Lindsay Weir, Freaks and Geeks

Written by: Sarah Carter

Lindsay Weir-In the NBC original teen comedy/drama Freaks and Geeks,[1] Lindsay Weir is portrayed as a bright and pretty, yet misunderstood and troubled, highschooler who yearns for acceptance, friendship, recreation, and love within the small town of Chippewa, Michigan. In the series, Lindsay experiences an existential crisis. Her existential crisis is primarily due to her grandmother’s passing, leading to questioning, self-doubt, and her perpetual search for identity, meaning, and purpose. She therefore decides to abandon her former academically-focused life in order to hang out with a group of rebellious slackers popularly known as the “Freaks” (Daniel Desario, Ken Miller, Nick Andopolis, and Kim Kelly). The “Freaks” are a counter-cultural, aggressive group of teenagers who engage in frequent drinking, smoking, and other reckless behaviors, such as cheating, casual sex, and drug usage. When Lindsay’s naïve, old-fashioned parents find out that she has associated herself with the “Freaks,” they are extremely upset and deeply disappointed with their daughter’s choice of close companions. Consequently, Lindsay accuses her parents of attempting to control her life and reproaches them for discouraging her newfound sense of self-expression among the “Freaks.” Despite the group’s irresponsible behaviors, Lindsay finds refuge through affiliation, admiring their resistance to outside influences and the unique bond of friendship that they share. As a result, Lindsay is considered a “Slacker” hero because she strives to find the best in people (such as the “Freaks”) and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes is right.

The Freaks and Geeks television show on NBC

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[1] Freaks and Geeks. Created by Paul Feig. USA: Apatow Productions, 1999-2000. DVD.

For a critical analysis of the television show Freaks and Geeks, see the following journal article: Gourley, Catherine. “Was Freaks and Geeks Too Real?” Writing 23, no. 1 (September 2000): 6-10. Accessed July 4, 2013. MasterFILE Elite.

Also see the following book for additional information: Milner, Murray. Freaks, Geeks, and Cool Kids: American Teenagers, Schools, and the Culture of Consumption (New York: Routledge, 2004).