Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
George ends things with Marlene, but Jerry finds himself just as drawn to her when he goes to collect George’s books. In The Pony Remark, Jerry’s careless joke at a family anniversary offends his relative Manya; after she dies, he weighs her funeral against a softball game. That anniversary visit also introduces Uncle Leo, who becomes part of Jerry’s family scenes.
Later, Jerry invites Elaine to move into the apartment above his, then regrets how easily she could enter his life; she is ultimately priced out. George quits his job in a burst of anger and plots revenge when his boss refuses to take him back, while Elaine gets a publishing promotion through writer Rava. Jerry and Elaine later try to keep sex separate from friendship by writing rules for themselves, but jealousy and an awkward birthday gift expose how quickly the arrangement becomes personal. Jerry calls to get back together with Elaine to preserve the friendship.
The season closes with The Busboy, where George reports that Antonio left a menu near a candle, and Antonio loses his job. George and Kramer visit to apologize but leave Antonio’s door open, and his cat escapes. A week later, Antonio returns to thank George: the restaurant’s gas explosion killed the replacement busboy, while Antonio has found a better job and his cat. On his way out, he collides with Elaine’s unwanted guest Eddie, and the two tumble down the stairs and are injured. George is left caring for the cat, and Elaine for Eddie.