Friday Night Lights

[Minor League Brian]

Yeah, I love Coach T but one man can't make a show for me. Tammi goes between being overly annoying (the last season with the baby thing, and mostly when she became the Principal or what not she started irkin' me) to being that mother figure that makes the show awesome. Honestly, the best part of the show was the interaction between Coach T's family and Saracen. The mixture between trying to be Julie's Dad against her Boyfriend and trying to be Saracen's father figure (which they screwed up in my opinion, but I thought we agreed on that). That's what made the show in my opinion and guys like Landry and Luke have always just been side characters to me. I like Vince but he's no Smash.

Again, if they could have moved this to a small town college or something it would have been tons better for me but I don't think it would have worked as well thinking about it.

 

[jmt225]

I thought Wednesday's episode was easily the best so far this season.

Just some absolutely tremendous acting from the guys who play Vince and his father (Michael B. Jordan and Cress Williams). Their moments together felt so real, and I'm very pleased the storyline is going to continue to next week, and hopefully throughout the rest of the season. It has a chance to surpass the storyline between Saracen and his dad in season 1, which I didn't think was possible.

I also loved the scene where Vince broke down to Coach about his problems. That was definitely the best acting Michael B. Jordan has shown since joining the cast. Incredible.

They gave Buddy a new arc to work with, which I'm very much looking forward to. I was afraid they were going to stay clear of him this season, but luckily they're bringing in this storyline with his son. Should be great, like everything with Buddy turns out to be.

And Tami was also great in this episode, specifically the scene in the cafeteria when the guest speaker was trying to talk the girls about alcohol. Again, everything about that just felt real. Tami was a real authority figure in that scene, much like Coach is when going off on his players. Usually shit like that just seems forced and overdone, but Connie Britton fucking nailed it, just as Kyle Chandler does every week.

 

[jmt225]

So tonight is the last episode ever for this amazing show.

What makes it even more sad though is that I haven't been necessarily happy with the route the show has taken in the last three weeks. The 10th episode of the season, Don't Go, was actually spectacular and would perhaps rank in my top 5 favorite episodes of the series history.

However, since then, they've started this fucking storyline with Coach and his wife Tami that I couldn't hate more. Basically, the town of Dillon all of a sudden can only afford one team, so they want to combine the best from the Lions and the best from the Panthers to make a super team for the Dillon Panthers, and they want Eric to coach the new Panthers team. But, the problem lies with Tami... as this is going on, she's been offered Dean of Admissions out of nowhere to some prestigious college in PA.

First of all, all this is too far fetch for such a realistic show like FNL. They're creating drama just to create drama, and in the meantime they're, in my eyes, ruining a great character in Tami, whose being a selfish, whiny, spoiled little brat right now about getting this job and trying to make herself out to be a helpless victim since she wants to move. Of course, all the ******ed feminist at IMDB (and Marquis) are calling Coach the selfish one, but that's not the case at all. But even if you think that, then you're losing love for the main character. This storyline just should not have been made, and if Coach ends up leaving Dillon at the conclusion of tonight's episode, then I will be sorely disappointing.

That said, they've handled Tim and Billy tremendously these past few episodes, and it was a joy seeing Tyra again. I'm also very much looking forward to the Matt/Julie ending tonight as well.

I guess that's all I have to say for now. I'll post again in this thread tonight sometime after the show. I just really hope I don't end up being disappointed with tonight's episode. Friday Night Lights has become my favorite show of all time, and words just can't describe how gutted I'll feel if Coach winds up leaving Dillon. It would just make no sense whatsoever, and whether he does or doesn't, I'll get more into why that's the case in my next post after the show.

 

[Minor League Brian]

So it ended. Recap? Did my favorite couple ride off into the Sunset? I also heard Tyra looked like shit, but she never looked great to me to begin with...something about being tall. Even then, she wasn't THAT bad.

And what happened to my Lyla?

 

[jmt225]

First of all, whoever told you that about Tyra must be blind. I think she's as hot as ever.

Matt and Julie became engaged during the finale, and are now living in Chicago. So, yes... very happy ending for them.

Lyla, unfortunately, didn't have one appearance this entire season. The last we saw her was in Season 4 when she was leaving Tim at the bus station. Personally, I think that was the best way for her go. She was unneeded last night, or any time throughout this season. It's just easy to assume she's doing great at Vanderbilt and that she's on her way to having a very happy and successful life.

As far as Tami and Coach... mixed feelings. The Tami character is forever ruined for me. All this time she tried to act like it's all about football with Coach. Uh, no, it's about the kids when it comes to Coach's passion, not football. If football was all that mattered to Coach, then he would have accepted the Shane State Head Coaching position, but obviously... it's about the kids with him. The same kids who Tami refused to leave Dillon for after the first season, stating she thought she had a lot left to do with them. So, after a couple of years, she's giving up on them just like that? That's the impression I got. She doesn't care nearly as much as she used to about them.

However, at the same time, Coach last night came off looking like the absolute perfect husband, a standard he's always lived up to throughout the entire series. Coach showed how unselfish of a person he was to give his wife what she wanted, when that was the last thing he wanted. Last night, Tami actually had the nerve to say she's always compromised for Coach... BULLSHIT. Tami NEVER made a sacrifice like that throughout the show's history. The one time she could have, she abandoned coach when he got the college job after season 1. She didn't stick by him then; she convinced him to go without her. And once again, last night in the finale, she manipulated him into getting what she wanted. Coach knew if he hadn't moved to Philly, she would have hung it over his head for the rest of their lives together and she would have kept that pathetic pout on her face until something new came along to keep her worthless ass preoccupied. Coach loved her enough though not to jeopardize his marriage like that, and I can't have nothing but respect for that.

So, yeah, basically to wrap that up... Eric is now coaching some junky school in Philly, while Tami's nothing but smiles with her new job as Dean of Admissions.

Tim and Billy Riggins got the happy ending, thank God. Billy's now working as an assistant coach with the Dillon Panthers, while we saw him and Billy building a house on Tim's property. Great, great send-off for those two.

Tyra's still in college, planning on entering politics once she's finished.

Luke joined the Army.

Vince is now QB1 for the Panthers.

And the Lions won state off a 63 yard hail mary pass.

And that's that, man. I LOVED the finale. It started off with a beautiful tribute to the show's past, and the rest of the show was simply Friday Night Lights at its best.

I am definitely going to miss the hell out of this show. I don't think I'll ever love a show as much I did this one. Never has a show, outside of pro wrestling in the nineties, made me look so forward to viewing it each and every week. To not have that now will fucking suck. However, thank God for DVDs. And I think as time goes on, the show will only get more and more recognition, and by the end, be remembered as it should, which is one of the greatest televisions shows in history. This article in Time last week put it best:

Just as HBO's crime-drama masterpiece The Wire was a searing vision of what is wrong with America, Friday Night Lights has been a clear-eyed, full-hearted tribute to what is right with it. Whether you're urban or rural, red or blue or purple, this show was made for you and me.

 

[Minor League Brian]

Wasn't Luke a hoss? Why'd he fore-go the next level? I heard quite a deal of people upset about that.

I still think Tim and Lyla shoulda ended up together, or something. Considering the way he'd do anything for her and DID everything for her. She woulda kinda came back and made it happen. Besides her religious phase, I loved Lyla.

So glad Saracen and Julie got engaged. Epic win right their.

You're right about Coach and Tami. Me, personally, I never liked Tami. She always seemed way to controlling and about "me me me". For certain things, that was great, but it just made her character completely blah to me. On the flip side, while I don't think Coach ever really progressed as I thought he would, I still loved the man. I think he should have had a better exit. Maybe getting a Positional Job with the Eagles in Philly, or go back to College where you could get a sense he was on the up and up. Moving all the way to Philly to coach some raggity HS team just seems like such a poor ending for such a great character.

With all that said, oddly enough I'm sad. I haven't watched the show since Saracen left. I mean, you know he was "my guy" and really to me the heart of the show. I loved Riggins, but again we went over this awhile ago. However knowing its over makes me sad for some reason. I wish it had gone on, even if I didn't watch it. Reading your reviews was good enough for me.

And I think you're wrong. I think this show is already regarded as one of the greatest shows of all time by its fans and its following, the media will pick up. Everywhere I go they talk about the ending of a master piece, twitter was blowing up over the sadness of it ending, everywhere I turn their isn't one bad word spoken about it. I think the real issue is that that stupid murder arc had to happen which turned a lot of people off, but once it moved people began torrenting it and watching it online. Whatever the case is, this show had a MASSIVE following from what I could tell and the Media will eventually catch up.

I just hope some of these actors start getting shots at major motion pictures.

 

[jmt225]

Wasn't Luke a hoss? Why'd he fore-go the next level? I heard quite a deal of people upset about that.

Yeah, but the only offer he received was from some no-name school in Arkansas. He just wasn't interested in that.

And even though he was good in high school, I mean, let's face it... how many white running backs do you see in college or the NFL? The only kind are monsters like Peyton Hillis, and Luke was nowhere near that. It was realistic for him not to get many offers.

I still think Tim and Lyla shoulda ended up together, or something. Considering the way he'd do anything for her and DID everything for her. She woulda kinda came back and made it happen. Besides her religious phase, I loved Lyla.

Yeah, I believe they belong together as well, but sadly most people who belong together don't usually end up with the person they belong with. Once Lyla moved for Dillon, Tim/Lyla was over. There was no way for them to rekindle, unless Tim just one day decided fuck it and moved to Tennessee to be near her, but of course... life got in the way before he could consider it. I'm sure if Billy's son hadn't been born, he would have seriously considered it at one point or another.

You're right about Coach and Tami. Me, personally, I never liked Tami. She always seemed way to controlling and about "me me me". For certain things, that was great, but it just made her character completely blah to me. On the flip side, while I don't think Coach ever really progressed as I thought he would, I still loved the man. I think he should have had a better exit. Maybe getting a Positional Job with the Eagles in Philly, or go back to College where you could get a sense he was on the up and up. Moving all the way to Philly to coach some raggity HS team just seems like such a poor ending for such a great character.

Very happy to see you agree. I posted something about it on IMDB and most people seemed to be on Tami's side, though I'm sure they were all women/feminist.

And I think you're wrong. I think this show is already regarded as one of the greatest shows of all time by its fans and its following, the media will pick up. Everywhere I go they talk about the ending of a master piece, twitter was blowing up over the sadness of it ending, everywhere I turn their isn't one bad word spoken about it. I think the real issue is that that stupid murder arc had to happen which turned a lot of people off, but once it moved people began torrenting it and watching it online. Whatever the case is, this show had a MASSIVE following from what I could tell and the Media will eventually catch up.

You definitely could be right about that.

Hopefully this ends up being the year where FNL FINALLY gets the Emmy/Golden Globe/SAG recognition they deserve. I highly doubt it, though. Critics love FNL, while award selection 'tards don't pay any attention to it. Damn shame...

 

[Minor League Brian]

Yeah, but the only offer he received was from some no-name school in Arkansas. He just wasn't interested in that.

And even though he was good in high school, I mean, let's face it... how many white running backs do you see in college or the NFL? The only kind are monsters like Peyton Hillis, and Luke was nowhere near that. It was realistic for him not to get many offers.

Gerhart? To be honest, I very much DOUBT that's the reason. I don't think they'd get THAT much into it.

Yeah, I believe they belong together as well, but sadly most people who belong together don't usually end up with the person they belong with. Once Lyla moved for Dillon, Tim/Lyla was over. There was no way for them to rekindle, unless Tim just one day decided fuck it and moved to Tennessee to be near her, but of course... life got in the way before he could consider it. I'm sure if Billy's son hadn't been born, he would have seriously considered it at one point or another.

That reminds me though. Landry and Tyra.

I've actually gone onto IMDB to see if I can find these arguments you've made (to be honest, I love readin' your posts. Epically on FNL) and I saw something that actually bugged me. At the end of Season 3 Landry and Tyra are holding hands, but season 4 comes along and theirs no contact. Its just an odd way to end. If this show was to be "perfect" in my eyes, it'd have ended with Lyla comin' back on a break and just starting to talk to Tim. They don't have to get into anything, but just show the "pheonix" rising form the ashes. From their, maybe SOMETHING to do with Landry and Tyra. I get he went after that Jess girl or whatever, but seriously...they drug us through so much boring bullshit with Tyra and Landry they shoulda given SOMETHING to those two. I mean fuck, Riggins and Tyra was the stupidest thing in the beginning but they get a moment. And then obviously you have Matt and Julie getting married, which fuckin' rocks my socks. Then their'd be the whole ending I had with Coach.

I was just reading on their how Matt came back to ask Landry for advice and...he hadn't changed. While Matt had gone off and been successful, Landry was still a nobody. His answer to Matt's question on how to ask Coach about marrying his daughter was just...ridiculous. On top of that I hear Coach was really touchy with Matt? I mean come on. You'd figure they'd want to close the series with them having a good "moment".

Hopefully this ends up being the year where FNL FINALLY gets the Emmy/Golden Globe/SAG recognition they deserve. I highly doubt it, though. Critics love FNL, while award selection 'tards don't pay any attention to it. Damn shame...

Doubt it. They're to stuck on Foreign and Indy shit to actually respect a true American Show.

After going through IMDB, I need to really watch this last episode to give my own views on it. I'll probably get on that tomorrow night.

 

[jmt225]

Gerhart? To be honest, I very much DOUBT that's the reason. I don't think they'd get THAT much into it.

True, but it's how I looked at it since it became clear that Luke wasn't getting any offers. White running backs just don't get payed attention to, lol.

I've actually gone onto IMDB to see if I can find these arguments you've made (to be honest, I love readin' your posts. Epically on FNL) and I saw something that actually bugged me.

Haha... sweet, man. They shouldn't be hard to find. My name there is the same as here. I started a thread titled, "Tami's being selfish."

At the end of Season 3 Landry and Tyra are holding hands, but season 4 comes along and theirs no contact. Its just an odd way to end. If this show was to be "perfect" in my eyes, it'd have ended with Lyla comin' back on a break and just starting to talk to Tim. They don't have to get into anything, but just show the "pheonix" rising form the ashes.

The thing is, Minka Kelly the actress has been very busy the last year, so it very well could have been scheduling conflicts why there was no Lyla this season. So, it's hard for me to fault the show for that.

I also know the reason why Smash didn't make an appearance is because the actor who plays him, Gaius Charles, has quit acting all together to become a minister.

From their, maybe SOMETHING to do with Landry and Tyra.

Yeah, I mentioned something about that on IMDB and in PM's with Marquis. I was very disappointed that there was nothing with Landry and Tyra. I'm HOPING there's a deleted scene on the DVD of Season 5 that clears it up, which is definitely possible. However, if there isn't... then I'm with you, that's pretty fucking lame that the end of their situation is simply Landry crying while waiting on the side of the road for Tyra to show up. A) it makes Landry look pathetic, and B) it makes Tyra look like a bitch.

I mean, I HATED the Tyra/Landy murder storyline, but it did happen, which gives those two a connection FOREVER. They will never forget that. It's believable for Lyla to move on and forget about Riggins and even Street, but Trya and Landry have the ultimate connection to one another, and it would really be a shame if they didn't get a proper ending.

I was just reading on their how Matt came back to ask Landry for advice and...he hadn't changed. While Matt had gone off and been successful, Landry was still a nobody.

Well, that's not completely. Landry is currently at Rice University in Houston, Texas (this was talked about during the first episode of the season), which is a GREAT school. He should definitely end up having a great life.

After going through IMDB, I need to really watch this last episode to give my own views on it. I'll probably get on that tomorrow night.

I hope you do, man. I think you'll really end up liking Vince. I know you didn't dig him during the 4th season, but man... the stuff he did with his father this last season couldn't have been more powerful. He also had some absolutely beautiful moments with Coach.

When I say I hope FNL wins the awards they deserves, that includes Best Supporting Actor for Michael B. Jordan, the guy who played Vince. His performances were flawless all season long. I think you'll end up agreeing if you decide to check out season 5.

 

[Minor League Brian]

Actually, I always thought Vince had some potential. However if I find out he's become a bigger part of Coach's life over Saracen I'm probably just going to rage like no other.

EDIT: OH and for the whole Lyla thing. They coulda been smart, it shoulda just been Riggins sitting out their after the Texas forever skit and he gets a phone call. You wouldn't have to hear a voice, all you'd have to hear is him say "Lyla..." and smile. BAM.