Friday Night Lights, Season 2

So the show was back tonight. Hopefully most of you had your TiVos set up, otherwise you'll have to watch it on-line.

The episode, I think more than any this year, contained exactly what's good and exactly what's bad about FNL this season.

The tornado and the two fights between the teams were completely over the top, and borderline ridiculous.

However, there was a throw-away line in tonight's episode that Kyle Chandler delivered so perfectly, I was absolutely on my ass laughing.

Tami asks Julie and Tim and Eric and her sister what they want for dinner before they go to the dance, and both Tim and Julie mumble something about how they're not going to the dance, they don't really need anything, blah, blah, blah.

And without missing a beat, before Tami can object to the kids not dancing, coach says: "I'll have lasagna."

It was just perfect. I can't do it justice. The delivery was so wonderful, I think I decided then and there I'll stick with this show to its bitter end, even if it gets renewed for Season 3 and Street walks again and Smash returns for a fifth season.

 

All I can say is I freaking loved this episode of the show and as crazy as this is I am so happy that I did not go out today.

The Tornado was a little over the top but it did show that Riggins actually have feelings that does not involve sleeping with a girl. But then coach catching Riggins with his daughter. But I guess next week Riggins or Julie will tell coach that Riggins did not try to screw his daughter or whatever.

I am glad the show is back on air and I will stay with FNL to the end just as I have for The Shield.

 

It was a great line, and as you mentioned delivered superbly by Chandler.

I liked how Coach Taylor began to trust and even accept Riggens in a kind of son fashion. The ping pong scene was just excellent, and after the opposing football coach went after Tim, Taylor was quick to jump in and defend him. The ending was fine in a drama fashion as Coach felt absolutely betrayed, but a part of me just wanted Riggens to explain the situation instead of just moping out to his truck. Something like "Hey...your daughter is completely plastered and I'm putting her drunk ass to bed, sir."

I was hooked on the whole Landry/Tyra storyline, as cheesy as it is. It's easy to relate to, Landry's the perfect underdog, and now that the murder plot has ended I hope we see some more stellar scenes between these two fantastic young actors.
It makes me wonder -- are they going anywhere with this Buddy storyline? I smell a potential suicide attempt...

The whole misplaced team was completely unrealistic, but fun in its own right. I loved Landry making fun of the other team and throwing the punch...he's a complete pussy, unless it has something to do with Tyra. Then he'll kill or start a riot. The show is so over-the-top at times that it's tough to dissect and much easier to just sit back and enjoy. The writers and actors do nail human emotion perfectly though, and that's the main reason why I loved this episode and am a religious viewer of this show.

 

WFW. The plot is terrible this year. The concept of reality within the show is crumbling, quickly.

But there is still some fantastic acting.

Since it's likely a goner, I'm just going to enjoy the moments like the one you describe from here on out.

 

The scene that killed me was Buddy going to ask for his wife back with her fiance right there. That was amazing stuff.
Also like Riggins cock-blocking the guy who was trying to put the moves on Julie.
One question. Why doesn't the other team practice in the morning and Dillon practice in the afternoon?
And Kyle Chandler was fantastic last night in every scene.

 

I liked this episode. Over the top? Well, after all it’s TV. Not any more over the top than freaks living on tropical islands fighting each other. Even though there are some unrealistic elements, there are plenty of issues that high school football players (and other kids) deal with in Texas and other states. They weave together all sorts of social and family issues, and I became hooked after the first episode. The tornado scene and Tim’s role in it was good. I liked the sharing facilities concept, but it could have been tweaked a bit.

 

I think the shared facilities thing was a bit over the top, but what is over the top about a tornado? I'm no meterologist, but I'm quite certain tornados blow through Texas on a pretty regular basis. It wasn't like they made it into some Twister type thing where it ravaged Dillon for half the show. It happened and it was over.

I thought last night's episode was outstanding. Tyra coming to grips with her feelings for Landry and his not wanting to wait around for her to do it, great television. Riggins taking on the role of big brother, great television. Loved Coach Taylor with Riggins for most of the show, "I like having him here. It evens out the numbers."

All in all, I thought an excellent episode and I still love this show.

 

I forgot to mention my other favorite part, as silly as it was.

Tyra grabbing Napoleon Dynomite by the hair during the fight and slamming his head into the wall. Got to love Tyra's scrap.

While the tornado/fighting stuff was over the top, at least it was mostly about football again. Seems like we've been on a six episode run where football has been little more than an afterthought.

 

Tornadoes happen in Texas. Put two groups of people that are rivals on the football field, and you'll have fights.

I didn't think either was over the top, but the tornado scene did look like The Weather Channel made it from Storm Stories.

 

"I am MADE of Christian charity."

Great. Just, great.

 

Is it me or does Tyra look better the more they feature her?

I will follow this show to the end because when it's at its best, it is better than 99% of what's on TV. At its worst, it is still better than 80% of what's on TV.

 

She absolutely does. I still am a big fan of Lyla.

Also, is it OK to be attracted to Julie? I know in the show she is only like 16 but is she of age in real life so I can comment on how gorgeous she's become?