Freaks & Geeks

During the past few days I've been watching the 1st and only season of a great show, Freaks & Geeks. I had only seen maybe one or two episodes prior to seeing the full season and enjoyed it. I never realized all the actors in the show who grew up to be actors I love today.

James Franco, who plays Harry Osborn in the Spider-Man trilogy and Jason Way in Never Been Kissed. I thought he was a great actor, and then saw him in this movie and his portrayal as the "leader" of the freaks was amazing, he actually made me think he didn't care and was stressed. I also felt bad for him with his family and academic problems.

Also, Linda Cardellini played as the main character Lindsey Weir. She's also been in the Scooby-Doo movies as Velma. Anyone who knows me knows Velma is my favorite Scooby-Doo character, (besides Shaggy when played by Matthew Lillard). She was also in an episode of Kenan and Kel, and did a voice on Family Guy. She's also played in several episodes of E.R. She portrayed the smart girl very well. Wanting to be part of something against the norm seemed so difficult for her since she was a "Mathlete" for a while, but, she suceeded in her quest. Linda portrayed this character beautifully.

Jason Segel played the drumming pot-headed character in love with Lindsey, Nick. Jason is in a Judd Apatow film called Knocked Up, where he plays along side of Seth Rogen. Also, in one of my favorite movies of all time, SLC Punk, he plays my favorite character Mike. The botonist kind hearted punker. He did an amazing portrayal in that movie, and in Freaks and Geeks. You could see the pain in his eyes when he and Lindsey break up, and throughtout the end of the series when he sees her.

My favorite character through-out this whole series though, was Ken Miller, who was played by Seth Rogen. This character had so many characteristics that reminded me of me. He was a sarcastic, smart ass with sideburns. He loved music and wanted to sing for a band and have fun. He hated disco and just loved to hang out with his friends and give them a few laughs, even annoy them sometimes. He was only in 15 of the 18 episodes but the two episodes mainly about him were amazing. I was so happy for him when him and his girlfriend started going out at the laser show for Southern Rock music. And I nearly cried when they nearly broke up for the secret she told him in which he told Daniel and Nick. But, after a talk with Lindsey's little brother, he realized he loved her, and whether he was straight or gay for that, he didn't care. Seth did an amazing job, and this will be a character I remember for years to come.

As I watched the final episode of the series on my computer, I began to get a bit emotional, realizing I have joined what is a cult following for this show. It was so amazing in it's short little existance. I felt a connection to both sets of characters, and in the final episode, Disco & Dragons, I felt a great connection with Franco's character Daniel. A crazy kid who no one ever expected to want to play D&D who loved it and began to be kind to the 'geeks'. This show will forever be a part of my life. It carries such meaning with me, even though I didn't attend high school in the 80's, I've experienced many of the same problems, and understood from different aspects what many characters were going through. If ever there could be, I'd love to see a ten-year reunion movie, or hour long show about the series. Just, some continuation and perhaps closure with the characters.

Most shows I love end before they get a chance to rekindle their spark in a second season. Shows like Undergrads, Clone High, Mission Hill, and even the Oblongs. I'd like to just see how the characters would have developed further. Judd Apatow amazed me with such great character development in Freaks & Geeks. The actors and actresses he got to play the parts were amazing and worked out well. It's easy to see why he uses many of the actors again in later projects, they have such great chemistry it seems. So, as I sit here typing this useless blog no one will read, I begin to ponder if I should start watching Undeclared and see if it holds up to the beauty of Freaks & Geeks. I'm glad to see Seth Rogen in it.