Friday Night Lights is back—for some viewers: Last night the show started a 13-episode run on DirectTV’s 101 Network. NBC says it will air these new-season episodes starting in January. So for those of you without DirectTV, I’ll just say right up top, here’s a great big SPOILER ALERT. Read more after the jump.
So summer has passed in Dillon, Texas, and what was new last night?Well, in preparation for Gaius Charles’ (pictured) announced departure from theseries, his Smash was coping with the bad news that his injured kneewould probably never enable him to run as fast as he once did. ConnieBritton’s Tami has become the high school’s principal—that seems likean abrupt promotion, but I’m going with anything that keeps Tammycenter-screen and under pressure, since stress brings out the mostenergetic/anguished/sarcastic/inspiring sides of her character. And loand behold, the flesh has triumphed over the spirit, as last season’snewly prim Lyla (Minka Kelly) is now doing the deed with Tim (TaylorKitsch). Not sure how this squares with her religious beliefs as theywere dramatized last season, but it’s a heckuva lot of fun watchingthese two have their fling. Kitsch in particular continues to impress:This guy is, mark my words, a budding movie star once FNL throws its final touchdown.
Speaking of which, a mighty touchdown throw was tossed by a newcharacter—J.D. McCoy, a freshman brought in as rookie quarterback. J.D.himself didn’t have a single line last night that I heard, but hispushy dad—played by the always reliably smooth D. W. Moffett—made a bigimpression as a guy who’s going to be a real pain in the neck for ourlong-suffering Coach Taylor (all hail Kyle Chandler).
I’llkeep this short: We’re off to a great season, by which I mean mostmajor characters are unhappy (yet wry and funny), the series seems asgrungily authentic as ever, and while I don’t care for the new short,curly hairdo Tyra (Adrianne Palicki) is sporting, maybe I’ll get used toit.
What do you think about the show, if you watched? And if youdon’t have DirectTV, how do you feel about this cost-sharing agreementNBC struck with the company to keep this show on the air?
More on Friday Night Lights
The ‘Friday Night Lights’ season 2 finale recap
Friday Night Lights season 3 preview
Austin City Limits report: FNL’s Gaius Charles blogs about Erykah Badu
Austin City Limits report: FNL’s Connie Britton blogs about Beck, the Raconteurs, and chaos
Austin City Limits report: FNL’s Jesse Plemons blogs about the Black Keys
Austin City Limits report: FNL’s Adrianne Palicki blogs about Blues Traveler
Austin City Limits report: FNL’s Scott Porter blogs about N.E.R.D and the Swell Season
Comments (1-30) of 155 Add your comment
I loved watching with no commercials. It was like watching a new DVD of the show. Amazing!
“Smoothies? Who thinks they deserve a smoothie?” Coach Taylor’s indignation should win an Emmy all by itself.
Taylor Kitsch is to FNL what Robert Buckley is to LSJ. At least shirtless once per episode and scorching hot.
Is Riggins stuck in time? The beginning of the 1st season Riggins and #7 are seniors. The second season we are wondering how Riggins is still playing football and now we are in the 3rd football seasons and Riggins is still playing high school football.
BTW Why is Lyla back in school. She was the senior captain of the cheerleading squad 1st season and then started here adult life in season 2 and now is back in high school with Riggins.
LOVE this show – the first season was so amazing and after it went a bit crazy in season 2, I’m looking forward to a new season where the writers seemed to know where they went wrong & have fixed it. I need more Matt Seracen though. He is the most endearing character, not to mention gorgeous, and I want to see him and Julie reconcile!
ps. LOVE DirecTV for airing the show and then NBC re-airing it later. I am so relieved that the show didn’t get canceled!
I don’t have DirectTV, but I’m thrilled with whatever gets the show back on the air. I totally figured Riggins probably flunked a few grades/classes, and that’s why he’s still in high school, but that doesn’t explain his eligibility to still play HS football.
Thought that FNL on Direct TV was right back to it’s season one glory. Fantastic. Thank God murder plots, volleyball teams, and In-Home Nurses are GONE! My major beef is the same as most: Tyra, Lyla and Riggs have been in highschool WAAAAAAY to long! Although never clearly articulated (and I checked) I assumed, like most did that the Fab Four in the pilot were all seniors. I don’t mind, Riggs can be in highschool until he’s 50 for all I care,as long as it keeps him in Dillon and on my screen, but it is a bit difficult to suspend reality this much.
Also, did anyone notice last night after J.D. threw his touchdown pass that the annoucers called him the second coming of Jason Street? My heart continuously breaks for Matt Saracen; when will this kid catch a break?
I marked off the days on a calendar and got Directv just to watch FNL. I absolutely love Kyle Chandler. He is my fantasy man. He gets better looking as he gets older.
I can’t say enough good things about this show. So glad that Directv has it on, and no commercials was nice. Hopefully, this re-airing on NBC thing will work. All of the major characters (except for Saracen) were showcased and as-always held their own. It makes me happy just thinking about it being back on the air.
I loved it! I couldn’t wait to see it and last night it was just what I needed. I cried ( of pure joy ) that I actually send an email to Directv last night to thank them for saving FNL! …
When they all were watching ‘ the greatest panther games ‘ thing at the party I actually felt part of it! It was very sweet indeed.
The new dad McCoy is not only going to give Coach a hard time for sure he will compete with Buddy over who can give Coach the most headache jajaaa .. my money is on Buddy jajaaaa.
C. Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 10:07 AM EST
Also, did anyone notice last night after J.D. threw his touchdown pass that the annoucers called him the second coming of Jason Street? My heart continuously breaks for Matt Saracen; when will this kid catch a break?
YES! I heard it too and felt soooo bad for Matt! … poor guy but I am sure Coach will not give up on him … I hope!
How did I go so long without Tim Riggins on my screen?
Why are they not explaining why Tyra and Landry broke up? Thats what I was looking forward to.
Loved it! I missed this show and I’m so glad it didn’t get cancelled. It doesn’t hurt that FNL has one of the best looking casts on tv.
I can’t get directtv in my condo. Life with out a dish was frustrating enough before, but now? Life stinks! I miss FNL like an old high school girlfriend. And yes, that sounds creepy but I just don’t care. Saracen, I’m so sorry I couldn’t convince more people to watch you grow into the great quarterback you’ve become. Please come back to us losers with land locked connections. Please?!? I’ll play “In your Eyes” from a boombox outside the NBC office windows if it’ll bring FNL back to broadcast. Please, don’t leave me for so long! Wednesdays suck without you!
Direct TV -
Thank you for saving this outstanding television show. You’ve earned my loyalty.
Last night was great!
I grew up in a small town in Texas long ago and I watch this show because it feels so real, the acting is just wonderful, esp. Coach Taylor, Kyle Chandler is completely perfect in that character. And the writing for the most part, except when the writers panic and throw something in like the murder that feels like it was done to get more people to watch. Last night seemed like they were back on track. Unlike most people, I’m not sorry to see the Tyra/Landry romance end (although I think the writers will work them back together over time), that romance seems unlikely to me that it would actually happen.
I DONT HAVE DIRECT TV.I WANT DIRECT TV I NEED A DOSE OF FNL
I wish I had DirectTV. I’m glad the show continued, but it stinks that NBC viewers have to wait to see it.
I Love Buddy Garrity. He makes the show for me!
I sure do wish I had DirectTV…
Last night was perfect! Just like season 1. Loved Lyla and Riggins together. I would like to see them actually fall head over heels for each other. It would be good for each of them. Please don’t let it be a fling. Laughed so hard during Billy’s Jesus speech to Tim and his engagement to Mindy. FNL is just what I needed.
I think because I don’t have direct t.v. that I can’t see the show is absolutley horrible…..esp. since I have watched it from the very beginning…I am really p—-d off about the whole thing…..how can you just let some watch and others be penalized because they don’t have direct t.v…….I wouldn’t have direct t.v. now if you gave it to me!!!!…what a rip off!!!
whatever kind of deal it took to keep this show going , it was worth it.this is the best show on television and it would have been a shame if it did not come back. i hope it continues. i spread the word to everyone i know to watch it, and afetr they do watch it , they love it! i missed the first season and rented the dvd of the first season and from there i was hooked.
Rather than complaining about Direct TV, thank them for keeping the show alive. Without them, NBC wouldn’t have picked up the show and no one would have the chance to see it either now or in January on NBC. I used to have Direct TV, but could not keep it once I got HD because I would have had to cut down 6 trees to get a line of sight to the satellites. I miss it, but look forward to the return of FNL to NBC in a few months.
if you don’t have directv, get it or find a friend who has it. i’m sick of all these blogs complaining about directv. if they didnt fund the production, fnl would be off the air forever. if you love fnl and you want the show to continue, thank directv — cuz’ they are making all of this possible.
I am overjoyed that DirecTV kept the show alive. I don’t see where any fan of the show has any right to complain in the slightest. Of course, I have been a DirecTV subscriber for almost 10 years (very rural area) – but even if I didn’t I would just be thankful to get the episodes when I could. Think if Veronica Mars or Firefly would have gotten this chance. Think about how you would feel if you never saw these characters again.
I loved the episode. The run time was almost 10 minutes longer than the NBC airtime will be though – so I wonder what they will cut. I am just overjoyed to have this show back and as good as ever. It was great!