DJariya

Synopsis:



An original cast member, who's been MIA returns tonight:

Gizmo

There was no new episode last week, right?

Goat3001

I'm not a DirecTV user so I'm waiting for the show to come to NBC*, so without using spoilers, how have you guys been enjoying this season?

*I know there are a few ways for me to watch before the NBC premiere but I'd rather wait to watch in HD than watch now on my crappy computer.

DJariya

No, they took a week off.

DJariya

I've enjoyed it. There are a few posters here who have nit picks about the plot about East Dillon vs West Dillon and about certain characters. But, from a dramatic standpoint, I think they have done there job and I especially look forward to tonight's episode.

DGibFen

Started watching the first episode Friday, have caught up to this one. What a fantastic show.

From the previous thread:
I've thought about that, but Buddy was the only booster whom remained loyal to Eric when his contract renewal came up. Buddy lost all his money and respectability after the strip club incident, so the influence and wealth of J.D. McCoy's father (whom had a vendetta against Eric) took over, and the rest of the boosters, whom perhaps felt like having a stellar QB was a greater prize than the coach, followed in turn.

Interestingly, the current coach of the Permian Panthers (on whom the Dillion Panthers are based) is Gary Gaines - the coach of the Panthers the same year that Friday Night Lights author H. G. Bissinger shadowed the team. The team has not won a state championship since 1991.

http://mojoland.net/index.php?option...d=25&Itemid=62

writer106

I agree with you on the dramatic standpoint. I think the introduction of the new characters has worked well.

Red Dog

And I still don't buy it. Stellar QBs come and go. Meanwhile, you have a coach who won a state title and finished runner up with a QB who didn't get a whiff of a college scholarship. He clearly can "coach 'em up." Furthermore, McCoy specifically moved to the district to have his son play at Dillon. I don't see him staying there and being a long-term Dillon booster after his son graduates, so why are these townspeople bowing down to him, particularly when Coach already showed he's not interested in moving to the next level (and would likely be a long term coach)?

As for this season, it's pretty good. Some of the stuff bothers me because it just doesn't make a lot of sense or it's painfully boring (Matt's 'internship'), but I think the underdog angle is interesting (particularly compared to Dillon formerly winning every game on the last play in previous seasons) and the new student characters are a nice change.

Septemberbaby

If that performance doesn't get Zach Gilford an Emmy nod, then there's something seriously wrong.

Matt Saracen: totally broken up. half hating his father. half missing him.
Bravo Zach.

Matt slamming the door in the McDick's faces was PRICELESS!

Could have done without the silly Becky and Tim nonsense. She is the most annoying character on tv.

writer106

I think this was the best episode of the season so far. Zack Gilford's acting was very good and the end scene of burying his father was heartbreaking. I loved when he slammed the door on the McDick's face too. I also loved when Luke ditched McDick and the other guy. Becky was extremely annoying in this episode. I hope there isn't a Tim/Becky/Luke triangle.

DJariya

Excellent episode. Zach Gilford deserves major props for her performance. The scene where he broke down at the Taylor's house was very moving as well as his speech and burying his father with Julie watching. I also enjoyed it when Matt slammed the door in McDick and Son's face.

I loved the opening sequence when Vince called his own play and they scored a TD and everyone denied calling it. Are the Lions still winless?

Was Vince getting a lesson on how to jack a car? Guess he needs the money since his Mom can't pay the water/electric bills.

Loved it when Luke ditched McDick and his Posse. As every episode passes, I really want to punch JD in the face. He is such a major douche bag and getting to the point of being obnoxious.

Did not realize that Alicia Witt was playing Becky's Mom until she attended Becky's concert. I guess the lighting in the earlier episodes made her a little hard to recognize.

Becky's a cute girl, I can see why she would be attracted to the brooding bad boy like Tim. I don't think she's annoying at all, maybe a little needy since she has no father figure in her life.

writer106

I didn't recognize Alicia Witt until I rewatched episode 3 last Saturday. She looks a little too young to be playing the mom of a teenager.

DJariya

Age-wise the character was probably a teenage Mom and is now in her 30's (Alicia Witt is 34) so she could have had Becky at 16 or 17, since Becky is probably around that age. So it's definitely feasible.

writer106

^I was thinking the teen mom thing too. We are getting bits and pieces of backstory on the new characters and their families here and there and we will probably get more backstory on Becky's parents at some point. I also wondering the backstory about Jess's dad hating football and why he didn't go pro.

Patman

The last half hour was heart-breaking, but in that span, Matt finally grew up after dealing with the anguish of an absent father's untimely passing.

Original Desmond

Great seeing Lyla back even for a few seconds

yourlocalcinema

Surprised no one mentioned the Smash Williams reference. Thought that was a really nice touch.

Thought this episode was fantastic, and as touching as the end was, I think the scene I appreciated the most was Mrs. Taylor taking charge at the funeral home. Fantastic example of just how much the Taylors care, and even in a small scene like that, just a good way of showing that the Taylors are easily the best parents on TV.

Count Dooku

I don't suppose that pointing out that it is a TV show would satisfy you?

JuryDuty

I have to agree. This was one of the harder FNL episodes to watch given its hard circumstances, but wow--Zach Gilford was fantastic.

I also agree about the Becky/Tim storyline not doing anything for the story. It's one of those all-too-predictable storylines.

And, yes, I think Vince was getting carjacking lessons. That must have been a seed for an upcoming episode--it was kinda just "there and gone."

Red Dog

If FNL was a soap opera type I wouldn't care. It takes itself much more seriously, so I have higher expectations.

TimeandTide

Agree with the Gilford-for-an-Emmy comments. On a show with a slew of great performances, his have always stood out, dating to season one.

RE: Becky/Tim. Because the two of them hooking up is "all-too-predictable", I'm thinking the show-runners are actually going to have Tim do the right thing this time around and have him -- shockingly! -- resist her advances. (Ditto the too-obviousness of the carjacking subplot.)

writer106

Love the Smash reference. I hope there is another reference in a future episode.

boogieman03

Sorry for the bump, but I just finished this episode. Wow, what a tough episode to watch. Great performance from Saracen.

Loved Mrs. Coach taking charge at the funeral home. Did a double take on the Smash reference on tv.

Loved seeing Lyla at the funeral. Nice surprise there.

DJariya

Bump.

This is the episode airing tonight on NBC. Excellent episode.

Geofferson

I don't think these threads have been receiving much attention during the NBC encores. Anyway, I've really been enjoying this season thus far (perhaps my expectations were slightly lowered after reading about the initial feedback).

Looking forward to tonight's episode -- heard it is one of the season's strongest.