Whether it is ever completely recognized or not by his friends or family, Jim is a super genius with a childlike mind and a huge heart. This unseen aspect is commonly mistaken by the other characters as Jim's being nothing more than the victim of long-term drug abuse. His genius comes out in spurts at unpredictable times, such as during episode 20 of season 4, when, at a cocktail party, he agrees to fill in for an absent pianist and (after some comic moments) proves himself to be a piano virtuoso.