| "The Deal" | |
|---|---|
| Seinfeld episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 9 |
| Directed by | Tom Cherones |
| Written by | Larry David |
| Production code | 213 |
| Original air date | May 2, 1991 |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Deal" is the ninth episode of the second season of NBC's Seinfeld,[1] and the show's 14th episode overall. The episode centers on protagonists Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) and Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who decide to have a sexual relationship, with a set of ground rules. However, as their "relationship" progresses, they experience difficulties maintaining their original friendship.
Series co-creator Larry David wrote the episode in a response to NBC's continued efforts to get the two characters back together. The main inspiration behind the episode was a similar agreement David once made with a woman. The episode, which introduced the character of Tina, Elaine's roommate, first aired on May 2, 1991 and was watched by approximately 22.6 million viewers. Critics reacted positively to the episode, and David received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.