(S01E21) In case you missed it, Joel wrote an interesting post a few days back asking whether Friday Night Lights has a chance at a second season. I bring it up because one of the things he praises the show for is how well acted it is. I completely agree with him, but as great as it has been all season, I think tonight might have set a new high mark. I'm talking specifically about the argument Eric and Tami had over her proposal that she and Julie stay in Dillon while Eric goes to Austin. It's great writing to start with, and performed amazingly by Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton. Over the course of the previous 20 hours of television we have learned a lot about their relationship. They are one of the great television couples, but part of what makes them so great is their imperfections. We get the chance to see the happy, madly in love Taylors, but we also get to see the struggling, fighting Taylors. My favorite part was Eric's admission, "I'm not mature, I can't handle that." They are endlessly fascinating to me.
As long as we are throwing around accolades for great acting, we should toss some at Jesse Plemons. This is not the Landry that we first met early in the season. His line to Saracen, "I'm just here for the comic relief for the star quarterback?" was interesting. That could have very easily been the arc of the Landry character, and it probably would have been just fine. Every now and again he'd pop up and say something witty, then step aside. This was so much better. Confiding in Saracen, his talk with Tami, being crushed by Tyra's misplaced anger, right on through their final conversation at the roast. It was all very good. I liked how they left it too. Landry was a little harsh, but it was a big step for him. The easy thing would have been to fall right back into that puppy dog role and be glad for the attention from Tyra. Instead, he laid out all of his feelings and gave her something to think about. I thought that based on her look as he left, he got the message across.
Speaking of the roast, I liked the tension underneath what was outwardly a very happy-go-lucky time. With all of the disapproving looks from Saracen, and the fight that resumed between Eric and Tami, it seemed like there was a chance that the whole thing would just go off the rails and turn into a skewering of Eric as everyone asked, "Why are you leaving us?" Tami's too good for that though, and I thought her speech was great. Sure, she was funny and charming, and Eric certainly does have, as Buddy put it, "a good one." The great part of the scene for me though, was that she was standing there in front of all those people, but really just making her case to Eric.
Eric's decision and how the Taylor family is going to deal with it did dominate the episode, but there were some smaller bits of the story worth noting. Buddy and Pam getting a divorce wasn't much of a surprise. I did like the way she corrected him though. "You're gonna see them every other weekend."
There wasn't a lot of screen time given to what is going on between Smash and Waverly, but I do really like that part of the story. They really have done a nice job of growing Smash's character. Much like Landry, he could have easily been relegated to the background, but the show is better for the time they have spent developing him.
I'm not sure if that was the end of Street and Lyla or not. It could be, but it just seems like that one still has some legs. It's not going to be pretty, and I've long since given up on any kind of hearts and flowers reconciliation. Not done yet though. Either way, I have really enjoyed all of the scenes with Street and Susie, so I'm ok with Lyla moving on. Coach Street was fun to see too. I liked how he fell right into step with Eric when they started talking to Saracen. And hey, if Eric is getting a job in Austin, doesn't Susie live in Austin? Things are lining up for Street.
It's probably time to drop the Tim and just go back to talking about Riggins. It seems that Jackie finally wised up and realized that getting involved with a high school kid that has his own truckload of baggage isn't the best thing for her or her little boy. I'm not surprised, but I thought that would come some time after the mysterious husband/father showed up to flesh out Jackie's backstory.
So there we sit. One episode to go in what has been a great first season. We've got some big questions looming with that last episode next week. Will the Panthers win it all? Will Eric stay in Dillon after Tami told him she's not going to Austin? And most importantly, will we get a second season? My guesses, yes to all.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-05-2007 @ 9:34AM
Clint said...
Another fantastic episode, if NBC is going to renew shows like 30 Rock, then it would be a shame to cancel FNL. They just need to commit to it and find a great timeslot for it.
http://www.tvdeuce.com
Funny TV Blog
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4-05-2007 @ 9:59AM
Allison Bone said...
In other news, FNL won a Peabody Award! I don't think that this will make any difference to NBC.. but one can always hope.
Here's a complete list of the winners:
http://www.peabody.uga.edu/news/pressrelease.asp?ID=142
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4-05-2007 @ 10:05AM
harley.copping said...
This is by far one of the best shows on TV at this point in time. Last weeks episode with the mud bowl was one of the best episodes of any TV show that I have seen for a long long time (and there are a lot).
There are so many story angles they could take with this show, It would be disappointing not to see it back for a second season.
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4-05-2007 @ 10:46AM
graigbachman said...
"How about Saracen sleeping with the coach's daughter."--Riggins
Funniest line ever.
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4-05-2007 @ 10:52AM
Andrew said...
GREAT SHOW! But the preview for next weeks show ruined what I think would have been a big suprise. I dont what to "spoil" it for anybody else, but didn't someone say they're having a baby? NBC would be better off without their promotion staff. Between this show, Heroes and ER I'm sick of them trying to ruin it for me every week. Just shut up and let the shows speak for themselves.
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4-05-2007 @ 11:11AM
Greg said...
In the previews: Eric says"There are things more important than football but there is NOTHING more important than family." He will be the Dillon Panther coach for season number 2. Him leaving would be just like Martin Sheen (President Bartlett) being empeached for not diclosing the MS.
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4-05-2007 @ 11:11AM
Tammy said...
I started watching this show for Kyle Chandler and last nights proves that he is one of the main reasons to watch this show. I follow football and have been around football alot in my life. So seeing him in Dad mode and then Coach mode is great. The only difference is we don't get some of the more colorful language that you might hear in a real locker room.
I've always enjoyed Connie Britton too so she is the perfect counter to Kyle Chandler. I agree that they play a very real couple who disagree and still love each other. I loved it when said "I'm in love with you completely" and she still said she wasn't moving. The look on his face was priceless. He thought saying all the right words would change things but it didn't. All I kept thinking was what Dr Phil says..... "When Momma ain't happy, nobody's happy!"
I hope this gets renewed. It's well written and with fantastic acting.
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4-05-2007 @ 11:37AM
Ryan S. said...
I have a sinking feeling that the team is going to lose in the state championship game; i just watched the movie version and i realized that the team loses the state championship, so as long as the show gets picked up for another season, it would be a great driving force for season 2.
Lets be honest, does anyone really think Coach is leaving? I'm certanly don't think so.
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4-05-2007 @ 12:27PM
Cody said...
I don't think it's possible for them to wrap up every storyline in next week's episode, especially since half of it will be the state championship game against Voodoo Tatum. Therefore, I don't think it will be the last episode. Maybe it won't get renewed for a second season (which would break my heart), but if it doesn't, they'll still have to make at least a couple episodes to wrap up the loose ends.
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4-05-2007 @ 12:33PM
lynnstar99 said...
I honestly can not say enough about this wonderful show that NBC has brought to us. We would be fools not to fight for the show. Lila, took the cake for me yesterday. I must say that she held her ground. I was so pround of the way she handeled seeing jason with Sussie the slut. And even the way she handeled herself when he came to her home. Oh, and Smash, saving a piece of cake for Waverly. Just can't get enough.
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4-05-2007 @ 2:15PM
Joel said...
"Will the Panthers win it all? Will Eric stay in Dillon after Tami told him she's not going to Austin? And most importantly, will we get a second season? My guesses, yes to all."
Brett, from your lips to the NBC gods' ears. At least on the second and third questions... they could lose state and still have a great season two. NBC (if you are reading) don't drop this amazing, critically acclaimed, award winning gem of entertainment!!!
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4-05-2007 @ 4:41PM
tv junkie said...
NBC just love to take baby-steps with FNL. It was the last series to get a full season pickup, and now, it's going to be the last series to get a next season renewal...it just has to!
It's the best network TV series this season! NBC better not screw up. FIND a good timeslot next season! and PROMOTE it like crazy!
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4-05-2007 @ 11:59PM
Kelly Gingery said...
Yes....I so totally agree with most of the above comments!
This show is so well-acted, it seems as if we are watching a documentary of a year in these peoples' lives. I love having a chance to be a part of their world every week.
When will we find out if we will have a season 2? I also have to say that this show was on my radar from the very first pilot announcement....because of Kyle Chandler. I have been a big fan of his ever since "Homefront". I still haven't gotten over the fact that ABC cancelled that wonderful show, way too early.
Please, NBC......don't let that happen to "Friday Night Lights." It is quality television that needs a chance to grow. I'm keepin' my fingers crossed!
If interested in funny comments on the wild and wacky world of Hollywood and beyond(I did a post pleading for more viewers for FNL, many months ago!), please check out:
http://www.redcarpetrehab.blogspot.com
"Go Panthers!"
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4-06-2007 @ 11:26AM
peter said...
the street and layla thing drove me crazy. I understand how people get distracted but I was hoping they'd work through the hard times. I hate seeing layla keep getting hurt.
I hope they come back next season but add a ferw characters of size. especially for a show about football, there should be more of us on the team and in the school.
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4-09-2007 @ 12:57AM
jeb said...
Yes, yes, yes - to all but a few of the above comments. I don't understand WHY ANBC doesn't promote this show more. I watch NBC shows all the time and I rarely see promotions for FNL - it seems to all be about Heroes and The Black Donnelly's. It can't good ratings if no one knows it's on!
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4-09-2007 @ 1:06PM
Rick said...
I've been a fan of this show since the pilot. I do miss the game-day commentary by the local sportscasters, but what character arc would you cut to give them their two minutes?
I think the Panthers will lose the championship. I think Eric Taylor is staying in Dillon. Will there be a season two? I hope so! It looks to me that every major character is slated to stay, except probably Lyla. She's a senior and moving on to college. All the other kids are underclassmen - or Riggins - and Riggins isn't leaving Dillon.
Street is staying, and I think they writers are setting him up with a much more believeable girlfriend in Suzi. She's coming into Street's life, and into Dillon, while Lyla is drifting away and is slated for college and "Better Things." In an earlier episode, she explained how she had her life mapped out, college, then a few years of work, and marriage at 25. I think she'll achieve those plans, though the road's gonna be more rocky for her than she dreamed. I hope she gets at least cameos in a season two.
Tyra is staying in Dillon - going the community college route. Dillon is big enough to have one, so that's no problem with her staying in the show. If he's the same age as Saracen, Landry is only a Sophmore, so He'll be around for that plotline.
I think there will be a season two, and I think the faces will pretty much be the same.
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4-09-2007 @ 8:15PM
Kris said...
FNL is the BEST show on tv. Hands down. The chemistry between all of the actors, the writing, the storylines, ... I could go on and on. NBC doesn't have many shows that deserve a minute's viewing, but this on definetly deserves another season!! At least one more. If they will renew the junk they have before, why not this GEM??
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4-10-2007 @ 1:45PM
CK said...
Being an ex-highschool football player, I immediately identify with this show, although I played in Canada, not in the US, and football is clearly religious in the states. I think this show captures the pressure of HS football perfectly. And what's even better about this show is that Football is essentially only one of the sub plots, and creates a great foundation to spin stories from. However, after the state championship game what's left for the Dillon Panther Seniors? Conceivably Riggins is a perfect candidate for the dumb jock, but clearly his character is much deeper than just a football jock, so failing him and keeping him in highschool seems a little......impractacle?
I agree I think Eric will stay in Dillon (otherwise that's the end of the show, duh!). After a speech like that from Tami at the roast, how could you say no?
The Mud Bowl episode was phenominal! The last ten minutes I was on the edge of my seat, I haven't been THAT into a show since, the first season of 24!! The editing was so intense, cutting from Tyra, to the game, and back and forth to parallel the climactic points for the characters in this episode. This is definitely my favorite show on TV right now, for numerous reasons, nostalgia, acting, writing, dramatics, subject matter, and the fact that it's not "reality" TV. I occasionally catch myself lost with my empathy for all of these characters. Except Buddy! He's is so wonderfully annoying! The fact that don't like him is a testament to how well this show is written.
I will be very disappointed if we don't get a second season of this show. Lets keep our fingers crossed and hope NBC doesn't roll over on a good thing.
So what happends to the senoirs in season 2?
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4-14-2007 @ 11:35AM
Momo07 said...
OMG the funniest line was when Riggins goes "Hey how bout Saracen sleeping with the coaches daughter!" HILARIOUS! I loved the show. Anyone know about a season 2?????
-Momo
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