Ep 1. The Car Salesman

In the season 2 premiere of Curb Your Enthusiasm, titled "The Car Salesman," we find Larry David dealing with his usual dilemmas, anxieties and misunderstandings, but this time, it's all surrounding the purchase of a new car.

Larry has decided to replace his trusty sedan with a new sports car, and he is determined to find the perfect one. He's been doing his research, reading car magazines, and even consulting with his mechanic friend Jeff (played by Jeff Garlin). However, when Larry visits a car dealership to take a test drive, things start to go awry.

The salesman, Joe (played by Mark Beltzman), seems friendly at first, but as the negotiations drag on, Larry starts to feel that he's being taken advantage of. He's not sure whether the price is fair, and when he asks to see the invoice, Joe becomes defensive and starts talking in circles. Larry becomes increasingly frustrated and anxious, and it's not long before the situation escalates.

As Larry tries to navigate the complicated world of car sales, he also has other things on his mind. He's worried about his relationship with his ex-girlfriend Cheryl (played by Cheryl Hines), who he still has feelings for, but is struggling to communicate with. He's also dealing with his obnoxious, borderline racist neighbor, Michael (played by Michael York), who keeps making insensitive comments about Larry's Jewish heritage.

The episode is full of typical Curb Your Enthusiasm humor, with Larry getting into awkward situations and causing trouble wherever he goes. There are also plenty of guest stars, including stand-up comedian Paul F. Tompkins as a smug fellow shopper at the dealership, and fellow Seinfeld alumni Julia Louis-Dreyfus as an old acquaintance of Larry's who he runs into at a restaurant.

As always, the show explores the absurdities of modern life and the intricacies of social interactions. Larry's struggles with the car salesman are a perfect example of how easily misunderstandings, miscommunications, and greed can turn a seemingly simple transaction into a complicated mess. Meanwhile, his relationship woes highlight the challenges of trying to connect with someone else, particularly when there are unresolved issues and hurt feelings involved.

Overall, "The Car Salesman" is a classic episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, showcasing Larry David's particular brand of humor and neuroses. It's a great start to the second season, setting up plenty of future storylines and providing plenty of laughs along the way. If you're a fan of Larry David's dry wit and awkward social interactions, you won't want to miss this episode.