(S01E22) Can it really be? We've been through twenty-two episodes of Friday Night Lights already? Maybe it's just my reluctance to have the show end, but it seems like this season went by awfully fast. Last week I guessed that the team would win the game, Eric would stay in Dillon, and that the show would get a second season. We got answers for those first two, but we'll have to wait a bit longer on that last one. News that the network has ordered six more scripts is certainly positive. We'll cross that bridge when word comes out. Throughout much of the season I made a point of noting that this isn't a show about football. Most of the Panther games we got to see were given very short bits of episodes, and were usually not the focus of the episode. This episode altered that balance and gave a lot more time to the game. Understandably so, this was the state championship. It's something that these characters have been working toward for the entire season, so a big payoff was fitting.
Something that struck me about the episode was how much it echoed back to that first episode we saw back in October. The more subtle thing that brought this up was the end of the episode. That scene of Eric driving to the school while listening to sports radio was very reminiscent of how we first met him. Right down to the fact that what he was hearing wasn't the most flattering of broadcasts. Along with that was the story of the game.
Like that first game when Street got hurt, you could make the complaint that they didn't need to build up the big Hollywood ending the way they did. I'd even say that this game needed it less than the first one. At this point in the series, anyone watching is probably a fan of the show. And because of that, they have invested in the characters. They don't need an improbable comeback to sell them on anything. A back and forth game where they struggle to contain Voodoo but keep themselves in the game would have been fine. It's certainly not a huge complaint, but something that stands out as being unnecessary.
That said, the game footage was again very good. As was everything leading up to the game. I liked the wonder of it all as the team got a look at their locker room and stepped onto the Texas Stadium field for the first time. I even enjoyed the return of Voodoo. Aldis Hodge didn't get a lot to do on the show, but I thought he nailed the Voodoo character. He's just so menacing. That little nugget where he offered Smash a spot with the Mustangs is something that could be revisited in season two. I don't think that Smash would leave Dillon, but there is still a story to be told there.
This was quite an episode for Eric as well. I really liked the scene where the reporter asked him about the job at TMU. Ever since he took the gig I've been waiting for that bomb to drop. The fact that it came on the eve of the big game made it that much more dramatic. He handled it well, and I thought he made a good case for why he was leaving to both the gathered boosters, and personally to Saracen.
After the game, when Eric poured out all of his feelings on everything to Tami, I was completely sold. Eric will be back at Dillon next year, coaching the team, new baby bouncing around the house. I was caught off guard by Tami's answer to all of that. "No, you've got to go to Austin." Apparently I have yet to learn the same lesson that Eric is missing, Tami Taylor usually knows best. She was right all along. It will be interesting to see how they handle the Austin/Dillon separation in season two.
There were a couple other good scenes for Tami tonight as well. Her meeting with Mrs. Williams at Planned Parenthood was a nice bit of continuity. And she might have had the line of the night with her explanation for missing the booster event, saying she couldn't handle "the Buddy Garrity of it all." The scene where she told Eric about the baby was also very sweet.
Away from football, Landry's state football adventure was fun to watch. Watching his reaction to Tyra inviting him to the game was almost as much fun as watching the crazy series of events that destroyed his big plans. The soundtrack for the trip changing from some sexy Crucifictorious to Lady Marmalade captures the essence of the whole thing. In a strange and twisted way though, it was some nice progress to the Landry/Tyra story, and sets itself up for the possibility of season two.
Tyra had a nice resolution with Lyla as well. It took some good christian intervention from Landry to get the ball rolling, but it goes to show how much the two of them are changing as the story goes along. They're both at a point now where moving on and rethinking things is an option, so it was nice to see them both embrace that idea.
And finally, Jason Street. Considering that his injury is what kicked off this adventure, it was nice to see it play out the way it did. He's back in control, his confidence is back, and he has something he loves to focus on and work at. I don't know if we are supposed to take that last scene as some kind of hint that he will be the head coach next season or not. But the Panthers did just win the state title with a first year coach. And I'm guessing that the word of Eric Taylor has some sway now. I could see him endorsing Street as his replacement with Mac and the rest of the staff staying on. Of course, that could lead to some drama, hopefully a whole seasons worth.
So, that does it for the first season of Friday Night Lights. With any luck we can all meet back here in the fall to kick off a second run. I like this show even more now than I did when it started. Over the course of the season it became my favorite new show of the year, and without getting out the calculator to figure exact positioning, I'd say it's in my top 5 for all of TV right now. This was a nice way to wrap things up. I couldn't be happier about the way this season played out. With the Panthers winning, the Taylor's plans squared away, and all of our other characters ready to move on, I'm giving this one 5 out of 7.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-12-2007 @ 11:07AM
Damon said...
*Spoilers*
I don't know, I think I would have liked to see them come up short at the end of the game but maybe by a yard. Something to say the play worked so we get Matt out of the bind of losing but still something for them to shoot for next year. But I guess that may have hurt the Street coaching the team next year storyline if it goes that way. Other then that though I was really happy with the season and can't wait to see some more.
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4-12-2007 @ 11:08AM
JLM said...
I am not sure if the script order means anything for a show on the bubble - the threat of a writers guild strike later this year probably was the reason.
Ending the season at the hallowed grounds of Texas Stadium (with a statue of legendary coach Tom Landry in a background shot) was a nice touch. One question: was the girlfriend of Smash at the game?
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4-12-2007 @ 11:11AM
Jon said...
Monday's CBS lineup of comedy stands atop the reason-to-laugh list. Friday NIght Lights is by far the best human drama-in-real-life's-terms show out there. It reminds me of another excellent NBC show a few years ago, American Dream, which I would have liked to watch a couple more years, at least. Same with Friday Night Lights. The football is a side-line (excuse the pun), but the real stories are the characters, and I think the writers have developed them well and have given us enough situations to keep it interesting. A real treat to help us escape from "reality TV."
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4-12-2007 @ 11:28AM
Bill said...
I was extremely pissed at the NBC promotional department on this one. I caught about three seconds of a FNL commercial during Law & Order, and it was Tami saying she was followed by a shot from the victory celebration where the players were wearing their championship baseball caps. In the book and the movie, they come up short, so I felt like there was a distinct possibility of the team not winning state here. But since it could've gone either way, that last play with Smash reaching for the goal line would've been really exciting. But thanks to the promos, the drama was gone from the moment. Oh well... not the show's fault, it was still great.
Street as the head coach next year would never, ever happen. I hope. As far as we know, he doesn't even have a high school degree yet. And no matter how good he is at coaching, he's got about 2 weeks of experience at it. He might get upgraded from what I gather is the QBs coach to an offensive coordinator, which is as much dramatic license as I'd allow. But anyway I'm just hoping we get a full second season. I've really loved this show.
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4-12-2007 @ 11:46AM
Bash said...
So funny Damon that you'd think that because that's exactly the end of "Friday Night Lights" (the Movie) :-)
Anyway, I have to object to your view Brett that this episode focused on the game. IMHO it didn't do that at all. There were a mere five or six fast plays shown, maybe ten minutes of the whole episode focused on the game - that's really really little considering that this WAS the state final. Hell even the last play was nothing special in the end - they didn't make a big deal out of it. The baby, the relationships of all the people on the show, everything seemed to be more important than the game, and honestly that's what I like about this show. More than the movie, which ended really really sad (and showed that "It's just football in the end") the series shows that it IS just football and what is most important is that there are people playing - people with lives, relationships and everything. I find it interesting that so arguable few people tuned in to this show because while so many programs, magazines and radio shows seem to focus on "the game" 24/7 all year long, the people who are playing most of the time are not really cared about. It most of the time only is the result that matters and on Friday Night Lights it is great that during the season they more and more moved away from that idea that pressure is everything, victory is everything and people are just secondary. That's what I like so much about this show, being german, and not understanding this frigging game even after ten years of watching it now and then (sidenote: I understand all the other sports quite well but don't ask me what a fullback is ;-) )
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4-12-2007 @ 12:22PM
Sara said...
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!! I really hope they bring it back for a second, third, fourth etc..season. It is by far the most natural/real looking show on the air and you really believe that these people exist in real life...total credit tho the actors!!! I love the actor(can't think of his name right now) who plays Matt Saracen (sp?) the way he takes care of Grandma is the sweetest thing I have ever seen. I also really believe that Tami and Eric are married and I am jealous of their relationship!!
Anyway, can't wait for more. Sara
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4-12-2007 @ 12:25PM
Georgia said...
I will be so upset if NBC does not keep this show! I love watching it. I cheered while Smash was running the ball like it was Joseph Addai running! I kept remembering everyone last week saying in the movie they lost - so I was thrilled when they made the touchdown! There's just the right amount of football in this show.
I never expected the pregnancy thing. Kyle Chandler played that so well.
I thought all coaches have college degrees - is that not so?? Anyway, I thought it especially sweet for Street to get to be part of that big win and to be happy for the situation. He's moved beyond the victim mentality.
Poor Landry -- what guy would want to be saddled with that trip, eh? I'm glad he picked Mrs. Saracen up. It's refreshing to watch him.
This was a GREAT episode. I love watching the episodes online too.
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4-12-2007 @ 3:28PM
amy3717 said...
I really love Friday Nights Lights, especially the season finale. I thought it was very well done. I also quite enjoyed Matt's line to coach about why he was out after bed check "I was with you daughter" it just sounded hilarious because it could be taken a few different ways!!! Or when his grandma asked Trya if she had the booze..Oh man I will be very sad if this show does not get picked up for another season. It is one of the few shows I still watch on tv that is not a reality show. So it better get renewed.
P.S. Does anyone know the last song that was playing during the parade because it was awesome and I definetley want to download it.
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4-12-2007 @ 1:06PM
P.Probst said...
Just like NBC's Hill Street Blues' first season in 1981 in which critics raved about the show which received poor reviews yet had a solid fan base, Friday Night Lights may not come back for another season. I can only hope it will have the same amount of success Hill Street HAD DURING ITS tenure. 98 Emmy nominations occured after NBC decided to renew it for additional seasons. I can only hope Friday Night Lights has the same success!
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4-12-2007 @ 1:21PM
Rick said...
Re: the improbable, last-second, come-from-behind victory, I offer just two words. Fiesta Bowl. Heck, even the winning hook-and-ladder was straight out Boise State's playbook. If anything, the fictional Dillon win over VooDoo's Mustangs was tame compared to the real Boise State victory over Oklahoma.
FNL is not just the best new show on TV. It is the best show PERIOD. At least between football seasons.
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4-12-2007 @ 1:27PM
BigTed said...
Here's something most of you will probably disagree with, but I'm going to put it out there: I really enjoyed this show, and I thought they did a great job with the final episode. But why does it need to come back?
In one season, they've already developed the characters and their relationships, and shown us a lot of personal growth. The team has reached its goal of winning state, the coach has achieved his goal of getting a good college position, and most of the kids have learned a lot about who they really are and where they want their lives to go. At this point, it seems as if continuing for another season could bring diminishing returns.
After all, just because a movie is well-made doesn't mean it needs a sequel. And with the advent of DVDs, it's not as if once a show is off the air it's gone forever. So why do good TV programs need to continue indefinitely?
Frankly, if "Friday Night Lights" doesn't come back next season, I'll be grateful for its one really good year, and be satisfied with that.
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4-12-2007 @ 1:35PM
beanspants said...
Georigia, yes all coaches have to have college degrees. Actually, they have to have teaching certificates, which requires you to have a college degree (i think) and pass a test. you can teach/coach for 1 year while waiting for the test, but after that you get cut. While in HS, the cut happened to several coaches/teachers who couldn't get the teaching certificate.
Also Bash, the fullback is a running back who normally blocks for the halfback. The halfback is the primary running back, the fullback is the secondary running back.
And finally, i thought the show (in general) laid on the cheese way too thickly to be considered the best show on TV, and see why people didn't watch. But this episode was really good, so they deserve props for ending really well.
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4-12-2007 @ 2:22PM
amazo said...
i too was dissappointed when NBC ruined the end of FNL in their previews of it a week ago. nbc does not how to promote their shows, and i think thats a big factor why a show like this gets crappy ratings.
did anyone else notice, that when Eric and his wife are in their hotel room, and Eric goes out to the balcony, they show the "dallas" skyline. except right smack dab in the middle of the frame is Frost Tower, the biggest building Austin has to offer.
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4-12-2007 @ 4:39PM
keepitreal said...
amy:
devil town by bright eyes
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4-12-2007 @ 5:36PM
Captain Oats said...
keepitreal:
It's actually Tony Lucca's cover of Bright Eyes' cover of Daniel Johnston's "Devil Town".
Bright Eyes doesn't allow his material to be licensed for shows and commercials, so the FNL folk hired Tony Lucca to record the song specifically for the show, and it'll be available on the upcoming FNL soudntrack.
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4-12-2007 @ 6:23PM
KL said...
Who says for sure that if there is a next season, Eric will be in Austin? Just because Tami said it doesn't mean they won't work out something else -- she said it, but he didn't say yes or no. (There's no way he'd leave her at home with a job, a teen-aged daughter and a new baby.) I was glad to see others remembering "American Dreams" and "Hill Street Blues" -- two of the all-time great ensemble dramas. I am praying that NBC will cancel a lot of schlock and figure they can't dump everything, and keep at least one show that is the kind of quality that shows what TV can be. (I adored "Studio 60" too but it's a goner before we even know if the baby is a boy or girl).
BIG ISSUE: What are we all going to be prepared to do if NBC cancels FNL?
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4-13-2007 @ 4:52AM
scott mclendon said...
Connie Britton so deserves an Emmy for her role as Tami Taylor:she was stunning all season long.
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4-13-2007 @ 10:31AM
SamMalone said...
Coach Taylor shouldn't take the job at "TMU". If he's coaching at that level now he'll still be at that level in a couple of years. At that point his daughter would have graduated HS, and the little one would be about ready to start school. And because there has to be a second season.
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4-13-2007 @ 10:51AM
Ping said...
It is short sighted to believe that we have learned all we need to know, as "Big Ted" #10 suggests. We all know that every stage of our life, every day of our life, is a learning process. This show takes you on that journey with every stage, starting with Riggins' single mother neighbor's young son (can't remember his name) to high school teenagers, to the middle agers, and right up to Saracen's grandma. They have only just begun is the way I see it. This show is so well done, written and performed, that I feel sure they have something of quality yet to say. This is a beautiful show, and they have left me wanting more.
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4-14-2007 @ 1:16AM
Bob T said...
How many people noticed the three different ending between the book, tv show and movie. Both the movie and tv show had the team making the state finals. In the book, the team was beaten in the semifinals of a game it actually led at one point. In the movie, the team makes a late rally that fails on the last play of the game. In the TV show, that last-second failure becomes the winning touchdown.
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