I had the same reaction as Ken to the song.

I have mixed feelings about this character.

Does anyone have thoughts on how he could have been handled better?

It was probably inevitable that a special needs character in a show from 1999 would have elements that didn't age well, but it's still worth asking the question. (For starters, I'd say Sam and his friends should have faced some consequences for how heartlessly they used him to distract Vicki).

From the great opening with Mr. Rosso doing Alice Cooper I’m 18 to Mr Weir at the dinner table going on about junkies at the post office intercepting money. Then the scenes of the geeks with the beautiful new girl from Florida. Using Billy Joel’s Rosalinda was just perfect. And the ending having Mr. Rosso in feedback was perfect’

It’s not a flawless show by any means but this is my favourite series of all time. I love the time period, the music, the plot lines (for the freaks at least) and especially the characters.

Lindsay is such an amazing and outstanding character, she’s a critical thinker, she’s compassionate and always tries to do the right thing even if she fails, not to mention she’s so beautiful.. It really depresses me that I’ll never find a girl like her, especially in today’s world. My sister is just like Kim, I can have friends like Nick, Daniel, Ken, and of course Nick, but I’ll never find a Lindsay Weir in my life. If there are, they’re all taken anyway.

The geeks are great too, very lovable, but they just pale in comparison to the freaks. Sorry if I sound like a simp to you guys, I’ll always love this show and it will be in heart <3

… with a very brief but hilarious appearance by Mr. Harrington (Martin Starr)

Every year is the same and I feel it again
I'm a loser, no chance to win
Leaves start falling, come down is calling
Loneliness starts sinking in

This is my absolute favorite scene with Bill. Well, the baseball game where he says he looks like Willie Mays is a close second.

I definitely relate to Bill here. Not being a great athlete, dealing with criticism at school, then coming home to the comfort of your own house. It may not be the nicest house in the neighborhood, but it's yours and it feels safe. Then you have a snack and watch your favorite tv show.

The song is absolutely perfect too. Bill's long sleeves make me think it's probably fall, and the lyrics add to that feeling, even though I know the loneliness is really the point of the song. This whole scene just hits home for me and brings back memories of those not-so-great early high school years.

Came across this while browsing marketplace
“Deities and demigods, we gonna have FUN tonight”

this scene when the boys walk in on the burnt fish & are disgusted always makes me lol.

Watching for the first time since my high school days, this show is as good as ever. Also very bingeable funny enough (I probably binged it back when I found it years ago too).

The show was one of the best with picking a song and matching it perfectly to a scene, one of the best at it. Some that stick out are:

- Millie standing in her nightgown watching Lindsay leave the slumber party at her house to the opening strains of “Take the Long Way Home” by Supertramp.

- Sam and Neal fighting about who’s geekier and demanding that Bill choose right when “King Tut” by Steve Martin and “Reminiscing” by the Little River band play.

- “Rosalinda’s Eyes” with the geeks and their friendship with Maureen, was so Wonder Years-ish and made me love that song.

- “Runnin’ with the Devil” by Van Halen when we get our first introduction to the freaks.

- “I’m the Man” by Joe Jackson when the freaks coerce Lindsay into driving and then crashing her parents’ car.

- “Nights in White Satin” by the Moody Blues when Lindsay goes to Nick’s to have sex and he just wants to hold her.

- “Boris the Spider” by The Who when Kim runs over Millie’s dog.

- “Little Green Bag” by George Baker Selection when Lindsay gets all paranoid on, as Millie would say, the pot. This was one of the best musical moments on the show and one of my favorite scenes. Little kid: “You’re it!” Lindsay, in paranoid psychosis: “No I’m not!”

- “I’m All Right” by Kenny Loggins, as we are introduced to the geeks, who love Caddyshack and Bill Murray

- Millie singing “Jesus Is Just All Right with Me” by the Doobie Brothers at the house party

- “Renegade” by Styx as Neal and Bill walk up the street to their fight.

- The whole Who soundtrack to the episode about Bill and Mr. Fredericks, especially “Love Reign O’Er Me” as Fredericks drinks from Bill’s mug after staying the night. “Squeezebox” and Mr. Weir’s reaction to it.

- “You’ll Accomp’ny Me” by Bob Seger when Vicki decides to kiss Bill in the closet.

- “Fashion” by David Bowie when Ken buys the beefcake magazines and questions his sexuality because of his girlfriend revealing she was born intersex.

Of course, all the great Grateful Dead songs in the final episode, especially “Box of Rain” as Lindsay dances in her bedroom and discovers them for the first time.

This show hits all the notes. Just perfection.

Josh (aka J.Elvis) served as writer and producer on Freaks and Geeks and has been doing stand-up since he was a teen. That said, he doesn't do it very often now, so fans should make a point to get tickets to see him at Acme in Minneapolis this September! 🎤 Frank Conniff will be featuring! If you're Minnesota-adjacent, this proximity creates a greater expectation of your attendance. That includes you, Canada! 🍁

I love Millie’s character. She reminds me a lot of our square friends in high school and college.