The Apology (Seinfeld episode)

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Seinfeld episode
"The Apology"
George's nemesis apologizes to Jerry, but not to George.
Episode no.	165
Airdate	December 11, 1997
Writer(s)	Jennifer Crittenden
Director	Andy Ackerman
Guest star(s)	James Spader
Seinfeld - Season 9 September 1997 - May 1998
The Butter Shave The Voice The Serenity Now The Blood The Junk Mail The Merv Griffin Show The Slicer The Betrayal The Apology The Strike The Dealership The Reverse Peephole The Cartoon The Strong Box The Wizard The Burning The Bookstore The Frogger The Maid The Puerto Rican Day The Clip Show, Part 1 The Clip Show, Part 2 The Finale, Part 1 The Finale, Part 2
List of all Seinfeld episodes

The Apology is the one-hundred and sixty-fifth episode of the hit NBC television series Seinfeld. This was the 9th episode for the 9th and final season. It first aired on December 11, 1997.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Jerry begins dating Melissa, a woman who is comfortably nude in his apartment, even outside a sexual context. She walks naked into the kitchen to eat waffles and is also nude while playing board games. While George is envious, Jerry soon grows uncomfortable with Melissa's quirk. He finds her to be unattractive while coughing, crouching or doing anything that involves her muscles contracting.

George learns a friend of his (James Spader) is a recovering alcoholic, and as part of the AA's Twelve Steps (Step 9, apology), George demands an apology from him (whom he nicknames "Stanky Hanky"), who had insulted him years earlier at a party.

Eventually, Jerry tries casual nudity himself. Melissa, however, while carrying a positive attitude toward female nudity ("good naked"), does not have similar views on male nudity ("bad naked"). Elaine later explains this as the female body being art whereas the male body is just utility. Ultimately Jerry convinces Melissa to wear clothes more often, but she is still put off by the thought of him naked, and the relationship is ruined.

Meanwhile, Kramer begins "living" in his shower, even going as far as cooking and installing a garbage disposal in his drain. Peggy, Elaine's co-worker ("The Susie"), is a germo-phobe who dislikes Elaine because of her germs. Elaine soon discovers David Puddy also had to overcome his own Mysophobia.

George, while looking for the apology from the "step-skipper", is directed to treat his anger. At a dinner, everyone is disgusted when Kramer mentions the meal was prepared in his own shower.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Trivia

Actors Jason Alexander and James Spader would later appear together in the movie White Palace.
The first kid ("Gregg") who wanted ice cream from Jason "Stanky" Hanky (James Spader) was played by Michael Fishman, best known for his role as D.J. in Roseanne, which was actually finished months ago when this episode aired.