(S01E13) Outstanding. This installment of FNL was just jam packed with story and there was enough of it for everyone to get a little piece. More than any other episode, this one balanced everything out so the entire cast got to play. And with one exception, which we'll get to later, all of the stories were very good. First up, Smash. I was initially unsure about this story, but now that it has played out, I like what they did with it. This is a much different Smash than we originally met in the pilot and Gaius Charles deserves a lot of credit for doing a great job. As good as he was though, the standout of this episode was Liz Mikel, who plays Corina Williams. All of her scenes were great. I loved her explanation for going to Coach Taylor, "I didn't want to think that you were dumb enough to do something so stupid on your own." Of course, the Smash revelation caused some big problems for Eric as well.
It was pretty obvious from the get go that Smash's problems would end up in Eric's lap, and I was curious to see how he would handle it. While he is a good guy, the pressure to win weighs heavily on any decision. They have created an interesting character here, because they aren't afraid to make him flawed. He should have reported Smash right away. You can make the argument that by not reporting him Eric is doing what is best for Smash's future. You can't discount the fact that reporting him likely would have ended up in the Panthers forfeiting the games that he had played in, and missing the playoffs. Which in turn would probably be the end of Eric's days as coach. Eric says that he is sticking his neck way out for Smash, but it has just as much to do with protecting himself.
On a similar note, Eric's reaction to Mayor Rodell and her alternative lifestyle didn't exactly show the character in the best of lights. It's an interesting choice, giving undesirable qualities to what is essentially the main character of the show. Ultimately it makes for a better show. Nobody is perfect, and giving Eric these flaws makes for a much more authentic story. Tami was as good as ever tonight. I was surprised that we didn't get more of a confrontation over the Smash situation, but their little meeting in the office about the campaign gig made up for that. It's an interesting arc for her and I'm looking forward to seeing where that goes.
It was a bit of a light week for the Saracen story, but what we did see was good. The news that his father has been called back to Iraq wasn't surprising, although it does make one wonder. The counselor they talked to said that he could file to stay home because of his family situation. Was that really denied, forcing him back into active duty? Or did he come to the realization that he wanted to go back, and that was the easy explanation to give to Matt and his mother? Aside from the ongoing family trouble, we also got some interesting football stuff for Matt this week. I felt bad for him when he tried to explain the new plays to Eric and he just shot him down. It paid off in the end when it was his play that won the game for them. It showed a lot of growth for Matt when they were meeting on the sidelines. This is a much more confident Saracen than the one that originally was thrust into the spotlight after Street's injury.
Yes, Street. The one part of the episode that just wasn't working for me. I liked most of the Street story. The stuff with Herc was great. They have built a nice relationship there and it's interesting how Street is coming around to look past the rough edges and appreciate who Herc is. The big showdown with Buddy was good too. I liked Street taking a stand, and give Buddy credit for coming clean and being honest with him. But the engagement... I think that might be going a little far. Aside from the fact that it just isn't practical for any two high school kids to get married, let alone one that is in Street's situation, I just don't think this is the best story that could be told about these characters. The writers may make me change my mind, as they did with the Smash steroid plot, but I'm moving forward looking at Mr. & Mrs. Jason Street with a skeptical eye.
There was somehow even enough time left in the hour to get to Tyra and her mother. These last few episodes have done a lot to explain who Tyra is, and how she got to be that person. Her line to her mother that "My worst fear is to become you." was very telling. We might be seeing the beginnings of a reconciliation with Riggins. It was big of him to go to Buddy and try to use what influence he has to help Angela get a job. And how about that interview. Buddy has always been kind of a smarmy character, but that was just downright creepy.
Finally, the Panthers win again and keep those hopes for a state championship alive. The game footage was well done and it was nice to see Riggins score the winning touchdown. Overall, another great episode.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-25-2007 @ 11:11AM
lorilei13 said...
Matt knew that his father was headed back to Iraq; they covered that in a previous episode. He's basically better at being a soldier than handling day to day life with his family. He just didn't know when it would happen till last night. I have to say, I really love this show, and it just keeps getting better. I hope the network gives it a real chance.
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1-25-2007 @ 11:59AM
innamorata said...
I was bored by the episode honestly. I'm the oddball who isn't head over heels for Saracen and I couldn't care less about Smash if I tried.
I like Tyra but the story with her mom is just not entertaining to watch for me.
And then there's the Jason/Lyla fiasco.
I'll be honest I am biaised, I prefer Lyla with Tim so, as a shipper, I hope the engagement goes badly fast.
It makes sense for Jason and Lyla to hold on to each other as they do though but in terms of character development I don't see it happening if they stay together and are being shoved down our throats as a "love conquers all" type of story.
The cookie cutter message irks me very deeply.
I'd really like to follow Jason's journey with his handicap just not always in regards to Lyla (or the lawsuit).
All in all Eric and Tami were the only highlights of this episode.
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1-25-2007 @ 1:36PM
Brett said...
lorilei13, if Matt knew his father was leaving I totally missed it. The way I understood it was that at the beginning of "What to do while you're waiting" Henry told Matt that he had decided to stay. And given that he was looking for work, I thought it was to be a more permanent thing.
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1-25-2007 @ 5:30PM
judy said...
i hate football, hate small southern towns, hate jocks AND I LOVE THIS SHOW!!! it is extremely well done, very very real (certain more real than the hills or laguna beach), excellent acting and the story line is true to life. although tv always has it's "beautiful people" a la tami, lyla, tim, tyra, etc., that makes it more attractive i suppose. i was actually rooting for dillon to win and don't even know who's playing in the superbowl this year. anyway, i do hope they keep it going although i have been unable to interest any of my co-workers into watching it. just the usual american bad taste in t.v. (which is why laguna beach is so popular).
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1-25-2007 @ 2:18PM
lorilei13 said...
You're right, he had decided to stay and got a job working for Buddy. It turned out to be a total disaster for him, and he and Matt had a talk where Matt told him that he would be fine taking care of Grandma and that it was ok with him if Dad wanted to go back to Iraq. I can't remember which episode it was, but it wasn't very long ago.
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1-25-2007 @ 3:37PM
jussup said...
I can't say enough how much I enjoy this show! The character development is SSSOOO strong and believable. The only reason I could see the show not being picked up for a second season would be because of its own sucess... From set dressing, to dialogue, to character interactions-- the show is very real. It has extremely realistic people and situations (with a few exceptions to fit the timing of a tv series). The only problem I see is that many people don't want to watch reality (don't even make me roll my eyes by bringing up "REALITY" television shows). I hope I'm wrong though, because the show is very entertaining and exceptional.
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1-25-2007 @ 5:18PM
Brooke said...
The beginning of the "What to Do While You're Waiting" had MattDaddy deciding to stay. In the last act of that episode, Matt tells his dad he realizes how miserable he is and how he should go back to Iraq. MattDaddy responds that he doesn't know if he can do that (given the Grandma situation) and Matt tells him he doesn't know if he can't let his dad go back.
It ended there but it was pretty concrete that MattDaddy was heading back to Iraq.
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1-25-2007 @ 7:46PM
Brett said...
*slaps forehead*
Of course. Thanks for the reminder lorilei and Brooke. Somehow that last scene just flew right out of my head.
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1-25-2007 @ 11:10PM
Tim said...
Anybody else catch that line at the end between Tyra and her mom when Tyra says to her, "Let's get drunk!"? These kids are supposed to be like 16,17 years old. What kind of parent, no matter how dysfunctional they are, gets drunk with their kid so nonchalantly? It's getting hard to suspend disbelief about these kids' lifestyles.
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1-26-2007 @ 8:46AM
Bill said...
I think there's definitely a level of dysfunctionality (is that a word?) where a mother would get drunk with her 17-ish year-old daughter. Probably right around the same level where you have an oldest daughter who's a stripper, and a youngest daughter who gets perved on by your live-in boyfriend.
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1-31-2007 @ 8:22AM
M. Reddick said...
This is the best show on television and I am amazed that it can't seem to find the audience that it deserves. I hope that NBC sticks it out like it did for another quality show years ago--Hill Street Blues. It took a little over a season for that show to connect with America. This show could too if given that chance.
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2-17-2007 @ 10:34AM
Julie said...
Please inform me when I can see or where I can see the episode, About I want to marry your little girl, when STREET PROPOSES TO LILA... OUR AREA DID NOT HAVE IT ON THAT WEEK, WILL IT BE REPLAYED AT A LATER DATE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SINCERELY, JULIE
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