Freaks and Geeks/Beers and Weirs

Beers and Weirs
Season 1, Episode 2
Airdate	October 2, 1999
Production Number	101
Written by	J. Elvis Weinstein, Judd Apatow
Directed by	Jake Kasdan
← 1x01 Pilot	1x03 → Tricks and Treats
Freaks and Geeks — Season One

Beers and Weirs is the second episode of the first season of Freaks and Geeks. Lindsay is cajoled into throwing a party for her fellow freaks while her parents are out of town, but she gets more than she bargained for when seemingly everyone ends up being invited. Meanwhile, the Geeks hatch a plan to keep Lindsay out of trouble by ensuring that the party doesn't get out of hand.

Guest Stars: Dave "Gruber" Allen (Jeff Rosso), Shaun Weiss (Sean), Natasha Melnick (Cindy Sanders), Sarah Hagan (Millie Kentner), Steve Bannos (Mr. Kowchevski), Stephen Lea Sheppard (Harris Trinsky), Mark Allan Staubach (Mark), Allen Covert (Greasy Clerk), Marco Gould (Jock), Clement E. Blake (Carl), Kenny Blank (Calvin), Douglas Bennett (Jimmy), Lizzy Caplan (Girl #1), Laura Botrell (Beth)

Plot Overview

The episode begins with the Weir siblings convincing their parents that they won't need to hire a babysitter while they're out of town. When Daniel and the Freaks learn that Lindsay's parents will be out of town, he proposes that they have a kegger (beer party) at her place. Lindsay is compelled to agree, but despite her initial hesitance she begins to feel excited about the whole idea, not least because she learns that Daniel and Kim have broken up. She instructs Sam to keep silent about the kegger.

After watching a school assembly about the dangers of alcohol, however, Sam and his fellow Geeks worry about the kegger getting out of hand. In order to protect Lindsay, they concoct a plan to swap the beer keg with a non-alcoholic one. They convince Neal to buy the non-alcoholic keg using his Bar Mitzvah money, an idea he goes along with only because he has a crush on Lindsay.

Lindsay prepares for the party with excitement and trepidation, because it begins to appear that virtually everyone from school will be showing up, and not just the Freaks as she had originally imagined. While Lindsay prepares for the party, the Geeks swap the beer keg with the non-alcoholic one they managed to purchase from a liquor store. The party soon begins, with Bill guarding the real keg and watching his beloved Dallas while Sam and Neal patrol the party to make sure that everything goes smoothly. Millie arrives and attempts to prove that she can have more fun than everyone else without consuming any beer.

Things do start to get out of hand however, especially for Lindsay who becomes distraught when she discovers Daniel and Kim are back together. While seeking solace from Nick, things take a turn for the worse when he tries to feel her up. Upon discovering Lindsay wallowing alone in self pity, Neal attempts to cheer her up and eventually confesses his feelings for her. He then manages to find a way to end the party before a second (real) keg arrives. Meanwhile, Bill gets drunk after sampling the beer keg, and Sam has to contend with Cindy, who shows up unexpectedly at the party.

Notes

Featured Music

• "Hush" by Deep Purple

• "Jesus Is Just Alright With Me" (Doobie Brothers) - performed by Sarah Hagan and Jason Segel

• "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" by Rick Derringer

• "No One to Depend On" by Santana

• "Ain't Talkin 'Bout Love" by Van Halen

• "Maybe" by Janis Joplin

• "Do You Love Me?" by Kiss

Arc Advancement

Happenings

• The Party: Lindsay throws a party that (all things considered) ends up being a success, winning her favour with the Freaks, including the antagonistic Kim.

• Daniel and Kim: It turns out they have an on/off relationship, much to the chagrin of Lindsay. They break up and get back together by episode's end.

• Neal and Lindsay: Neal lets slip his feelings for Lindsay. She ends up impressed and grateful when Neal manages to end the party prematurely.

Characters

• Lindsay: She continues to ingratiate herself with the Freaks (especially Daniel) by going along with their party plans. Her interest in Daniel is revealed when she becomes visibly upset upon discovering that he and Kim haven't really broken up. In a moment of weakness, she confesses to Neal that she is in a state of confusion - she's losing her old friends and struggling to impress her new ones.

• Neal: Reveals that he's 'been in love' with Lindsay since he was five years old. He was also saving up money to fund a trip across Europe.

• Daniel: Despite his laid back slacker attitude, he admits that he wouldn't mind doing well academically. His relationship with Kim is somewhat tempestuous.

• Nick: The recent death of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham (died September 25 1980) has a strong impact on Nick. This continues to establish his passion for drumming that was revealed in the pilot. Nick also tries unsuccessfully to make a move on Lindsay.

Trivia

Behind the Scenes

• Jonathan Karp (music editor) won the Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA Golden Reel Award for 'Best Sound Editing - Television Episodic - Music' for this episode.

Allusions and References

• Star Wars: The cover of an issue of 'Time' magazine featuring "The Empire Strikes Back" that depicts the visage of Darth Vader can be seen stuck on the inside of Sam's locker.

• Dallas: The long running TV series is referenced in this episode, and it turns out to be a favourite of Bill's.

• John Bonham: The death of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham (died September 25, 1980) is referenced several times.

• Elvis and the Sex Pistols: These two iconic musical acts are referenced as being representative of the music of the Weir parents' and the Weir children's generations respectively.

Memorable Moments

• The geeks trying to buy a keg of beer from a liquor store.

• The geeks clumsily swapping the beer kegs.

• Mille and Nick's duet.

• The heartfelt and painful yet funny conversation between Neal and Lindsay during the party.

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