Look, Curb Your Enthusiasm's seventh season would've been a very tough act to follow for any season, but Season 8 feels especially lackluster, losing a lot of what made the first seven seasons work and following up the Seinfeld reunion with the least ambitious arc in the series.
Season 8 really focuses on two storylines: Larry David going to New York, and Larry David entering the dating scene upon his divorce from Cheryl. I found both of these storylines to be pretty lackluster, especially compared to the show's previous story arcs. Larry David going to New York isn't as game-changing as it sounds. He only leaves halfway into the season, and the setting change doesn't really make much of a difference. It's just Curb, but with different guest stars. Larry dating people fares a little bit better, but not by much. The majority of episodes this season has Larry date someone different, before inevitably ruining the relationship at the end of the episode. And while this does lead to some great comedy, it does start to get a bit predictable and lacking in tension. When Larry is in a longer relationship with someone like Cheryl or Loretta, his usual blunders can leave the viewer worried that he'll ruin things with them. But when a quick breakup is always an inevitability, I started to feel less concerned and uncomfortable whenever he'd mess things up. There are no consequences anymore, as it's not like any of those girlfriends are going to show up again in later episodes, half of them are in a different state entirely!
But those are just the storylines, how's the comedy? Thankfully, Curb Your Enthusiasm is still very funny, even in its eighth season. There are plenty of subplots I found hilarious, and as of right now, Leon staying around lends the show a lot of energy whenever he's on screen. And at its best, we got some all-time classics like Palestinian Chicken and Mister Softee. However, even with how funny the show still is, it really felt like something was off, and with the season behind me, I think it might actually be Larry. Before this season, the one word I can use to describe Larry is reluctant. He's reluctant to socially interact, he's reluctant to commit himself to be a great husband, and he's reluctant to beat around the bush. It's this fatal flaw that gets him into situations, whether it's because of his attempts to get out of things or because he gets dragged into a conflict against his will. Season 8 Larry, on the other hand, is inflammatory. He starts so many of the conflicts this season, with the most frustrating one being his decision to draw Hitler mustaches on magazines and show it to a kid. I think it's because Cheryl is gone, that Larry can just do whatever he wants now. He has no filter anymore, and Leon being around just amplifies it. There's no one to call him out anymore, which was made very apparent when in Episode 7, when he makes the "pick a side" argument about a bisexual person and no one bothers to tell him how offensive that is. Season 8 of Curb Your Enthusiasm feels a lot more crass and cold than prior seasons of the show, and while one may argue that this was a purposeful decision on Larry David's part, I can't quite say I enjoy it.
Still, there were a few episodes I did really enjoy from this season even with my criticisms:
Palestinian Chicken: Larry David tackling one of the most inflammatory conflicts in recent history was always going to be a bit of a risk, but his decision to poke fun at both sides and the conflict at the whole was a fantastic one. Larry doesn't care about either side, he just cares about the food, and I find that hilarious. Also, Marty having a sudden religious awakening is a great subplot.
Mister Softee: This was hands down the best New York episode and it's not even close. Larry's trauma about the ice cream truck, the orgasm-inducing car, Leon with the glasses, the whole Buckner storyline, the hysterical softball coach, Mister Softee simply manages to take a bunch of fantastic subplots and gags, and manages to bring them all together into a cohesive whole.
Overall, Season 8 felt like a huge step down from Season 7, and quite possibly the end of Curb Your Enthusiasm's peak. While the season is still funny and can churn out some great episodes, the lackluster story arc, lack of Cheryl, and shift in Larry's characterization makes easily for the weakest season since the fifth.
2/5 Stars
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