Seinfeld (TV Series) The Chinese Woman (1994) User Reviews

"I don't trust men in capes"

[itamarscomix · 9/10 · 4 October 2011]

Season 6, Episode 4, "The Chinese Woman"

Season 6 was finally hitting its stride with "The Chinese Woman" which remains one of the season's strongest episodes. Kramer is more hilarious than he's been in a long time, and he has some of his finest moments here. More importantly - The Costanzas make their first appearance in season 6, and they're both brilliant - as is Larry David in his most memorable cameo of the show's run.

The season 6 scripts weren't as tight and precise as the ones in seasons 4 and 5, but this is one of the episodes in which the new writing found its footing and the new season found its voice.

A Total Blast

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 6 December 2022]

First of all, as Kramer goes, it will indicate a funny episode. When he is told he may have a low sperm count he goes to be checked out. It turns out that he does, and the cure is boxers instead of jockeys. It gets even worse. The other plot revolves around a woman whose last name is Chang, and Jerry believes her to be Chinese. Elaine's friend is dating a blabbermouth and Elaine hangs up when he answers the phone. This eventually leads the guy to a belief that her friend is having an affair. There is also George's father, meeting with a man with a cape on the street and a separation. I can't reproduce what took place but the timing is great.

Stein

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 19 June 2020]

I like the bit where George's mum thought she was Chinese on the phone

She's not Chinese

[ThunderKing6 · 10/10 · 30 May 2023]

This review was typed and written on May day 30th of the year 2023rd in century of the 21st on the G-Man Calendar.

What happened in this episode of Seinfeld?:

Jerry meets a non-chinese women.

Elaine destroys another relationship for Noreen

Kramer wears boxers

George's parents are getting a divorce and George doesn't want to run a marathon.

Then there was a man in a cape...Who is he? Cartman? Doug? Jimmy Jordan?

The Story and production overview: Fabulous, episode.

Highlight: Kramer going commando, George going into the oven. Donna Chang was one hot mama.

Girlfriend Attractiveness level: Donna Chang was a hot mama she gets a 10.

Villain: The man in the cape. Who is he? I must know!!!

Laugh meter: 9

Overall: A fantastic episode

What can be learned?: Don't judge a female by her voice. Literally nowadays.

Verdict: The man in the cape is a dangerous foe...

The Chinese Woman episode needed more depth to its storyline

[safenoe · 6/10 · 10 October 2016]

I like the way Seinfeld pokes at stereotypes, especially here were Jerry thinks he'll be dating a Chinese woman (he met accidentally on a crossed phone line) named Donna Chang. Much to Jerry's surprise, Donna isn't Chinese - she's caucasian. Donna changed her surname from Changstein to Chang.

But what if her name was Donna Lee? Would Seinfeld had assumed Donna was Chinese from her surname? So many westerners have Lee as a surname.

I think for The Chinese Woman to be more complete and nuanced (and maybe it's the subject of a reboot), Seinfeld should have explored people's reactions upon learning that actors are Jewish and that they've changed their Jewish names to more Anglicized names, such as Woody Allen (born Allen Konigsberg), Larry King (surname is really Zeigler), Gene Simmons (real name is Chaim Witz).

Not One of the Greats

[Samuel-Shovel · 5/10 · 22 December 2017]

Woof! I'm sorry but this episode just isn't that funny. Jerry starts dating a girl he talks to on the phone when her and George's lines get crossed. He thinks she's Asian but quickly finds out she's white, despite the fact she maintains Asian stereotypes. Meanwhile, Kramer finds out he has a low sperm count and switches from briefs to boxers to full on commando. Elaine continues to ruin the life of her friend via offhand comments and advice. George learns his parents are getting a divorce.

None of these storylines held much humor for me. Besides the bit about a man in a cape who turns out to be Frank's father, I don't know if I had a legitimate laugh in this one. Elaine's plotline is more sad than anything and the finale involving Noreen contemplating suicide but is saved by the caped crusader was borderline ridiculous.

This is also one of Kramer's less funny plotlines. It just wasn't doing it for me.

But the main issue I suppose is the main plot of Jerry's. From the very beginning it was a played-out joke. And it's not that it is racist or anything, that's not my issue with it. It's just plain bland. A very forgettable episode overall.

A Total Misfire

[sullymazda · 1/10 · 2 February 2015]

You know, it seems as if an awful lot of people are indisposed to admitting that at least a couple of episodes of their favorite television series fell flat. In that regard, I see a decent amount of parallels between "Seinfeld" and "The Twilight Zone". They are, first of all, two series that just kept getting better and better. In both cases, the final season for each was its best. But that's the point. It seems as if a disproportionate number of clunkers came during the middle of their runs. For instance, you come home at night,put on the TV, and are delighted that the show is coming up next.But you--since you're so familiar with the series, and recognize the episode immediately--groan sometimes and say to yourself..."Aah. this wasn't one of their better ones".

The concept of "The Chinese Woman" is unfunny-- even before its actual execution--and more than just a bit far-fetched.Let me get this straight- -Jerry's girlfriend--a woman in her thirties--has an ethnic identity crisis, and he is the first one to take her to task for it. Nobody prior to him has ever mentioned it to her. And then--I'm still howling over this one--Frank Costanza's attorney-- get this--wears a cape! The notion is underdeveloped.Nor, ultimately, is the idiosyncrasy ever explained. Lastly, the sequence...where a pregnant woman is considering suicide by leaping off a bridge, and we, the audience are expected to find it amusing? Please. Sorry, guys, but the series didn't build its reputation on busts like this one.