Before this episode aired, all Seinfeld stories involved a set number of locations: Jerry's apartment, a cafè and the club where the protagonist performs as a stand-up. As of this show, however, the writers realized any place can be used to obtain a great comedy. In fact, the more unusual the spot would be for a mainstream sitcom, the better, just like in The Parking Garage.
For the entire episode, we never see the gang leave the eponymous place. The reason is laughably familiar: Kramer can't remember where he left the car. Because of this, the rest of the show is spent looking for the vehicle, which can be anywhere in the multiple-storey garage. Kramer's the one who suffers the most, since he bought a new air conditioner and insists on carrying the heavy box all the time, while Elaine gets to express her contempt for all mankind as no one agrees to give them a hand. What about Jerry and George, then? Oh, they are in a league of their own when it comes to getting out of trouble...
In ancient Greece, it was required that all tragedies be set in one place over a 24-hour period. Respecting those rules in films has always proved tricky (although the first Die Hard achieved it splendidly), while television never seemed to face any problems: Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue and Deadwood were written so that most episodes would cover a single day, but then again those are drama shows, which means each episode is at least 40 minutes long. Recounting a one-day event is less common in comedies, due to the 22-minute running time, and even when such a thing occurs, there are always several locations. This episode of Seinfeld, however, succeeds in a twofold way: the story lasts an entire day, and there is no other set than the parking garage. The limited space does not decrease the fun, though: Kramer's struggle with the box is a perfect comic mechanism that never once falters, and Jerry and George being arrested for urinating in the garage is one of the show's most outrageous and rewarding stunts.
And the ending? It may have been planned differently, as mentioned on the DVD, but the version that made it onto the air is a lot better - sometimes great moments come along by accident.
For the entire episode, we never see the gang leave the eponymous place. The reason is laughably familiar: Kramer can't remember where he left the car. Because of this, the rest of the show is spent looking for the vehicle, which can be anywhere in the multiple-storey garage. Kramer's the one who suffers the most, since he bought a new air conditioner and insists on carrying the heavy box all the time, while Elaine gets to express her contempt for all mankind as no one agrees to give them a hand. What about Jerry and George, then? Oh, they are in a league of their own when it comes to getting out of trouble...
In ancient Greece, it was required that all tragedies be set in one place over a 24-hour period. Respecting those rules in films has always proved tricky (although the first Die Hard achieved it splendidly), while television never seemed to face any problems: Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue and Deadwood were written so that most episodes would cover a single day, but then again those are drama shows, which means each episode is at least 40 minutes long. Recounting a one-day event is less common in comedies, due to the 22-minute running time, and even when such a thing occurs, there are always several locations. This episode of Seinfeld, however, succeeds in a twofold way: the story lasts an entire day, and there is no other set than the parking garage. The limited space does not decrease the fun, though: Kramer's struggle with the box is a perfect comic mechanism that never once falters, and Jerry and George being arrested for urinating in the garage is one of the show's most outrageous and rewarding stunts.
And the ending? It may have been planned differently, as mentioned on the DVD, but the version that made it onto the air is a lot better - sometimes great moments come along by accident.
