Its superlative soundtrack notwithstanding, it’s completely incidental that Freaks and Geeks is set in 1980. My high school years occur over a decade past this time, but many of its scenarios — endured by the freaks, the geeks, and those of other juvenile social titles — I found totally familiar. None of the characters is entirely cynical, so you observe their strife with an anticipation for their disappointment or humiliation, their experiences resurrecting your own. This capability does not characterize many, if any, television series concerning a similar demographic. But even though remembrance of my own humiliations made watching this more cringe-inducing than I had anticipated, it becomes somehow cathartic. Save for a few late episodes that contrive the nascent desires of a few of the primary characters, it remains empathetic. And it’s gotten me listening to Styxx.
by Rumsey Taylor | Source: Shout Factory DVD
18 Dec 2006 2:21 PM | Comments (4)
One of my all time favorite shows…but yes it certainly does start to go a little too soap opera-y towards the end.
Lady L, I still have Nick’s song about you fresh in my memory.
Soap opera-y? The Rogen/ tuba girl plotline is amazing, likewise Bill Haverchuck vs. Biff Tannen. Go sniff a jock strap, poop heads.
You’re on the pot!!! If the Rogen/tuba girl episode is not “soap opera-y” then what is? The whole listening to disco and Bowie, then punk and metal to see if he is gay or not is cheap…worst episode of the series (although still better than nearly every show I have seen since).
Lady L
19 December 2006
4:46 PM