filmed specifically for this episode. Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus lost her voice overnight from doing the scene where Elaine shouts at the dog, so the writers worked her hoarseness into the episode's script. Critical reception David Sims of The A.V. Club wrote, "The two-part (sorta) season opener to Seinfeld really feels like Larry David throwing down a marker. You know how last year was just generally a lot of fun, and had a little more broad, goofy comedy? ... For his last season on the show (he would return for the finale and continue to voice Steinbrenner) David goes back to the model he employed in seasons prior of having a loose arc for the year, and this time it's George getting married. The news is abrupt, shocking, and hilariously welcome. ... George is such a wreck by the end of that spectacle, it's hard not to pity him, stupid and impulsive as he may be." Joanna L. Di Mattia, author of the essay "The Show About Something: Anxious Manhood and the Homosocial Order on Seinfeld," argues that "Susan Ross ... ultimately embodies the restrictions of marriage for George, and therefore a real threat to the male friendships on the show." This episode "illustrates how to approach marriage with the most inappropriate partner, solely for the purpose of personal reinforcement." Vanity Fair put "The Engagement" at #106 in a ranking of all 180 episodes. References External links Seinfeld (season 7) episodes 1995 American television episodes Television episodes written by Larry David