In every way that Freaks and Geeks is a 10, this show is a 7. The characters aren't as deep, nor as likeable; the episode plots are more straightforward and wrap up more neatly (in part because we only have "kids" and "parents" to work with, rather than three groups to bounce off of each other). There are lots of moments that feel like rejected notes from a Freaks and Geeks writing room - most notably the ghost episode. I'm not sure Ricky has any hobbies or interests outside of being Angela's gay best friend, and Brian's entire life feels like three lines written on an index card.
But at the same time, it's a worthy spiritual prequel. Angela feels close enough to a real person that I could imagine her brushing shoulders with Lindsey Weir in a hallway; the Halloween episode gives us a fun supernatural twist that works out far better than the ghost episode; the episodes from new perspectives (Brian, Danielle) are very fun. And I appreciate that Jordan Catalano remains a mysterious jerk with a heart of... bronze?... through all 19 episodes, rather than becoming a reliable boyfriend/member of the gang. Maybe they were going to change that in the episodes they never got, but I like the acknowledgement that some people just don't make sense to other people.
But at the same time, it's a worthy spiritual prequel. Angela feels close enough to a real person that I could imagine her brushing shoulders with Lindsey Weir in a hallway; the Halloween episode gives us a fun supernatural twist that works out far better than the ghost episode; the episodes from new perspectives (Brian, Danielle) are very fun. And I appreciate that Jordan Catalano remains a mysterious jerk with a heart of... bronze?... through all 19 episodes, rather than becoming a reliable boyfriend/member of the gang. Maybe they were going to change that in the episodes they never got, but I like the acknowledgement that some people just don't make sense to other people.
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