From EW editor-at-large Ken Tucker:
If you’re reading this, you probably love Friday Night Lights and watched its blessed second-season return last night. All the scenes between Kyle Chandler’s Coach Taylor (pictured) and Connie Britton’s new-mom Tami were terrific, as is the idea of having Minka Kelly’s Lyla dive more deeply into her Evangelical faith, in part to escape the pain of her romantic relationships and her parents’ separation. This was Friday Night Lights at its best, and the show’s much-discussed-by-fans-and-producers decision to de-emphasize the football games didn’t feel forced to me.
But now for the tricky question: As much as you love Lights, did anything about it make you a little nervous, a little unsettled? In the halls of EW, some of us are cautiously worried that last night’s most harrowing subplot —the accidental killing of Tyra’s (Adrianne Palicki) creepy stalker by Landry (Jesse Plemons) — may be sending the series down a path of excessive melodrama that is at odds with all the beautifully subtle drama we love about this show.
On one level, the plot-turn is faithfully following what came before: Last season, we saw Tyra nearly raped by this thug, and we know that Landry — who may look at Tyra like a besotted puppy-dog but can snarl like a junkyard dawg if anyone bothers her — would do anything to protect her. But having Landry kill this guy and dump his body in the river (if, in fact, that’s what he did — lots of artful editing in those scenes…) instead of bringing the body to the hospital and reporting the incident to the local police? (Remember last season, when Tami had Tyra report the stalker’s attack on her to the cops? Wouldn’t that lay the groundwork for, I don’t know, justifiable homicide?)
More broadly speaking: Does this throw Friday Night Lights into a realm of doomed-lovers-fated- by-murder that pushes the show in a direction that can lead to a more hyped-up, less meticulous drama than the one we admire so much? Do you think the producers have ginned up this subplot to lure new viewers who’ll be attracted to a flashier, more florid storyline? Don’t get me wrong — I am fully committed to Lights for as long as NBC will air it. But I can’t say I’m not a little worried about the best show too many people aren’t watching. I want the team to keep on cheering, "Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!” — not "…can’t lose ratings!" How about you?
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I have to agree with you, Ken. THat murder touch felt a little too heavy handed; almost soap opera touch there. On the other hand, Landry DID get off a classic line: ‘WWRD. What Would Riggins Do?’ It might be the last time he ever gets to make a joke, though.
Right on point with the “Billy Jo McAllister” sub plot. It made no sense for numerous reasons. Besides the attempted rape being on file, no one (including Tyra) could get this guy’s tag #? She calls the kid, instead of the cops when she hears noises in her yard? I find it hard to believe that NBC didn’t require this silly, unplausable story line, in an effort to boost ratings. It just doesn’t jive with the rest of the show’s intelligent writing.
It was definitely my least favorite part of the show. I enjoyed the interaction between the 2 of them for the earlier part of the episode and was disturbed by the dark turn. I’m not too worried yet. This show has been so great; there’s no question that I’m going to stick with it. Hopefully it turns into a good subplot.
It’s interesting, I haven’t seen anyone (except the producers) defending this storyline. The best you get is “Well, maybe it won’t be so bad.”
Which makes me think they’re on the wrong road, and makes me wonder how a clearly bad idea wasn’t killed in the writers’ room.
The bigger question: How were the ratings in the new time slot?
The “murder”/throwing the body off a bridge scenerio is more suited to “Days of Our Lives” than the excellent “Friday Night Lights”. Nothing about the new Panthers’ coach?(Countdown to Coach Taylor’s return in..3..2..1), Bratty Julie & the awful “angst” musician? Bud Garrity living at his car dealership? So many great story lines running, hopefully the “crime” plot will wrap up-SOON!
After hearing much raves about this show from friends, co-workers, and critics, I gave this show a chance and watched it for the first time last night. It reminded me of “My So-Called Life” as a show with a seemingly high school premise devotes just as much time to the parents as it does the students.
The touching scene between Coach Taylor and his daughter in the car illustrates what the show was about, but the murder plot seemed out of place. It was probably a suggestion of a network suit, and not the producers, who thought murder sells Friday night TV shows. Hopefully “FNL” can stay true to its vision so that newer viewers such as myself can appreciate what we missed last season.
I just hope Landry doesn’t lose his lightheartedness. On a show filled with drama, he was always the one you could count on to lighten the mood. To lose that will make this a heavier show. That said, to be honest, I trust the writers and I think that Tami will play some part in getting them to confess, just like she did with Tyra last year. My only complaint: not enough Riggins.
How can Julie behave like that toward Matt? He is the sweetest kid and she knows he is a nervous nelly. I hurt for him.
WWRD was hilarious last night. My dad and I watch this show together every week and I look forward tot his coming season. I think they will wrap up the murder and move on to other things soon.
Hopefully. What were the ratings does anyone know?
I actually liked the Julie/Saracen plot development. As much as I love the two of them together, I can empathize with her fears. She doesn’t want to become her mother–who among us hasn’t worried about that at some point?
Yeah, I wasn’t too pleased with the killing thing. Was LOVING the ep until that point–Lyla getting religious, Jason facing a dilemma with his new role of assistant coach (that actor has done a wonderful job since season one episode one), and the new Taylor family dynamic.
The fact that Kyle Chandler does not possess an Emmy makes me want to tackle someone.
I too hope that the murder becomes a subplot that is quickly resolved.
Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!
I think just the fact that all the critics are nervous says to me this show knows what it’s doing. I’m worried too, but I have faith that they’ll keep it together (not as much as Lila though!). I feel like if they’d been pushed into this corner by NBC something would’ve leaked out about how they were displeased that they had to compromise to stay on the air.
I agree with the posts that ask why Tyra didn’t call the police with the plates, or even GO into the station when the man was chasing her. She already had to deal with it last season, and the cops were aware. ALSO, Landry is supposed to be one of the smartests high school characters on the show. True, he is ‘blinded’ by his feelings for Tyra, but I don’t think he’d ever have let this happen last season. His new ‘tough guy football player’ image with bleached hair is the series to selling out a bit. I loved everything else about the premiere though, so let’s hope the show isn’t ruined by this one hiccup…
I like most of the posters didn’t love the odd murder plot. It was too cheap and easy for such a smart show. But the writers of FNL, based on the brilliant first season, have earned a pass with me. I will trust they know what they are doing … at least for a while longer.
I don’t like it either, but everything before it was done so fantastically, I haven’t even THOUGHT of losing faith yet. But Tyra has always been my favorite except the Taylor parents, so I really hate to see her in a dumb story. And I refuse to believe she would be that stupid to dump a body.
I am loving what is going on with Julie right now. And Lyla’s storyline makes complete sense and I’m glad to see them explore this. And don’t get me started on Tami last night. Oh god it is so good. Even the murder scene had visions of brilliance it in. The shots of the river were brilliant. I just wish they’d stick to real life stuff.
I didn’t watch the show’s first season-I had never read the book and thought the movie bordered on melodramatic. Still, hearing that the show was one of the best and most realistic interpretations of small town life, I gave it a shot. And saw two high schoolers deciding whether or not to cover up the accidental/in self defense killing of a decidedly not good person. In defense of the show I enjoyed that, as of now, Lyla’s journey into religion has been fairly believable, but that was a minor point last night. Maybe I’m being premature but if this is the way the second season is going I might have to tune into Moonlight after all…
I missed the premiere last night. I’ve heard such good things about this show, it seemed like one definitely worth checking out.
One of my friends was saying that dumping the body was incredibly unrealistic, but I pointed out that stupidity like that happens every day. A couple months ago a guy in seattle picked up a prostitute who died in his bathtub and instead of calling 911 he tried to bury the body(even though he wasn’t involved with her death) after leaving it in his house for a couple days.
I don’t like the story line but its so horrific because there’s a glimmer of me that believes that its legitimate
I’m new to the show, but I’ve been in a situation like that (thanksfully with no rape or violence, just a creepy man following me) and it’s always better to go to the police. I was screaming at my television to call the cops. She didn’t even report that the man was following her when she pulled into the station to get Landry off her tail. WHY, God? Why!?
There is plenty of drama arc of the two teenagers ending the life of another person; the inevitably botched cover-up isn’t even necessary. Hopefully it’ll be handled in a smart way.
I have faith. The show has tackled some pretty uninventive subplots rather well – the steroid usage, the racist coach thing – so even though at first it looks like a ratings-grabbing plot device, I think the coming weeks might bring about something fresh to the storyline, which is what makes this show so great.
NEVER WATCHED IT NEVER WILL,WHY?
Wow, Tami trying not to break down when Coach Taylor told her he had to leave early was devastating. Such good TV. The accidental killing subplot did make me nervous — I hope this show is too good to go down the numerous cliche routes that seem to follow from that.
I could not agree with Ken Tucker more on this one. You hit the nail on the head.
clear eyes full hearts cant lose. but can they tie??
Peter Berg mentioned in an interview (I think in EW) that there would be a fairly shocking development in the season opener. It seemed a bit like he was saying it was a mistake plot wise.
I really enjoyed last night’s premiere. Except them dumping the body. My no. 1 choice – have the guy not die, just get beat up. No. 2 choice – go to the cops, for godsakes. I suspect word will get to the producers that the audience didn’t like this turn.
It was kind of weird to see that nine months have passed. The time period the first season covered was only four months.
I still love this show.
I am devastated by the possibility they dumped the body. I may not be able to watch the show because of that subplot – it was sooo over the top. Otherwise it was a great show, but I have no tolerance for the whole “i know what you did last summer” substory…
Was it just me who thought that Riggins was a senior and therefore would not be a part of the football team this season?
I’m bailing out of this show before it gets any worse. I got sucked in last year, despite misgivings about the generically pretty teens and their soapy problems, because the acting and directing were top notch. They still are, but now ALL the plotlines are predictable. Julie falling for a hot guy … who turns out to have a girlfriend? Saw that coming a mile away. Lyla becoming an uber-Christian? Yawn. And then the accidental killing. When did this show turn into The O.C.? As for Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, I love them but can’t watch them do the he’s-choosing-football-over-family two-step forever. Bring in fresh writers and maybe I’ll give this show another chance.
Week two of “Ghost Whisperer” (households: 5.7/11, #2, half-hour: 9.26%; adults 18-49: 2.4, #T2, half-hour: 8.70%), “Moonlight” (households: 5.4/10, #4, half-hour: 0.00%; adults 18-49: 2.2, #T4, half-hour: 0.00%) and “NUMB3RS” (households: 6.2/12, #1, half-hour: 1.64%; adults 18-49: 2.7, #1, half-hour: 0.00%) kept CBS (households: 5.7/10, #1; adults 18-49: 2.4, #1) in front on Friday.
NBC (households: 4.9/9, #2; adults 18-49: 2.1, #2) then had to settle for second place with a new “Deal or No Deal” (households: 5.5/10, #3, half-hour: 18.00%; adults 18-49: 2.1, #T6, half-hour: 27.78%), the return of “Friday Night Lights” (households: 4.2/8, #7, half-hour: -9.09%; adults 18-49: 2.2, #T4, half-hour: 0.00%) and a new “Las Vegas” (households: 5.0/9, #6, half-hour: 2.04%; adults 18-49: 2.1, #T6, half-hour: 0.00%).
Next up was ABC (households: 3.8/7, #3; adults 18-49: 1.8, #3) with repeats of “Pushing Daisies” (households: 3.0/6, #10, half-hour: -12.50%; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T10, half-ho