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« The Dictionator's Diary (formerly Famin's Blog)
Friday Night Lights: Backfire
As if Fridays weren't cause for celebration by itself, now I've got Friday Night Lights to look forward to as well! It certainly makes my favorite day of the week just a little bit sweeter.
It does! So don't judge me when I tell you that I was so tired last night (and bored waiting for the show to come on) that I fell asleep about seven minutes before it started. I said, don't judge me! So, I'd just like to take a moment to thank NBC.com for posting the entire episodes of my favorite NBC show (closely contested by Scrubs and Chuck) online so that when I ditz out I can still catch up. Because my life is all about catching up!
So, what did everyone think of the episode?
A few talking points....
(1) Tyra and Landry's very close call with the body they found in the river. Do you think Landry's dad suspects something is up, that is, there is something going on more than Landry and Tyra have let on? Do you think Landry will cave and confess in the end? Do you think the writers are going to keep dragging this story on for the rest of the season or that maybe it'll come to a head in November sweeps? Personally, I'd just like to see the two of them get away with it. Not just because the arsloh deserved it, but because I think the guilt alone is punishment enough for what amounts to a case of self-defense. But that's just how I feel. And I really don't want to go into a murder trial and I don't want to see Landry in prison. He would not do well in prison.
(2) Born-again Lyla and her prisoner reentry program. Where are they going with this storyline? Obviously Buddy hired the kid (sorry, I missed his name and he's not listed on IMDB yet) to get in good with his oldest daughter. Will he renege on that promise? Just once I'd like to see that work out okay. Life is hard for prisoners trying to reenter the workforce. Just once I'd like to hear a success story. And just once I'd like to champion a spontaneous choice Lyla's made.
(3) Tim and Jason's excellent drunken Mexican adventure. This storyline had me snoozing for the most part (isn't it a little sad that the only Mexican karaoke song most Americans recognize--me included--is La Cucaracha??)...until Tim's non-drunken phone call to Lyla. (And I love that it was Lyla he called, because that's who he goes to for guidance.) I love that Tim is concerned about Jason's spontaneity (so that's why Jason and Lyla got along!), and rightly so. I'd be a little nervous myself. If Jason was my son, I would tan his hide if he even thought about just taking off for Mexico to have some very, very questionable medical treatment. As an impartial (stop laughing), unattached (just stop) viewer, I'm very worried for Jason. What if the treatment makes his paralysis even worse??
Good thing I don't have children. But that's FNL for you. It's the one show that consistently has me yelling at my television screen because that's how involved they've made me get with all these characters. So involved that I'm unable to type grammatically correct sentences! (Good thing it's Saturday and I'm not working today.)
(4) The prodigal Coach returns. The high point--reconciliation between Tami and Julie. The second high point--Baby Grace isn't crying as much as she was three weeks ago (must be because she's grown two months in three weeks). But the moment that made me go hmmmm...Coach (was it McGill?)'s confrontation with Eric: "I've been fired before. But this is the first time I've ever been sabotaged by another coach." Yikes. Do you think it was well-deserved?
Oh, last two high points: Julie learns at a young age that college boys' apartments are often very, very gross.  Am I the only one who is amazed that Tami can impart such immense wisdom in just three sentences (re: her story about her own obsession with an older man who slept with her and ignored her; "He may like you, but he doesn't love you; that's the difference.")? I wish I could do that!
And I loved Aimee Teegarden's PSA at the end about teen driving. Nicely done!
So, sound off below, Panther fans. Did I miss anything important? Well, other than that we're still not getting enough Smash and Waverly. I didn't see any clips of them in the opening--that can't be good, right? Bring them back please!
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Oct 27, 2007 12:25 PM
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Looks to me like Landry's dad is gonna try & break him & Tyra up. I think Tyra feels a little better about the guy dying because he was a known rapist, but feel Landry will spill the beans about it eventually. His dad is a cop & knows something is up. I think Lyla & the juvy guy are gonna hook up. Glad Julie & her mom are reconnecting & that dad is back. I hope he doesn't let what the other coach says get to him. I don't think he stabbed him in the back. He was going with what Lyla's dad told him & knew he needed to get back home to his family as it was falling apart.
Tim & Jason & Mexico--hope Lyla gets there in time & talks him out of the "operation". So far this season has been great--go Panthers.
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Oct 27, 2007 1:39 PM
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Hi Famin,
I'm happy that Coach Taylor got his Panther job back so soon so we won't have to go through any more episodes with all of the trauma of his separation from the family. Still, it seemed to be resolved a little too quickly and easily. But I'm not complaining; it's just an observation. And I did feel bad for Coach Jerkface, even though he was a jerk. I think he did have a point about being sabotaged.
So Julie got one of life's hard lessons that every teenage girl has to learn. Maybe she'll calm down a little bit with her dad back home and after her episode with Swede. She was getting more than a little unbearable.
I'm rooting for the parolee too; I hope this is one case where the writers will give us a success story. Lyla was making me cringe with her new-found passion, but she did manage to connect in a good way with someone who needed help.
I was snoozing through Jason and Tim's Mexican adventure too and worrying that they would get into some kind of legal trouble. I hope Lyla answers Tim's plea and goes down to try to talk Jason out of the iffy medical treatment.
As for Landry, I don't think he's going to keep from turning himself in; he's too racked by guilt. Let's just hope he gets off with self-defense; at least they know what kind of psychopath the guy was.
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Oct 27, 2007 1:54 PM
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Hi Famin, I don't watch FNL, I just can't fit it in. I just wanted to stop by and say Hi and hope you're feeling better.
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Oct 27, 2007 1:59 PM
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Hi Famin! - I'm glad I wasn't the only one snoring through the Mexican adventure. I just don't think Jason will end up going through with it, and I thought, what's the point? A snake oil salesman isn't going to cure his paralysis.
I have a realy problem with self-righteous born-again bible beaters, but hopefully Lyla can help out the juvy kid. It doesn't hurt that he's hot in that bad-boy-with-a-good-heart kind of way.
I thought it was pretty poor of that fired coach to stop at the Taylor's house and ream Eric like that. What do you want to bet he gets another high school job and their teams meet later in the season? I'd put money on that.
Nice blog, Famin! Thanks!
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Oct 27, 2007 3:17 PM
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Hi Famin!
Online comes in handy doesn't it?!
I liked the episode but was fuzzy about a few things. They're small, so I won't bother askng at the risk of sounding stupid.
Julie is rapidly getting on my last nerve. I think she needs a reality check - and quick!
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Oct 27, 2007 8:21 PM
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Hi Famin:
I think Landry's dad got a big clue when he saw Tyra in the interview room.
And I wasn't that fond of the Mexican trip, but was impressed that Tim is questioning everything. For once, he does seem to be acting as "best friend" for Jason.
Eric is home. Yay!
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Oct 27, 2007 8:36 PM
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TanaL - I didn't care for the Mexico trip either. It just felt weird to me and the dialogue was stilted. They both kept repeating the same lines over and over. I thought maybe the tape was stuck!
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Oct 27, 2007 8:43 PM
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So don't judge me when I tell you that I was so tired last night that I fell asleep about seven minutes before it started.
--- LOL. Me too!! About a half hour before though. I wanted to stay awake for FNL and Numb3rs, but I just couldn't do it. I watched it first thing this morning though.
Am I the only one who is amazed that Tami can impart such immense wisdom in just three sentences
--- I'm amazed too. She is so phenomenal. Her story came at the perfect time. And the statement "He may like you, but he doesn't love you; that's the difference" was just perfect.
I got a huge kick out of Coach taking Julie out driving. Silly man! Trying to have a serious conversation while his teenage daughter is behind the wheel after she just got her permit??? That was an accident waiting to happen...
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Oct 27, 2007 11:25 PM
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Hi Famin. Glad to hear I'm not the only one to sleep through some of my favorite shows. The worst is when I see the beginning and see the end so am sure I've seen the whole thing until I'm reading blogs. People will be all excited about whole parts that I don't have the first idea about. It is emabarrassing!
This was another great episode. I really liked the trip to Mexico. It served very well to point out how desperately Jason wants his life back.
Are you familiar with Herc? In case you are not, here is a little backstory on him. When Jason was moved from the hospital into rehab, he was introduced to this cocky little guy suffering about the same type of paralysis as Jason. He was very instrumental in getting Jason through the initial sorry-for-himself stage. He was very good at pushing his buttons. At one point they were going at it so hard and furiously they both ended up overturned on the floor. Jason sheepishly asked "What do we do now?" Herc told him "Don't worry. Eventually somebody will come by and help us out." They both cracked up and have been friends since then. Herc also introduced Jason to wheelchair rugby.
My point in bringing Herc up is lately, and I'm not sure if it was the beginning of this or last episode, they showed Jason and Herc with a bunch of their wheelchair athletes. Jason asked Herc if he had heard of this doctor in Mexico doing these experimental treatments. Herc looked at his watch and then around at the other guys and said something like "About a year? Yeah, that's about the time to start looking for the miracle cure." Herc and the others laughed but Jason was obviously NOT amused.
That is why he is there desperately seeking a miracle and I am so glad that Tim is with him. It will be interesting to see the three of them (Lyla, Tim and Jason) together again. They used to spend a lot of time together until Jason found out about the time Lyla and Tim spent without him.
The juvenile delinquent Lyla brought home is going to make an interesting story, too. I hope it works out well for the kid and Buddy, too.
You said "Just once I'd like to see that work out okay. Life is hard for prisoners trying to reenter the workforce. Just once I'd like to hear a success story."
Not too very long ago I heard a real good success story. I cannot remember all the particulars but, it was about this guy who had hired an out of luck ex-con to work in his car dealership. It turned out so well for both that the man has since hired several and they have all worked very well as I recall. So... There you go.
I am not sure if Coach Taylor was deserving of that remark by his replacement and his predecessor. I can sure understand the man's ire, though. As someone else mentioned, I doubt we have seen the last of him.
One of the things I love about this show is the Taylor family and the way they speak to each other. My favorite bit of dialogue this show came just before and as the new ex-coach knocked on the door. I don't know what they were talking about but, at the time he knocked Eric was telling Tammi "Well, you know one of the best things about me..." There's the knock and as Eric rises and heads for the door he said "You go ahead and tell her, Gracie. You know all about that stuff." Tammi mumbled something like "Yeah, you been fillin' her head with it since you got back." I just love stuff like that!!
Don't know what's going to happen with Landry and Tyra. Landry's dad did have a questioning look as he passed the room with Tyra, her momma and the cop. I so don't want them to get in any serious trouble. They have to get in some trouble. I just hope that it's more about interferring with an investigation or withholding evidence rather than manslaughter or some degree of murder.
It's late and they're playing some serious blues on Austin City Limits. I better say good night.
Good night.
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Oct 27, 2007 11:37 PM
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Hi everyone! I'm procrastinating on the PowerPoint presentation I'm supposed to be editing, so here I am!
bbfan--do you really think Officer Landry is going to break Tyra and Landry up? I thought he liked the two of them together? But I do think he suspects something is up.
Marci--you know, now that you mention it, I agree that maybe the Eric-coming-home storyline was resolved a little quickly. I always knew (since last May) that he would come back, so I'd been expecting it, but storywise it did happen sort of fast. Maybe this means there'll be repercussions.
I'm rooting for the parolee. In real life, faith-based organizations are the front-runners for helping ex-offenders re-enter the community. So, I'd like to see that explored a bit.
Molly--you are always more than welcome to pop in and say hello! Although, are you sure we can't persuade you to give FNL a shot? It's really, really good! And, unlike many serial dramas, you can start watching the show from the middle of the season and catch up pretty easily.
What do you want to bet he gets another high school job and their teams meet later in the season? I'd put money on that.
Ooh, Coug! That's a great story idea!
Revvy--Julie's not always been this irritating. I think though that her phase of "acting out" is coming to an end now that the Swede is essentially out of the picture (is Anton a Swedish name?). She was very sweet last season, so hopefully that'll come back.
Meanwhile, feel free to use my blog to ask questions! No question too small--we're just glad you started watching the show! If you feel really embarrassed, you can PM me too. Least I can do for you, since you pointed out that EHC is repeated on Sundays! Happy Sunday, by the way, and good luck with all your work this morning!
I agree with you and Tana that the dialogue in Mexico felt really stilted. Granted, they were drunk for at least half of that, but still--it could've been much shorter.
I got a huge kick out of Coach taking Julie out driving. Silly man! Trying to have a serious conversation while his teenage daughter is behind the wheel after she just got her permit??? That was an accident waiting to happen...
LOL, Pix! Seriously, that scene had me flashing back to when my own parents were teaching me to drive. There was much yelling! Are there parents who have been able to teach their kids to drive without yelling? If so, kudos to them! BTW, glad to hear that I wasn't the only one who fell asleep. Must've been all that rain, Friday, eh? I'm glad to hear that you don't have insomnia every night though!
People will be all excited about whole parts that I don't have the first idea about. It is emabarrassing!
zeg--I so feel your pain! This happens to me with startling regularity. I chalk it up to getting up at 4am every morning. What I've started to do is tape everything--even if I end up watching it live as well! Then, even if I don't get to watch it until the weekend, it's there!
I do remember Herc's story. I sometimes think that if Herc was less abrasive then maybe Jason would pay him more mind. But that's not Herc's character, and sometimes Jason needs someone to be a little abrasive but truthful. I agree that Jason's trip to Mexico was completely in keeping with his character--last year this was about when he was focusing on the wheelchair basketball team. He's always looking for some way to bring a little normalcy back to his life, which I think is very well-written! But I really hope he doesn't get that surgery. It would be nice to see Lyla, Tim, and Jason back together again too, but that might be asking for too much!
Thanks for the story about the successful ex-offender! There are success stories like that out there, but unfortunately they are few and far in between!
Oh and my favorite bit of dialogue was Eric's line, "Go ahead, Gracie, you tell her." That was just too cute! And Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler deliver the banter so well. It's what I look forward to most every week.
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Oct 28, 2007 7:42 AM
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Famin - terrific blog as usual!
I loved this episode! I am glad that the coaching situation has been resolved and I did agree abit with Coach Buttface but in reality, it was pretty much all Buddy that was responsible.
I am so glad that Julie finally came to the conclusion that the Swede was a loser. I really need her to give her poor baby sister a minute of her time and at least pick her up! We have yet to see Julie even touch the baby!
I like to see the good Tim Riggins come out occasionally! He is a good friend regardless of his history with Lyla!
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Oct 29, 2007 2:58 PM
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Thanks Ranger! Good point about Julie and baby Grace. I hope they explore that a little more--most siblings go through that jealous phase when a new sibling comes along (I know I did), and I'm sure it doesn't skip you by even if you're in high school. I'll be annoyed if everything is all happy-happy now that Eric is back home! Hello, writers?
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Oct 29, 2007 5:59 PM
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