'Friday Night Lights' recap: A solid season 3 premiere on DirecTV
Oct 2, 2008, 08:25 AM | by Ken Tucker
Categories: 'Friday Night Lights', Television
Friday Night Lights is backâfor some viewers: Last night the show started a 13-episode run on DirectTVâs 101 Network. NBC says it will air these new-season episodes starting in January. So for those of you without DirectTV, Iâll just say right up top, hereâs 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 Charlesâ (pictured) announced departure from the series, his Smash was coping with the bad news that his injured knee would probably never enable him to run as fast as he once did. Connie Brittonâs Tami has become the high schoolâs principalâthat seems like an abrupt promotion, but Iâm going with anything that keeps Tammy center-screen and under pressure, since stress brings out the most energetic/anguished/sarcastic/inspiring sides of her character. And lo and behold, the flesh has triumphed over the spirit, as last seasonâs newly prim Lyla (Minka Kelly) is now doing the deed with Tim (Taylor Kitsch). Not sure how this squares with her religious beliefs as they were dramatized last season, but itâs a heckuva lot of fun watching these 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 new characterâJ.D. McCoy, a freshman brought in as rookie quarterback. J.D. himself didnât have a single line last night that I heard, but his pushy dadâplayed by the always reliably smooth D. W. Moffettâmade a big impression as a guy whoâs going to be a real pain in the neck for our long-suffering Coach Taylor (all hail Kyle Chandler).
Iâll keep this short: Weâre off to a great season, by which I mean most major characters are unhappy (yet wry and funny), the series seems as grungily authentic as ever, and while I donât care for the new short, curly hairdo Tyra (Adrianne Palicki) is sporting, maybe Iâll get used to it.
What do you think about the show, if you watched? And if you donât have DirectTV, how do you feel about this cost-sharing agreement NBC 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
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