The Secret Code
Encyclopedia
"The Secret Code" is the 117th episode of NBC
sitcom Seinfeld
. This was the 7th episode of the 7th season. It aired on November 9, 1995.
had written a good piece on the Himalayan Walking Shoe
for the J. Peterman catalog, Peterman insists on taking her out for dinner. As she finds his endless stories boring, she pleads with Jerry
to join her, who in turn tricks George
into coming as well. Meanwhile, George
and Susan fight after George refuses to tell her his secret ATM code, believing it to not be selfish for him to have some secrets.
Elaine, however, does not appear at the dinner, on account of plans made with the forgetful Fred (played by Fred Stoller
), a friend of Jerry. Elaine had met him at a party some time before, but his lack of recall for the meeting mesmerizes her. After it becomes clear that Elaine is not coming, Jerry makes up an excuse to leave, leaving George to have an awkward dinner with Peterman. On the drive home, Peterman receives a call that his mother is "at death's door", and George is forced to stay the night. While Peterman is out of the room, George, whilst keeping her company, reveals his code ("Bosco
") to Peterman's mother. Somehow, she seizes upon the word, and repeats it at her moment of death, leaving Peterman bewildered.
Jerry meets with appliance store owner Leapin' Larry (Lewis Arquette
), who walks with a prosthetic leg, to discuss appearing in television commercials. After Jerry's foot falls asleep, however, he accidentally offends Leapin' Larry, who believes Jerry's limping to be an impression. After Jerry explains the misunderstanding, they meet again, but Jerry's foot once again falls asleep. Not wanting to offend Leapin' Larry again, he stamps his foot, accidentally causing a can of paint thinner to spill onto some exposed wiring, starting a fire.
Meanwhile, Kramer
buys an emergency band scanner and decides to help at the New York City Fire Department
. When they receive a call about the fire at Leapin' Larry's, Kramer accidentally knocks out the fire engine driver, forcing him to take the wheel, realizing his lifelong dream. However, he is unable to steer correctly and crashes the fire engine, allowing the fire to spread further.
Coincidentally, the fire occurs down the block from Peterman's mother's funeral, where George is attending. The attendees rush to find a man with his sleeve stuck in an ATM; Peterman insists that George give the man his card, forcing George to finally reveal his code.
In the closing scene, George and Jerry are in George's apartment, where Susan teases George about his code. Jerry finds a passage in the latest J. Peterman catalog in which Peterman accuses George of murdering his mother.
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
sitcom Seinfeld
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
. This was the 7th episode of the 7th season. It aired on November 9, 1995.
Plot
As ElaineElaine Benes
Elaine Marie Benes is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Elaine's best friend is her ex-boyfriend Jerry Seinfeld; she is also good friends with George Costanza and Cosmo Kramer...
had written a good piece on the Himalayan Walking Shoe
The Hot Tub
"The Hot Tub" is the 115th episode of NBC sitcom Seinfeld. This was the 5th episode for the 7th season. It aired on October 19, 1995.-Plot:...
for the J. Peterman catalog, Peterman insists on taking her out for dinner. As she finds his endless stories boring, she pleads with Jerry
Jerry Seinfeld (character)
Jerome "Jerry" Seinfeld is the main protagonist of the American television sitcom Seinfeld . The straight man among his group of friends, this semi-fictionalized version of comedian Jerry Seinfeld was named after, co-created by, based on, and played by Seinfeld himself.The series revolves around...
to join her, who in turn tricks George
George Costanza
George Louis Costanza is a character in the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Jason Alexander. He has variously been described as a "short, stocky, slow-witted, bald man" , "Lord of the Idiots" , and as "the greatest sitcom character of all time"...
into coming as well. Meanwhile, George
George Costanza
George Louis Costanza is a character in the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Jason Alexander. He has variously been described as a "short, stocky, slow-witted, bald man" , "Lord of the Idiots" , and as "the greatest sitcom character of all time"...
and Susan fight after George refuses to tell her his secret ATM code, believing it to not be selfish for him to have some secrets.
Elaine, however, does not appear at the dinner, on account of plans made with the forgetful Fred (played by Fred Stoller
Fred Stoller
Frederick "Fred" Stoller is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and voice artist, best known for his frequent guest starring as Gerard on the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond...
), a friend of Jerry. Elaine had met him at a party some time before, but his lack of recall for the meeting mesmerizes her. After it becomes clear that Elaine is not coming, Jerry makes up an excuse to leave, leaving George to have an awkward dinner with Peterman. On the drive home, Peterman receives a call that his mother is "at death's door", and George is forced to stay the night. While Peterman is out of the room, George, whilst keeping her company, reveals his code ("Bosco
Bosco Chocolate Syrup
Bosco Chocolate Syrup is a brand of chocolate syrup first produced in 1928. The company that produces it is based in New Jersey, and it is sold throughout the United States, Western Europe, Asia and the Middle East.-Production process:...
") to Peterman's mother. Somehow, she seizes upon the word, and repeats it at her moment of death, leaving Peterman bewildered.
Jerry meets with appliance store owner Leapin' Larry (Lewis Arquette
Lewis Arquette
Lewis Michael Arquette was an American film actor, writer and producer. Arquette was known for playing "J.D. Pickett" on the TV series, The Waltons, where he worked from 1978–1981.-Life and career:...
), who walks with a prosthetic leg, to discuss appearing in television commercials. After Jerry's foot falls asleep, however, he accidentally offends Leapin' Larry, who believes Jerry's limping to be an impression. After Jerry explains the misunderstanding, they meet again, but Jerry's foot once again falls asleep. Not wanting to offend Leapin' Larry again, he stamps his foot, accidentally causing a can of paint thinner to spill onto some exposed wiring, starting a fire.
Meanwhile, Kramer
Cosmo Kramer
Cosmo Kramer, usually referred to as simply "Kramer", is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Michael Richards...
buys an emergency band scanner and decides to help at the New York City Fire Department
New York City Fire Department
The New York City Fire Department or the Fire Department of the City of New York has the responsibility for protecting the citizens and property of New York City's five boroughs from fires and fire hazards, providing emergency medical services, technical rescue as well as providing first response...
. When they receive a call about the fire at Leapin' Larry's, Kramer accidentally knocks out the fire engine driver, forcing him to take the wheel, realizing his lifelong dream. However, he is unable to steer correctly and crashes the fire engine, allowing the fire to spread further.
Coincidentally, the fire occurs down the block from Peterman's mother's funeral, where George is attending. The attendees rush to find a man with his sleeve stuck in an ATM; Peterman insists that George give the man his card, forcing George to finally reveal his code.
In the closing scene, George and Jerry are in George's apartment, where Susan teases George about his code. Jerry finds a passage in the latest J. Peterman catalog in which Peterman accuses George of murdering his mother.
Episode Notes
- The building shown in the scenes with the fire department was also used as the headquarters in GhostbustersGhostbustersGhostbusters is a 1984 American science fiction comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The film stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis and follows three eccentric parapsychologists in New York City, who start a...
. The firehouse is an actual FDNY firehouse. - In an uncredited appearance, Seinfeld's dialogue coach Judy Kerr appears as the woman who approaches Jerry on the street after the fire. As dialogue coach, Kerr would work one on one with each cast member to help them learn their lines. She also appears in Season Eight's The AbstinenceThe Abstinence"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.-Plot:...
. - The first name on Seinfeld DVD 7th Season Volume 8 "Notes About Nothing" that Alec Berg and Jeff Schaffer give is "Jacopo" for J. Peterman.
- Peterman meets Jerry in this episode.
Superman reference
- Jerry reveals his ATM code to be "Jor-ElJor-ElJor-El is a fictional character, an extraterrestrial in the . He was created by the writer Jerry Siegel and the artist Joe Shuster, and he first appeared in a newspaper comic strip in 1939 as Superman's biological father....
", SupermanSupermanSuperman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
's KryptonianKryptonianKryptonians are a fictional extraterrestrial race of the DC Comics universe who hail from the planet Krypton. The term originated from the stories of DC Comics superhero, Superman...
father.
External links
- The Secret Code - Complete Script for Seinfeld Episode "The Secret Code," season 7, episode 7, broadcast date: Nov. 9, 1995