Whatever happened to "Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose"? The slogan of our beloved Dillon Panthers has been turned, in recent weeks, into clouded eyes (this week’s Jason-gets-drunk-in-Mexico excursion), broken hearts (Julie, that rebellious teen, realizes the older guy she’s pining for could care less about her), and can’t win (Coach Taylor gets his high-school job back, but has to feel guilty about having a part in ousting the mean new coach).
Don’t get me wrong — I’m a big fan of feel-bad TV. And I’m loving the way Tim Riggins is turning into the most soulful character in the show. It’s just that Friday Night Lights used to show some range; the only time I had a laugh during last night’s episode was when Lyla went to the prison to proselytize and hadn’t come prepared to endure either the inevitable catcalls from inmates or their most elementary religious questions. Her character never used to be plain stupid. And do any of you think that neat coincidence — the prisoner fresh out on parole who gives her the opportunity to make good on her professions of trust — is going to turn out well? And by well, I mean interesting. I’m already tired of this dead-eyed ex-con who’s bound to cause either trouble or heartache for Lyla.
This Friday night, we got two semi-resolutions to major plot-points, neither of them satisfying as drama. The police fished that dead body out of the water, and when Tyra was called down to the police station, didn’t you sense in advance that nothing of consequence was going to happen? Unless Landry’s cop-pop found the grandfather’s lost watch near the corpse, that whole fraught subplot has just evaporated. Sure, I’m glad it’s more or less over — it was a drag — but the method of execution left something (subtlety, shades of character) to be desired.
And, boy, I was really looking forward to a big showdown between Coaches Taylor and McGregor — Kyle Chandler and Chris Mulkey are two terrific actors you really want to see go toe-to-toe and in-your-face. Instead, the fired McGregor just shows up at Taylor’s house and makes him feel like a heel for going along with Buddy Garrity’s plan to reinstall Taylor. We don’t want Taylor/Chandler looking like a whipped dog.
Here’s the thing about Friday Night Lights so far this season: You have to pour everything you know and love about these characters from last season into these hollow versions of the same characters this season, because the show has become all about its melodramatic subplots, and not about people. Remember when we could happily spend whole segments just watching Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton debate, argue, make up, and crack each other up? Remember when a high point of an FNL hour was overhearing Landry and Matt (Matt Saracen! How much we miss you and your shy, halting talk this season!) bicker and joke about silly things? No one behind the scenes is writing that kind of dialogue anymore, or letting enough time play out in any given scene for us to become emotionally reinvested with these people.
We all know the kind of ratings pressure Friday Night Lights is under, and we appreciate that the show is trying to hook new viewers by taking the characters off the field and into new territory. (Mexico and stem-cells extracted from sharks — now that sure as heck is new!) But it ain’t the Friday Night Lights most of got hooked on. As Buddy Garrity put it, there’s a hitch in its git-along. I’ll keep watching, fanning the flames of hope that, now that Eric Taylor’s back in town, he can light a spark under everyone, on the team and at home. (In the latter area, I’d start by making that brat Julie hold her baby sister in her arms for a few minutes a day, and do the dishes and the wash for her mom before she gets her driver’s license.) We want clearer eyes, fuller hearts on this show — then, even when someone loses, they’ll win in our eyes and hearts.
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I agree, something about the rhythm of the show this year is off. But it’s still better than 90 percent of the other stuff on television. And sorry to nitpick but it’s “couldn’t care less.”
Yikes. I thought all this time that Julie had a baby sister. Am I wrong? Did they name the little boy Grace?!?!?
That aside, I too was looking forward to more fireworks between the two coaches. I’m positive it’ll happen down the road. Just like I’m positive Landry’s dad found that watch and is putting two and two together in his mind.
Hey Ken: Julie should hold her baby *sister*, Gracie, not brother. But it’s still a good idea!
Now that Coach Taylor is back business is about to pick up. McGregor will be back, on the opposite sideline in a big game. The Landry storyline isnt wrapped yet either, the watch will come into play. Best show on TV, bar none.
I think one thing this show has been missing is the football. We have had what 3 or 4 episodes and we’ve only seen one small part of a football game. The games are the heart of the show and the community. Hoping with Coach taylor back the football season will kick in too.
I still think that even though this is a down year for the show writing-wise (and it’s not even that down), the acting still makes FNL one of the best shows on TV. However, I would like some mini TV-watch love shown to the OTHER best show on TV…”Life.” The lack of attention this highly original, interesting, and well-acted drama is receiving on this website is criminal.
I still think that this is one of the best shows on TV. I like how the writers are allowing the minor characters, Landry/Tyra, to shine. Also, as a Christian, It’s good to see Lyla’s authentic portrayal of a teenager commited to Christ. I hope the writers don’t patronize or diminish this storyline. I believe the producers are doing great this year and I will continue to watch the show.
You do see the “screwed over/evil coach on the opposite sidelines in the big game” story line coming…uh, didn’t they do that last year with Vodoo? But I guess if they have to tell us half an hour into the show what happened the first half hour, then re-tread storylines are fair game.
I do have to say I noticed one Texas detail, Lyla’s car had the new blue-on-the-inside registration sticker. We just stated doing that this year. However, I am worried about where in Mexico the guys are.
Let’s say Dillon is around Austin, Nuevo Laredo is just a shot down I-35. However next week they’re on some boat, and the city looks like it’s supposed to be Tijuana or somewhere. I guess they COULD be in Matamoros, which is outside far South Texas and near the gulf, but I have a feeling Tijuana is near LA, and that’s where they’re actually at. Oh well, production costs, I guess. I do hope Lyla still intends to go to SMU, would love to see her visit the school and see scenes there.
I know Julie is a teenager and feels abandoned, but she is SO unlikable this season! I really hope she stops being a brat and becomes more rebellious in interesting ways. Maybe she could become more political, fly off to Europe without telling her parents, become goth or wicca, I mean the possiblities are endless. Why does she just have to be whiney and combative. Other than that, I think Connie Britton is even better this season. And I like the changes of Tyra’s character. Love this show!
I have to say that it’s not *quite* the same show it was last season, but some growing pains are expected. I feel like they’re not emphasizing the team and its drama as much as last year. Plus, why the hell haven’t we heard from Smash?!
But, I can’t complain too much. Shows almost ALWAYS endure a sophmore slump, where they’re trying to readjust to “fit” the expectations put on them by viewers, the networks, etc. But as far as sophmore slumps go, this isn’t bad at all. Anyone been watching “Heroes” lately? The acting on this show is phenomenal, and I’m sure that the writers will get back in their groove.
Also, this show needs a different timeslot. Seriously, is anyone ACTUALLY going to get confused if they put a show with “Friday” in its title on some other night? Stupid reasoning on NBC’s behalf. Give it the timeslot it deserves! I always have to watch it online because I usually go out on Friday nights.
I miss julie and matt the couple and i miss the football!!!!
All these great reviews about season 1 motivated me to buy the DVD set, watch them all, and otherwise spread the gospel.
And the payoff for all that has been a dramatic drop in quality. Season 2 has thus far been awful, especially compared against the quality of the first season. Maybe they should have canceled it after one great season.
I miss the football too, Carra
ok, so we are off to a slow start and it seems as though things are falling apart and changing in the town, but don’t you think that is what they were trying to do so coach Taylor can come back and bring the town back together as well as his family. The season is just getting started and I am sure that there are plenty of surprises left in store.
Amen. As you said, I really have to use my love and goodwill for the characters from last season to find the episodes interesting at all. It’s a sad commentary. I did enjoy all things Six/Riggins this week, SP & TK are great together.
P.S. I will echo Sean that “Life” is a really great show I’d love to get some EW love.
I don’t blame the writers. Like you said, the show is under a lot of pressure.
That said, I agree. What happened to the great Matt Saracen and Landry banter? Also, Julie’s descent into rebellion feels a bit random.
I miss “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.”
People have been piling on FNL’s second season and it’s started a bit of a domino effect…everyone’s looking for flaws, further proof that the show has jumped the shark. I don’t see it. With the exception of one over-the-top turn (the Landry/Tyra accidental homicide and coverup) I think the show has been consistent in quality with the first. Even the Landry/Tyra plot, although misconceived, has been well-played past the initial leap in logic. I say we keep cheerleading FNL until the show ACTUALLY declines in quality.
thank you for giving Riggins something substantial to work with for once. but please can matt have some face time…any face time…any at all?
Great post! There’s definitely reason to be critical of Friday Night Lights this season. We still have the great real-to-life characters from last season, but we’re missing a throughline, a character to care about to pull us through.
Last year, it was Matt Saracen’s coming-of-age story in becoming the new quarterback of the Panthers admist Jason’s tragedy and win the girl that he loved. There were some great storylines with the other characters that shined, but it was always Matt’s story that served as a touchstone.
This year, we’re adrift. It seems the writers are trying to base the season on the Tyra-Landry storyline, but it just seems false to the tone of the show. We need a protagonist, a hero to root for, and see the world of Dillon through their eyes.
Hopefully, the writers will reset course this season and pull through. They need to recapture the magic of the first season by focusing on one character’s story as the primary touchstone of the season.
Yeah, but…it’s still better than most other shows on tv. I’m still a devoted and (for the most part) satisfied viewer.
The dead-guy-in-the-river subplot has not evaporated. I don’t want to be a spoiler but if you want to see for yourself, read the TV Guide episode summary for the week after next’s episode.
I really don’t think this show is bad as the critic thinks it is. I still look forward to watching it every week. And bottom line, the stories have me wondering what will happen next. It’s still one of my favorite shows. I think it’s so easy to criticize…I’d love to see you come up with something that you like about it & then let people debate it. That’s your challenge!
I just started by watching in August. I haven’t noticed any major downgrade from last season to this, except for less “in-game” drama which is noticeably absent. This week’s show had a lot of great little scenes, like Eric riding with Julie, and then Mom riding with Julie, and both serving to lead to exasperation for all involved. The scene with Landry in the burger joint had a good bit of tension. How about Mr Puddles? That whole story was charming. I enjoyed the show and I’d still put it up against anything else on TV right now. Just like a small Texas town, don’t look at it under a microscope or you’ll become disillusioned. It’s the little interactions that make it.
Same old story. People love season 1, then cry about season 2 when it’s not exactly the same. True, some shows do screw it up (like Heroes), but most of the time it’s just whiny people throwing around words like “contrived”, “out of character”, or my personal favorite, the all-encompassing “sloppy writing”. Can it.
This is still one of the best shows on television, the one drama I really look forward to in the way I look forward to the Thursday NBC comedies.
I agree with pretty much everything you said Ken Tucker, but I still love the show and eagerly look forward to it every Friday night. At least it’s not as bad as Grey’s Anatomy, Desparate Housewives, or even Lost were in season 2. It’s just started, let’s hope it only gets better and remember, it’s still better than a lot of other shows on TV. With that in mind, NBC PLEASE DON”T CANCEL FNL THIS SEASON!!!!
Patience, patience! This show is still far and away one of the best things on television. Stay with it, and root for it. I never thought I’d love football this much!
It’s waaaay too early to start saying that this show is going downhill. Such short attention spans are why networks program the drivel they do to begin with. Let’s hope this show stays on the air for a long time to come.
I’m mostly loving the show this season. The Tyra/Landry plot is rather annoying, and I hope that gets wrapped up in a couple of weeks. I think Matt is going to come back to life pretty soon- did you see that hateful glare he shot at Coach Taylor at the end of the ep? And yes, Julie has ALWAYS been a brat, I hope Coach gets her back into line soon. More Tim Riggins is always a good thing- he’s always seemed like the heart of the show to me.. he takes two steps forward and then one step back- and breaks my heart each time. I’m not sure what in the heck they’re doing with Lyla- I’m interested in what the convict will have to do with that. I hope NBC keeps the show around for the rest of the season!