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Friday Night Lights Rundown: Episode 13, "Tomorrow Blues"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:30:55 -0700

This season's final episode of Friday Night Lights is all about the seniors. It's five months after the football season, and college decisions are in, setting many of our Panthers and Panther faithful on new paths. Meanwhile, Coach's contract comes up for renewal, which means he's once again staring down Joe McCoy and his merry band of moneyed followers. To talk about the end of this season - and what it means for seasons four and five - just read more.

Eric Taylor, coach of the East Dillon ~~Giraffes~~ Lions? With no boosters, no money, no JumboTron, no players, no Buddy Garrity, no state ring? Especially knowing that there are two more seasons coming our way, I think it's brilliant. Coach and Buddy have apparently spent the off-season convincing them to come to Dillon High; little did Coach know he was digging himself a hole. Without the assurance that Wade calls all the plays and JD throws all the balls, Joe's not interested in keeping Eric around. And politics has never been Eric's strong suit; it takes Tami's urging for him to even come to the board meeting, and while his defense of his job is heartfelt, any fan of the show could have done better. I love that final image of Coach and Tami looking out on the run-down East Dillon field, full of dreams dashed and potential yet to be explored.

Eric isn't the only character taking on some scary new territory in this episode: Lyla finds a way to Vanderbilt after all, which doesn't shock me, especially once we learn there's a rich uncle involved. Lyla's hesitant at first - she doesn't want to leave Tim - but Tim's decided college isn't for him anyway. He doesn't want to read those big books; he likes the idea of life at Riggins' Rigs, drinking some beers and fixing some cars and taking care of a steer he and Billy bought at auction. I appreciate that it's Billy - who's really been the one pushing for Tim to play college ball from the start - who tells Tim that's ridiculous; like it or not, a Riggins needs to go to college so future generations know there's something more out there.

If there's a moment of true joy in this episode, it's Tyra opening her letter from UT, squealing and crying and throwing herself into Landry's arms. Just before she got that envelope, things were looking bleak; she'd driven all the way to UT with Landry only to find out her chances were even worse than she'd suspected, and it took one of Landry's patented pep talks just to make her believe she's worthy of a chance. And if there's a moment of sorrow, it's Matt going to the assisted living facility and telling Grandma he's taking her home for good. I wanted Matt in Chicago, and even Julie had accepted that he would probably be gone (even if he did reject her attempt at a breakup). But it's a realistic move: the guy who fears everyone leaves him isn't going to leave someone he loves.

Some other thoughts:

I smiled when Buddy said Smash was doing good things over at A&M. Glad to know he's doing well over there.
I guess the show's partnership with Chevy means Julie never gets that Celica.
I loved seeing Mindy's wedding, complete with the dress with wings that shows a tasteful amount of crack.
Buddy dancing with Tyra's mom at the wedding was a nice touch.

So! Season four! Eric coaching the Bad News Bears of Texas high school football, Matt sticking around, Julie and Landry as seniors . . . I have a feeling we have some good things coming our way. What about you?

Photos courtesy of NBC

Friday Night Lights Rundown: Episode 12, "Underdogs"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:30:46 -0700

Will the Dillon Panthers ever get to go to State under happy circumstances? The team heads off to the biggest football game of this year on this week's Friday Night Lights, but much like last time, there are dark clouds hanging over the whole experience. Last time it was Coach's decision to leave for TMU; this time it's JD's anger in the aftermath of his father's outburst. Ready to chat about it? Just read more.

So close - and yet, so far from being state champs. The Panthers' arc in "Underdogs" is pretty similar to what happened in the first season's "State," but with a couple of big changes - most notably, of course, that they lose. Riggins doesn't leave with a win. JD doesn't get his first ring. Like in the FNL movie (and the real-life story it's based on), the team falls just short. And while I certainly would have cried had the Panthers won State, it couldn't compare to the way I reacted to the loss - to the red eyes and sad smiles of the team's friends and family in the locker room, to Tami and Coach's wearied reunion. To Tim walking into the stadium in dead silence, looking up again at the scoreboard that shows the loss, and leaving his cleats on the field.

Unlike in State, there's a very clear reason for the team's turnaround, and that's the quarterback switch. JD gets benched and Matt put back in. Experience matters here - but so, of course, does not being so angry at your coach that you can't see straight. Coach and Tami have to call the cops on Joe McCoy; they obviously don't want to, especially so long after the incident, but they're both getting pressure to follow protocol. And while it's a big shift to have JD go from saying he never wants to see his father again to being furious with Coach for calling the cops, something he says makes it make sense: "Are you going to take him away from me or something?" JD may worry he's not loved unless he's great, but he's still a freshman, and he still needs his dad. Coach's relationship with JD is wrecked; so, presumably, is his relationship with Joe. And Katie and Tami's friendship is over, too; no matter how much Tami tries to explain, Katie wants nothing to do with her.

With the football season ending, the college search is a big part of this episode: Matt wants to apply to art school in Chicago; Grandma can't imagine Matt would go so far away for a pursuit so silly (though asking Julie if Matt ever talked about being an artist makes it seem like she might be coming around). Lyla defiantly tells Buddy that she's now going to move in with Tim and go to San Antonio State. And Tyra! Landry pushes Tyra to write a college essay that's more raw than whatever she was saying about Applebee's, and instead of writing a sob story - no dad, lost virginity at 13, etc. - she's inspired by the one event that made her realize life can suck for everyone: Jason Street getting paralyzed. The scene where Tyra reads her essay over the shots of everyone else getting ready for the game - there are no words, only tears.

Some other thoughts:

Another moment that made me cry: Tim and Matt playing Frisbee in front of the statehouse. "Last game, Seven."
Coach still doesn't know Landry's name, but he gives that Lance kid a job on special teams anyway.
And what a good episode for Landry, overall: He gets the spot on the team, the big tackle in the big game, and the girl!
Love Lyla's morning in the Riggins house, papering the toilet seat with coffee filters.
Also love the callback to season one, when Landry, the whole Collette family, and Grandma Saracen end up carpooling to the big game.
I wish I could have seen the DirecTV cut of "Underdogs" - it was a lot to pack into 43 minutes!

So: No state championship, no happy ending. What will be set up for seasons four and five?

Photos courtesy of NBC

Friday Night Lights Rundown: Episode Four, "Hello, Goodbye"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:30:47 -0800

On this week's Friday Night Lights, Smash prepares for his Texas A&M tryout while still doubting that college is in his future. Tami and Coach continue to be the awesomest couple of all time while advising each other on matters of quarterbacks and jumbotrons. And bad news rides into town on a bucking bronco, sweeping Tyra up in its wake. Ready to talk about one of my favorite FNL episodes of all time? Just read more.

This episode is FNL's farewell to Smash, and I'm so happy he got a story that did right by him. After his elation a couple of weeks back at getting a tryout, he's started to sour on the idea of college as a real possibility - especially once he finds out that the man who OK'd his tryout is a front office guy, not a coach. But what follows once Coach and Smash arrive at A&M is FNL at its finest: Mitch tries to reschedule the tryout, but Coach marches onto the field and tells the head coach that he won't want to be the man who passed on Smash Williams. "He's got more heart and guts than any kid I ever coached," he says, then spins right around and tells Smash that he's always known he could go all the way. What happens next is that Smash totally owns that field (or at least that's what it looked like through the veil of my tears). But oh, the heartwrenching moments don't stop there. We see Smash get the phone call that he's in, smiling at his mama, embracing his whole family. We see him thanking Coach, who yells at him not to skip any classes. And we see the guys one more time on the Panthers' field, Riggins cracking a beer, Smash going in for a score.

Meanwhile, after Tami's little dig last week that she couldn't wait to meet the principal's husband, we finally do - but not before a hearty dose of the Coach's wife. Eric's torn up about what to do at quarterback and pours it all out to Tami over "a scotch-flavored drink." Then Tami - who's already failed to chat up a board member - gets the same treatment, as Eric reassures her that of course the jumbotron battle was worth fighting. In the end, television's most perfect marriage leads to two awesome compromises: Eric will use both Matt and JD, and Tami dedicates the jumbotron while volunteering Buddy's services for the annual PTA auction.

Over in the Department of Bad Decisions, we have Tyra, who ditches poor wisdom-tooth-less Landry in favor of hanging out with Cash, the rodeo star with his "cowboy candy." And maybe it would have been better if she'd just been honest with Landry, but instead they have a massive, public blowout, where he points out that nothing's changed since they broke up ("you still hold my hand") and she finally snaps, "I'm choosing him!" Cash, with his pickup truck and his cowboy hat and all the things Landry thinks are beneath him - that's what she wants right now, for better or worse.

In other news:

Shelby tries acting like part of Matt's family, which Matt points out in no uncertain terms that she's not. But she also does seem like she genuinely wants to help.
Drugged and sleepy Landry confessing his love for Tyra made me chuckle - as did his mom hanging up the phone for him.
A little moment that broke my heart: Grandma Saracen wondering who that JD McCoy is that everyone's talking about on TV.
Tami is quite the aggressive power-walker.

Anyone still crying about Smash's goodbye? Angry at Tyra for choosing the easiest path? Ready to see Jason again?

Photos courtesy of NBC

Friday Night Lights Rundown: Episode 13, "Humble Pie"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:37:54 -0800

"Humble Pie" is an interesting title for this week's Friday Night Lights, because nobody ended up acting all that humble. Sure, Smash tried, but the kid can never swallow his pride for very long. In the end, it was more about watching the characters channel their anger into various things - some good (Tyra, Jason), and some not so good (Smash, naturally). For more on the episode, just read more.

The fallout from Smash's movie theater brouhaha is interesting, if not entirely unexpected. Stories of a black kid punching a white kid in a movie theater were sure to get out, and having the kid press charges added the dimension of media coverage. Smash did, at first, really try to eat his "humble pie" with his televised apology, but when he realized how his sister had been dragged into his mess, he couldn't stay quiet. Maybe he could have figured out a way to deal with that muckraking reporter better, but in the moment, he said the worst thing he possibly could have: that the kid didn't deserve his apology. Smash seemed concerned that his three-game suspension means the team won't get back to State, but haven't we seen them lose a lot this season? Can they even make the playoffs?

Meanwhile, Jason Street has been found, recruited by Buddy Garrity to sell cars. I like the way that Buddy, having lost control of his actual family, seems to be adopting "sons" left and right. It was nice to see Jason be good at something again, and good to see his confidence shaken without him giving up. He had to deal with being the new guy, and with being in a wheelchair - which everyone thought would get him sympathy sales - and with getting rejected by a customer who didn't want to buy, but he got through it. Even when he's barely on the show, it's hard not to root for him.

One of my favorite moments of the episode was Tami's flash of realization when Tyra reached up to put the chips away - she's tall! she can play volleyball! - and Tyra (a master of manipulation herself) understanding right away that Tami just wanted her to be a spiker. I'm not sure I buy that one halfway-good player could turn the entire volleyball team around, but hey, it's Dillon. I do like it when Tyra channels her anger productively, and slamming a volleyball at Riggins' head is definitely productive.

Some other thoughts:

Speaking of Riggins, I'm not sure I buy how his story wrapped up this week - even though I'm hopeful it means there will never be a ferret owner's gun pointed at his pretty little head again. How does Lyla have $3,000?

Lyla, by the way, may not love Riggins the way he loves her, but I do think she has feelings for him of one kind or another. And Chris is so, so vanilla - mini-golf and ice cream, seriously?
It was good to see Landry back to being Landry with Jean in the picture ("cool hair, huh?"), and I squealed at the mention of Crucifictorious. The last thing this show needs is another character, but Jean could become an interesting foil to Tyra.
I know Smash is a star while Landry is barely second-string, but all the media attention around Smash's fairly minor altercation made me wonder again why there was never any fuss about a Dillon Panther possibly killing a dude.

Your thoughts? What will Riggins try next to win Lyla over? How excited are you to finally see Matt Saracen again? And how much more trouble can Smash get into?

Photos courtesy of NBC

Friday Night Lights Rundown: Episode 9, "Confession"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:30:00 -0800

Friday Night Lights is one of the few, fortunate shows that has several more episodes stored up to get through the Hollywood writers' strike. Nonetheless, Friday night's episode felt like the end of a chapter. On the one hand, I'm glad to see some of these stories end; on the other, it felt like a little too much, too fast. To read my thoughts and add your own, just read more

I have to start with Landry, because his confession anchored the episode. Landry has always been at the moral heart of the show, and so it makes sense that once he'd admitted what he'd done, he'd want to be punished. As usual, Jesse Plemons sold every one of his scenes; I shudder to think how bad this story could have been with a less-capable actor. But the whole arc - from the confession itself, to telling Tyra what he'd done, to the decision not to press charges - felt way too neat to me. A cop's son - a Dillon Panther, no less! - confesses to murder, and the whole town isn't buzzing? That's tough to believe. Even tougher: that the police don't care that Landry dumped the body, nor that his father destroyed evidence. True, I would have hated to see Landry go to jail, but why take the show so far from its heart for a story with no consequences?

Speaking of the show's heart: we FNL fans like to crow that the show's not just about football, but I must say, the football parts of this season make no sense. Have the Panthers played a single game yet where they haven't been behind? And wouldn't Dillon be expecting more from its defending state champions?

I am still liking Santiago's development, however - even if his whole force-a-fumble, be-the-hero story was pretty much the Landry plot from episode five. He's so tough, but he's terrified; he's the kind of kid who's always given up, and now he's surrounded by people (Coach, Buddy) who won't let him. His scenes from the football game really got me into his head, as he got rattled again and again before learning how to respond.

My favorite subplot of the whole night, though, was Jason's blind date with the pee girl. Jason finally gets the nerve to date while in a wheelchair and ends up with a girl who gets turned on by golden showers? Some luck. I loved the waitress getting the full wrath of Ms, Kinky while Jason cowered behind the kitchen doors. One glaring inconsistency, though: His parents freak when he spends one night with a girl, but they don't care when he sneaks off to Mexico?

Some other thoughts:

Riggins' meth-making roommate creeped me out in this episode, and I'm hoping Riggins is out of there for good. The scene with Coach wordlessly handing Riggins a sleeping bag was one of those little moments this show does so well.
Matt and the nurse: still boring. Kinda cute - making mole, aww - but boring.

Tami and Julie ended up in a good place at Gracie's christening, but it sure took a lot of work (and some crafty playing-dad-against-mom antics) to get there. That "a thank-you would be nice" fight was such a classic mother-daughter moment, it gave me chills.

So, that's all our FNL till 2008. What are your hopes for the show in the New Year? Mine: less murder, more Smash, less Matt and Carlotta, more Landry and Tyra, and a decent helping of Taylor family drama every week.

Photos courtesy of NBC

Friday Night Lights Rundown: Episode 7, "Pantherama"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 07:30:41 -0800

The latest installment of Friday Night Lights reminded us of two very important things: Smash still exists, and Dillon High students occasionally go to class. Who'd have thought?

The episode was one of the lightest of the season - maybe too light. But it still had some great moments, including the redemption of Buddy Garrity. (Again: Who'd have thought?) To read my take, just read more

In an episode packed with inappropriate kissing and pantsless football players, I couldn't have predicted that Buddy Garrity would steal the show, but his move to become Santiago's guardian was surprisingly touching. Maybe this is all a football-based ploy, but Santiago's not a great player, so I don't know why Buddy would stick his neck out unless he genuinely felt something for the kid. Tami's concern over Santiago into foster care, Buddy's awkwardness about the size of Santiago's room, and Santiago's appreciation for his first real bed were all winning moments for me.

Not so winning: Matt kissing the sexy nurse. As soon as she put her hands on his hips to teach him how to make his dance spicier - the less I think about the racial dynamics of that scene, the better - I figured this would be the episode with the smooch. I'm not loving the chirpy cheerleader who only seems to kiss Matt when Julie's around either, but at least she's his age.

Speaking of which: Apparently, it's time for FNL to drag out the ol' "student becomes infatuated with hot teacher" story. It's nice to see Julie's smart side, and writing nasty articles about football for the school paper is a more productive way to rebel than sleeping with the Swede. But does she have to fall for someone a decade older who spews cliches about 10-dollar words?

Meanwhile, Smash finally got a showcase as recruiting season kicked into gear. I enjoy the cocky side of him, but I also like that he has the determination to back up his talk. I'm not sure why Mama was so upset about Smash turning down a school that doesn't even offer athletic scholarships, but the way she asked Coach to keep a closer eye on Smash was fantastic: "I'm not asking you to be this boy's daddy. I'm just here to remind you that he doesn't have one."

Some other thoughts:

I really thought Lyla graduated, but apparently she's still in school, as she and Tyra got put in charge of entertainment for Pantherama. The sexy side of Tyra was in full effect, and Lyla's cheerleading skills came in handy for choreographing the, er, "dance." The shocked look on Tami's face when the players stripped down to their boxers - save for Landry, who kept his tank top on - cracked me up.
That story also delivered two of my favorite moments: Matt's awkward solo dance practice, and Tami's "Oh honey, you are not using Jesus Christ our Lord as an excuse to get out of helping your counselor, are you?"
If that hadn't been my favorite line of the night, this would have been: "Quote: 'Athletic director and Panther football coach Eric Taylor had no comment.' She asked me through the bathroom door. What am I supposed to do? I was busy."
I'm not sure about Tim moving in with this ferret guy, but Tyra pouring orange juice on Tim's face made that whole plot worth it.

Your thoughts? Happy for the return of Smash - but sad about the corresponding absence of Street? Wondering why NBC chose to give so much away in the promo for the next episode? Discuss.

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Dylan Walsh to Play Penn Badgley's Stepfather

BuzzSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:29:43 -0800

Don't those three make such a gorgeous family?
A whole bunch of people I like - Dylan Walsh of Nip/Tuck, Penn Badgley of Gossip Girl, Sela Ward of Once and Again, and possibly Adrianne Palicki of Friday Night Lights - have teamed up for a remake of the 1987 thriller The Stepfather.

Too bad their family is totally dysfunctional.
The story centers on a teenager (Badgley) who begins to suspect that his soon-to-be stepfather (Walsh) may be a psycho murderer who killed his previous family. Ward will play the mother; Palicki, who is still in negotiations, would play Badgley's character's girlfriend.

Will it be spooky?
I haven't seen the original, but Variety reports that this remake will be done in the style of a Hitchcock thriller.

Fun fact about the first Stepfather:
The role of the crazy stepfather was originated by Terry O'Quinn, now of Lost fame. He also reprised the role in a 1989 sequel, imaginatively titled Stepfather II.

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