The Soup

"The Soup" was the 7th episode of Season Six and the 93rd overall. It originally aired on November 10, 1994. It was written by Fred Stoller and was directed by Andy Ackerman.

Plot[]

George is flirting with Kelly (Tracy Kolis), a waitress from Monk's Cafe. Elaine just returned from a trip to England with Mr. Pitt; she met Simon, a man who is flying over with Elaine's frequent flyer miles. Kenny Bania (Steve Hytner), an obnoxious comedian, offers Jerry a brand new Armani suit for free but insists Jerry should buy him a meal in exchange. After passing a kidney stone, Kramer decides to dump his refrigerator to eat only fresh foods.

Kelly and George go for a walk. George discusses how he likes the word "manure," and Kelly makes a casual remark revealing that she has a boyfriend. Later, at Jerry's apartment, he and George speculate on the theory that she made that up to avoid George and whether or not the manure comment had anything to do with it. Kramer goes to Jerry's apartment for food, not for himself, but for his hungry girlfriend Hildy who is a waitress at Reggie's.

At Mendy's restaurant Bania only orders a soup, which he says cannot count as "the meal." Simon acts rude with Elaine and doesn't seem to have plans to return to England. George feels uncomfortable in Monk's with Kelly around, because the playful banter that he enjoyed with her before he asked her out has been replaced on her part with a cold formality that borders on rudeness. Kenny Bania joins George and Jerry at the coffee shop; this time he orders a sandwich. Jerry says his obligation is fulfilled, overruling Bania's objection that they didn't eat in a fancy restaurant like Mendy's. He is so disgusted with Bania's guilt-tripping that he gives the Armani suit to Simon.

With information provided by his girlfriend Hildy, Kramer informs George that Kelly doesn't have a boyfriend, but George is still uncomfortable at Monk's. He badgers Jerry and Elaine to go to Reggie's, where Hildy works. However, Reggie's doesn't offer the meals they have grown accustomed to at Monk's. When they try to place them as special orders, Hildy gives them a hassle, leaving them frustrated, unsatisfied, and (consequently) angry at George. At his apartment, Jerry runs out of food for Hildy. Kramer is terrified. Hildy is in a bad mood because she got fired after Kramer made too many calls to her workplace. George decides to try the same trick with Kelly. Back at Monk's, Kelly informs Jerry and Elaine that she isn't going to work there anymore. Kelly's boss, fed up with calls, says he will treat George as his "hand puppet." Bania attempts to reclaim the suit from Jerry. Simon, who has just flirted with a woman in front of Elaine, has a job interview thanks to the suit Jerry gave him, and decides he will stay longer in the country. Elaine tells Bania where his suit is, and a heated Bania rushes outside the restaurant to confront the unsuspecting Simon. Jerry and Elaine, enjoying their egg white omelette and big salad, salute each other in triumph, while George eats by himself at Reggie's.

Quotes[]

"You're going in there, soldier! That's an order!" - Jerry to George

Notes about Nothing[]

This episode is the first appearance of Kenny Bania.
This episode is the second appearance of Tracy Kolis (her first being The Ex-Girlfriend), although in this episode she portrays a different character.
This episode has the first appearance of the other diner, Reggie's.

Season Six Episodes