PREHISTORIC:
Overview: characters are more or less normal, single New Yorkers with slight quirks, situations are mundane and harmless.
Jerry: Working comic, kind and considerate, wry sense of humor, socially responsible.
George: Real estate agent, not unlike Jerry but more “nebbish”, Woody Allen-ish, insecure.
Kramer: Recluse, awkward, dressed constantly in his robe, flattened hair. Hasn’t left the building in years, according to Jerry.
Elaine: Jerry’s ex, independent, liberal woman, opinionated, healthy self-esteem.
MIDDLE AGES:
Overview: Characters’ quirks begin to take over as they gradually become social misfits. Characters’ traits become embedded, self-apsorbtion becomes more prevalent. Other than dating, characters do not socialize outside of their circle.
Jerry: Starts to display sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Breaks up with women for insufficent reasons. Begins to avoid adult responsibility and committments. Grows more cynical.
George: Self-esteem bottoms out. Experiences prolonged period of unemployment; moves back in with parents. Begins to display lack of common sense (nearly loses chance to produce NBC sitcom). Becomes self-obssessed with his girth and baldness. First signs of paranoia.
Kramer: Evolves into fantasy-land character. Hair is worn straight up, begins to wear vintage clothes exclusively. Has no job yet seems to have endless supply of money and women. Begins to exhibit complete obliviousness to outside world. Relies on Jerry for food, TV, basic necessities.
Elaine: Anti-social tendencies begin to set in. Endures a series of disastrous dates and relationships. Self-esteem ranges from maniacal ego-queen to weeping teenager. Exhibits emotional sadism, ridiculing George for his predicament. Begins to exhibit wild mood swings and physical violence against others.
FINAL PERIOD:
Overview: Complete personality collapse among characters. Cynicism and nihilism run rampant. All three are unaware, and do not care, how their actions affect others or each other.
Jerry: Falls into pathological obsessive-compulsive disorder. Preoccupied with cleanliness and environmental sterility. Unable to sustain relationship beyond a few dates. Reverts to child-like state, unable to face adult responsibilites.
George: Paranoia sets in. Exhibits complete lack of self-esteem coupled with a pathological self-obsession. Perceives imaginary “slights” against him. Death of fiancee Susan has no emotional effect on him whatsoever.
Kramer: Total displacement from reality. Embarks on unrealistic schemes and plans, oblivious to real-world effects and concerns. Like Jerry, reverts to child-like state, but in this case a retarded child.
Elaine: Complete psychosis. Frequently reverts to physical violence, threats and screaming. Exhibits anti-social aggressiveness and a complete incompetence to socialize with others.
“My hovercraft is full of eels.”