(Part two) In a continuation of the previous episode, the cabbies share past experiences with Elaine. Latka discusses his decision to leave his mother and move to America. Alex talks about an opportunity for a major promotion at a desk job he had, but would not compromise his principles to take it. Meanwhile, the man who offered Elaine a job comes to the garage to get a decision from her, but he withdraws his offer when he sees how wishy washy Elaine is being about it.
Season finale escalates character chaos without reaching elite territory despite 27 jokes in 44 minutes.
Directed by James Burrows · Written by Howard Gewirtz
WAR
26.6
Wins Above Replacement
“The Road Not Taken 2” ranks #55 of 114 Taxi episodes on the Humor Index, scoring 77.9 — Great. The episode packs 27 scored jokes at 1.6 per minute, averaging 7.2 on craft and 6.8 on impact, with Alex landing the most laughs. Every joke is ranked below with its individual craft and impact scores.
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Top Jokes
Alex: You're right, Mr. Elaine. You're absolutely right.
Mr. Elaine: Finally! I knew you'd see it my way.
Alex: You're a moron, you're incompetent, you're the worst boss in the history of business, and frankly, I don't know why anyone works here.
Alex Alex Escalation Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Mr. Ambrose: I served my country with honor during the war.
Alex: I was eight years old during the war.
Alex: Even my clothing is more ambitious than I am.
Latka: He's performing it entirely without dialogue, forcing everyone to watch silently
Latka Awkward Silence Physical/Slapstick ★ Rewatch Jim · Elaine · Jim: Tell him you wet your bed. / What?! / I'm trying to decide whether or not to take a desk job. / Tell him you wet your desk.
All Jokes — 27 analyzed
Show all ↓ Hide ↑ Jim: There's one thing about Heather that never changes.
Other Character: What's that?
Jim: It's his own name - she recognized him by calling out to him.
Jim Setup/Punchline Misdirection ★ Rewatch Jim: I have peace of mind about my life choices.
Louie: Peace of mind? You got a piece of mind, and it's tiny.
Jim: You know, Latka, there's a certain wisdom in childlike simplicity. A child sees the world with pure, unclouded eyes. They don't burden themselves with our adult complications and pretenses.
Latka: That's very true, Jim.
Jim: Wouldn't you agree?
Latka: Oh yes, absolutely.
Latka: Why you single me out? There are others here.
Jim: Because you're the wisest.
Latka: Oh! Well, that makes sense then.
Latka: I am the wisest man in this cab company.
Tony Banta: Oh, a wise guy, huh?
Tony Banta: You think you're funny? I oughta...
Louie De Palma: Hey, hey! Break it up!
Latka: I have turning point story. Is very dramatic. Will tear your heart out.
Latka: But first, I must tell you about my Uncle Nikos and his pet chicken...
Latka Character Comedy Misdirection Unknown: What does that bell sound mean?
Latka: It means 'hello' in my country.
Unknown: You're doing it wrong. It's more like this.
Latka: No, no, you're not getting it right either.
Latka: He's performing it entirely without dialogue, forcing everyone to watch silently
Latka Awkward Silence Physical/Slapstick ★ Rewatch Latka: Is okay, is okay. I not offended.
Latka: You just sponge brain.
Latka Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement Louie: Where's your mother, kids? That'll be five bucks.
Louie Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort Tony: Does Jennifer have a mind of her own?
Louie: No.
Jennifer: That's right.
Unknown: Random mention of someone's birthday as kids are leaving
Elaine: You know, the carpool parents these days, they're like hawks. One minute late and they're giving you looks that could kill. Last week, Susan's mom actually timed me. Timed me! With a stopwatch!
Elaine Observational Character Comedy Alex: Even my clothing is more ambitious than I am.
Mr. Ambrose: That was a test. You failed.
Alex: What do you mean I failed? I accepted a drink.
Mr. Ambrose: Exactly. You should never accept a drink during a job interview. It shows poor judgment.
Mr. Ambrose: I served my country with honor during the war.
Alex: I was eight years old during the war.
Alex: You're right, you're right. I'll stop. But you should know, my next joke was gonna be a real killer.
Alex: A priest, a minister, and a rabbi walk into a bar.
Alex Meta/Self-Referential Escalation Alex: You're right, Mr. Elaine. You're absolutely right.
Mr. Elaine: Finally! I knew you'd see it my way.
Alex: You're a moron, you're incompetent, you're the worst boss in the history of business, and frankly, I don't know why anyone works here.
Alex Alex Escalation Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Louie: You may have missed a career opportunity, but you gained something.
Alex: What did I gain?
Louie: Me and a terrible cab.
Louie Character Comedy Dark/Subversive Jim · Elaine · Jim: Tell him you wet your bed. / What?! / I'm trying to decide whether or not to take a desk job. / Tell him you wet your desk.
Alex: You know, I've been thinking about moving to Seattle. But then I realized - what would I talk about? Here in New York, we've got real news. In Seattle, the big news is when a restaurant changes the type of lettuce they use.
Alex Observational Deadpan/Understatement Elaine: When do I start?
Mr. Thompson: I think you need psychiatric treatment instead.
Elaine: I can't believe I did that!
Alex: Elaine, look at him. He's turning red.
Elaine: I hit him! I hit my potential boss!
Alex: Well, at least you didn't kill him.
Elaine: That's supposed to make me feel better?
Alex: It's a start.
Alex Deadpan/Understatement Dark/Subversive Alex: Your best job is just being yourself.
Alex Character Comedy Meta/Self-Referential Tony: You know what Elaine? We all love you.
Bobby: Yeah, we couldn't let you leave.
Tony: That job offer? Forget about it.
Louie: We're the reason you didn't take it.
All: We couldn't live without you here.
Bobby Baccalieri: Wait, wait, wait. She got hired?
Tony Soprano: Yeah, she punched the boss!
Carmela Soprano: Shhhh!