This set of episodes is honestly depressing. Both episodes have their laughing moments, but the lessons are often ambiguous and the conclusions made are less than optimistic.
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Episode 12: The Garage Door
SYNOPSIS
All the boys think Neal's dad is the best dad ever; he gets what they're about, gives them ice cream, and buys Neal a bunch of cool stuff. However, this all changes when Sam sees Dr. Schweiber at the mall with another woman. The doctor tries inconspicuously to keep Sam quiet, but both Neal and Bill find out. Neal and Sam spend the rest of the episode struggling with the idea of adultery after Neal finds a garage door remote for a different house in his dad's car.. Meanwhile, Ken develops a crush on the school tuba player, Nick tries to keep his feelings for Lindsay a secret, and Daniel and Kim are fighting, as usual. Ken and Daniel end up making out with their respective ladies by the end of the episode, but Nick and Lindsay are still distant.
MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE
The Cars "Good Times Roll" (1978) This is another good example of the ironic use of a song. The song is purely a plea to "let the good times roll," but it plays over a montage of Neal, Bill, and Sam patrolling the neighborhoods of their town to find the house of Neal's father's mistress. Obviously, these are not good times, especially for Neal. Though the song does ask the listeners to have a good time, there's a general feeling of discomfort in the song generated by the exposed vocals and out-of-place minor conversions in the chorus.
The rest of the songs in the episode happen during the laser show at the laser dome.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer "Karn Evil 9" (1973) This song is a trip. A 30-minute trip. The song is so long that it has separate sections, called impressions. The part that contains the music used in this episode is 1st Impression, Part 2, with the important part being the guitar solo. This long, fast song begins the laser show, ramping up both the tempo and the excitement, suggesting that there will be significant developments during this part of the episode.
The Charlie Daniels Band "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" (1979) (please excuse whoever decided to add a very literal slideshow to accompany this song in the YouTube video) This song doesn't have much significance in the plot of the episode other than it reveals that the laser show isn't Pink Floyd, it's country rock themed.
Pure Prairie League "Amie" (1972) This is just a sweet, country-rock love song with a very literal meaning. This song plays while Ken talks to Daniel about kissing his crush, Amy. The song gives a good background for the ramp-up to their kiss.
Lynyrd Skynyrd "Free Bird" (1973) Everyone knows this one. This superbly famous Lynyrd Skynyrd number play's during Amy and Ken's first kiss and Daniel and Kim's make-up make-out session. It doesn't have much significance other than it might poke some fun at Nick and Lindsay; they both want to get back together with each other, but neither wants to go for it. They are the opposite of free.
BEST QUOTES
"Why do I need to go to a laser show when I can make my own...in my mind?" -Ken
"My dad's too old to want to make out with anyone." -Sam
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Episode 13: Chokin' and Tokin'
SYNOPSIS
Nick struggles with addiction and tries to get Lindsay to smoke with him. When Lindsay tries the pot for the first time, forgetting that she has to babysit that same day, she asks Millie to help her out by keeping an eye on her during the babysitting gig. They reconnect, but they both know it'll all be back to the way it was when Lindsay sobers up. Meanwhile, Bill mentions during a class with Allen that he has a severe peanut allergy. Because Allen is a dick, he puts peanuts in Bill's sandwich, and Bill almost dies. While Bill is in a medically induced coma, Allen confesses that he has always admired Neal, Sam, and Bill, and that he likes sci-fi, too. When Bill wakes up, he asks Allen if he will go to the sci-fi convention with him, Sam, and Neal. Ultimately, however, Allen can't muster the courage to be real with the geeks.
MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE
Blood Sweat & Tears "Hi-De-Ho" (1970) This song plays when Lindsay tries to roll her own joint and smoke it. Its low tempo gives it a rolling feeling (pun intended). This song has a pretty literal meaning.
Jethro Tull "Aqualung" (1971) This song's lyrics and motifs seem to interrupt each other, creating an atmosphere of conflict. The extremely descriptive lyrics, such as "Snot running down his nose / Greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes" repulse the listener, further solidifying the conflicted atmosphere. This all makes sense, as the song plays over the freak guys talking about Nick and Lindsay's flawed relationship.
George Baker Selection "Little Green Bag" (1970) You might think that, from the title of the song, that this would be about weed. Of course, this song plays over Lindsay, in a high fog, reading about weed in an encyclopedia, so the "Little Green Bag" title would make sense; for the case of my argument about the purpose of using this song, we can say that the title is "Little Green Bag." However, the song was supposed to be titled "Little Greenback," and the lyrics of the song say 'greenback.' It was a record company screw-up. There's your fun fact for the post!
Mac Davis "Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me" (1972) This (obviously) 70's hit plays when Millie and Lindsay are reminiscing. This is probably the most appropriate song used in the context of this episode. Not only is the song a part of Lindsay and Millie's past together, but it also hints to how they're not close anymore; neither of them should get hooked on each other, because Lindsay will just leave Millie behind, like she has for awhile. It's very sad.
BEST QUOTES
"You're high! You're on the pot!" -Millie
Episode 12: The Garage Door
SYNOPSIS
All the boys think Neal's dad is the best dad ever; he gets what they're about, gives them ice cream, and buys Neal a bunch of cool stuff. However, this all changes when Sam sees Dr. Schweiber at the mall with another woman. The doctor tries inconspicuously to keep Sam quiet, but both Neal and Bill find out. Neal and Sam spend the rest of the episode struggling with the idea of adultery after Neal finds a garage door remote for a different house in his dad's car.. Meanwhile, Ken develops a crush on the school tuba player, Nick tries to keep his feelings for Lindsay a secret, and Daniel and Kim are fighting, as usual. Ken and Daniel end up making out with their respective ladies by the end of the episode, but Nick and Lindsay are still distant.
MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE
The Cars "Good Times Roll" (1978) This is another good example of the ironic use of a song. The song is purely a plea to "let the good times roll," but it plays over a montage of Neal, Bill, and Sam patrolling the neighborhoods of their town to find the house of Neal's father's mistress. Obviously, these are not good times, especially for Neal. Though the song does ask the listeners to have a good time, there's a general feeling of discomfort in the song generated by the exposed vocals and out-of-place minor conversions in the chorus.
The rest of the songs in the episode happen during the laser show at the laser dome.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer "Karn Evil 9" (1973) This song is a trip. A 30-minute trip. The song is so long that it has separate sections, called impressions. The part that contains the music used in this episode is 1st Impression, Part 2, with the important part being the guitar solo. This long, fast song begins the laser show, ramping up both the tempo and the excitement, suggesting that there will be significant developments during this part of the episode.
The Charlie Daniels Band "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" (1979) (please excuse whoever decided to add a very literal slideshow to accompany this song in the YouTube video) This song doesn't have much significance in the plot of the episode other than it reveals that the laser show isn't Pink Floyd, it's country rock themed.
Pure Prairie League "Amie" (1972) This is just a sweet, country-rock love song with a very literal meaning. This song plays while Ken talks to Daniel about kissing his crush, Amy. The song gives a good background for the ramp-up to their kiss.
Lynyrd Skynyrd "Free Bird" (1973) Everyone knows this one. This superbly famous Lynyrd Skynyrd number play's during Amy and Ken's first kiss and Daniel and Kim's make-up make-out session. It doesn't have much significance other than it might poke some fun at Nick and Lindsay; they both want to get back together with each other, but neither wants to go for it. They are the opposite of free.
BEST QUOTES
"Why do I need to go to a laser show when I can make my own...in my mind?" -Ken
"My dad's too old to want to make out with anyone." -Sam
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Episode 13: Chokin' and Tokin'
SYNOPSIS
Nick struggles with addiction and tries to get Lindsay to smoke with him. When Lindsay tries the pot for the first time, forgetting that she has to babysit that same day, she asks Millie to help her out by keeping an eye on her during the babysitting gig. They reconnect, but they both know it'll all be back to the way it was when Lindsay sobers up. Meanwhile, Bill mentions during a class with Allen that he has a severe peanut allergy. Because Allen is a dick, he puts peanuts in Bill's sandwich, and Bill almost dies. While Bill is in a medically induced coma, Allen confesses that he has always admired Neal, Sam, and Bill, and that he likes sci-fi, too. When Bill wakes up, he asks Allen if he will go to the sci-fi convention with him, Sam, and Neal. Ultimately, however, Allen can't muster the courage to be real with the geeks.
MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE
Blood Sweat & Tears "Hi-De-Ho" (1970) This song plays when Lindsay tries to roll her own joint and smoke it. Its low tempo gives it a rolling feeling (pun intended). This song has a pretty literal meaning.
Jethro Tull "Aqualung" (1971) This song's lyrics and motifs seem to interrupt each other, creating an atmosphere of conflict. The extremely descriptive lyrics, such as "Snot running down his nose / Greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes" repulse the listener, further solidifying the conflicted atmosphere. This all makes sense, as the song plays over the freak guys talking about Nick and Lindsay's flawed relationship.
George Baker Selection "Little Green Bag" (1970) You might think that, from the title of the song, that this would be about weed. Of course, this song plays over Lindsay, in a high fog, reading about weed in an encyclopedia, so the "Little Green Bag" title would make sense; for the case of my argument about the purpose of using this song, we can say that the title is "Little Green Bag." However, the song was supposed to be titled "Little Greenback," and the lyrics of the song say 'greenback.' It was a record company screw-up. There's your fun fact for the post!
Mac Davis "Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me" (1972) This (obviously) 70's hit plays when Millie and Lindsay are reminiscing. This is probably the most appropriate song used in the context of this episode. Not only is the song a part of Lindsay and Millie's past together, but it also hints to how they're not close anymore; neither of them should get hooked on each other, because Lindsay will just leave Millie behind, like she has for awhile. It's very sad.
BEST QUOTES
"You're high! You're on the pot!" -Millie
The show seems supre good, and if it's on Netflix, I'll totally give it a try when I finish the show I'm on! I like how you look analytically at the time the songs were played within the episode! It helps give an idea of the episode to someone who's never watched it, and give a really good idea of what the show is about! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being the first person to comment on my blog in a month (sad lol). I really love this show and the music in it, and I hope you get the chance to watch it. It's only one season so it wouldn't be too bad :)
DeleteI've never heard of this show before but I'm interested! I love the effect that music has on movies and shows so what you did with this was really cool to me.
ReplyDelete