There is an undercurrent of symbolism in CYE that I haven't yet seen
acknowledged or discussed. Here's a few examples to get people
thinking:
"The Shrimp Incident" is about hypocricy. The opening scene has Larry
complaining about getting a shrimp dish already picked-through by
someone else (an acquaintance who denied it). Later we see Larry
dissembling to Julia about the freshness of his new sitcom idea that
will feature her, actually an idea which he had already first tried to
launch with George.
A more concentrated scene distills the theme: around a game of cards,
Julia shares her delight in having a show on HBO where she can say
words like "shit" and "fuck." Only a few minutes later, Larry is
ostracized from the same group for using the word "cunt."
None of these ironies are outwardly acknowledged in the show, of
course, which is why they constitute the symbolical layer. You will
find such a layer subsisting in almost every episode (perhaps, every
one).
"The Baptism", for example, is not merely a farce about a miscarried
conversion to Christianity, but about the cost of yielding to outside
pressure at the cost of one's identity (note the parallel sub-plot
framing the episode of Cheryl's attempt to rid Larry of his cherished
jacket).
Some themes are less than "messages." What is the message of "The
Acuptuncturist" except that attempts to help others can create worse
problems? (here the metaphor of the story of the incompetently cut
umbilical cord has dual meanings, augmenting the overall theme while
also reflecting Larry's interference in a father-son dependency).
It goes without saying, that such obvious premediated symbolism
contradicts to some extent the reputation of the show's improvised
nature.
I find that the first scene often gives the key by which the symbolic
meaning of the rest of the episode can be unlocked. Happy hunting!
-Max Schmeder
(to reply by email, remove the year from the address)
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