The hardest part about watching a good show that has only one season is knowing that it will literally all be over in forty-two minutes. Though I dread the end of the series with next week's post, I look forward to making conclusions about the show as a whole, and look forward to getting as much plot resolution as I can out of a show cut too short. Anyways, enjoy this post about episodes 16-17!
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Episode 16: Smooching and Mooching
SYNOPSIS
When Nick's dad sells his drum kit, Nick finds respite at Lindsay's house, forming a strong bond with Harold and Gene Weir. Sam finally goes out on a date with Cindy, accomplanying her to a makeout party, where he and Bill get more action than either of them bargained for.
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
Sometimes you need to take a break from it all.
In this episode, Nick takes a break from living at his own house and gets some well-needed perspective; in the few days of being under the wings of the Weirs, his life gains direction and he seems to be genuinely happy. Nick definitely benefited in taking a break from his regular way of living, and I think that most people can benefit from a vacation every once in awhile.
MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE
Rush "Tom Sawyer" (1981) This is the song that Nick plays too loud on the record player at Lindsay's house and is the song that prompts Harold Weir to show Nick what real drumming sounds like. Neil Pert, the drummer for Rush, is hailed as one of the greatest drummers of all time for good reason, but Harold plays a track for Nick that definitely shows Neil Pert up.
Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich "The Monster" (1956) This insane display of technical instrumental talent is a real jazzy throwback, and the huge drum solo is what Harold shows to Nick in order to introduce him to good drumming. I would highly recommend checking out this video of Buddy Rich, at 64 doing a drum solo in 90 degree weather under stage lights in a three-piece suit.
Bob Seger "Katmandu" (1975) This rowdy song is perfect for a getting ready montage, and this is how it is used in this episode. It plays while Bill preps his mouth for the make-out party, Sam dresses up, and Neal practices making out with his dummy.
Warren Zevon "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" (1976) This song plays during the throes of spin the bottle game, in which Neal and Bill are not having any luck; Neal keeps landing on Bill, and Bill keeps ending up with a blond cheerleader who seems to be repulsed by him. The lyrics have a very literal meaning, as the audience pities Bill and Neal.
Bob Seger "You'll Accomp'ny Me" (1980) This love tune closes out the episode and happens during all of the makeouts; Bill makes out with a cheerleader, and Sam finally gets to make out with Cindy. It's a great makeout track, and closes the episode very well.
BEST QUOTES
"Why do people save their books? It's not like you can read a book twice." -Nick
"Did he try to give you a backrub? He will. If he tries to give you a foot rub, run." -Kim
"Everyone looks cool in turtlenecks. That's the point." -Neal
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Episode 17: The Little Things
SYNOPSIS
The excitement is high at McKinley High as vice president George HW Bush is about to visit. Ken learns that his new love, Amy, was born a hermaphrodite, and he struggles with having that knowledge. Ken finally comes to terms with it, realizing that it's no big deal. Sam realizes that he and Cindy have nothing in common, and he breaks up with her. Lindsay has the opportunity to ask the vice president a question, and she rocks the boat.
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
"Not all good-looking people are cool."
This one goes without saying, but I figured I shoudl touch on it since it is the title of the blog. This is an important lesson that most all of us learn somewhere along the line, but Sam happens to learn it in this episode when he realizes that Cindy Sanders is boring af and that he should break up with her.
MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE
David Bowie "Fashion" (1980) Ken listens to this song to see if he's gay. The song's lyrics exhibit an air of confusion, which mirror Ken's (unfounded) confusion about his own sexuality after finding out that Amy was born as a boy and a girl. Bowie was a symbol of LGBTQ progression toward normalcy in popular culture as early as 1972, when he introduced Ziggy Stardust to the world.
Linda Clifford "If My Friends Could See Me Now" (1978) This is another song Ken listens to to see if he's gay. The lyrics have a literal meaning; he would probably be embarassed if his friends could see him as he tries to decide between a gay porno mag and a regular porno mag. The genre of the song, disco, also plays a role in the episode; disco is so different from the hard rock that Ken listens to that its use in a scene with him in it causes an air of confusion.
Jackson Browne "The Road" (1977) This sad, slow song, plays as Ken walks away from Amy's house without resolving their fight. It has a wash of minor progression and long phrases, effectively conveying Ken's sadness. However, it also has major resolution at the end of the phrases, which align with Ken's happiness when Daniel shows up to give him a ride home. The sentimental lyrics of the song help to bolster Ken and Daniel's solid history as friends.
BEST QUOTES
"You know everyone's a democrat until they get a little money. Then they come to their senses." -Harold
"Not all good-looking people are cool." -Lindsay
Episode 16: Smooching and Mooching
SYNOPSIS
When Nick's dad sells his drum kit, Nick finds respite at Lindsay's house, forming a strong bond with Harold and Gene Weir. Sam finally goes out on a date with Cindy, accomplanying her to a makeout party, where he and Bill get more action than either of them bargained for.
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
Sometimes you need to take a break from it all.
In this episode, Nick takes a break from living at his own house and gets some well-needed perspective; in the few days of being under the wings of the Weirs, his life gains direction and he seems to be genuinely happy. Nick definitely benefited in taking a break from his regular way of living, and I think that most people can benefit from a vacation every once in awhile.
MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE
Rush "Tom Sawyer" (1981) This is the song that Nick plays too loud on the record player at Lindsay's house and is the song that prompts Harold Weir to show Nick what real drumming sounds like. Neil Pert, the drummer for Rush, is hailed as one of the greatest drummers of all time for good reason, but Harold plays a track for Nick that definitely shows Neil Pert up.
Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich "The Monster" (1956) This insane display of technical instrumental talent is a real jazzy throwback, and the huge drum solo is what Harold shows to Nick in order to introduce him to good drumming. I would highly recommend checking out this video of Buddy Rich, at 64 doing a drum solo in 90 degree weather under stage lights in a three-piece suit.
Bob Seger "Katmandu" (1975) This rowdy song is perfect for a getting ready montage, and this is how it is used in this episode. It plays while Bill preps his mouth for the make-out party, Sam dresses up, and Neal practices making out with his dummy.
Warren Zevon "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" (1976) This song plays during the throes of spin the bottle game, in which Neal and Bill are not having any luck; Neal keeps landing on Bill, and Bill keeps ending up with a blond cheerleader who seems to be repulsed by him. The lyrics have a very literal meaning, as the audience pities Bill and Neal.
Bob Seger "You'll Accomp'ny Me" (1980) This love tune closes out the episode and happens during all of the makeouts; Bill makes out with a cheerleader, and Sam finally gets to make out with Cindy. It's a great makeout track, and closes the episode very well.
BEST QUOTES
"Why do people save their books? It's not like you can read a book twice." -Nick
"Did he try to give you a backrub? He will. If he tries to give you a foot rub, run." -Kim
"Everyone looks cool in turtlenecks. That's the point." -Neal
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Episode 17: The Little Things
SYNOPSIS
The excitement is high at McKinley High as vice president George HW Bush is about to visit. Ken learns that his new love, Amy, was born a hermaphrodite, and he struggles with having that knowledge. Ken finally comes to terms with it, realizing that it's no big deal. Sam realizes that he and Cindy have nothing in common, and he breaks up with her. Lindsay has the opportunity to ask the vice president a question, and she rocks the boat.
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
"Not all good-looking people are cool."
This one goes without saying, but I figured I shoudl touch on it since it is the title of the blog. This is an important lesson that most all of us learn somewhere along the line, but Sam happens to learn it in this episode when he realizes that Cindy Sanders is boring af and that he should break up with her.
MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE
David Bowie "Fashion" (1980) Ken listens to this song to see if he's gay. The song's lyrics exhibit an air of confusion, which mirror Ken's (unfounded) confusion about his own sexuality after finding out that Amy was born as a boy and a girl. Bowie was a symbol of LGBTQ progression toward normalcy in popular culture as early as 1972, when he introduced Ziggy Stardust to the world.
Linda Clifford "If My Friends Could See Me Now" (1978) This is another song Ken listens to to see if he's gay. The lyrics have a literal meaning; he would probably be embarassed if his friends could see him as he tries to decide between a gay porno mag and a regular porno mag. The genre of the song, disco, also plays a role in the episode; disco is so different from the hard rock that Ken listens to that its use in a scene with him in it causes an air of confusion.
Jackson Browne "The Road" (1977) This sad, slow song, plays as Ken walks away from Amy's house without resolving their fight. It has a wash of minor progression and long phrases, effectively conveying Ken's sadness. However, it also has major resolution at the end of the phrases, which align with Ken's happiness when Daniel shows up to give him a ride home. The sentimental lyrics of the song help to bolster Ken and Daniel's solid history as friends.
BEST QUOTES
"You know everyone's a democrat until they get a little money. Then they come to their senses." -Harold
"Not all good-looking people are cool." -Lindsay
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