Season 12, Episode 9 of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" begins with Larry immersing himself in a soothing massage session with Chunhua, a therapist whose expertise was highly recommended by his ex-wife, Cheryl. However, Larry's relaxation takes a sudden nosedive when Chunhua wraps up the session prematurely, in just 35 minutes—a far cry from the promised hour-long indulgence. Misconstruing his disappointment as a yearning for a more satisfying conclusion, Chunhua storms out of the room in a huff, leaving Larry utterly perplexed.
Later, during a leisurely lunch with Jeff, Larry stumbled upon an exciting revelation: Bruce Springsteen, spurred by their notorious water bottle escapade in Atlanta, was in town and keenly desired to rekindle their acquaintance. The meal's conclusion marked yet another intriguing twist in Larry's day, as he unexpectedly encountered Les McCrabb, a director who had once steered the helm for several episodes of his former show, "Young Larry."
Les, unable to contain his curiosity, badgered Larry incessantly about a manuscript he had submitted for critique. Larry, putting on a mask of enthusiasm, cleverly conjured an excuse to defer the conversation, invoking a pressing engagement to accompany Leon for his much-needed shingles vaccination. Les, undeterred but understanding of the urgency, insisted that Larry get back to him promptly, as he was soon to embark on a week-long journey and would be unreachable during his absence.
In a separate encounter, Larry's new lawyer, Sibby Sanders, visits his home to devise a strategy for the looming trial in Atlanta. However, Leon, smitten by her charm, makes an unwanted advance. Larry swiftly deflects Leon's attention and dives into the legal matters with Sanders. She emphasizes that the trial's outcome hinges crucially on the jury's sentiment: whether they side with Larry or not.
Just as the meeting is gaining traction, Cheryl barges in, confronting Larry about the Chunhua misunderstanding over the perceived 'happy ending.' Larry protests his innocence, insisting that it was all a monumental miscommunication. Sanders advises Larry to resolve the issue promptly, lest it complicates his trial prospects. Larry racks his brain for a solution, ultimately proposing to appease Chunhua by arranging a meet-and-greet with Bruce Springsteen.
The following day, Larry finds himself seated across from Bruce Springsteen at Jeff and Susie's cozy abode for a leisurely lunch gathering. A minor spat arises when Larry contends that Bruce has inadvertently swapped his glass of water. Bruce, opting for diplomacy, concedes and extends Larry the courtesy of doubt. The lunch also serves as a serendipitous reunion for Larry with his former lover, Kendra, now known as Ken, who happens to be Bruce's assistant and has undergone a gender transition. However, Ken's casual revelations about their past intimate escapades, particularly highlighting an incident where Larry insisted they engage in sexual activity on the floor—an act Larry now claims was merely to avoid deeper emotional intimacy—leave Larry distinctly displeased.
Bruce exits the lunch prematurely to encounter Chunhua, who had come to meet him. She's disgruntled by the brevity of their encounter and accuses Larry of falling short in his duties. Returning to his abode, Larry discovers to his dismay that he has contracted COVID-19. He phones Jeff to impart the news, who in turn reveals that Bruce has also fallen ill with the virus, prompting the cancellation of all his upcoming performances. Larry meticulously reaches out to all his close contacts to inform them of his condition, but refrains from calling Les, as he's engrossed in reading Les's manuscript. Determined to fulfill his responsibility, Larry forces himself through the manuscript's pages, anxious to alert Les to his potential exposure. Yet, the manuscript's quality is so poor that it becomes an arduous task for him to continue.
Bruce confides to the media that Larry inadvertently transmitted COVID-19 to him, sparking an uproar of resentment towards Larry. With the trial looming, Sanders is none too pleased with this revelation. Similarly, Cheryl's demeanor darkens upon hearing Susie's account of Larry's indiscreet floor-based sexual encounter. She further informs Larry that Chunhua is contemplating a 'me-too' scenario to bring him down unless he treats her right.
Desperate to keep Chunhua content, Larry chaperones her to Bruce's residence with the intention of a proper introduction. However, upon arrival, they're greeted by a swarm of Bruce's die-hard fans, prompting Larry to duck down in the car seat. He urges Chunhua to take the wheel and gain entry by pretending she's there to provide a massage. Though Chunhua manages to snap a photo with Bruce from afar, their departure is marred by Bruce's enraged fans who accuse Larry of infecting their idol with COVID-19, forcing him to cancel his upcoming performances.
The episode concludes with Larry wrapping up Les's manuscript and calling him to caution about the COVID-19 threat. However, it's a case of too little, too late; Les has just handed his phone over to the organizer of a yoga retreat he's about to embark on. Without hesitation, Les proceeds to embrace, kiss, and breathe heavily on everyone aboard the retreat bus, unbeknownst to the looming peril.
