After being on the air for 12 seasons over a span of 25 years, the HBO comedy series “Curb Your Enthusiasm” came to a close with an episode where Larry David, the main character, is put on trial for his lifetime of selfish and antisocial behavior. The jury finds him guilty, but he gets out on a technicality, typical of the show’s comedic style. The finale pays off a story line that had run throughout the final season, involving Larry’s violation of a Georgia election law by giving Auntie Rae Black a bottle of water while she was waiting in line to vote in Atlanta. The episode also references the polarizing final episode of “Seinfeld,” which David wrote, with a trial setting and callbacks to earlier episodes and cameos from past guest stars.
Throughout the final season leading up to the trial, Larry continues to make enemies with his insulting behavior, even as he accepts accolades for helping Auntie Rae. He irritates a flight attendant, has a road rage incident with his friend Richard Lewis’ old girlfriend, and annoys his ex-wife Cheryl, among others. The courtroom drama unfolds with a parade of aggrieved characters from past episodes testifying against Larry, leading to his conviction. The episode’s title, “No Lessons Learned,” reflects the show’s guiding maxim from “Seinfeld” – “no hugging, no learning,” suggesting that viewers should not expect much closure or redemption.
While the final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has a reflective quality, with episodes referencing old “Seinfeld” bits and the finale echoing the structure of the “Seinfeld” finale, the episode falls short of being an all-time great. The comedy skews shrill and feels a little forced at times, as the courtroom calamities pile up. However, the chemistry between Larry and Jerry Seinfeld, who makes an appearance, shines through as they riff on weird hypothetical scenarios and critique courtroom procedure. These scenes serve as a reminder of David’s unique comic genius that has sustained two of TV’s greatest sitcoms.
The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” finale ultimately feels right for the show, as Larry’s unapologetic behavior and refusal to learn from his mistakes remain consistent with his character throughout the series. The episode captures Larry’s essence with lines like him gleefully stating that, at 76, he has “never learned a lesson.” This reflects the show’s overall theme of Larry being who he is and the show being what it is. Despite lacking a sense of surprise, the finale stays true to the essence of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and leaves viewers with the understanding that Larry David’s character will always be unapologetically himself.
In the end, the finale of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” provides closure to the series in a way that aligns with the show’s darkly farcical and cringe-inducing humor. Larry’s character remains true to form, continuing to push boundaries and annoy those around him, even as he faces a trial for his past behavior. The episode’s meta touches and references to “Seinfeld” add layers of nostalgia for fans of both shows, contributing to the overall comedic genius that has characterized Larry David’s work throughout his career.
