When people are asked to name Seinfeld ’s defining episode, the answer that invariably comes back is “The Contest”. This season 4 classic is generally regarded as the moment the show truly arrived as a landmark sitcom. Yet, two seasons earlier, another episode aired which is even more important to the series.

The best Seinfeld episodes go places that no other sitcom had dared to venture before them, and that very few sitcoms since can imagine competing with. They tend to demonstrate total disregard for the traditions of the format, revolutionizing our idea of what can be funny and entertaining on television.

Season 2’s “The Chinese Restaurant” unquestionably falls into this category. The first episode to exclude one of Seinfeld ’s main cast members (since Kramer wasn’t yet

See Full Page