Hey, I was much obliged to read so many of your postsexpressing agreement with me that last week’s season premiere of Friday Night Lights was troubling forthe Landry-murders-a-guy-for-Tyra subplot. But now I wonder if you agree withthis: I thought last night’s second episode was a big improvement, in a numberof ways.
I thoughtthe episode’s writing was really on a par with Lights at its first-season best. The producers even injected alittle much-needed bleak humor into the murder plot early on, when Landry(Jesse Plemons, pictured) insisted he and Tyra go search for his watch where they dumped the body. When Tyra expressed skepticism about the importance of this, Landry did one of thosedeadpan takes he does so well, noting that the watch was, after all, inscribed,"To Landry From Grandpa." (And speaking of Landry’s family, did you see who’splaying Landry’s cop-pop? Glenn Morshower, a.k.a. Agent Aaron Pierce from 24! Did we know this before?)
Loved allthe stuff with Connie Britton’s Tami, her isolation while hubby Kyle Chandler’sEric continues to be treated like dirt in his faraway college-football job, andher post-partum depression/exhaustion. This is the kind of stuff that makes Friday Night Lights such essentialviewing: The show is unafraid to make a main character look tired and crabbyfor a week or two; the show doesn’t underestimate our intelligence. Theintroduction of the substitute guidance counselor was both hilarious andmoving — he caught Tami at her most vulnerable, even as she behaved, as she saidlater, like "a bitch" to him. Bravo to her character all the way around: fornot holding back, and then for acknowledging it later.
Onequestion, though: When Tami was stuck for a ride home from the emergency roomwith the baby, why didn’t she call her daughter rather than Glen-the-teacher?Was daughter Julie just not answering her phone? If you ask me, that young ladyneeds a good talking-to — she’s becoming a rebellious hoochie-mama way tooquickly. And before you write to complain about what I just said, here’s what Imean: I think it’s great that they’re doing this with her character — it adds tothe drama. I’m just saying, half-jokingly, that I hope we also get some scenessoon in which Julie is made to understand that she can’t keep acting like thiswithout repercussions. Which I bet is what’s being set up here so nicely.
I could goon and on, but just want to acknowledge once again the welcome return ofLandry’s sense of humor (him telling Matt he has his "testicles in [Julie's]panty drawer"? Great stuff…) and I’m really liking the way they seem to besetting up Chandler to be fired from his college job.
Some thingsto discuss: Do you think Matt is going to hook up with that attractive newlive-in caregiver, now that Julie has dumped him? And if so, is that anotherexample of the dumbing-down of FNLfor ratings? And I’d really like to hear what you think of the slightshift in the Landry-Tyra subplot this week.
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This show is the best on TV! Love Connie Britton – wonderful actress! I love that she doesn’t care what she looks like to show what a new mom without any help goes through. Love the Landry and Tyra stuff. Hope she doesn’t break his heart. Are they setting up Riggins and Lyla to get together? What will that do to Jason?
Any episode that gives Connie Britton more screentime wins points with me, she’s majestic in FNL. Not seeing a lot of Smash so far, but he got plenty of juicy storylines last season. Matt and the homehelp? That’s a definite hook-up. Love the tiara moment, too. Have to agree, a return. Glad to see Coach Taylor getting to do what he does best, too.
Connie Britton should win next year’s Emmy based on this ep alone.
Does anybody else think that guy looks like an albino Matt Damon?
I think that Tami didn’t call Julie for a ride because Julie doesn’t drive…she’s only 15.
Can we PLEASE talk about Tami and Glen-the-science-teacher-cum-guidance-counselor in bed together in the SFNWE (Scenes From Next Week’s Episode)? I hate when they completely upstage the entire episode by placing the giant watercooler moment in the SFNWE but it’s still fair game for discussion. My prediction is that it will have been a completely non-sexual, “fell asleep next to each other” type of thing because I can’t imagine the writers doing anything that O.C.-ish this early on in a series but we’ll see!
I really loved last night’s ep and also felt it was a return to the quality of season one. This show isn’t afraid to make their characters unlikeable and REAL, and I respect that. Plus, Connie Britton is doing the best acting on television right now. Kudos to Jesse Plemons and Adrianne Palicki as well. They have been shining in a storyline most are unsure about. This is what all television should be like.
So now that he’s joined the team and killed to protect her, is Landry man enough for Tyra? Blergh.
The smartest show on TV has been replaced by a self-serious version of The OC’s second season. How nice.
They should have canceled it.
I’m still upset about the Plot Twist. It made Landry and Tyra’s hook-up seem so contrived — they could have brought their story around to the same point with more subtlety, which is usually the show’s strength. The Tami story line is the most compelling on the show, but PLEASE — no affair!!! I agree, it would take FNL into OC territory — too sad to contemplate.
Last night’s episode was back to its old high standards. The acting and writing were excellent and I even choked up a couple times. (I’m a pussy.) The people in bed in the preview were not Tami and the guidance counselor but Landry and Tyra.
I’m just so glad this show is back ..that’s all have to say this week. Just wanted FNL to know I missed it soo much!
I have a MAJOR crush on Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch). He brings chemistry to every scene he’s in with any woman – i am particurly loving that he’s totally in love with Lyla. Love Tami & Coach too. I’m looking forward to getting them in more scenes together. One question: What happened to Waverly? I really enjoyed the Smash-Waverly relationship last year. It provided Smash with an opportunity to show more dimensions of his personality – more Brian, not just The Smash. I also really love the supporting characters like Buddy Garrity. His facial expression when the coach “invited” him to the pep rally was priceless. Matt’s grandma, Smash’s mother, Buddy Garrity…they are all awesome in their roles. This is by far my favorite show on TV and admittingly probably one of my favorite hours of my entire week! EW – you need to include FNL in your weekly TV watch.
Fast National ratings for Friday, Oct. 12, 2007.
ABC’s new drama “Women’s Murder Club” had a big Friday night premiere, but not big enough to push ABC into first place for the night.
CBS won the night overall with a 5.5 rating/10 share, followed closely by ABC’s 5.4/10. NBC’s 4.9/9 and FOX’s 4.8/9 battled for third, leaving The CW in fifth with a 2.6/5.
With a 2.3 rating, CBS also won the 18-49 demographic. FOX was second with a 2.2 rating, leaving NBC and ABC to tie for third with a 2.0 rating. The CW again trailed with a 1.4 rating.
NBC started the night in first with a 6.4/12 for “Deal or No Deal.” CBS’ “Ghost Whisperer” was second with a 5.7/10, followed by FOX’s telecast of the American League Championship Series game between the Red Sox and Indians. ABC’s “20/20″ was fourth, while The CW’s “WWE Friday Night Smackdown!” had a 2.4/4 for fifth.
At 9 p.m., the premiere of “Women’s Murder Club” did a 7.3/13, handily winning the hour and taking viewers away from CBS’ “Mo
Last season, I thought Landry would ever be the sidekick. I love that he’s coming into his own, and he’s so well-played that Jesse’s now the fourth person I’d like to see get an Emmy nod (after Connie, Kyle, and Zach, ‘course). I wasn’t thrilled about the second season premiere, but I didn’t complain because I have faith in FNL. Not in much else, but certainly in this. We got to get Smash back on the map, though — he seems to have taken a back seat.
At 9 p.m., the premiere of “Women’s Murder Club” did a 7.3/13, handily winning the hour and taking viewers away from CBS’ “Moonlight” (4.6/8) and NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” (3.6/6), which both also finished behind FOX’s baseball for the hour. The CW’s wrestling remained stable.
CBS won the 10 p.m. hour with a 6.0/11 for “Numb3rs.” The premiere of ABC’s “Men in Trees” had a 4.9/9 to edge NBC’s “Las Vegas.”
Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change, particularly in the case of live events.
Not looking good for FNL. Besides getting beat by BOTH ABC & CBS, the total viewers were down by about 1 million from last week. NBC-PLEASE UTILIZE YOUR BRAVO CHANNEL & re-run this show & other “ratings challenged” series (The Office, 30 Rock, Earl, etc.), to give these shows a ratings boost. Late nights would be perfect for the re-runs. Not any prime time competition & a welcome alternative from the talk shows. Plus, extra ad revenue!
First off, thanks for even mentioning FNL in PopWatch and getting the word out about this amazing show. Second, I gotta say this 2nd eppy was a vast improvement over the premiere, and I’m a lot less hate-ful (but still wary) over the Tyra/Landry plot.
LOVE FLN couldnt wait for the new season it was well worth the wait! I have loved the first 2 episodes. Tami is great. I love the tyra and Landry story. My 14 yr. old son says Julie heeds a spanking. LOL
I cant wait every week to watch this show so glad it is back on.. You dont see alot of families on TV any more. Kyle is HOT. Love that he loves his family so much.I sure hope Tami behaves herself.
I cant wait every week to watch this show so glad it is back on.. You dont see alot of families on TV any more. Kyle is HOT. Love that he loves his family so much.I sure hope Tami behaves herself.
It looks like next episode, Tami really lets her daughter have it. In the previews, Tamis slaps her hard after discovering her with the Swede. Can’t wait.
Setting aside the Landry/Tyra storyline, another brave decision the writers have made is to start the season off with such a heavy tone of tension. I can see how that might make it more difficult for new viewers to really get in to the show. At this point, why would anyone like Riggins, for example, if they hadn’t watched the subtleties in his character be set up last year? It seems like the writers have chosen to set up the storylines for this year by fueling them with the tension that exists in real life at times. Sort of the opposite of a more pat show like Men in Trees (not that pat can’t be cute, but FNL is in a totally different league than most other television). But the reasons why this show is so great are also some of the reasons why us viewers have to be patient and let the larger themes unfold.
I love that “Agent Pierce” is playing Landry’s Dad. I hope we see more of him. He’s a great actor and boy do they look like father and son.
Kudos to Connie Britton for her stellar acting this season. The scene last week where her husband told her he was leaving early was heartbreaking. She conveyed such a rich range of emotions without saying a word. This week’s episode also showcased her talents as her character deals with a newborn alone and possible post partum depression. Give this woman an Emmy!!!!
Watched this show for the first time on Friday. Now i see what all the fuss is all about. I thought it was terrific- a little hard to follow and obviously I’m missing a lot, but plan to get the dvd to catch up.
Matt’s Grandma with the tiara was hilarious. Also…that was NOT Tami and the guidance counselor in bed! It was Tyra and Landry. This is my favorite show on TV! More people need to watch. I will not be able to take it if it gets canceled. My heart already broke when Arrested was canceled too early…please SAVE FNL!
PLEASE watch friday night lights!
I can’t go through another cancellation!
Please watch for Connie Britton’s performance. It’s unlikely that she will be nominated b/c the emmy’s & golden globes always ignore leading actresses that are more deserving.
ex.
gilmore girls
veronica mars
buffy
I hated the twist in the first episode, but everything else about it was pretty perfect. The second ep was excellent, and the Landry-Tyra subplot was handled in a much better manner. Still, if it’s getting beat by Moonlight, aka Angel but worse, things are not looking good.
I’m worried that the writers, afraid of being cancelled, are writing for ratings rather than just writing the brilliant work they created last season.The characters and storylines from last year were much more compelling than I don’t know,say killing someone in self defense and rather than doing the right thing and calling the cops, you throw the guy off the bridge, and oops, you throw your engraved watch with it. Seriously. I’ll stick it out but I have a bad feeling about this season. It would be nice to see more of Coach, Riggins, Lyla, and Jason. So how about it EW? Put this show on your must see list! It needs all the help it can get.
I was worried at first, but after watching the 2nd ep. I have to admit that my faith in the show has been completely restored. Can’t wait to see where the story line goes.