What's the saddest part of the show for you?

I found Jean's scenes quite sad. Because she was the one left hanging on being a good wife and a cool mother. Tricks or Treats was the saddest episode.

There's something about that scene when Nick realizes that he's not cut out as a drummer in the big leagues that always breaks my heart every time I watch it.

also: the whole Sam-Cindy relationship where you root for them for practically the entire series and it only took one episode for it to all come crashing down. That was rough stuff. I felt bad for both of them (even though Cindy's got some of that crazy eyes going on.)

"compromises are for lesser souls. die werewolf zombie!"

sooo many touching scenes

- last episode where nick talks to lindsay just before he's about to dance in the contest and tells her he's over her but clearly he's dying inside

- the last scene of the whole series with lindsay going to the grateful dead concert and Ripple playing in the background

- the episode where Alan the bully puts a peanut in Bills sandwich and they invite him to the sci-fi convention but he still cant go at the end



favorite show ever

All those and a few more:
1. The looks on Kim and Daniel's faces she he goes to her house on Noshing and Moshing. You can see the rawness of their relationship. Kim hugs him with such understanding of the "deep down" Daniel.
2. When Sam finds out that Neil's dad is cheating and his dad buys him the Atari that he wanted. I tear up every time watching Sam be so thankful for the "nerdiness" of his dad.
3. When Lindsey rides away on that van... It kills me.

The scene when they went to the laser show and "Free Bird" was playing. Nick and Lindsay were sitting apart and everyone around them was making out. And he said something like "I'd be lying if I said this didn't hurt." Broke my heart.

And when Millie's dog died. She was always the comic relief, but I felt so bad for her.

A lot of great moments listed in this thread, but one I thought I had to mention was when Mom and Dad are reading Lindsay's diary. I know they are jerks for doing that, but hearing the Mom read Lindsay's teenage perception of them was kind of rough.

The one that always stands out for me is Bill making his after school snack and laughing while watching TV. On paper there's nothing wrong with it, but the way it's filmed is heartbreaking. That's the highlight of his day.

Also when Nick realizes he isn't a talented drummer. So cringeworthy.

The saddest scene for me is actually quite subtle from my favorite episode, "Tricks and Treats" (the whole episode is kind of sad when you think about it). I'm referring to the final scene, when Sam finally gives in to read "Crime and Punishment" before going to bed. His father comes in to see if he's ok, and tells him not to stay up late. Its such a powerful scene because it demonstrates how difficult it is to cling to childhood at that age, and there comes a point where people have to relent and become a grown-up. The whole episode Sam was trying to act like a kid and everything was blowing up in his face. A happier ending would have been if he had been shown rereading the novelization of "Star Wars".