The Abstinence

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Seinfeld episode
"The Abstinence"

George studies in the coffee shop.
Episode no. 143
Airdate November 21, 1996
Writer(s) David Mandel
Director Andy Ackerman
Guest star(s) Bob Odenkirk, Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Brenda Strong, Debra Jo Rupp, Alex Trebek, Kyle Gass & David Letterman
IMDb profile
Seinfeld - Season 8
September 1996 - May 1997
  1. The Foundation
  2. The Soul Mate
  3. The Bizarro Jerry
  4. The Little Kicks
  5. The Package
  6. The Fatigues
  7. The Checks
  8. The Chicken Roaster
  9. The Abstinence
  10. The Andrea Doria
  11. The Little Jerry
  12. The Money
  13. The Comeback
  14. The Van Buren Boys
  15. The Susie
  16. The Pothole
  17. The English Patient
  18. The Nap
  19. The Yada Yada
  20. The Millennium
  21. The Muffin Tops
  22. The Summer of George
List of all Seinfeld episodes

The Abstinence is the 143rd episode of the American sitcom Seinfeld. This was the 9th episode for the 8th season. It was originally broadcast on the NBC network on November 21, 1996.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

George's girlfriend has mononucleosis and he can't have sex with her for six weeks. Elaine's met a doctor who's almost gotten his license to practice. Jerry agrees to appear at career day at his former junior high school, but he is bumped back because the children love the zoo worker, then when he is about to go on there is a fire drill. Kramer lights up a cigar in Monk's and is asked to leave. He meets others on the street who face his dilemma so he opens up his apartment as a smoking lounge.

Jerry's agent gets him a whole assembly at the school. George's lack of sex makes his mind sharper, he is learning new things quickly, he is now "smart". Elaine learns how much her doctor boyfriend doesn't know about medicine when he is unable to help a diner customer experiencing a medical emergency. She uses George's technique of abstinence to help him study to get his license, but in the process she becomes stupid.

Kramer has had too much smoke, his face becomes leathery and "hideous". Jerry struggles to figure out how to fill two hours in front of a junior high crowd. George however creates a presentation for Jerry's assembly. He uses his new found intellect to give batting advice to some Yankee player, and to learn Portuguese. Kramer sees his lawyer Jackie Chiles about a case against the tobacco company for ruining his good looks, as his looks are his livelyhood. He gets a settlement without Jackie's input, it turns out he gets a billboard with his face on it in Times Square.

George calculates the odds of scoring with a Portuguese waitress, he decides that statistically, he has to do it. He arrives at the school and meets Jerry, behaving stupidly. Jerry realizes that he has had sex, he can no longer go do his presentation, Jerry goes out and is greeted by boos. Elaine's boyfriend gets his license and dumps her, leaving her without any sex.

Spoilers end here.
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Main Characters: Jerry SeinfeldGeorge CostanzaElaine BenesCosmo Kramer
Associated with Jerry: Helen SeinfeldMorty SeinfeldUncle LeoKenny BaniaSally WeaverDr. Tim Whatley
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