Post by affrosponge88 on Dec 31, 2012 0:27:49 GMT -6
Freaks and Geeks: "Pilot" Review
by OccamsBlazer
"I love you so much, it scares me." Reviewing Freaks and Geeks as a newcomer, that line stood out to me, signalling that this show would be something unique and enjoyable. The context of that line, with a typical football player and cheerleader discussing their relationship shows that Paul Feig wasn't hesitant to wrestle with emotional depth with the characters who neither Freak nor Geek. The scene, even if small and unrelated to the rest of the episode, is remarkable in how is not only serves two purposes: setting the tone for the rest of the episode, but provides a great contrast to the grand introduction to the "Freaks" and the rest of the characters as well.
What a grand introduction it is. And by "grand" I mean "gloriously dingy". Seeing Daniel Desario (James Franco) talking to his friends Nick Andopolis (Jason Segel) and Ken Miller (Seth Rogen) about his semi-rebellious adventures and discuss their love of Led Zeppelin. I can usually divorce myself between the characters and the actors who play them fairly well, but this is one case where it was very difficult. Using my requisite sports metaphor, seeing those three, along with other Freak Kim Kelly (Busy Phillips) was like watching an old MLB futures game, and being able to point out the latent talent in those young future stars.
James Franco was the most shocking to see, though not through a fault of the show itself, largely because my last encounter with him was an ambitious and competent, if flawed scientist in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Also Franco's recent pretentious antics, which have provided some great newswire- inducing snarkbait, is hard to reconcile with the sketchy, unambitious Daniel Desario. However, James Franco does have an inherent charm in whoever he plays, so it is easy to see why someone like Lindsay Weir (Lisa Cardellini) would be interested and spy on him and his group. Even if the freaks are bullies, it doesn't necessarily they are not portrayed as wholly as villains while also not glamorizing their actions either. The character are portrayed as realistic people. It's a fine line to walk, and in "Pilot" is done beautifully.
The Geeks are introduced next Sam Weir (John Francis Daley) as Lindsay's brother, as Bill Haverchuck ( Martin Starr) and Neal Schweiber (Samm Levine) doing what many geeks do best, being obsessed with pop culture and timid when encountering antagonism. Clearly, this is something I have very little experience with, as I'm certainly not posting this on a review of a television show I think about all the time. Facetiousness aside, these characters are portrayed in a way that is humanizing not in a way that is patronizing or mocking them for their interests. The Geeks being bullied also gives the first opportunity to show Lindsay's character as a kind and compassionate, setting the groundwork for being a sympathetic protagonist for this episode and throughout and the series. The geeks are all great child actors and are able to pull off being meek and nerdy without coming off as annoying or unsympathetic.
Pilots by nature especially one based on several characters can be a cavalcade of character introduction. However, this can be done in a way that can serve multiple purposes like simple advancing the plot or even provide character development as well. This can be seen with Lindsay's guidance counsellor Mr. Russo (Dave "Gruber" Allen) who represents Lindsay's geeky "mathlete" side of her character. While looking out for her, he also essentially offers a bribe to not tell Lindsay's parents of her skipping class for her to revert back to her former "mathlete" ways. Dr. Russo is just another example of Feig's great writing of the not only the Freaks and Geeks but of the adults as well. Another example is one of the Freaks Kim Kelly (busy Phillips) whose inquisition of Lindsay dig deep into the crux of her identity crisis. "You think you can
hang with these guys? You think that's going to make you cool?" Kim is by no means kind or admirable, but she can be incisive. When she is annoyed or feels threatened she could be dangerous.
In terms of plot and pacing, "Pilot" had very few issues. Pilots, by nature, are prone to have problems with characters, tone and pacing, but the world of Freak and Geeks is quite well-realized from the start. The episode follows a standard, but well-executed, two-pronged plot, featuring both Sam and Lindsay as they encounter the Freaks and consider going to the homecoming dance. Stories of dealing with having to go to a dance and dealing are as old as high school itself, but it doesn't feel tired as a part of this episode, it just feels familiar in the best sense possible. Their stories also structure the episode nicely, allowing for the introduction of the Weir parents, Harold (Joe Flaherty) and Jean Weir, (Becky Ann Baker) with give well-intentioned if somewhat out-of-touch parent advice over the dinner table. As someone who grew up close to my family I can certainly relate to those times of feeling annoyed by my parents at the dinner table , especially as I reached Lindsay's age.
The fact that both Lindsay's and Sam's stories were given about the same importance, despite Lindsay's coming-of-age struggles and wrestling with her seeing her grandmother's death being a bit heavier than Sam's dealing with his bullies and asking out cheerleader Cindy Sanders (Natasha Melnick) to the dance. The equal weight given to each story does not devalue the Lindsay's dealing with her grandmother's death. Both Sam's and Lindsay's plots shows how from the perspective of a high school student, fighting a bully and going to the homecoming dance are as important as dealing with death of someone you love and hanging out with a new friend group are vital aspects of forming an identity. Lindsay's identity struggle seems to be one of the major part of this series, and is even reflected in the title Freaks and Geeks itself. Heaviness aside, each plot dovetails nicely at the end to the homecoming dance where both same and Lindsay can escape from the toil and turmoil of high school and growing up itself and dance to some Styx.
This review sounds like large love-fest, mainly because it is. I love this episode. It is an excellent pilot, especially considering the fact that this episode was a sort of piecemeal combination of two different episodes, with important details being added late to the script like the reveal of Lindsay saw her grandmother death. The extended running time of the episode helps as well, giving the stories and character time to breathe without feeling rushed. "Pilot" is a great episode and the makings of a great series. I am excited to see what is in store.
Stray Observations:
-This is loooooooooooong. (Phrasing! intended.) Read it at your own time and pace, or just give me a like to make me feel good about myself. If I am very wrong or misguided, feel free to correct me in the snarkiest way possible. I will only hate you for a little while!-It’s sad there was a time where someone would be publicly mocked for their love of BIll Murray. Carter’s America!
-In general, it’s a strange disconnect to see obsessed geekiness, like quoting things, to be looked down upon when I’m writing this in a place with people where that very same thing is encouraged and rewarded.
-Lindsay Weir and, by extension, Linda Cardellini are attractive. Lindsay’s character is attractive not only because she looks nice, but because of her personality as well. I find being good natured and well-intentioned attractive, even if those good intentions lead to awkward circumstances.
-Nick is my favorite Freak mainly because of Jason Segel. Showing Lindsay is “big gigantic drum kit” was one of my favorite parts of the episode. Also his line “I’ll work, but you gotta let me do the kind of work I want to do.” is meaningful in representing the many Freaks and other youth as a whole. Many youth are not as disenfranchised or unmotivated as most think.
- Sam Weir offering loving, if hilariously unhelpful advice to his kids is a great recurring gag throughout the episode. My favorite exchange:
“Dad, are any of your friends alive?"
"The smart ones.”
The advice talking about his friends dying also help foreshadow the reveal of Lindsay struggling with her grandmother’s death.
-When it comes to Kim, Busy Phillips? In this episode more like Bitchy Phillips, amirite? It’s so strange for her to look so average and be so mean.
-Martin Starr is great, even as a nerdy youngin.
-Something I noticed as a theme throughout Judd Apatow’s work, having seen Bridesmaids and Knocked-Up most recently, is the telling of unglamorous stories with unglamorous people while remaining sympathetic to them. It is impossible to hide the inherent good looks of people like James Franco and Busy Phillips, but deglamorizing them to make them seem like fairly normal high-school students goes a long way into making this show more realistic and relatable.
-The end of the episode was fantastic with the “Come Sail Away” dance sequence. I laughed at it, not through any fault of the episode, but because I was imagining Troy crying. Regardless, even my Community-addled brain could recognize the ending was essentially perfect.
-This may have been terrible, and I’m too scared to re-read and change it. Anyway, thanks for the support and for reading this! You guys are the best!
by OccamsBlazer
"I love you so much, it scares me." Reviewing Freaks and Geeks as a newcomer, that line stood out to me, signalling that this show would be something unique and enjoyable. The context of that line, with a typical football player and cheerleader discussing their relationship shows that Paul Feig wasn't hesitant to wrestle with emotional depth with the characters who neither Freak nor Geek. The scene, even if small and unrelated to the rest of the episode, is remarkable in how is not only serves two purposes: setting the tone for the rest of the episode, but provides a great contrast to the grand introduction to the "Freaks" and the rest of the characters as well.
What a grand introduction it is. And by "grand" I mean "gloriously dingy". Seeing Daniel Desario (James Franco) talking to his friends Nick Andopolis (Jason Segel) and Ken Miller (Seth Rogen) about his semi-rebellious adventures and discuss their love of Led Zeppelin. I can usually divorce myself between the characters and the actors who play them fairly well, but this is one case where it was very difficult. Using my requisite sports metaphor, seeing those three, along with other Freak Kim Kelly (Busy Phillips) was like watching an old MLB futures game, and being able to point out the latent talent in those young future stars.
James Franco was the most shocking to see, though not through a fault of the show itself, largely because my last encounter with him was an ambitious and competent, if flawed scientist in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Also Franco's recent pretentious antics, which have provided some great newswire- inducing snarkbait, is hard to reconcile with the sketchy, unambitious Daniel Desario. However, James Franco does have an inherent charm in whoever he plays, so it is easy to see why someone like Lindsay Weir (Lisa Cardellini) would be interested and spy on him and his group. Even if the freaks are bullies, it doesn't necessarily they are not portrayed as wholly as villains while also not glamorizing their actions either. The character are portrayed as realistic people. It's a fine line to walk, and in "Pilot" is done beautifully.
The Geeks are introduced next Sam Weir (John Francis Daley) as Lindsay's brother, as Bill Haverchuck ( Martin Starr) and Neal Schweiber (Samm Levine) doing what many geeks do best, being obsessed with pop culture and timid when encountering antagonism. Clearly, this is something I have very little experience with, as I'm certainly not posting this on a review of a television show I think about all the time. Facetiousness aside, these characters are portrayed in a way that is humanizing not in a way that is patronizing or mocking them for their interests. The Geeks being bullied also gives the first opportunity to show Lindsay's character as a kind and compassionate, setting the groundwork for being a sympathetic protagonist for this episode and throughout and the series. The geeks are all great child actors and are able to pull off being meek and nerdy without coming off as annoying or unsympathetic.
Pilots by nature especially one based on several characters can be a cavalcade of character introduction. However, this can be done in a way that can serve multiple purposes like simple advancing the plot or even provide character development as well. This can be seen with Lindsay's guidance counsellor Mr. Russo (Dave "Gruber" Allen) who represents Lindsay's geeky "mathlete" side of her character. While looking out for her, he also essentially offers a bribe to not tell Lindsay's parents of her skipping class for her to revert back to her former "mathlete" ways. Dr. Russo is just another example of Feig's great writing of the not only the Freaks and Geeks but of the adults as well. Another example is one of the Freaks Kim Kelly (busy Phillips) whose inquisition of Lindsay dig deep into the crux of her identity crisis. "You think you can
hang with these guys? You think that's going to make you cool?" Kim is by no means kind or admirable, but she can be incisive. When she is annoyed or feels threatened she could be dangerous.
In terms of plot and pacing, "Pilot" had very few issues. Pilots, by nature, are prone to have problems with characters, tone and pacing, but the world of Freak and Geeks is quite well-realized from the start. The episode follows a standard, but well-executed, two-pronged plot, featuring both Sam and Lindsay as they encounter the Freaks and consider going to the homecoming dance. Stories of dealing with having to go to a dance and dealing are as old as high school itself, but it doesn't feel tired as a part of this episode, it just feels familiar in the best sense possible. Their stories also structure the episode nicely, allowing for the introduction of the Weir parents, Harold (Joe Flaherty) and Jean Weir, (Becky Ann Baker) with give well-intentioned if somewhat out-of-touch parent advice over the dinner table. As someone who grew up close to my family I can certainly relate to those times of feeling annoyed by my parents at the dinner table , especially as I reached Lindsay's age.
The fact that both Lindsay's and Sam's stories were given about the same importance, despite Lindsay's coming-of-age struggles and wrestling with her seeing her grandmother's death being a bit heavier than Sam's dealing with his bullies and asking out cheerleader Cindy Sanders (Natasha Melnick) to the dance. The equal weight given to each story does not devalue the Lindsay's dealing with her grandmother's death. Both Sam's and Lindsay's plots shows how from the perspective of a high school student, fighting a bully and going to the homecoming dance are as important as dealing with death of someone you love and hanging out with a new friend group are vital aspects of forming an identity. Lindsay's identity struggle seems to be one of the major part of this series, and is even reflected in the title Freaks and Geeks itself. Heaviness aside, each plot dovetails nicely at the end to the homecoming dance where both same and Lindsay can escape from the toil and turmoil of high school and growing up itself and dance to some Styx.
This review sounds like large love-fest, mainly because it is. I love this episode. It is an excellent pilot, especially considering the fact that this episode was a sort of piecemeal combination of two different episodes, with important details being added late to the script like the reveal of Lindsay saw her grandmother death. The extended running time of the episode helps as well, giving the stories and character time to breathe without feeling rushed. "Pilot" is a great episode and the makings of a great series. I am excited to see what is in store.
Stray Observations:
-This is loooooooooooong. (Phrasing! intended.) Read it at your own time and pace, or just give me a like to make me feel good about myself. If I am very wrong or misguided, feel free to correct me in the snarkiest way possible. I will only hate you for a little while!-It’s sad there was a time where someone would be publicly mocked for their love of BIll Murray. Carter’s America!
-In general, it’s a strange disconnect to see obsessed geekiness, like quoting things, to be looked down upon when I’m writing this in a place with people where that very same thing is encouraged and rewarded.
-Lindsay Weir and, by extension, Linda Cardellini are attractive. Lindsay’s character is attractive not only because she looks nice, but because of her personality as well. I find being good natured and well-intentioned attractive, even if those good intentions lead to awkward circumstances.
-Nick is my favorite Freak mainly because of Jason Segel. Showing Lindsay is “big gigantic drum kit” was one of my favorite parts of the episode. Also his line “I’ll work, but you gotta let me do the kind of work I want to do.” is meaningful in representing the many Freaks and other youth as a whole. Many youth are not as disenfranchised or unmotivated as most think.
- Sam Weir offering loving, if hilariously unhelpful advice to his kids is a great recurring gag throughout the episode. My favorite exchange:
“Dad, are any of your friends alive?"
"The smart ones.”
The advice talking about his friends dying also help foreshadow the reveal of Lindsay struggling with her grandmother’s death.
-When it comes to Kim, Busy Phillips? In this episode more like Bitchy Phillips, amirite? It’s so strange for her to look so average and be so mean.
-Martin Starr is great, even as a nerdy youngin.
-Something I noticed as a theme throughout Judd Apatow’s work, having seen Bridesmaids and Knocked-Up most recently, is the telling of unglamorous stories with unglamorous people while remaining sympathetic to them. It is impossible to hide the inherent good looks of people like James Franco and Busy Phillips, but deglamorizing them to make them seem like fairly normal high-school students goes a long way into making this show more realistic and relatable.
-The end of the episode was fantastic with the “Come Sail Away” dance sequence. I laughed at it, not through any fault of the episode, but because I was imagining Troy crying. Regardless, even my Community-addled brain could recognize the ending was essentially perfect.
-This may have been terrible, and I’m too scared to re-read and change it. Anyway, thanks for the support and for reading this! You guys are the best!
