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« Friday Night Lights
Brawls On and Off the Field
Eric hopes he can get his old job back. Kyle Chandler by Mitchell Haaseth/NBC
Episode Recap: "Are You Ready for Friday Night?"
Is this show about football or hockey? There was so many smackdowns (verbal and physical) tonight, that I think I'm forming bruises in sympathy. What does it say about a show when the characters who are doing the best at the moment are the ones who recently committed murder?
That's right, you Tyra and Landry fans — the deed has been done, is probably going to be done again. And it seems like they're genuinely in love. Dillon's former bad girl — who seems to have passed on her particular brand of anger to Julie, but more on which later — is in a relationship with a guy that respects her and won't take advantage, so it's just too bad that the entire foundation of their love is that they killed someone. Their watch-shopping scene was the sweetest and lightest of the night ("it really doesn't look anything like [the old watch] except that they are both watches and have hands and tell time"). Definitely a welcome respite from the gloom and doom that seems to have rolled into Dillon over the last 10 or so months.
The rest of the show was like a competition for Whose Life Sucks the Most. Tim certainly put in a strong showing for this category. He found out that his brother is sleeping with his much older ex-girlfriend, which turned him into a bigger drunk and eam screw-up. The love of his life, Lyla, rebuffed him even after he went to her mega-church, and his best friend Jason told him that he was, "disgusted" and "disappointed" in him. Despite all of this, Tim lost the title for WLStM when he decided to join Jason for the medical miracle tour down to Mexico. There was a certain peppery irony in Tim's predicament with his brother, considering his liaisons with Lyla from last season. I had to wonder if part of his downward spiral was the realization that seeing someone you care about sleep with someone else you care about really blows, for lack of a better word.
Next in contention, we had Matt Saracen. Freshly dumped by Julie for the Swede, out of favor with Coach McGregor, and sans clean clothes, he took his anger out on Smash during the game, prompting a fight. If he didn't have the possibility of future love with his grandmother's live-in nurse, I would say that his life was heading down the drain. All of this drama almost makes you forget that his father is in Iraq and that his grandmother is losing her mind. As is so often said about situations on this show, if it weren't FNL, Matt's storyline would seem theatrical and melodramatic. But it is FNL and Zach Gilford is an incredibly gifted and subtle actor.
The winners (a dubious honor in this unfortunate competition) this week had to be the Taylors. All of them. Eric's made it quite clear that he hates his job and being away from his family, Julie's making out with a van-driving pot-head, and Tami's going out of her mind. Slapping Julie destroyed her, and Julie's ridiculously harsh response ("You got rid of me when you got Gracie and Dad left. You need to learn to live with that") certainly didn't help matters. Actually, that scene pretty much destroyed me too. I love this show, but it certainly isn't easy on your nerves — which is exactly why we all love it.
Finally, what do we make of Buddy Garrity? He picked up Tim from the hospital and seems to have a plan to get Eric back in Dillon as head coach; quite the turnaround from last week's drunken disaster. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Wouldn't it be something, dear readers, if Buddy Garrity ended up being the savior of Dillon?
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Oct 19, 2007 10:05 PM
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Really enjoyed tonight's episode, despite all the sadness. Loved the conversation between Tyra and Landry's Dad, as well as the conversation in the watch shop. My favorite bit though, was Landry's 'Fundamental Theorem of Calculus' t-shirt.
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Oct 19, 2007 10:38 PM
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Are they really trying to break our hearts?? I felt like the writers were quite sadistic after the first 45 minutes--there didn't seem to be one positive storyline. But it picked up considerably in the 4th quarter.
I'm looking forward to next week's show.
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Oct 19, 2007 10:48 PM
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I think Tyra and Landry are really cute together, and how much do I love Aaron Pierce as Pop Landry?! Him seeing Tyra climb out the window was too funny, and then him asking what she was doing with his son, and her response, were highlights of the episode.
I kind of hate the idea of Matt with the nurse. I'd like to see them be friends, but not more. And I'm glad he tried to take Smash down a peg, cuz that kid needs it badly! The captain is not the whole team, he should be a leader and someone the team can look up to and count on, and Smash is none of the above. And what happened to Waverly?
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Oct 19, 2007 11:46 PM
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Loved the ep. I could really feel the pain in the characters. They all have different dilemmas going on and they are trying to deal with it.
Enjoying the Tyra-Landry pairing. Sure the murder was a bit jarring. Still do not know how they will resolved. Truly hope Landry doesn't goes to prison. But even without the tragic incident, it looked like those two were going to get together. It may have happened a little later, but it was headed that way anyway. So I don't buy that the murder was the only reason why they are together. Still can't get over that Aaron from 24 is Landry's father. That is so cool. Funny how he was kinda jabbing at Landry in the kitchen about if he had any new friends. Also liked the look that Tyra gave Landry at lunch. She has fallen for him. A victory for nice guys.
Kinda rough for the new head coach to call Jason the school mascot. I would have quit as well if someone called me that. No respect at all. Is the head coach calling the offensive plays and not Mac? Just curious. It seems like Mac being the OC would be calling the plays. I do think Jason is deluded if he thinks this Mexico thing will work. Sounds like a scam.
Glad we finally got to see the next door neighbor. People were wondering about that. I am happy that Riggins and her are not carrying on anymore. Can't believe Lyla was buying Riggins act for as long as she did in her bedroom. It never seemed sincere to me. People probably have asked this, but I could have swore that Riggins was a senior last year. It's fine. I am not that bugged by it.
Julie and Tami seem to be falling apart without Coach Taylor. Julie is going down a bad path. Why does she want to hang out with all those older potheads? You can say really stupid stuff when you are stoned. When you are stone cold sober, it sounds like gibberish. But it is new and exciting for Julie for now. It will get old fast though.
Tami also is having a hard time. That was a heavy duty slap on Julie. I will say it was well deserved. Maybe Tami should get some help for the baby for a little bit. I believe she needs some time for herself during the day. It is rough right now for her.
I am glad that Matt got in a fight with Smash. He is showing some backbone. Hopefully they won't put him together with the caregiver. Smash is still Smash. He did make some good points by saying he has look out for himself in his senior year with college scouts probably looking on. I don't like that the new coach put in a new play which Matt didn't even know. That just sucks. But that was horrible INT by Matt in the game. It didn't have to come to that if the new head coach would have varied the game plan by Jason's recommendations. I wonder if they are going to bring back Smash's girlfriend. I guess they aren't together anymore. I don't remember if they broke up at the end of last season or not.
It would be interesting if Buddy is the catalyst that gets Coach Taylor back. It seems that Buddy said some hard truths about Coach Taylor's family to him. Finally hit home after the football game and learning about the confrontation between Julie and Tami.
Great ep. Sure it wasn't wine and roses, but still very enjoyable. Doesn't hurt either that all of the women on the show are easy on the eyes.
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Oct 20, 2007 12:05 AM
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I also take exception with the idea that "the entire foundation of [Tyra and Landry's] love is based on the fact that they killed someone." I think Tyra was beginning to see Landry's charms before that happened. They had been hanging out and he was who she turned to when she needed help. The killing may have sped things up, but I don't think it's all based on that.
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Oct 20, 2007 12:32 AM
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Great post! Buddy will be the savior of Dillon. He had some surprisingly truthful things to say to Coach Taylor about how his team and family are falling apart without him. Devastating to see it come to this, and makes you appreciate how certain people are needed to keep things together.
Julie's line to her mother was devastating and really reflected her feelings of abandonment, motivating her rebellious behavior.
Matt's outburst was simmering throughout the episode, as his repressed feelings were bound to come out on the field. Thankfully, he has the new caretaker at home to be there for him. Great intimate moment there for Matt who I think really needs it.
I'm surprised at how this show always strives to be balanced and avoid charicatures and cliches, as Street made some good points about this being his senior year and an important recruitment period for him. Can't fault him as much for his self-interest, and hot doggin' has always been a part of the Smash.
Time for a real road trip too, and I'm glad Jason and Street are doing it to get away from the troubles at home and revive their friendship. Hopefully next episode will have a more lighter and adventurous spirit.
Oh and Coach Taylor is coming back. Squeeeeee......
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Oct 20, 2007 2:33 AM
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Great show! Want to see some more Riggins and Lyla.
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Oct 20, 2007 6:52 AM
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I squeeled with delight when I saw Coach knocking on Buddy's door. When he said Yes, I did too. The whole town is suffering b/c Coach isn't there. I HATE the new coach. I hope he will go away but I do not think he will go away quietly. I think it will take a lot of money.
Love Tyra and Landry. They are sweet together. I gree, I think they would have eventually gotten together.
I do NOT want Matt and the nurse to get together, however I see it coming.
Poor Tami, love her. I swear if she doen't get nominated for an emmy or a golden globe then it will be a disgrace to the acting community!! She so deserves it!!
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Oct 20, 2007 7:51 AM
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What is up with the new coach? It seems he has a bigger stick up his butt every week! A while back he told Street he couldn't be a coach and a friend, and in a way, that makes sense. That said, Street has grown up with these guys and he knows their boundaries, so why doesn't Coach McGreggor take that into consideration? Jerk.
Anyway, yay! Coach Taylor is finally back! I think Buddy was commedable in this episode because not only did he bring Coach back to the faltering team, but he opened Coach's eyes to what a disaster his family has actually turned into.
I also agree with the surgery. Experimental surgery in Mexico? I know it's not just me who thinks this is a huge mistake, and may even leave Street worse off than before (how many medical shows have people coming into the ER because of complications due to surgeries they had in Mexico?)
As for Riggins and Street, I really hope they can get their friendship back on track, but Riggins really needs to cut out the drinking (didn't he sober up already, a while back in Season 1?) and straighten out. I had a feeling his little speech to Lila (Lyla?)was a con, but in the end when he said it wasn't a line, I kind of believed him, not sure why...
Anyway, great episode! Welcome Home, Coach Taylor! It sure as hell won't be easy.
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Oct 20, 2007 9:13 AM
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Great recap Leah! Thanks.
I agree with Speedy1383. Smash did make some good points about needing to look out for himself in his Senior year. Outside of that, I did want to smack him. He has never really been a great team player, so why should this year be any different?
I too am interested to find out for sure if Riggins was a Jr or Sr last year. Several people have answered that question, however they have been conflicting answers. If he was a Sr, maybe we will find out he did not pass all of his classes and needed to repeat. We still do not know what happened in that 7-8 months in between. I have confidence these writers would explain any possible continuity questions.
This was a downer of an episode, but still great as always. I felt so bad for Matt this week. And Jason! Mascot?! He came off as a pretty decent assistant coach last year. The new coach...what a jerk.
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Oct 20, 2007 9:45 AM
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I think that this was the best show so far this season. Someone please get Tami and Eric back together. Tami is in such need of a friend, and a man, that she has the guidance counselor hanging out with her. She and Julie were so close last season! I think that Julie has completely lost her mind. I guess having a father around really does make a difference. And would the writers of FNL please give Matt a break! And your post was right on about Tyra and Landry. They are the most normal on the show and they are murderers! I cannot wait for next week. Please FNL, make Eric the coach of the Dillon Panthers again!
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Oct 20, 2007 10:33 AM
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Wow again. As always. I loved the episode. And HOW glad are we all that Coach Taylor is coming home -- while I love the show in its sad parts, that makes me so happy and will hopefully bring some fun back into the lives of everyone in Dillon. Big cheer for Buddy bringing hik back. Obviously Eric can do a lot for Tami with the baby, and hopefully he's not too late to turn Julie back from her bad road. I'd very much like to see a reconciliation with Matt too, if he's willing to forgive her. If not, the chemistry with the live-in nurse (I don't remember her name) is quite hot. And I think Julie should have to work to get him back; what she did to him, and why she did it, was just so wrong.
Memo to Smash -- seems to me that the best way to look after yourself is to BE a team player, and with Coach Taylor coming back, I'm sure he'll make sure of that. I don't buy his dig to Matt that he was sorry McGroger wasn't treating him like Coach Taylor did; Eric stuck his neck out for Smash more than once last year (he wouldn't even be ON the team if he had been turned in for the steroid abuse.) It's obvious to me that Eric cares for all his players and wants all of them to display their talents.
I'm not much of a religious person, but I do find Lyla's storyline this year really interesting. The chemistry between her and Tim is definately still there too, so I'm excited to see how this goes. I do love the irony of his current situation with his brother and his ex vs. last year with him and Lyla and Jason, but still, that was HARSH the way he found out. Plus, if it were me I'd be a little creeped out by the idea of sleeping with a woman who I know also slept with my brother. Just me.
I continue to enjoy the Landry/Tyra storyline because it is so well played. And big yay that they're together now.
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Oct 20, 2007 12:22 PM
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Love this show week after week. Nothing else on TV is so starkly real and raw.
Couple of little things:
If Riggins was a Senior last year (I still don't know either way) and failed his classes, he would be ineligible to play football. because A) You have to maintain grades in good standing and B)you only get 4 years to play.
I hate the Lyla/church storyline. At least it was a realistic portrayal of some of today's modern churches, but if one sermon and a couple songs is all it takes to right Riggins life, then I'll have to take back everything I said about FNL being "real." Life doesn't work that way. I have a great friend (alcoholic) who immersed herself in a church like that. Of course she had the magical "change" too. Now her life revolves around the church, they pick all her friends for her, and she still drinks and is just as unhappy - because the real root of her problem was never faced. On FNL, it just feels like pandering to red-state viewers for ratings.
Something tells me it won't be as easy as "Yay Coach Taylor is back." There are contracts in place, and it's pretty darn hard to fire teachers and coaches in the middle of a school year without a huge legal mess. That's probably what we'll be seeing for the next several weeks.
Anybody else notice that at the beginning of the show when Eric was buying food the radio guy was trashing Coach Taylor. Then later that night as the game was starting he was saying how hard it would be to fill the shoes of "the great Coach Taylor?" That really seemed out of place to idolize him like a legend. He only coached there one year, and for most of the season no one believed he was the right man for the job. He took them to state then bolted for a better job. I find it hard to believe that he would be considered "great" by many people at this point. That's the show's bigegst weakness to me - the way they always waver back and forth with Taylor being Hero/Villian.
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Oct 20, 2007 1:47 PM
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If Riggins was a Senior last year (I still don't know either way) and failed his classes, he would be ineligible to play football. because A) You have to maintain grades in good standing and B)you only get 4 years to play.
OK, scratch what I initially said. All I was really trying to get across is that I would trust these writers to explain things if there is a question of continuity.
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Oct 20, 2007 3:54 PM
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