In the fifth episode of the twelfth season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David pays a moving tribute to the late Richard Lewis, who was a longtime friend and co-worker of his on and off-screen. Richard is known for his dark humor and honest talks about his battles with addiction. He really shines in this episode, especially in the scene where, much to Larry’s dismay, he turns an AA meeting into a stand-up routine.
Larry thinks about their friendship and how Richard changed his life as Richard excuses his actions by saying that he can’t separate his comedic self from his recovery journey. The death of Richard adds a touching element to the season, as Larry moves through honors and memories of times they spent together.
Christopher, Larry’s new lawyer, is also introduced in this episode. He is played by Sean Hayes. Larry’s love of baseball, especially Mickey Mantle, and his stress on details, like the last name of Christopher’s child from a surrogate, come up a lot in their conversations.
Larry’s friend Freddy then tells everyone that he’s dating a Disney employee, which leads to a funny conversation about Disney movies and characters. Larry becomes obsessed with a fish he thinks is stuck in the filter after going to a Chinese restaurant. This is a side story that quickly shows Larry’s caring side.
When Larry tries to break up with Irma, a woman he met at an AA meeting, a number of bad things happen, including a misunderstanding with Freddy’s girlfriend, who loves Disney. As Larry tries to handle these relationships, he accidentally causes problems in Christopher’s marriage and gets in trouble with the temple community for it.
In the end, the episode is about friendship, loyalty, and understanding yourself, and Larry’s trademark fun and wit shine through. The season goes on, and Larry’s journey stays a roller coaster of awkward meetings and funny misunderstandings, all set against the background of his unique view on life.
As Larry deals with his confusing relationships and encounters, one thing is clear: Curb Your Enthusiasm is still as sharp and funny as ever, honoring Richard Lewis and showing off Larry David’s comedic brilliance.
