'Smooching and Mooching' gets the benefit of following a run of rough episodes, and it feels like things have settled back down. More than that, something good actually happens for these characters. Nick finds a supportive environment outside the home, and Bill tastes victory in the least likely venue: a make-out party. Nick having problems at home means another guest shot by Kevin Tighe - who, along with Seth Rogen, really makes the most of his short time on this show - and the guy is terrifying. One of the episode's highlights is the dichotomy between Mr. Andopolis and Harold Weir, and Joe Flaherty sums it up nicely:
"Nick's father's a hard man. My old man was the same way."
"Yeah, I know the feeling."
"Lindsay, trust me. You don't"
That tiny exchange between father and daughter shows just how important Flaherty is to this series, and how just a few seconds' screen time can say so much about a character. The guy's a treasure.
You could easily cite this episode as classic "Freaks and Geeks". The songs, the angst, the banter between Freaks (or ball-busting, if you will), the Lindsay/Sam dynamic . . . this is the show operating at its peak. Touching, hilarious and full to bursting with great character moments. The joy you feel when the end credits hit is the kind you wish you can bottle up for later.
10/10