Friday Night Lights, Season 2

I had trouble last night. The player wouldn't load all night, but I did watch it earlier this afternoon.

 

I just watched it in the office. The only one of my faves that I could get on NBC.com at home the past three days has been -- heh-heh -- "The Office."

 

FINALLY got to watch it on NBC.com, and here are my thoughts:

Top scene: When Landry gets the big standing ovation at the game, and his dad genuinely says, "My baby boy" while his wife cries. What a beautifully acted, beautifully written scene.

Worst scene: Tyra was a tad over the top in the "dump" scene. Sure, she had to lay it on real thick, but come on. "Look in a mirror?" What a dick.

Best plot-line: The whole sex thing with the Taylors was both funny and poignant. Here's this coach, his mind on so much stuff involving football and coming back in to town and his wife and daughters, and he just wants to get some ass. I thought it was incredibly realistic. And I wouldn't want to wait six weeks for Ms. Britton, either.

Worst plot-line: As usual...the stupid ass murder stuff.

What's going to happen: I think they built Landry up so big in this episode for a major fall, and that saddens me, cuz I love the kid. I genuinely cheered for him, too, which weirds me out. I wish there was more Buddy as I think he's becoming a go-to character.

And how about that beautiful song when QB6 tossed himself into the water.

Wow.

Best show on TV.

 

Anyone else unnerved by the fact that Landry is more unnerved by losing Tyra than killing a guy? He obviously took the whole murder situation more seriously this week, but it seemed only when he had to tell his dad and the fear of getting caught got stronger. In previous weeks having that murder hanging over him didn't stop him from playing grab-ass with Tyra. Just don't think that storyline was ever necessary and don't care for the way they've played it.

 

Why does the new guy have to play tight end? A big, strong, fast guy who can't catch? Sounds like a linebacker to me. I don't understand why the completely ignore the defensive side of the ball.

 

Because apparently the writers of this show aren't aware that non-ball carrying positions exist. I believe every one of the show's player characters, from Street, Saracen, Smash, Riggins, Voodoo, Landry, and now new guy has been made a QB, RB or reciever.

 

That is true ... linemen are truly faceless entities at Dillon High.

 

There was the violent criminal kid that got kicked off last season. He was a linebacker, but that is the only defensive non-skill player I can remember with a name. Although the offensive line did kick Riggins' ass early last season when he was boning Lyla.

 

i, too, thought that the new kid would be made into a lawrence taylor/waterboy-type linebacker. but i long ago gave up on any football realism. the writers are catering to women and non-football fans.

as long as the off-field stuff stays decent and the women spectacular i'm in. 8)

 

What's the deal with where the money is coming from to pay Taylor's salary? Do Texas schools have booster clubs that contribute to coaching salaries? Never worked in Texas, but I don't remember anything like that in any of the states I've been in. It's like there's no acknowledgment that the money has to come from the school board. And it's a little too convenient that the AD job was vacant.

In general, the way the boosters seem to control everything just seems really unrealistic ... maybe because booster clubs are almost non-existent where I am now. But it always rubs me the wrong way when they show the boosters basically running the football program independent of the school system.

 

I actually really enjoyed the episode, save for the Landry/murder stuff, which I tolerate.
Loved Smash showing leadership by trying to get Riggins back on the team and their interaction during dinner.
I also liked Saracen growing more and more into a man, showing more confidence.
And, the interaction between Coach Taylor and Tami at the beginning of the show, as well as in her office was top notch. His jealousy was spot-on comedy played super straight. Great stuff.

 

I think even the Landry murder stuff has led us to some interesting territory in the relationship with Landry and his dad.

I'm enjoying the hell out of this season.