Due to the MWC postponing their season, we’ve been forced to think outside the box a bit in terms of our content. One of those things we will be bringing out is a weekly series discussing thoughts on arguably the best football TV show ever in Friday Night Lights. If you haven’t seen it, there is no better time to start. If you have seen it, there’s no better time to rewatch it. And if you’re like me, and watch an episode or season every year in preparation for college football, you’re right on track. Regardless of which category you fit into, it’s on Hulu, and you can follow along each week (on a Friday, of course) as a different episode from season one will be discussed, from the heartbreaking cliffhanger of the pilot to the final nail-biting game.
Random thoughts in live-tweet form.
- Jason is having a rough time adjusting to being back at home. He defiantly rolls four miles down to the record store to get a CD. Of course, Lyla is randomly there. They have a fight-free enjoyable conversation and take it back to one of their houses for some quality time.
- Matt’s dad makes a surprise visit home on leave from Iraq.
- Tim meets with Tami and talks about classes. That goes as well as you’d expect. Tim tries his lying routine, and Tami calls him out on it. He doesn’t seem phased. She tells him it’s her job that he doesn’t grow up stupid because it’s bad for the world.
- Tami tells Tim no more special treatment from teachers, and Tim tells her it’s a bad time being so close to the playoffs.
- Tami pulls Landry into the chaos by convincing him to tutor Tim in English. Tim and Landry are equally pleased, obviously.
- Matt introduces his dad to Coach Taylor. Matt’s dad underestimates Matt, saying he didn’t know Matt had it in him. Coach Taylor picks up on this, telling him Matt had done great and is a real leader out on the field.
- Matt is hopeful that he can figure out the best course of action for his grandma with his dad back.
- Lyla tries to help Jason adjust, but he is self-conscious. This leads to a fight.
- Tim blows off his tutoring with Landry.
- Matt and his dad clearly have different opinions on both his home life and life in Iraq.
- Eric pleads with Tami about Tim and his schoolwork. Tami calls him out on where his priorities are at.
- Coach Taylor got a late-night call gaging his interest in being a college QB coach.
- Tim keeps blowing off Landry. Matt’s dad is avoiding helping his mom and clearly has no idea how to help her or communicate with her. Instead of making Matt’s problems better, he is making them worse.
- They look into getting Matt’s grandma in a nursing home for better care, but since she is Matt’s legal guardian, that would mean he couldn’t stay there. Matt asks his dad to come home to be his legal guardian, and his dad shuts that down immediately, claiming that all have to make sacrifices. No one makes more sacrifices on a per-episode basis than Matt.
- Landry grows frustrated with Tim over his lack of motivation. They couldn’t be more opposite. The book relates a lot to Tim’s dream getting turned upside down after Jason’s accident.
- Jason stops by the Taylor household and talks to Tami about his relationship drama and its complications. Tami tells him there is no weakness in forgiveness.
- Matt’s dad discusses Matt moving to Oklahoma with his aunt. Matt says he can keep taking care of her as he has been.
- Coach Taylor tells Tim that he is expected to take his schoolwork seriously if he wants to keep playing.
- Matt is clearly stressed about his dad and his life at home and takes it out on Julie at the pancake dinner.
- Matt takes out his frustration on his dad, and they get in a fight in the parking lot. The Taylors witness it, and Tami tells Matt he can go to their place.
- Landry’s band, apparently a screamo band, has about four people showing up, with Tim being one of the four. He tells Landry he got a B- in his latest English assignment.
- Lyla sneaks into Jason’s room, and they have a heart to heart as she confesses that she still loves him.
- Meanwhile, at the Taylor’s house, Julie is sad at the thought of Matt having to move to Oklahoma. Coach Taylor offers to talk to Matt’s dad on his behalf, saying they are all family here. Then he adds that Buddy won’t let him move to another state in mid-season. Matt tells Coach Taylor he hates his dad, and Coach Taylor tells him not to make that mistake.
- Matt goes home and sees his dad taking care of his grandma, and they share a moment.
Coach Taylor’s speeches.
Football observations.
- Matt is looking good at practice with his dad in attendance.
- The assistant coaches tell Coach Taylor he’s made the shortlist of top young coaches in the state.
- With Dillon trailing in their game, Matt has an off game, missing open receivers and over-thinking. He is distracted and wants to impress his dad. Thankfully, Smash carries the load tonight.
- Coach Taylor pulls Matt, telling him it’s just not his night.
- Brent Wiston or something like that is the backup, who’s really the third string. It seems like he is basically to get the ball to Smash, who leads the team to victory.
Unanswered questions.
- What qualifies Matt’s dad to be on the sidelines during the game? Is he a former player? He’s basically on the bench with the team.
Plot holes.
Quote of the episode.
“There is no weakness in forgiveness.” - Tami Taylor.
Clear eyes. Full heart. Can’t Lose. official counter: 12
Texas Forever official counter: 4
Riggins quitting the team official counter: 1
Coach Taylor calling Landry ‘Lance’ official counter: 2