In a new strike-era TV landscape littered with trash like The Biggest Loser and American Gladiators, it’s good to know NBC is still forced to show something excellent on its air: Welcome back, Friday Night Lights!
The return of FNL got off to a bumpy start, what with the mini-tornado that probably used up the struggling series’ special-effects budget for a full season and proved to be just a silly excuse to get Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch, pictured) to shelter Julie (Aimee Teegarden) in his arms. And as far as those flirty scenes of Tami’s sister Shelley (Jessalyn Gilsig) making goo-goo eyes at Tim go, I agree with Tami (Connie Britton) — ewwww.
But, hey, you put a lanky-haired, downright affable Riggins in a house with women, and at least a couple of them are bound to start fantasizing, I suppose. (And did you see him playing with the baby in the opening seconds? A great touch: a hard-case like Riggins makes a thoroughly convincing softie for a cute infant.) Riggins’ new living-arrangement in the Taylor household was a blessing early in the hour, when Coach Eric (Kyle Chandler) was feeling that it "evens out the gender teams" a little. Later, of course, Riggins’ presence would become a curse.
But before we get to that, there was a lot of good stuff. Icompletely enjoyed all the rough rivalry between the Dillon Panthersand the Laribee Lions team, especially when Eric slammed the Lions’coach against the wall. (And, come on, you have to admit it —"Smashhole" is a believably adolescent insult to make against GaiusCharles’ beloved Smash.)
More crucially, I really liked how the push and pull of theattraction between Landry (Jesse Plemons) and Tyra (Adrianne Palicki)is playing out. It made dramatic sense to me that, now that Landry’srole as protector and keeper of the Death Subplot We’re All Relieved IsOver has come to an end, Tyra would be reevaluating her feelings abouther witty dork-turned-boyfriend. Her line, "You make me feel too much,Landry," delivered by Palicki with perfect delicacy, was right on theemotional money for a girl like Tyra, as was Landry’s shrewd speechabout Tyra’s self-esteem problems, problems he’s become frustrated inhelping her solve. This is FNL working at full power, with tender complexity.
(May I also add that I admired the regional authenticity of ahigh-school "formal" dance at which both hip-hop and Charlie Rich’s1973 country hit "The Most Beautiful Girl" would so be played?)
As for the final scenes involving Tim and Julie: man, what aterrific series of reactions that provoked. I nearly cheered my TVscreen when Riggins, acting like a surrogate big brother in noticingJulie was getting drunk and hit-on, took the kid aside and said simply,devastatingly, "I’ll end you." You almost saw the blood drain from thatlittle punk’s face.
But then, of course, it was a real heartbreaker when Tim broughtdrunk Julie home, and as he was putting her to bed, Eric came in andmisunderstood what he was seeing. The father’s rage was totallyunderstandable, yet I’ll bet most of you felt as I did — damn, Rigginscannot catch a break. And the bad luck that haunts the Tim Rigginscharacter is one element that makes Friday Night Lights the opposite of its network’s higher-rated fare — FNL is really NBC’s biggest winner.
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Ken, your analysis was right on. This week’s episode managed to get me yelling at my TV, too – FNL is just an unbelieveably great show. What do we have to do to tell NBC to promote this thing more?
The highlight for me was Coach slamming the other coach against the wall. All of it was good. (except for the cheesy looking tornado. Couldn’t dark clouds and tornado sounds have implied a tornado instead?)
About the NBC promotion, or lack of it, I should say. I agree. When NBC does bother to show a commercial, it has this weird, super serious sounding voiceover guy saying things like: “Tim Riggins found a home, only to have it all ripped away!” Seriously? That guy’s voice creeps me out. Just show a few clips from the episode, no need to have VO Guy try to explain it.
As a newly born fan (and I mean as-of-a-few-hours-ago newly born), I have to say: holy effing smokes. This show is capital-I incredible. I just turned it on for some background noise while I was packing, but within ten minutes my suitcase was forgotten on the floor and I was GLUED to my television. This show is so fantastic that I can’t believe it’s still on the air.
I too, find NBC’s lack of promotion extremely frustrating. In addition to the wonderful performances, this show has the best looking cast on TV. Why isn’t NBC using this to promote the show. Last week I must have saw 10-20 promos for Law and Order but only 1 for FNL. Wake up NBC and start helping this show!
Is it sad that I’m so invested in this show that I’m still feeling just sick over Tim’s bad luck this morning? Thank god even with the strike the best show on TV is still on. I was so excited about a new episode last night!
I love this show, and I admit when Tim was kicked out of Coach Taylor’s house I was saying out loud, let him stay, it’s not what you think. GIVE TIM ANOTHER CHANCE, PLEASE!!! But, my big question is HOW STUPID IS NBC NOT TO PROMOTE THIS SHOW. It is visually great to look at, the characters are well defined. I dont get it. . .
I wasn’t nuts about the episode (that’s been my rather half-hearted sentiment for most/all of the season, whereas I can’t watch a season 1 ep without bawling) but the thing that stood out that wasn’t mentioned at all in the recap was Buddy’s final plea before his ex-wife. The way it was set up had me worried it was just another opportunity for Buddy to go nuts on the “tree-hugger,” but the moment itself was wrenching and well-played, her saying, (paraphrased) “I love you, but it’s over.” Great stuff…unlike the see-it-coming-a-mile-away clincher with Julie’s arms around Riggins RIGHT when coach walks in. This show can do better than the age-old “It’s not what it looks like, I swear” subplot.
I really felt for Tim this episode, no doubt. But where oh where is Jason Street?? He’s been missing from too many episodes recently. He’s one of my favorite characters, I hate to see him sidelined like this.
Landry pulls at my heart strings every week, he’s slowly become one of my favorite characters. I also have been wondering what happened to Jason, maybe Tim can live with him and his buddy.
Yeah, I have been a fan since the first episode and towards the end of last season I was 100% hooked. It continues to be a brilliant show. Yes, there are bumps along the way but 95% of the time it is perfect. NBC is missing the boat with the lack of promotion. Why not put it on Thurs nights during the strike? Why not do marathons on Bravo? I do not get it at all! There is so much young…hot…good talent on this show..it could reel in the 18-35 demographic if just given the proper chance.
Tim has evolved the most since episode 1. I could not stand him at first. But he has become the one person I am rooting for. Eric needs to make this all right and invite him back to the homestead. I loved the Taylor household with Tim in it!!!!!!
So good to have it back and as redundant as this may be, this show is the best on TV! Tonights episode was (once again) fantastic. I love how much this show can get to me. Please promote the show more, move it to another night, run a mini-marathon, do whatever it takes to get more viewers!
Like Stewie sang on ‘Family Guy’, I will sing to Riggins: “I want to have inter course with you! Inter course with you who whooo!” God he’s a god!
Jeez, if I didn’t read a few specific sites I would’ve had NO idea FNL was on last night! Whereas I am well aware L&O and L&O:CI are coming back, as is Medium. Did I mention American Gladiators? I was so annoyed at the HUGE frakkin AG logo on my screen during FNL. It was practically covering people’s faces at times.
Anyway, terrific episode. I can’t believe how quickly Landry became my new Saracen. I love this kid so much. Jesse and Adrianne have done some of the best acting recently. They play well off each other. I’m waiting for Jealous!Tyra! because we all know it’s coming
Well, considering every single woman I know does the whole, “wow, Riggins” thing, I wasn’t that surprised by it, but I did enjoy Tami’s reaction. And she is so hard on her sister. Imagine the two of them growing up?
But my favourite part was how they treated the tornado as if it were just another event in Texas. And it was all of the things that happened outside of the weather that made the episode so great, as if it was simply a catalyst and everything else was everyday tragedy. That’s what makes this show so great. Sigh. I really hope it doesn’t get cancelled.
FNL is Back!!! I have been a faithful watcher since season one, but this episode is going down as my favorite.. You can see the blood in the teams faces, when there locker room is trashed.. When they are told by Eric to clean up the other teams bag!!! OMG!!! This is a wonderful show and needs more promo pronto!!!! I love Landry, he is my favorite dork, the cafeteria scene, priceless.
That really was a great episode.I loved the fight between the two teams and Landry starting it! I can not wait for the next episode. Does anyone know if that was the last one or when the next one will air?
1) Was that the kid who plays Saracen in that horrible “Richard Simmons” wig for Laribee?
2) When will we see the ultimate bachelor pad: Riggins, Street, and Herc?
3) Did anybody else think that they might be setting up a Julie-Landry dynamic?
And, I think Shelly is staying at their house to take a real estate course and help Tami with the baby. To be honest, I hope they correct the misunderstanding between Riggins and Coach immediately at the beginning of the next episode, so that little plot device is over. Shows should be more like the Beers and Weirs episode of Freaks and Geeks–let the kids not get caught for their bad behavior–don’t do the inevitable parental over-reaction.
Am I pathetic too? I found no harm in Julie’s friend asking “what did Tim smell like?” Wish Julie would have answered!
Mmm, Riggins. Agree with the comment that this show should be far above such predictable ‘misunderstandings.’ As soon as Riggins and Coach shook hands, you knew twas all soon going to go horribly wrong.
Katie, there should be four (frustratingly inconsistent) episodes left.
There are actually five episode left. FNL was smart enough to get six new ones taped before the strike really affected it. This was a great episode. I think everyone is in mutual agreement that FNL is above such trite storyline and “misunderstandings.” Taylor Kitsch is giving superior performances to all the other cast members (with the exception of Jesse Plemons and Adrianne Palicki)and his character is one that deserves to be focused on and explored. look forward to next friday!!!
I love this show. From the previews it looks like Julie isn’t going to set her dad straight about what happened with Tim anytime soon. Loved it when Coach finally let loose on the visiting obnoxious coach. Oh, and by the way, I also love The Biggest Loser.
Cara: Welcome to FNL fandom. Tell all your friends. In fact, tell everyone; this poor little show is in danger because NBC doesn’t bother to promote it properly. Check out the first season, it will blow you out of your chair.
Sorry, I didn’t like this episode. FNL is descending into Soap-Opera ville. There were some good lines and plot twists, but this show has definitely succumbed to the sophomore slump. I’ll keep watching; maybe it’ll get better.
What is is with the tornadoes on TV this year?!?!
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I LOVE this show so much it’s pathetic! The hour flies by so fast and I’m actually depressed when it’s over. I thought Mrs. Coach was gonna catch Tim & Julie so when I saw Coach come around the corner, I actually jumped out of my seat! Oh, No! I thought he was gonna physically hurt him. Poor Riggins(If only he could come stay with me–he is 18 right?!)
WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE NBC WAKE UP?
Best. Show. On. TV. I hate it that America gets so wrapped up in that stupid American Idol show but can’t even give this show a brief glance. Tells me everything I need to know about our society — sadly.
I was floored when Landry told Tyra flat out that he wasn’t waiting for her to get a clue anymore. Didn’t see that coming. Oh and when he started the fight in the cafeteria, throwing the first punch and talking smack, I could not stop laughing. As for there being any possibility of a Julie-Landry dynamic, I hope to God not. She annoys the crap out of me, with her pixie 10-year-old voice and pathetic double standards. And she’ll probably piss me off even more next week when she stares blankly at her father while he tells her to stay away from Riggins “the womanizer,” like she’s brain dead. Either way, Landry would never betray Matt. I also loved it when coach roughed up that jerk for Riggins. I hope he finds a stable home. But Jason’s living with Herc and I doubt there’s room for Riggins. But maybe now that Buddy’s got no hope for getting back with his wife he can buy a house and Carlos and Riggins can be orphan brothers. lol.
First off,I’d like to state the obvious…Great Show! Second, I too have watched the show from the very first episode. I’ve been reading from a few people on here that this second season has not been as good as the first,I agree…To a point! While this season is definately more character drive(which is good). I think that the missing part to this season is the fact that the “All important game of football”(according to the town of Dillon),has become just a blip on the shows radar. I know what you may be thinking…”Some jock just wants to watch more football”,which is not the case. One of the most tense, most dramatic parts of the season were the games,and How important this team was to this small town. I thought that last year the show had a great balance between the characters,and the game that they love. This has gotten very much away from that,and has gotten alot more “soapy”. Make the game important again,instead of just an after thought. The show is called “Friday Night Lights”.
Nice return for FNL. The tornado scene was fake-looking but didn’t detract from the episode. If I was Coach Taylor, I’d send the Laribee dudes all home to their wrecked school. That would be punishment enough for them. But Coach is too gracious for that to occur. The scenes at the dance were nailed perfectly and much of the last half of the episode really worked. I felt for Riggins but understood where Coach Taylor reaction was coming from. It’s his daughter. There’s no leeway there. You missed commenting on Tami’s self-righteous attitude about everything (Shelly was right that she’s no more fun since she had Gracie) and how Shelly stuck it to her at the end. Or even the note-perfect actions of Buddy trying depserately to get back with Pam and inevitably failing. Pretty good episode overall. I wanna see the ramifications of the Laribee coach coming onto the field and decking Riggins next week. That’s gotta set Coach Taylor off something huge…
Ah! Thank you, EW and Ken for running a mini-TV Watch. I assumed FNL was done for the season and was able to catch this online (sorry writers!). Great episode, so glad the m-u-r-d-e-r is behind us, and the new Landry/Tyra dynamics are really great. Gotta echo the “poor tim” sentiments. I hope he sticks around the Taylor household, not because of the Shelly flirting (seriously, what’s with the rash of adult/teen pedophilia in Dillon?!), but because of some much-needed male-bonding for Coach Taylor. It’s when Coach interacts one-on-one with other males like Street, Buddy, Smash, and Saracen (at least last season) that a whole new angle of him comes to light. He becomes a friend and mentor, totally unlike the intimidating coach or caring father/husband and it’s neat to see.