September 29, 2009

• Freaks and Geeks- Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers (Episode 14)

  Previously on Freaks and Geeks: Pilot, Beers and Weirs, Tricks and Treats, Kim Kelly is My Friend, Tests and Breasts, I’m with the Band, Carded and Discarded, Girlfriends and Boyfriends, We’ve Got Spirit, The Diary, Looks and Books, The Garage Door, Chokin’ and Tokin’. 

  
  
  
  
  
  

  This episode, Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers was directed by Judd Apatow and was written by Paul Feig and Judd Apatow.
  
  Plot Summary:  Lindsay tries to convince Harold to let her join her friends at a Who concert. Kim and Lindsay accidentally run over Millie’s dog. Soon after, Kim starts hanging out with Millie. Lindsay wants to tell Millie the truth about her dog, but Kim doesn’t. Meanwhile, Nick teaches himself to play guitar and writes a love ballad for Lindsay and decides to play it for her despite Kens’ objections. Ms. Haverchuck stuns Bill with the news that she has been dating Coach Fredricks.

  This might just be my favorite episode of the series.  Martin Starr who plays Bill was so good in this episode, especially during the sequence where “I’m One” by The Who plays, which is always one of the most memorable sequences for me.  I relate a lot to Bill.  I felt awkward like he did at times and not fitting into groups.  Thankfully I never had to go through what he did with having my PE teacher date my mom…that would have been awful.  That is why when I was teaching I stayed away from single mothers even though I was constantly set up. 

  I guess the episode was great because two people sort of broke out of their molds.  You have Bill being rebellious and the same goes with Millie.  At the start of the series who would have thought that by the near end Millie would be hanging out with Kim Kelly.  I sort of felt weird about Millie’s storyline because I never put that much emotion into my pets however when I think about it, yeah, I did get emotional especially when I lost my Rottweiler Mädchen.  She was stolen but at least she put up a struggle and tore off the finger of her thief.  So maybe Millie’s storyline was uncomfortable because it brought back those memories.

  I love how Fredericks does his best to win over Bill’s mom and the geeks but Bill is having none of it.  Such a powerful episode.

  This actually developed a fun third storyline that wasn’t fully developed in the final cut and that was of Nick trying to learn guitar to play for Lindsay almost as a way to win her back.  Ken put an end to that.

  Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers…such a great episode with such an incredible soundtrack.  Oh and one of the most laughable moments was when Lindsay’s parents listen to Squeezebox by The Who to determine if it was dirty or not.

  Things to Look For: 
  “As I pulled the reins of the horse, she pulled the reins of her soul… I’m out of control!”  YOU’LL KNOW!

  A rare bit of Weir sibling squabbling in the opening scene, as Sam tries to fan the flames of Harold’s paranoia about the Who concert, largely because he’s bitter he can’t ever see “Kentucky Fried Movie.”   Do I need to bring back my post on Kentucky Fried Movie?

  I like how, when Lindsay tells her parents about Millie going to the concert, she’s both sincere in her concern for Millie and brilliant in the knowledge that this will get them to give her what she wants. She’s definitely picking stuff up from Kim about manipulating others.

  Music: “I’m Free,” “I’m One,” “Boris the Spider,” “Love Reign O’er Me,” “Squeeze Box,” “Goin’ Mobile” and “Drowned” by The Who; “Michael Row the Boat Ashore,” performed by Jason Segel, James Franco and Seth Rogen; “Lady L,” written and performed by Jason Segel; “Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts

  Trivia: When Bill wipes out at the Go-Kart track, you can see several palm trees in the background, which aren’t indigenous to Michigan.

  “Stripes” wasn’t released until June 1981, so they couldn’t be discussing the movie during the ’80-’81 school year

  Claudia Christian, who played Gloria Haverchuck in this episode and “Chokin’ and Tokin’,” choose the show title as part of her 2007 autobiography title, “My Life With Geeks & Freaks.”

  When Lindsay is talking at Goliath’s funeral, she mentions that her mother would come over wearing fur boots and Goliath would hump her feet. She then goes on to mentioned that Goliath was spayed. This term is gender specific to female pets.

  This episode was scheduled to air 27 Mar 00. It had its first broadcast 10 Oct 00 on Fox Family Channel (where use of words such as “ass” is usually forbidden).

  Mr. Kowchevski: “Hey, hey, hey Coco, this isn’t the cafeteria from Fame. Uncle…” This is a reference to Coco Hernandez one of the main characters in the movie “Fame”. (I believe that she, like many of the characters tended to play music over lunch.) The reference by Danny to explain Mr. Kowchevski’s reference “she was the hot chick in the movie who took her shirt off”, refers to the final year at the school (in the movie) when Coco is manipulated into undressing for a “screen test” by a sleazy “producer” she met in a diner.

  Quotes:
  Nick: Actually, I wrote a song for you… If you wanna hear it.
  Lindsay: Nah-ah.
  Nick: Yeah. (Starts playing)
  Ken: (Walks over and takes the guitar) Check it out. Eh… Hey, look at me, I’m Pete Townsend!
  Daniel: All right Townsend! Whooo!
  Ken: Yeah! (Smashes the guitar into the ground)
  Nick: (to Lindsay) He’s a crack-up, right? (Walks over to Ken and pushes him)
  Ken: This is the biggest favor I ever did for you.

  Mr. Weir: OK, I’ll tell you what Lindsay. I’ll listen to this album and you can go to the concert if I don’t find anything objectionable.
  Lindsay: Thanks Dad. I’m sure it’ll be fine.
  Mr. Weir: Oh don’t be so sure of yourself; I’ll be listening to it backwards too!

  Ken: Lots of whackos use their real emotions.

  Here’s the episode enoy and just for the hell of it and because I love my readers so much and I want to know if people have read any of this, here is an extra video of Thomas Wilson and a photo of Bill.  Now you may get a better idea of what other role Thomas Wilson is known for.

  

  • 10:07 PM
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