TVSquad

(S01E10) Each week I am amazed at how they are able to keep so many characters so involved in each episode. While Lyla's ongoing struggle dominated the episode, we still managed to get some movement in the other stories as well. It was interesting how they went about telling the "It's different for girls." story from the title. While the bigger parts of the story were about Lyla and Julie, the real meaning of that title points much more to what we saw with Buddy and Eric.

Here are two men who spend their days in control, exerting authority. We see it with Buddy at the dealership, complete with his bluetooth headset, and with Eric in everything he does as a coach. But the minute the subject of their teenage daughters comes up, and there is a real issue to deal with, they both are at a loss. Floundering to try and do something, anything, without being able to step back and see the big picture. I thought the scene between Buddy and Britney's father was great. A humble man trying to do the right thing. So much story is conveyed in Buddy's crushed reaction. These last two weeks have really filled out the Buddy character. He's so much more interesting now that he's not the one trick sleazeball we first met.

(S01E02) We pick up where we left off with the town dealing with the injury to Jason Street. Everyone seems to be handling it in different ways. While Riggins is drinking his way through it, Smash is already trying to take over Street's role as the big man on campus. Lyla has an unflinching optimism that is sweet, but it's very clear that the line between optimism and denial is a thin one. It looks like we'll be getting into that next week.

Coach Taylor has his own problems. While he's concerned about Street, and there is a very father/son type of relationship there clearly, he has the pressure of the town telling him how they need that W. Matt is almost a deer in the headlights, wondering just what he's got himself into. It makes for all kinds of drama.