Best episode of the season so far, am I right?
Friday Night Lights got back in the groove this week. Let me count the ways:
1. Kyle Chandler’s Coach Taylor (pictured, center) went through some satisfyingly difficult times settling back into his old job, which included having Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) articulate the betrayal that the rest of the team felt when he left for his college job.
2. Ol’ Coach also had a difficult time dealing with wife Tami (welcome back to the playful side of Connie Britton) and her interest (or lack of interest) in, as it was delicately put, "getting back in the saddle." Post-partum sex drive is tricky stuff.
3. What a great episode for Landry (Jesse Plemons). Right off the bat, we had a welcome return to some Saracen-Landry byplay when the hound-dog-baleful Matt contemplated getting back together with Julie. Landry’s "No, no, no, no" — spoken with the shorthand old friends communicate with — was both perfect and funny.
As for football-Landry, the way the show worked him onto the field, even allowing him a mini-triumph, was both sly and dramatic.
And romantic-Landry? Well, this time the series really stepped upand did that dead-body-in-the-water subplot some justice. It took us ona nice arc. We began the episode with Landry so understatedly joyousabout his evolving relationship with Tyra (Adrianne Palicki); then whenTyra became a "person of interest," as one cop said regarding the deadbody case, Landry’s dad (Glenn Morshower, proving we only saw about atenth of his talent on 24) forbade her to see him, and Landry’sworld was crushed just at the moment he should have felt great. Yeah,it was a little lame that Tyra did the TV-cliché thing of not tellingLandry the real reason why she was breaking it off with him, but the whole rhythm of the subplot was solid: built-up and dashed hopes.
4. And the Jason-Riggins-Lyla Mexican adventure? At first I wasskeptical of the world’s smallest "booze cruise," but pretty soon Ithoroughly appreciated all the carefully modulated emotional currentsthat ran between all three of them. (The only real storytelling potholein this episode: Why in the world would Coach Taylor not be lookingaround the Panthers locker-room and asking where Riggins and JasonStreet were?)
But I’m not lodging any big complaints. This was the Friday Night Lightswe love — they even played some football! Way to go, Matt, in at leasttemporarily dumping Julie! (We’re pretty sure she’ll mend her ways,both with Matt and her parents, and maybe even give baby Gracie a hugbefore too long, aren’t we?)
I’m totally immersed again, really wanting to see how Tyra is goingto withstand this latest setback in being turned into a bad girl in acompletely new way. Landry’s father saying with devastating finality,"You stay away from my boy" — not because she’s a tramp, but because hesuspects she’s done something so wrong she’s caused his son to lie tohim for the first time — that is powerful stuff.
To quote Lyla, I gotta go pray — that next week’s episode is just as good.
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what was the song at the end of “back in the saddle’ episode. Was it I honor you by Cannibis?
no it was not cannibis. I do not know what the sone was. At the very end of Back in the saddle episode a song was playing in the background? anyone know?
I agree this was the best episode of the season so far. I think if Tyra told Landry the real reason for breaking up–he would have gone balistic. This might have been an ironic attempt to protect him. Very sad plot development.
Coach did acknowledge Riggins’ absence when he described to Tami the fact that Matt and Smash are fistfighting on the field, and that Riggins was missing. It looks like Riggins’ disappearance and return might get touched on in next week’s episode – we saw Coach kicking the lovely Tim off the field for some reason. I’m with you; this was the best (and most FNL-esque) episode so far this season. Welcome back to the show we love!
Yeah..last night’s epi was extremely good.I got a huge amount of satisfaction watching Coach Taylor squirm with his players and with Tami. The Landry/Tira/dead guy storyline I think has run it course. Put someone in jail already!!!!
I couldn’t even look at the tv when Tyra was breaking up with Landry. And I love that Matt stood up to Julie. Definitely the best episode of the year so far.
My biggest quibble…this is Texas, land of the Dallas cowboys, you think football coaches couldn’t remember the name “Landry”?
Definitely the best episode so far. I just love Coach and Tami. As for Tyra and Landry, I think Tyra was trying to make him not protect her anymore. She was trying to piss him off enough that he wouldn’t take any more responsibility for the dead guy than he has to. Still a lame plot development, but somewhat more understandable in this storyline than in most. I have to admit I’m a late comer to this show, but I LOVE it now. I hope it stays on for a long time – although high school shows are tricky like that.
The LANCE/LANDRY thing goes back to last season with Coach Taylor never knowing his name. It was supposed to be funny…and it really was. I wouldn’t be too picky about it being TEXAS and that it would never happen! lol
Welcome back, FNL. The Tyra/Landry subplot was a terrible mistake, and I think the writers know this and are trying to deal with it as best they can. If Tyra told Landry the real reason they’re breaking up, Landry would have to confront his father, which could cause some real problems. But Landry is smart enough to know that Tyra is out of his league, which allows him to believe the reason he was given.
It’s been one of, if not the best show, on TV since its been on. I love Matty showing some stones and proving to Julie he is hurt, I love Landry proving that even when things should be great and arent, you still have your boys. And I’m excited about having Street back on the sideline and Riggins back on the field. What a great show, wow. There isnt a better hour on TV.
This show is the best thing on television right now!!! I just don’t understand why more people do not want to watch it. My only complaint is that I wish there was more football in it. I agree that last night was definitely the best episode this season.
This show is wonderfully addictive! I love where the writers have gone with tyra/landry; Landry gets a football “victory.” Now, if they can stay out of jail, they can work their way back together on equal-ish footing. Can’t wait for lyla/jason/tim to be back in TX and see what comes next for each. Love this show!
Matt is going to get together with his grandma’s nurse.
I was so excited about last night. I was so glad that Matt told Julie off and Coach Taylor, I was also really impressed with Tami and Coach. That last scene was hilarious.
Ditto – great episode – great show – hope it stays on for a very long time – but am afraid, based on the previews of next week, it is going to turn out badly for Landry. I love FNL!!!
I agree, definitely the best episode of the season. Loved the Taylors, loved Matt telling Julie off, loved Mack telling coach how he got “back in the saddle.”
BEST FNL episode ever. I love the Tyra/Landry plot, it gives the beauty and the geek theme an authentic feel. Also love Landry’s dad (Welcome back Aaron from 24)!!!!! Jason/Lyla/Riggins storyline was very powerful, regarding accepting one’s disability (Lyla & Riggins are made for each other). FNL’s needs to give Smash another storyline, instead of the sterotypical alph-black male (it’s getting old)–bring back the bi-polar girlfriend. I loved Matt telling Julie off, and Coach/Tami-great chemistry.
Loved last night! Did anyone else get an “Y Tu Mama Tambien” feeling during the last scene in Mexico with Lyla kissing both of the guys and then leaving them to maybe continue the love? That would have been hot guy-on-guy action.
Yes, best episode so far this season. Who was matt kissing in the previews for the next episode? I hope it’s not the nurse, but that seems to be why here characters is even there. I hope eventually we go back to matt and julie!!!!
Yes, best episode so far this season. Who was matt kissing in the previews for the next episode? I hope it’s not the nurse, but that seems to be why here characters is even there. I hope eventually trust is gained back and we go back to matt and julie!!!!
Love, Love, Love this show. Coach and Tami, most realistic married couple on tv. Loved Matt giving Julie the what-for speech. Can’t wait til next week.
I agree. Best episode of the season. It was all great except for “Lance’s” total ripoff of Lost line during his halftime speech. Win together or lose alone instead of Live together, die alone. Who knows? Maybe Landry is just a big Lost fan.
GREAT episode. See what happens when they put football in a show about a football team? CRAZY!
Awful episode. I love this show more’n my luggage, but this was the WORST episode in a pretty bad season. I rolled my eyes every other scene. I was actually excited by the fact that they lost, that Landry had had a triumph but realistically it turned around. But then–guess what? They won!! Let alone the fact that LANDRY IS ON THE TEAM????!!!!! This is NOT the same sweet Matt from last season (liked his last scene with Julie though). Booze Cruise in Mexico????? The cliche of Tyra being so mean to Landry to “break up with him for his own good” Didn’t we go through the same “keep Tyra away from my child” thing with Julie last year? And the Coach/Tammy cutsiness is getting wearing. And, again, why is LANDRY ON THE TEAM?????
Ken, you and I have been on the same page on all four episodes. This by far was the best episode of FNL this year. The humor that was sorely missing last week was back! My fave exchange was Coach Taylor and his assistant discussing how to ‘get back in the saddle.’ When Coach said ‘I don’t ever want to hear about you getting back in the saddle, lol!’ Great show!
Yeah that’s was the show I fell in love with. Had some tears in my eyes when people were cheering Landry’s name, and some more when Tyra dumped him so cruelly. Thank goodness for Matt finally putting Julie in her place.
This show is supposed to be authentic and real, yet every football game they win is at the last second with some heroic play. The football on this show is so unrealistic it is coming close to ridiculous. Go back to Smash. This show is focusing way too much on Landry and Tyra and great murder she wrote arc. Also Isn’t riggins on the team still?
That’s right, El Tee. If Street could get it on with Riggins, he’d be back in the saddle for sure.
Not just the best episode of the season. This is the best episode of the series. Every line was perfect. The writing, acting and directing of this show is on a level of it’s own. I think this might be the best one hour drama ever.