(S01E09) After a week off, the Panthers have another big game. And although there was a lot of hype about how tough this game would be in the promos, the game itself was almost an afterthought. As the show moves along there is less and less focus on the actual football. If my clock is right, we didn't get any actual game footage until 53 minutes into the hour. And that's fine by me. All three of the stories from this week were great, and the little bit of the game that we did get covered everything we needed to know.First up, lots of development for the William's family. The Smash on steroids story seems to suffer from some of the time issues that the Street recovery does. It's all happening a little fast. Given that he just started on his cycle last week, I don't think he should be seeing a skin reaction or whatever the episode during his workout was. I'm willing to accept that time moves faster in Dillon though, because I really liked the William's family story this week.
Much like the Riggins boys, there was a question of just where Smash's father was. His death in Gatling leading to Mrs. Williams getting her kids out of there and moving to Dillon was a nice fit for the episode. The tension between Smash and his mother was really good, and I thought their reconciliation at the end was well done. It did leave unanswered where Smash is heading with the drugs. The look he exchanged with Sheila could have gone either way. Was he acknowledging that she was right and he would stop, or was she giving him assurances that she wouldn't interfere. It will be interesting to see how that story plays out.
Goodness, Tim had another tough week. It's interesting that the linemen are all still so loyal to Street. That whole thing reminded me of A Few Good Men. Technically, Street didn't order the 'code red', and I don't think he knew the details of what they were going to do. But his half-hearted effort to try and deceive them was poor at best. The slap in the face from Tyra was just salt in the wound. It's interesting that she said anyone buy Lyla. I suppose that is her way of relieving herself of any guilt because of her shenanigans in "Git 'Er Done." Her trip to see Street was well done. I liked the "What do you say?" look she gave him when she showed him the bottle of booze. The heckling that Lyla got at the game was a little rough. It did lead to the first scene for Buddy where you could actually see something likable in him.
While all that was good, my favorite part of the episode was the Saracen story. The big date was finally here. The reactions that Tami and Eric are having to the whole affair are perfect. "It's that thing that we always knew was going to happen to our little girl." "Well at least she's not interested in a serial killer, or one of the Riggins.'' I think they realize just how lucky they are that Julie picked Saracen.
Landry on fashion cracked me up. "It's called retro and the chick's dig it. Trust me." His reaction to Coach Taylor's, "How ya doin' Lance?" was very funny as well. Of course, the big story was Saracen and his grandmother. Man, the kid has it tough. You can't help but feel for him being put in that situation. It was a great scene, and the reactions of Landry and Julie made it all the more so. Oh, and we can't forget the kiss. They kind of spoiled us with the previews last week, but now we know things aren't always what they seem. The confusion left after that moment is just perfect for what has been the path of the the Saracen/Julie courtship.
And finally, the big game. Not a lot to say about this one because we didn't really get to see a lot of it. I do like how the team is now relying more on Smash and Riggins to carry the ball. With the loss of Street, that's how things should be. The one thing about the game that really stuck out to me was Slammin' Sammy's call on the final play. He said, "Do you believe in miracles?" which is an obvious nod to the great Al Michael's call from the 1980 Olympics. Overall, another great episode.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-06-2006 @ 7:50AM
Blair said...
I think is quite funny that Tyra, slaps Tim, and actually cares and blames him for something he did while they were separated. It is typical, though, of high school drama...Thank God I'm out!
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12-06-2006 @ 7:29AM
Shawnna Wilson said...
I heard a rumor that Friday Night Light's was almost canceled, but at the last minute it was decided to give it some more time. I think this is one of the best shows on television. Now that Dancing with the Stars is over, maybe other viewers will tune in and see what I see.
Am excited to see where all of the storylines go. Sorenson & Julie are a really cute couple, and come on, this guy deserves a break in his life. I almost fell in love with him when I watched him take care of his grandmother.
Lyla & Riggins affair was a normal reaction, I think, to the feelings they were both experiencing over Street. What I don't understand is, how can Tyra be so upset? Yes, she is jealous of Lyla, I get it, but weren't she and Riggins broken up at the time?
I really hope Smash comes to his senses before something bad happens to him. Hopefully, all of the the things that came out this week about his father and the talk he had with his mom toward the end will help wake him up.
Can't wait till next week!
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12-06-2006 @ 8:21AM
pinkpanda said...
I was expecting a more game centric episode given the previews, but I guess I should know better by now. Highlight for me was definitely the scene with Matt and his grandmother, I just love that kid so much. Having Julie there to see it was nice, especially after Matt trying (hilariously) to be "QB-1" during the date.
The pre-date scene with Coach & Matt was also priceless. Pretty much anything involving Julie's parents and the blooming romance have been terrific. Not to mention very realistic, lol.
Smash's storyline also really fleshed out his character well, I never really felt anything for him before this episode. I'm still bothered by the steroids, but I can kind of understand better now why he feels he has to do it. But it seems whenever you feel he might actually do the right thing and stop, he doesn't. Which is frustrating.
I'm on Street's side with the whole love triangle thing, but I couldn't help but feel for Lyla and Riggins. The part at the end with Tim and the other guys in the huddle & Lyla and her father were very good. This show never fails to be a tear jerker and that was the moment that got me. All in all another awesome episode. Can't wait until next week.
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12-06-2006 @ 9:18AM
mike said...
I loved the way Coach asked Matt about his Members Only jacket.
I think they need to ease up a little on all the last-second heroics in the games. There is enough meat in the characters' stories to support the show without having to rely on overly dramatic results every gameday.
This show better not be canceled. It's the only watchable show on Tuesday night, and the storyline is much more interesting than The OC (which is probably it's main competition in the teen-drama category).
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12-06-2006 @ 12:08PM
Dave T. said...
Agree with everyone that this is one of the better shows on TV right now.
Was I the only one who missed that Buddy was Lila's dad? I must've missed something this season.
The members only thing was funny but the promos for next week when the coach is yelling at Saracen about not dating his daughter is kind of strange sinc ehe knows the kid so well.
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12-06-2006 @ 12:50PM
westtexgeo said...
This is one of the better shows around. Spent 16 years in West Texas and they certainly make you feel like you're 'back home'. Decent episode, but did anyone else figure out the 'time jump'? The great Dillon caravan to Gatling, the big BBQ and Williams getting caught late for bed check and the next thing you know it's game night. Since the games are Friday nights, did they travel over on Thursday? What, nobody had to go to school or work on Friday? And wasn't that an illegal block thrown by Riggins? Looked like he went rigth for the neck. Wouldn't that have been an interesting ending, with a penalty flag on the last play? Good thing their record is now over .500. I figure it at 3-2, so should be alot more football before the playoffs...
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12-06-2006 @ 1:51PM
Leslye said...
I love this show. There was a only a minute that I felt for Buddy Garrity. I have hated him all along and for him to let his guard down around Lyla was great, but I'm sure by next week he'll be on my list again. The Lyla and Tim situation was rough, especially now that Tim loves Lyla and he knows her heart belongs with Jason. He was ticking me off a bit last night, though. The show keeps getting better and better.
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12-06-2006 @ 9:42PM
Marty said...
Did anyone else's jaw drop when Julie walked out to meet Saracen in the first dress? Woo-wee!
Does it make me a dirty old man for saying that? How old is that actress anyway?
Best new show on TV (though Heroes is damn close).
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1-07-2007 @ 9:51PM
jellybeane said...
Is it just me or is the actor that played "Junior" a terrible actor?
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