[8.1/10] Very good episode. Let’s work our way up chronologically through the age of the characters.
I really liked the story about Bill trying to change the system in gym class. There’s lots of laughs to him and his cohort trying to use prank phone calls to get back at the coach. But more than that, I like how this one balances comedy and sincerity. It’s hilarious watching everyone recite the text of the prank call, but at the end of the day, the coach is sympathetic to Bill, and gives him a chance to be the picker not the pick-ee.
And he gets to catch a fly ball! It’s a small victory, but it’s enough, and a sign that while Coach Fredrickson may be a part of the system that Bill perceives as holding him down, he’s still a decent guy. Plus it’s nice to have an episode where Bill gets to take the spotlight for a little bit.
I also enjoyed the Lindsay story. The notion of her parents disapproving of Kim, Kim having her feelings hurt when Lindsay relays the fact that they’ve forbidden them from hanging out, and Lindsay’s efforts to make things right is a compelling one. Kim is arguably the most interesting character on this show, one who puts up a tough front, but who is surprisingly vulnerable, and seeing the way she reacts to being denigrated like that breaks your heart a little.
At the same time, Lindsay’s efforts to make things right are really admirable, both in sticking up for Kim in English class and bringing her home to hang out, no matter what her parents think. It’s a nice way to show her devotion and understanding of her friend, even if they’re from different walks of life.
By the same token, I like the subtle characterization of Daniel here. He’s a fuck-up, but he’s pretty self-aware and perceptive. He loves Kim, but he’s not naive about why the Weirs might be worried about their daughter hanging out with someone like her. As Mrs. Bloom pointed out, he’s a lot like Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- quite able to read people and the reality of the situation, even if he struggles to improve his own lot.
Last but not least, there’s Harold and Jean Weir, who read Lindsay’s diary half-fearing and half-hoping to find dirt, and instead they find that she thinks they’re loveless, unimaginative robots. It particularly gets to Mrs. Weir, who starts cooking exotic meals for dinner and challenging Harold to pick up the table.
I like that Lindsay’s diary gets to them. Lindsay’s complaints are very typically adolescent, but they burrow in the elder Weirs’ brains nonetheless. The insecurities of Jean Weir in particular are relatable -- worries that you’ve gotten old and sclerotic. And the fact that sclerotic turns erotic with Harold expressing his love (in his typically square way) and the two rekindling their romance is particularly sweet, particularly when they’re in too much of a state of post-coital bliss to care about Lindsay bringing home her unsavory friend.
Overall, another episode full of well-drawn characters playing out relatable scenarios, at all age groups.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2018-02-03T05:26:51Z
[8.1/10] Very good episode. Let’s work our way up chronologically through the age of the characters.
I really liked the story about Bill trying to change the system in gym class. There’s lots of laughs to him and his cohort trying to use prank phone calls to get back at the coach. But more than that, I like how this one balances comedy and sincerity. It’s hilarious watching everyone recite the text of the prank call, but at the end of the day, the coach is sympathetic to Bill, and gives him a chance to be the picker not the pick-ee.
And he gets to catch a fly ball! It’s a small victory, but it’s enough, and a sign that while Coach Fredrickson may be a part of the system that Bill perceives as holding him down, he’s still a decent guy. Plus it’s nice to have an episode where Bill gets to take the spotlight for a little bit.
I also enjoyed the Lindsay story. The notion of her parents disapproving of Kim, Kim having her feelings hurt when Lindsay relays the fact that they’ve forbidden them from hanging out, and Lindsay’s efforts to make things right is a compelling one. Kim is arguably the most interesting character on this show, one who puts up a tough front, but who is surprisingly vulnerable, and seeing the way she reacts to being denigrated like that breaks your heart a little.
At the same time, Lindsay’s efforts to make things right are really admirable, both in sticking up for Kim in English class and bringing her home to hang out, no matter what her parents think. It’s a nice way to show her devotion and understanding of her friend, even if they’re from different walks of life.
By the same token, I like the subtle characterization of Daniel here. He’s a fuck-up, but he’s pretty self-aware and perceptive. He loves Kim, but he’s not naive about why the Weirs might be worried about their daughter hanging out with someone like her. As Mrs. Bloom pointed out, he’s a lot like Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- quite able to read people and the reality of the situation, even if he struggles to improve his own lot.
Last but not least, there’s Harold and Jean Weir, who read Lindsay’s diary half-fearing and half-hoping to find dirt, and instead they find that she thinks they’re loveless, unimaginative robots. It particularly gets to Mrs. Weir, who starts cooking exotic meals for dinner and challenging Harold to pick up the table.
I like that Lindsay’s diary gets to them. Lindsay’s complaints are very typically adolescent, but they burrow in the elder Weirs’ brains nonetheless. The insecurities of Jean Weir in particular are relatable -- worries that you’ve gotten old and sclerotic. And the fact that sclerotic turns erotic with Harold expressing his love (in his typically square way) and the two rekindling their romance is particularly sweet, particularly when they’re in too much of a state of post-coital bliss to care about Lindsay bringing home her unsavory friend.
Overall, another episode full of well-drawn characters playing out relatable scenarios, at all age groups.