Surprising to bring up George's relationship with Susan I know, especially since he spent most of his time with her regretting it and was relieved when she died. However, George's tolerance of Susan and his decision to take that so-called leap of faith with her exemplifies his maturity. As adults, we often have to do things we do not want to and have to put up with it for the greater good. That is what George did with Susan. Although he regretted his decision, he lived with the consequences of it. Despite the fact that in the episode "The Invitations" (7.24) George starts desperately searching for a way out including smoking, he is unable to "get out" of the marriage and sulks on until Susan dies.
I bring this up to argue the fact that George was not a failure in choosing to marry Susan. Earlier in the episode, he and Jerry are talking about their lives and how they have no direction, no purpose. It is very similar to "The Opposite" in that they are examining themselves and taking an internal look into who they are and who they'd like to be. This is a very mature, successful thing to do. It is bettering oneself because they have enough humility to examine if they like who they are. The main problem in George's life with Susan was that he was afraid of settling down, of being tied down. He feared he rushed into it, got sentimental when looking at other couples, and also because he thought Jerry was going to change his life as drastically and quickly as George did. When he did not, George became increasingly doubtful. Being able to enter a commitment and put up with the anxieties and fears of it is a mature thing to do. It is about overlooking your happiness for another's. George wins again. Sort of.
I bring this up to argue the fact that George was not a failure in choosing to marry Susan. Earlier in the episode, he and Jerry are talking about their lives and how they have no direction, no purpose. It is very similar to "The Opposite" in that they are examining themselves and taking an internal look into who they are and who they'd like to be. This is a very mature, successful thing to do. It is bettering oneself because they have enough humility to examine if they like who they are. The main problem in George's life with Susan was that he was afraid of settling down, of being tied down. He feared he rushed into it, got sentimental when looking at other couples, and also because he thought Jerry was going to change his life as drastically and quickly as George did. When he did not, George became increasingly doubtful. Being able to enter a commitment and put up with the anxieties and fears of it is a mature thing to do. It is about overlooking your happiness for another's. George wins again. Sort of.