Curb Your Enthusiasm Recap: Vow Of Silence

Curb Your Enthusiasm is noted for its uncompromising look at the social injustices committed every day by the “pig-parkers”, “chat-and-cutters”, and mostly other rich L.A.’ers. Like The Notorious B.I.G. said, “Mo’ money, Mo’ problems”, and Larry David couldn’t agree more.

Larry David

The problems of the rich, upper crust of society is a world of its own and without Larry David, it wouldn’t be exposed for all the world to laugh at. Problems like eating a dog’s last meal, taking a vow of silence for religious reasons, and declining a chance to support a special needs camp for kids are just some of the things that Larry decides to take on.

The problems that everyone can relate to were real injustices. Parking outside the lines? Ridiculous! Starting up a conversation by “feigning familiarity to cut into the line”? Preposterous!

Those are real crimes against humanity, and good for LD to take them on. We need to expose the people who commit those crimes. As LD so animatedly put it, “The world runs on rules and if people stopped following those rules, there’d just be chaos!”. When the man is right, he’s right. I see no reason why we, as citizens, can’t band together to ensure that society follows the rules laid out there to keep us in check. If that makes us assholes for calling you out on the wrongs you commit, then so be it. I’ll be an asshole any day of the week if it meant less pig-parkers out there.

Of course, it doesn’t end with a parade for Larry David. Because… well he’s an asshole.

Instead of parking in a spot like a normal person, he parks over the lines forcing Funkhouser to take up two spots as well. It’s ridiculous and just as bad as the original crime, because instead of 4 spots being taken up, the lot now has 6 spots being taken up by 3 cars. (An aside: A real shame that Funkhouser didn’t have a bigger role in this episode. I literally lit up when I saw the “Funkman” enter the screen, but was ultimately disappointed when he left just as soon.)

Another awkward situation? Asking the wife of a veterinarian how much a veterinarian makes — not appropriate. Being asked when the last time you jerked off was and then answering — just as equally not appropriate. Shouldn’t have asked if you weren’t expecting an answer though. Great conversation.

What really had me liking this episode was having Larry David and Jeff Garlin together for much of the episode. They were the dynamic duo at their very best — playing off each other in an instantly memorable conversation where LD can’t decide what he wants for lunch. That was improv at its best and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It ended with a drive back from Pinkberry and well, who can resist Pinkberry?

Try to eat just one bite

Up until this point, you are probably asking yourself, when is LD moving to New York? Well, that question has finally been answered. In true Curb Your Enthusiasm form. Instead of making an appearance at the special needs camp for the kids, Larry David decides he’s going to build a lie and trap himself into a corner. Anything to get out of charitable work. And so he’s going to New York. For 3 months, minimum. I kind of expected a more outlandish reason, but hey, it’s all good. Larry David — back home in the concrete jungle. Can’t wait.