCNBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
) during this time. - The cigarettes George smokes in the episode are American SpiritsNatural American SpiritNatural American Spirit is a brand of cigarette and tobacco products manufactured in the United States by the Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, a wholly owned independent subsidiary of Reynolds American, in turn 42% owned by British American Tobacco...
. - This episode was temporarily pulled from syndication in the wake of the 2001 anthrax attacks2001 anthrax attacksThe 2001 anthrax attacks in the United States, also known as Amerithrax from its Federal Bureau of Investigation case name, occurred over the course of several weeks beginning on Tuesday, September 18, 2001, one week after the September 11 attacks. Letters containing anthrax spores were mailed to...
in the United States. The episode returned to syndication in the summer of 2002. - This is the last episode to feature Larry DavidLarry DavidLawrence Gene "Larry" David is an American actor, writer, comedian and producer. He is best known as the co-creator , head writer, and executive producer of the television series Seinfeld from 1989 to 1996, and for creating the 1999 HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm, a partially improvised sitcom in...
as executive producer. He later returned to write the two-part finaleSeries finaleA series finale refers to the last installment of a series with a narrative presented through mediums such as television, film and literature. In many Commonwealth countries, the term final episode is commonly used in regards to a television series...
and continued to voice the character of George Steinbrenner for the remainder of the series. - It's also the last episode to open with Jerry performing his famous stand-up comedy until the finaleSeries finaleA series finale refers to the last installment of a series with a narrative presented through mediums such as television, film and literature. In many Commonwealth countries, the term final episode is commonly used in regards to a television series...
in 1998. - When Susan asks who she should invite to the wedding, she mentions "The Drake" who was seen in Season 4's "The Handicap SpotThe Handicap Spot"The Handicap Spot" is the 22nd episode of the fourth season and the 62nd overall episode of Seinfeld. It aired on May 13, 1993.-Plot:The group travels to a mall in Lynbrook to buy a big-screen television as an engagement gift for their friend, "The Drake"...
". - During the montage, Jerry reads a SupermanSupermanSuperman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
comic book while Jeannie reads a SupergirlSupergirlSupergirl is a female counterpart to the DC Comics Superman. As his cousin, she shares his super powers and vulnerability to Kryptonite. She was created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino in 1959. She first appeared in the Action Comics comic book series and later branched out...
comic book. - The doctor is not named, but the character is played by Victor Raider-WexlerVictor Raider-WexlerVictor Raider-Wexler is an American television and film actor.-Career:Raider-Wexler started his career in the 1970s. He was the stage manager for the 1976 Broadway play Best Friend...
, who also portrayed "Dr. Siegel," the surgeon in "The Junior MintThe Junior Mint"The Junior Mint" is the 60th episode of the American sitcom Seinfeld. It was the 20th episode of the 4th season. It aired on March 18, 1993.-"Mulva":...
," as well as "Dr. Wexler" in "The Summer of GeorgeThe Summer of George"The Summer of George" is the 156th episode of the sitcom Seinfeld. It was also the 22nd and final episode of the 8th season. It originally aired on May 15, 1997.-Plot:...
" and "The Finale: Part II." In the latter, Dr. Wexler is clearly identified as the doctor in "The Invitations."