Friday Night Lights: Super-Sized Finale

It’s Christmastime in Dillon, Texas, and in the spirit of the season, I’ve pulled together my mid-year letter to Santa Claus:

Dear Santa,

I’ve been a good boy this year.  Well… except for my internet porn addiction, but that doesn’t hurt anyone but me.  All I want for Christmas is for Friday Night Lights to win the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series.  Can you make that happen?  Oh, and a new, high paying job where I can sit in front of a computer all day surfing the web.

Thanks,

Slum

So here’s where things stand.  The Red Storm football program has been cut on the eve of their first and soon to be only trip to STATE.  Coach Taylor has an offer to take over as coach of the Evil Empire once more, which will be an amalgamation of the two Dillion Teams into one big Super Team.  In order to remain in Dillon, Tami will have to turn down her offer to become Dean of Admissions of Uber-Snooty Northeast Private College, which she doesn’t want to do.  Coach and Tami are fighting because Coach is being a first class chauvinist pig about it.  Matty Saracen and Julie are both home for the holidays.  Tyra saved Tim from his foolish plan to hightail it up to Sarah Palin’s Alaska, falling back in love in the process.  Billy and Mindy are coping with the idea of expecting twins.  Vince is unsure of what his future as a Panther will hold, or how his relationship with his father will survive his devolution back to the world of drug dealing and criminal activity.

And through all the distractions, Coach Taylor and the Lions still have a football game left to play.  5 days remain until the championship game and the media presence is out in full force.  The players line up for their interviews, but instead of the standard questions about how great it is to be going to STATE or how far their little football-program-that-could has come, the reporters want to know their feelings about their team getting cut.  Buddy Jr. cops a little attitude, saying it’s a stupid question.  How do you think they feel?  Tinker reveals his own well-developed sense of paranoia and suspicion of “the man,” calling it a conspiracy.  And to a certain extent, I’m sure it is.  With all the money and influence behind the Evil Empire, I’m sure some back door deals were struck.  If the voting members of the Dillon Independent School District suddenly find their freezers full of prime cuts of grade A Texas beef, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised.

No one cares about the Red Storm.  They wanna know about the SUPER TEAM!

Another reporter asks Vince about the star Evil Empire running back, and how unstoppable they’ll be next year.  With great composure, he deflects the question, saying he only wants to talk about how the Red Storm are going to win STATE this year.  It’s not a promise, it’s a FACT!  Other reporters pepper various Red Storm players about what they’re gonna do next year when the teams get combined and players get cut.  Tinker looks the weasel reporter in the eye and calls him a TOTAL JACKASS!!!  HAHAHAHAHA!!!!  Pissing off a 350lb dude who knocks guys of equal size on their asses for sport is probably a bad idea, weasel reporter!  He could snap you in half like a twig!  Tinker gets up and knocks his chair over in anger before walking off.

Focus shifts to the coaches, and who will take over the reins of said Super Team.  Billy Riggins thinks he’s got a good shot at being named head coach.  HAHAHAHA!!!!  Yeah, ok, Billy.  Keep drinking the Kool-Aid.  Gay Coach answers in the negative, saying he’s not meant for the spotlight.  Probably because someone will notice him frequenting the gay bar that Julie caught him in two seasons ago.  Tonight on Eyewitness News, high school football coach revealed to be a gay homosexual.  Wide receiver taking it up his tight end?  Or star back ramming it hard up the middle?  Details at 11. When asked about the future, Coach definitively states that he’s not looking beyond STATE right now.  Billy, bucking for a job on the Super Team, reiterates that point on his behalf.  When asked about the sweetheart deal the Evil Empire made, Coach has no comment, which is as good as verification in media-speak. But he gets up and walks away.  AMEN, COACH!!!  FUCK THE MEDIA!

Back at the Taylor house, Coach and Tami “discuss” their respective offers while decorating the Christmas tree.  And by discuss, I mean bicker over which offer is better, like this is some twisted marital pissing contest with the unfair advantage going to Coach for the external plumbing.

So, you see, sweatheart…. you’re never going to win this argument, so just stop trying, mkay?

Apparently, the Evil Empire offered Coach a 5 year contract which would afford them the job security to go ahead and buy that house Tami wanted a few years ago.  Seriously, Coach… you think dangling a nice house in front of her nose is gonna make her forget about the sweet career opportunity she’s got right now.  In response, Tami assures him that Braemore College will certainly set them up with a COLLEGE STYLE living situation, twisting the knife over Coach’s offer from Shane State and her willingness to move there.  Coach puts all his chips down on the 5 YEARS in contracted employment, but Tami shoots a quick hole in that theory, pointing out that the people offering him this wonderful contract are the same people who FIRED him two years ago!  Coach, pissed off that she’d bring up that particularly painful and emasculating memory, argues that that was a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SITUATION!  Um… how?  You just told Buddy Garrity that you could never go back and coach the Panthers until he painted a rosy enough picture to make you wanna eat shit and sell your soul to the devil!!!  Tami continues to score death blows in his argument, shifting quickly to his own assertion that he could coach high school football anywhere.  Why not Philadelphia?!?!  BULLSEYE!  Coach lamely retorts because Texas is where they put up their Christmas tree, except for when he was considering putting up his Christmas tree in the Sunshine State at their palatial head college football coach house with the pool!  HYPOCRIT!  Refusing to get involved or take sides, Julie puts her fingers in her ears, and starts chanting LA LA LA LA LA!

The same tactic she used to avoid the judgmental looks and comments from her dorm-mates about the whole affair with the TA incident.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings, and Coach yells for whoever it is to hang on while instructing his wife to answer the door.  She gives him a look that would melt ice, unable to believe, like the rest of FNL Nation, just how much of a fuck stain he’s being!

Check yourself, Coach, before she goes all Gloria Steinem on your ass!

She heads for the door while he follows behind her, saying he doesn’t want her to strain herself by having to open the door without his help.  JERK!!!  Their visitor proves to be cute as a button Matty Saracen, looking to see his high school sweetheart who’s home from college.  From inside, Julie brightens up, hearing that he’s come to see her.  Coach looks as intimidating as ever, especially in his current state of irritation, and Julie walks over to greet him, taking him by the hand and leading him inside while Tami passive aggressively takes a shot at Coach, saying they’re just having some good old family time decorating the tree.  LOVE!

Not-Dairy Queen

Somehow, the two lovebirds escape to the Alamo Freeze.  Julie whines about not being told that he was coming home, as much as she appreciates the surprise and all.  Matty stops her, and takes both of her hands in his for a serious talk.  Ever since she visited him in Chicago to escape the clusterfuck that was her situation in college, he’s been thinking about her and about them.  He’s stammering like he’s nervous, and it’s fucking ADORABLE!  He knows how much he loves her and he wants to be with her forever, so…. He takes a ring box out of his pocket, explaining that it’s GRAMMA’s!!!  OMG!!!!

Good thing his plan didn’t include hiding the ring in vanilla soft-serve at the bottom of a waffle cone.

Yeah, this was teased in the previews after last week’s episode, but WHO CARES!!!  Julie just stands there, somewhat oblivious to what’s going on.  He opens the box and gets down on one knee, putting on a show for all the patrons enjoying their Not-Blizzards in the Alamo Freeze.  Finally, a lightbulb goes off in her brain, and she covers her mouth with her hands, realizing what’s going on.  Julie Taylor, w..w… will you marry me?  The wounded puppy dog look is out in full force, and Julie manages to twitch her facial muscles just enough to convey the appropriate emotion.  Her mouth contorts into Whiney Face ™ as she starts to fake-cry.

Look, mom!  I’m ACTING!

Matty takes this as encouragement, smiling at the anticipated response.  Julie wipes tears and sniffles loudly, moving her head sorta up and down in what appears to be a spastic nod, then mutters, “Yes!”  She takes the ring out of the box and puts it on the appropriate finger, while Matty makes sure he heard her right, asking, “Really?”  He jumps up and they kiss.  AWWWWWW!!!  HAPPY KITTY!!!!  They verbalize again how much they love each other, and when the shock and joy clears, Julie proceeds to shit on the coats, asking if her dad flipped when Matty asked his permission to marry her.  Matty chuckles, asking if she’s kidding, but no, she’s as serious as the sucker punch Coach will no doubt lay on him when he finds out they’re engaged.  Ruining the magic of this particular moment for the rest of their lives, she suggests that they forget this proposal ever happened, and that he goes to ask for Coach’s permission.  Like a normal adult, Matty asks why they can’t just go to him and tell him that they got engaged.  She responds that he needs to handle this mano e mano.

Ask Coach for his blessing or run back to Chicago, never to be heard from again?  Tough choice…

Matty agrees, fidgeting either with regret or with renewed fear and nervous energy at the thought of having to go to Coach to archaically ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage.  Given how Coach has been treating his wife, that might actually be a good idea, though.  Still, I don’t see Matty getting out of that conversation without at least a black eye.

Let’s pause and savor the final time we’ll enjoy the FNL theme song (at least while watching a new episode).  Sad Kitty!

Looks like the Riggins boys have made up, or just called a truce, because they’re hanging out, sort of, while Tim works on his truck.  He’s carelessly tossing tools around, bitching to Billy that he was supposed to take care of his truck while he was in the Big House.  Billy claims that he did take care of it, but it might run better if he didn’t drive around like an idiot all the time.  AWWWWW, they’re bickering like brothers!  Then Billy walks off, saying the truck doesn’t matter because he’s running off to Alaska.  Tim responds that he may… OR MAY NOT… be leaving now.

So, before I come over there and help you, you’re not gonna punch me in the face again, are you?

Billy stops and looks back in mild shock, asking if it’s because he raw-dogged Tyra the other night.  Now there’s an attractive euphemism for sex.  Does it mean that they fucked doggie style until they were both rubbed raw, or does the raw mean bareback, which is a porn term for fucking without a condom?  Either way, thanks for being crude, Billy.  Tim just looks at him, neither confirming or denying said raw-dogging.  Then Mindy comes outside with a cranky Stevie in her arms, asking him to refrain from screwing her sister and claiming that it’s incest.  Both boys refute this claim, pointing out that there are no bloodlines, so it’s not actual incest.  Mindy still says it’s creepy, which makes sense when you consider the fact that your sister and brother-in-law are bumping uglies.  Tim is quick to change the subject, taking one more step closer to a full familial reconciliation by offering to take care of Baby Stevie for some quality bonding time with his nephew.  While Stevie cries in her arms, Mindy finally accepts his offer, running inside to get a bag, and Billy puts his beer down to help Tim with the truck.

Over at the feed store, Mamma Howard is selling Charlie Brown Xmas trees for $30, because only the shit trees cost that little.  Vince walks up, and at the sight of her baby, she peaces out on the customers to give him a hug.

I don’t need to work… no one’s gonna buy these shitty trees anyway.

Vince brought her a brown bag lunch, taking care of his mamma. She tells him that she’s got a ride to STATE now, and Vince suddenly gets pensive.  He asks if she’s heard from Dad, and the joyous look on her face fades quickly.  She tries to sound nonchalant when she suggests that he doesn’t want his dad there, but he points out that it’s STATE!  Once in a lifetime, unless the hype about the Super Team is to be believed.  She agrees with him, but this is her son’s moment, and she doesn’t want him taking that away from him, like he almost did.  She sends him off, telling him to get to practice because she’s trying to win STATE!  Vince heads off, but he doesn’t seem completely convinced.

Matty is practicing his speech, asking for Coach’s daughter’s hand in marriage, stuttering through the entire thing.  And the camera angle shifts to reveal that he’s practicing his speech for LANDRY!!!!  YAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!  I love that he’s back for the finale too!

As albino-looking as ever with his translucent eyelashes and eyebrows, but he’s still adorable.

He laughs at Matty’s speech, joking around with him.  But Matty’s totally serious and totally worried.  He asks for help on how to make it better and compelling enough to convince Coach to give his blessing.  Landry suggests that he walk in there (wherever THERE ends up being) and be assertive, saying he’s gonna marry Julie, following that up with his fill-in-the-blank list of reason.  Or he can go in there and start crying.  HAHAHAHA!!!  Matty rolls his eyes, annoyed at Landry for making light of the situation. He pleads for real help because it’s crazy that he even has to do this.  And Landry finally gives some good advice.  He points out that he was only a few years ago that they were trying to figure out how to talk to Julie Taylor, and now Matty is gonna marry her.

SWOON!!!!!!

Matty’s face glows at the thought, and I can’t help but smiling at this. Landry calls this situation a mere roadblock in the grand scheme of things, and Matty points out that he and Coach go way back.  Landry adds that Coach has always loved him, and Matty shrugs, because it hasn’t always been love considering he walked in on Matty naked in bed with his daughter.  Love isn’t the word for that particular moment.

Meanwhile, the Red Storm coaches are gathered for a STATE strategy meeting. Old Coach wraps things up by saying they go in there quick and hard… and when they’re done at the Landing Strip, how about they go to STATE and win themselves a championship!  <rim shot and crickets>

Aren’t shadows supposed to supply the snacks.  FAIL!

Jess plays shadow, standing off to the side.  The meeting breaks up, and as Jess helps collect the playbooks, she leans in to speak privately to Coach, asking if she’s going with him to the Evil Empire when he takes over the Super Team in the fall.  Coach plays dumb, calling it all just rumors, but she points out that everyone’s talking about it.  If the rumors happen to be true, she wants to know if he’ll still consider keeping her on.

Pssst, Jess.  He doesn’t pay you.  You can’t really be fired.  Just saying.

And for the briefest of moments, he’s stops being a Douche Nozzle, telling her that while she couldn’t have picked a worse time to bring it up, bringing her over to the Super Team is already under consideration.  Coach walks off, and Jess follows behind him with a huge smile on her face.  YAY, JESS!!!

While the Red Storm practice, Tim Riggins sits on the sidelines, giving Baby Stevie advice to be wary of boosters, but more important than that are cheerleaders.  He turns the baby carriage so he can get a good look at the Red Storm cheerleaders, telling Stevie to never turn away a memory.  HAHAHAHA!!!

As if Tim wasn’t hot enough, he had to go and add a baby to the mix.

Then he points out Stevie’s old man out on the football field, and is that a little bit of pride I hear in his voice?  YAY, TIM!!!!  Meanwhile, Vince notices something off, asking Tinker what’s wrong.  Tinker says that STATE is gonna be his last game.  He’s quitting because he’ll never make it onto the Super Team.  Vince heads off Tinker’s sudden bout of insecurity, promising to talk to Coach for him.  But first they have a championship to win!

Coach heads over to the sidelines, sitting down next to Tim Riggins.  Tim introduces Coach to his nephew, and it’s SO FUCKING ADORABLE!  Coach plays along, commenting to Tim that Stevie is a screamer like his brother, who is out on the field at that moment, screaming at the players.

Except Stevie isn’t screaming, so much as sucking on his fingers.  HAHAHAHA!!!

I think there was a little disconnect there in the script, but it’s minor, so I’ll move on.  Tim looks up at his brother, and Billy looks over to them and waves.  Tim comments that Billy is a good guy, and you know that Tim ain’t going to Alaska.  Coach asks about his job at Buddy’s and lets Tim know that he can call if he ever needs anything.  Tim looks over at Coach, responding Yes, sir! And Thank you!  Then he remarks that Coach is gonna win himself another ring this year with the Red Storm, and Coach comments that they have a real good chance as a player kicks a punt up in the air.  All this build-up, and the Red Storm have to win STATE, right?  I think I want them to win more than I’ve ever wanted the Panthers to win, back in the day.

At the Riggins house, Becky comes out to the living room dumping laundry on the coffee table while Mindy lays on the couch, enjoying her day off from changing diapers and wiping snot.  Becky begs not to have to do Tim laundry, and Mindy exclaims EWWWW, it’s Tim’s underwear!  She waves his black boxers in the air with her tongue wagging in disgust.  Becky backs away, grossed out, saying that this should be Tyra’s job now.

Hmmmm… someone doesn’t look disgusted

Mindy says it doesn’t matter, because she has Luke, only in truth, she doesn’t.  Becky says that they (Tyra and Tim) can have her room when she’s gone, and Mindy asks what she’s talking about.  Becky fills her in that her mom called, and her cruise ship in coming back.  That means that Becky will be going home.  The playfulness leaves Mindy’s face as she tries to act excited, asking when Becky will be leaving.

But I just stopped worrying about foxes in my henshouse!  And who’s gonna help  me take care of all my little chicks?

She responds Thursday, but noticing the disappointment in Mindy’s face, she softens the blow by saying she’s not really sure yet.  It could be later.  Then Mindy offers Billy’s help with packing up her stuff before she abruptly gets up and walks out of the room.  AWWWWW!  Mamma Mindy is gonna miss her!

Meanwhile, Matty has bitten the bullet, and he’s finally gone to Coach for their mano e mano.  He talks about how long he’s known Julie through nervous throat clearing and massive fidgeting.  And Coach has known him for a long time, too.  Like Billy screwing up his carefully scripted speech to the parole board, Matty stumbles over his words, having a difficult time expressing what he really means.  Finally, he just spits out that he’d like Coach’s permission to marry Julie.  Coach responds with a forced laugh, not believing he heard Matty right, telling him to repeat himself.

Hang on… let me check my calender.  Nope, not April Fools Day.  WTF!

Matty elaborates, saying that he loves Julie completely and he wants to take care of her for the rest of her live.  And again, he asks for his blessing.  All levity leaves Coach’s face, as he asks Matty how old he is.  Matty responds 19.  Then Coach asks how old Julie is, and he responds 18.  Then he tries to argue his situation, saying he’s got a job up in Chicago where he’s already gotten two promotions.  Coach interrupts him, saying that his answer is NO!  And the answer will always be a NO! until the sun burns outs.  Translation:  You will never marry my daughter!  Then Matty takes a step in the wrong direction, pointing out that they don’t actually need his permission. Coach raises his voice, refuting that claim, but Matty foolishly continues this line of argument, pointing out that he’s already proposed to Julie, and she’s already accepted, and this is all just a courtesy.

Oh, Matty… it’s like you just brought a knife to a gun fight.

Coach stands up and leans over his desk all threatening-like, saying he’ll do Matty the courtesy of telling him that Julie’s answer to him is NO!!!

Cut to Tami at home wrapping Christmas presents as Coach storms in calling her name.  Tami immediately starts in with an extension of their argument over her job offer, saying they won’t ever know if they’re east coast people unless they try living on the east coast.  Coach quickly shuts down this line of conversation, saying they have a problem bigger than that.  Coach fills her in on Matty proposing to their daughter, and Tami hilarious asks, “Julie?!?!?!”  Coach instinctively responds, “No, Gracie… of course, Julie!”  HAHAHAHA!!!  He tells her about Matty’s visit to his office, and Tami responds that at least he had the decency to go to him, and Coach blows up, yelling NO, the engagement has already happened!

We just got her back into school after the whole TA sex scandal.  This can’t be happening.

Tami can’t believe it, and they go back and forth with the NO’s and YES’s.  Tami points out that they’re too young to get married, to which Coach agrees.  When Tami asks what he said, Coach sarcastically argues that he broke out the champagne before storming back out of the room.  Tami yells after him asking why he’s yelling at her, because they actually agree on this particular problem.  Dammit, Coach!  Get your head screwed on right!

Also wrapping Christmas presents is Mamma Collette.  Tim shows up with Stevie, holding him out like he’s flying around.  FUCK!  Why are guys so much hotter when they’re good with kids?!?!?!

My ovaries just jump started, and I don’t even have ovaries!

Mamma Collette takes Stevie and calls for Tyra.  She greets Tim and Stevie, and Tim says they were in the neighborhood, so they decided to stop by.  That, and he wanted to see Tyra and unafraid to use his nephew to make him look that much more attractive.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!  Mamma Collete takes the baby, and Tim and Tyra sit down to chat.  Tim asks what she’s doing tomorrow night, and she tells him that she’s going out with Matty and Julie.  Tim gets a little nostalgic, commenting that #7 is in town.  AWWWWW!!!  The memories all come flooding back.  Tyra tells him that they got engaged, and Tim looks genuinely happy for them as he makes meaningful eye contact with Tyra.  Breaking up the moment, Mamma Collette interrupts to announce that Stevie has a poopy diaper.  Taking the opportunity, Tyra jumps up to change him, and Tim looks on as Tyra takes her nephew into his arms.  He comments that he’ll see them there, and Tyra says she guesses so, looking a bit nervous at the idea.

At some point, Julie came home, and Tami goes to her room for a little talk.  She says that Coach told her the news, and Julie asks if Matty talked to him.  DUH!!!  How else would they know “the news?”  Damn, she’s dense!!!  Fortunately, she’s not dense enough to think things went ok.  She asks if Coach flipped, and Tami confirms it.  Tami walks in, trying to figure out what to say, and Julie distracts her by flashing the ring, indicating that it was GRAMMA’s.

Marrying your high school sweetheart, or screwing a much older married man…. which is the lesser of two evils here?

Tami looks at it, eventually putting a hand up to her mouth as she gets emotional.  She remarks that it’s beautiful, but then gets back to reality real quick, saying that they’re both so young.  Julie knows, but she loves him more than anything.  Instead of getting into all the reasons why she thinks this engagement is wrong, she says that they wanna take Julie and Matt to dinner.  Julie hopefully asks if it’s a celebratory dinner, and Tami clarifies that it’s a CONVERSATION dinner.  I can’t figure out if this is smart or stupid.  On the one hand, they’ll be out in public, so the tempers will have to be in check.  On the other hand, when has that ever stopped a Hollywood writer from scripting out a flashy argument?  We see mother and daughter looking at each other at this milestone in both of their lives as the camera pans down to Julie’s hand in Tami’s where we can see her own engagement ring securely (or not so much?) on her own finger.

We check in with Mr. Howard, who’s at some ghetto bar chatting up a random dude about his star QB son.  At that moment, Vince walks in asking to speak to him.  Dad takes a drag off his cigarette, looking embarrassed and more than a little peeved.  He asks what Vince is doing on this side of town now that he’s sure to be a Panther.

Your son is about to play for STATE and then take over as QB of the Super Team.  The meal ticket option is still on the table, dumbass.

Vince looks at him with no patience for his bullshit, and they step outside.  Mr. Howard starts off by saying that he doesn’t have to troll the slums to check up on him.  Vince just looks at him, and he finally falls in line.  He asks how his mom is doing, and Vince pauses dramatically before saying that she’s a’ight.  Mr. Howard tells him to pass on a hello and an apology.  Vince responds with a polite yessir before Mr. Howard finally pushes to know what he wants.  Vince points out that he’s got STATE on Saturday, and he has a ticket for him and he wants him to be there.  Mr. Howard, somewhat shocked, stands there.  Finally, either from pride or shame, declines, saying he’s got things to do that day, but he’ll be watching.  Then, leaving Vince standing in his wake, he turns around and heads back into the bar.

Tim heads out of a convenience store with Stevie in one arm and a 6-pack of beer in the other (perhaps a glimpse into his future with Tyra?).  Becky meets him outside, greeting Stevie with a kiss.  She comments that she’s gonna miss the little guy, and Tim asks where she going.  Becky informs him that her mom is coming back and it’s all for the best because she must have worn out her welcome at the Riggins’.  Tim tells her she’ll be missed more than she knows.  Becky shrugs and changes the subject, asking about Alaska.  Tim plays it off, asking Stevie what he thinks then saying they don’t know yet.

U.I.L.F!!!

Becky laughs, and then tells Tim that he was right about high school.  She’s glad that she didn’t sacrifice it all over her crush on him, which she’s now officially over.  Yeah, ok.  You don’t ever completely get over a crush on Tim Riggins.  Just ask Tyra, Layla, and your mom, for pete’s sake!  Becky asks if they’re still friends, and Tim corrects her, saying that they’re family.  They part company, and Becky looks after him, finally getting closure on their tumultuous relationship.

In the Red Storm locker room, the atmosphere is jovial and a slight bit raucous.  Billy gets everyone attention so that he can pass out everyone’s two tickets to STATE!  He calls up players one at a time, and Tinker gets denied when he asks for two additional tickets.  Damn, they’re stingy with the tickets!  They’ll be playing in a stadium with tens of thousands of seats.  Even if every player and coach on both teams were to get 5 tickets each, that should only amount to about one thousand.  WEAK!  When Vince goes up to get his, he lets Billy know that he only needs one ticket.  Billy takes one ticket back, and Coach looks on, taking note of the situation.

Suddenly, we’re at the Taylor Conversation Dinner, and Tami is warning the naïve children against the dangers of rushing into marriage.  Julie swears that they’re not rushing, laying out her argument that they’re not getting married right away.

Good luck trying to talk about the weather after arguing about whether or not Coach is gonna let them get married

She steps on a big land mine, pointing out that Coach and Tami were about their age when they got married.  Coach steps in, saying it was a different time.  Tami tries to reason with them that they were a bit older themselves.  Julie stipulates, but they were still in college.  Coach again jumps in, reiterating that it was a DIFFERENT TIME, making it clear where he stands and that he won’t be convinced otherwise.  Matty finally works up the courage to talk, letting them know that he loves Julie and he wants to marry her.  And that’s it!  Oh, Matty, have you learned nothing?  The more you dig in your heels, so will Coach.  We’re shown that Julie and Matty have been holding hands lovingly through the “conversation,” but Coach still looks like he’s sucking on a lemon.  Then he lays it out for them.  Marriage is about MATURITY, and about two people who love each other and who are willing to LISTEN to what the other is saying, and it requires the greatest of all things, which is COMPROMISE!

If my sister-in-law can divorce my brother for “emotional adultery,” Tami should be able to press charges for “emotional spousal abuse” here.

Through all of this, we watch Tami as she listens to her husband imparting his “wisdom.”  In actuality, he’s only proving just how much of a hypocrite he’s being through this whole moving to Philadelphia argument.  Coach has only been immature, refusing to listen to Tami, and unwilling to consider compromise.  At the same time, he’s using this as an opportunity to brow-beat Tami into ultimate submission, and all the emotions running across her face show the inner turmoil she’s experiencing.  The multiple meanings within the dialogue here are astounding, and this is exactly why this show is so fucking BRILLIANT!!!!  Julie responds that they’re willing to make it work, pointing out how Coach and Tami have made it work over the years, throughout all the different jobs and moves.  Why, they are her inspiration!  The gold standard of marriage, if you will.  Except with the fight over the Braemore College offer, their marriage has been anything but ideal.  Finally, Tami can’t take it anymore, and excuses herself from the table.  Everyone watches her get up and leave, and Coach, realizing what’s really going on, gets up and follows her.

Outside the restaurant, all the emotions finally erupt in quiet, controlled tears as Tami looks utterly devastated.  Coach steps outside, and suddenly, he’s holding her and comforting her.  She finally looks up at him, saying that it’s her turn.  They have loved each other, and they have both compromised… for HIS job.  Now the tables are turned, and it’s time they talk about doing it for HER job.  Otherwise, she feels like they’re just lying to Julie.  But Coach’s body language shows that he doesn’t want to talk about it as he breaks the embrace and takes a step away from Tami.

This is how my 4 year old nephew acts when he doesn’t get his way.  GROW UP, COACH!!!

FUCKING JERK!!!  God, it’s so difficult for me to come down on Coach like this, but damn, he’s being such a selfish brute right now.  His non-response tells Tami all she needs to know.  She wipes her tears and heads back inside.  And Coach just stands there with a look on his face that maybe indicates that her point finally got across?  I can’t really tell, because he’s been such a complete DICK!

Later that night, Coach heads out to the living room where Tami is sitting by herself on the couch.  Coach takes a candy cane off the tree and plays with it while he sits down next to her.  Again, he proves himself to be an AssHat by asking how they’ll come to a decision if she won’t talk to him about it.  UM…. SHE’S BEEN TRYING TO TALK TO YOU!!!!  YOU’RE THE ONE WHO DOESN’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!  ARGH!!!!!!

Still not talking….

Tami quietly says as much, and then she folds, letting Coach know that she’s turning down Braemore’s offer, recognizing that she’s not going to win the fight. And Coach just sits there, letting her give up on her dream for his benefit.  No argument, no further attempt at discussion.  He just says “All Right.”  Poor Tami.  She looks heartbroken, but her brooding is cut short when Julie comes out to talk to them.  Julie acknowledges all the reasons why they think she and Matty shouldn’t get married, but they should know her, and she’s not gonna fuck this up.  This all boils down to her getting to spend the rest of her life with her best friend.  She wants them to trust her that she’s making the right decision.  Tami responds that they do trust her and they just want her to be happy.  Coach looks on, nodding in agreement.  Again, the look on his face suggests that he’s thinking about more than just his daughter’s engagement, Maybe, just maybe, he’ll compromise on the Braemore issue?  He just sits there, saying nothing, so we’re still in the same place as before.  COME ON, COACH!!!!

Billy’s truck pulls up to Becky’s house, and they all get out.  Billy opens the hatch to the flatbed, and he and Becky start to grab her bags while Mindy stands there with a pouting puppy look on her face.  Becky tells Billy that she really does appreciate him, and he smiles subtly, saying for her not to worry about it.  Then she looks over to Mindy, leaning against the truck and looking down at her feet.

Minor Emmy Snub, 2011

She calls her name and Mindy looks over, smiling sadly.  Becky starts by suggesting that Mindy thinks she’s just gonna leave, forgetting what the Riggins’ did for her.  Mindy can’t make eye contact and her eyes start to well with tears.  Becky loves Stevie, and she’s gonna love the twins just as much.  Becky wipes the tears that are now starting to roll down Mindy’s face as she promises to visit all the time.  Becky then hugs a distraught Mindy, who’s on the verge of sobbing, calling her a sister.

DAMMIT!!!  I’m fucking crying in Starbucks while I write this!  And I’ve already seen this episode about 3 times already!

Of all the characters this season, my favorite has got to be Mindy.  She’s brash and strong, roudy but (mostly) responsible, kind-hearted, grounded in her family, surprisingly nurturing, vulnerable and so very REAL!  I LOVE HER!  Their embrace is interrupted by the sound of a crashing screen door, a shout of BECKY!, and a squeal as her mom comes running out for their reunion.

Um… inappropriate and insensitive much?  Couldn’t you have waited a few more minutes before rubbing salt in Mindy’s wounds?

While they catch up, Mindy turns around, wipes the tears from her cheeks and tries to pull herself together.

Following the theme of family reunions, Jess gets home to find her brothers tearing open presents in their living room.  Confused, she asks what’s going on, and the brother who was acting up at the beginning of the season joyfully tells her that they’re going to Dallas.  At first, I think he means they got tickets to STATE, but I’m soon proven wrong.  Their aunt, suddenly standing in the middle of the melee, informs Jess that the Dallas franchise of Ray’s BBQ has taken off, and their dad is moving the family out there.

Another dream dies in the ghetto.

While the boys celebrate, Jess’ world comes crashing down around her.  First, the Lions get eliminated, and just when she’s almost assured a spot next to Coach with the Panthers, she now has to move.  Poor Jess!  Looks like the universe is against you becoming a football coach.

Meanwhile, Mr. Howard hasn’t left the ghetto bar he’s been hanging out in.  He’s drinking beer and playing pool in the middle of the afternoon when Coach walks in looking for him.  About to take a shot, Mr. Howard looks up to see Coach approaching as he reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket for something. OH SHIT!!!  Is Coach gonna pull out a Glock and bust a few caps in his ass?  Because, really, I wouldn’t mind that at all.

Any other white dude would have been shot dead by now…. just saying

Instead of a gun, Coach pulls out a ticket to STATE and drops it on the rail of the pool table.  He tells Mr. Howard points out that STATE is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Mr. Howard stands there unresponsive, staring at Coach until he recognizes that he’s not going to get a reaction at all.  And he certainly isn’t going to get a Thank You.  Coach nods, then turns around and leaves.  The camera pans over to Mr. Howard’s profile as he ponders the situation.

eBay?  Craigslist?  StubHub?

He drops two fingers down on the ticket, playing with it a little.  But he never picks up the ticket.  Is he going to take it?  Is he going to show up at the game?  Personally, I hope he gets busted with those little baggies of meth and gets sent back to prison.

That night, Becky and her mom sit outside catching up some more when a truck pulls up in the driveway.  They both look over to see Luke.  He gets out of the truck with a bouquet of flowers and a teddy bear, and he walks directly up to them.

SWOON, Part 2!!!!

Becky’s mom correctly comments that Luke is a HOTTIE (hence my nickname) and tries to act cool for her daughter’s sake.  Becky asks what he’s doing there, and Luke responds that he’s crazy about her.  Yep, that aptly describes his behavior towards her.  But speaking from experience, insecurity can drive you to do crazy things, like failing to trust the person you love and pushing them away before they have a chance to break your heart.  Luke admits to being stupid and apologizes.  Becky stammers, at a loss for words, and her mom gives her a moment to collect her thoughts by introducing herself to Luke.  Then she gets up, calling him a sweetheart, as long as he learns how to put a condom on!  HAHAHAHAHA!!!!  Can I volunteer to teach him?  No?  Oh well…. But she’s serious.  Wear a rubber or she’ll kill you.  Luke defaults to southern gentleman, saying, “Yes, ma’am.”  Becky, now sufficiently embarrassed by her mother’s behavior, thanks her, and she leaves them alone to work out their issues.  Luke sits down and pleads his case in earnest, telling Becky that he loves her and he really is so very sorry.  Becky melts (as well she should) and promptly forgives him.  Luke looks at her lovingly, saying he wants to be with her forever and ever and ever and ever.  Strains of the Police’s Every Breath You Take play in the background as Becky suddenly backs away, wondering when Luke became a psycho stalker.  KIDDING!!!  She smiles and sheepishly looks down before letting him kiss her for the final part of their reconciliation.

Over at Buddy’s, Tim gleefully carries a tray of shots, beers and whiskey over to the table, and he, Tyra, Matty and Julie toast their engagement.  Ever the GIRL, Tyra asks how he did it.  Proposing, not the ensuing celebratory sex.  Julie says, “At the Alamo.”  And Matty says, “Freeze.”  AWWWWW, HOW CUTE!!!! And I vomit!

Awwww, it’s just like back in…. wait, these four have never hung out together before.

Tyra laughs at them, sarcastically saying that that’s amazing.  Matty gets all defensive, but I think it’s just the alcohol talking.  Tyra, clearly a much more developed level of tolerance, lays out how crazy this situation is for all of them.  Matty and Julie are getting married, Tyra is halfway through college, and Tim is finally able to joke about his own situation, saying that he’s out on good behavior.  Hilariously, they cheers to that!  Tyra and Julie exchange a knowing look, silently acknowledging this as a double date.  Suddenly, Matty asks Julie to dance, and takes her hand to lead her out onto the dance floor.  Tim watches as inspiration hits.  Following Matty’s lead, he asks Tyra to dance, putting his hand out to her.  Tyra considers it for a quick second, then gives in.  They start to slow dance to some old country song.  In his low, sexy voice, Tim says in Tyra’s ear that this feels right.  She tries to downplay the intent in Tim’s voice, saying he’s just lonely, but he confidently responds that he’s not.  Looking sad and a little scared, she says that she can’t do this again with him, because she’s got plans.  Tim pulls away, looking her in the eyes and saying that he knows.

The moment Tyra falls in love with Tim Riggins all over again… or she’s just getting the spins after all those beers and shots.

They stare intently at each other for a few moments before falling back into slow dance.  While Matty and Julie dance with joy and lightheartedness, Tyra puts her head on Tim’s shoulder, contemplating the complications that this visit home has now created for her.  Note to Tyra:  GIVE IN!!!

The next morning, very early, Tami and Coach are sleeping in bed when they’re awoken by a phone ringing.  Coach hilariously turns to Tami, telling her to stop that, and Tami begs him to turn it off.

… no sign of morning wood…. DAMN!

Coach blindly reaches for the phone and answers it.  On the other end is Buddy who feels the need to let Coach know that Buddy is staying in Texas indefinitely and to give a medical update on Buddy Jr.’s rehab.  He’ll be ready for summer ball and for the Super Team come the fall.  Coach thinks that’s wonderful, but asks why he’s calling so early.  Buddy needed to talk to him because the boosters or the school board wants a signed contract from him before he leaves for STATE.  While Buddy suggests bringing the paperwork to the fieldhouse to get the formalities out of the way, Coach sees the Braemore offer somehow left out in the open on their dining table.  Buddy asks if they have a plan, and Coach pauses for a second, deep in thought.

They offered her HOW MUCH?!?!?!

Then he ignores Buddy altogether, instead telling him to never call this early again.  Buddy apologizes and Coach hangs up the phone.  Meanwhile, Tami has come out into the kitchen, wanting to know what that was all about.  Coach fills her in on request for a signed contract, and Tami realizes that her dreams officially die TODAY.  Looking defeated, she announces that she’s taking Gracie Bell to see Santa Claus and walks out of the room.  The camera pans over to Coach looking deep in thought, as though he’s finally realizing the repercussions of his actions.  At least, that’s what I’m hoping, and again, I implore Coach to wake up and smell the jock straps.

Over at the Saracen house, Julie and Matty decorate the Christmas tree when GRAMMA excitedly calls them into the kitchen, carrying a huge box.  She found her wedding dress packed away in a closet under tons of junk.  She pulls out an old fashioned dress, yellowed with age.

Julie wouldn’t be caught dead getting married in that, but there’s a good chance GRAMMA won’t be coherent anyway.

GRAMMA exclaims how pretty it is, expressing shock over how white it still is.  It’s ok… she suffers from dementia, but it’s still cute.  Julie feigns excitement for her benefit as she babbles about being able to clean it in the sink and finding the accessories that go along with it.  Matty tries to suggest that Julie might want her own dress, and GRAMMA shouts NONSENSE!  Matty and Julie laugh as they basically humor her, but GRAMMA is just so happy.  She asks to see how her ring looks on Julie.  She takes Julie’s hand and gets emotional, bending over to kiss the ring.  Grinning ear to ear, she asks if Julie likes it.  Julie says that it’s beautiful, calling her Mrs. Saracen.  In response, she tells Julie to call her GRAMMA, because they’re family now.  Julie hugs her tight as they both get choked up.  A renewed sense of purpose overtakes GRAMMA as she shuffles off to find the shoes and veil.  Suddenly, Julie looks like she’s about to vomit as the reality of the engagement finally hits her.

You had to know that the ANGST wouldn’t be gone for an entire episode, even if it is the finale!

Matty asks her what’s wrong, and she wonders aloud if they’re really doing the right thing by getting married.  Matty reassures her that despite not living in the same state and all, they love each other and they’re perfect together.  He kisses her as a squeal goes up from the other room.  As quickly as an old woman can, GRAMMA runs back into the kitchen wearing a hideous white hat.  AWWWWWWW!!!!  She’s just too precious for words!

With STATE quickly approaching, the Red Storm players gather in the fieldhouse.  Coach is at his desk, hopefully NOT signing the Panthers contract, when there’s a knock at his door.  He looks up to find Jess looking sad and apologetic.  She lets him know that she’s moving to Dallas after this semester, so unfortunately, she won’t be able to be a part of Coach’s Super Team.

Guess she proved you wrong about girls in the locker room, huh?

Coach looks at her fondly and tells her that she’ll sincerely be missed.  Jess verbalizes what we all think, that this season has meant so much to her, and they agree that being a part of the Lions has been the best experiences of their lives.  As she’s walking away, he says that he knows the coach over at the school in Dallas, and he offers to put in a call for her if she still has an interest.  As tears well up in her eyes, she smiles and says she’d appreciate that, thanking him again.

Quiet dignity and pure appreciation…. I LOVE THIS SHOW!

Coach looks down at the Lion figurines on his desk, and hits the bobblehead on one of them, pondering things yet again.  Hopefully, he’s realizing that he can’t have as much of an impact on spoiled little rich kids, especially those over in West Dillon who will be playing for the Panthers.  Hopefully, he’s realizing that there are a lot of ghettos in and around the Philadelphia area.  Hopefully, he’s FINALLY having a change of heart… ?

In the locker room, the players are packing up their gear when Vince spies Jess.  He goes up to her, asking if they can talk for a second.  They step off to the side, and Vince tells her that he hated her being on the team at first.  But he points out how far they’ve come, and he feels like the luckiest man in the world because he gets to share this with his girlfriend.

As close to a High School Musical moment as FNL is going to get

He tells Jess that he loves her, and he’s glad that she’s a part of the team.  He takes her face in his hands and he kisses her while a tear runs down her cheek.  Uh oh, I guess she didn’t tell him that she’s moving to Dallas.  Poor Vince.

Have beer, will travel!

Out at Tim’s ranch land, Tyra and Tim walk up a hill for a romantic picnic.  Tyra is talking about her “plans” which apparently includes politics.  She immediately asks if Tim is laughing at her because who would have thought Tyra Collette, ex-slut of Dillon, would be motivated to go into a career of public service?  Tami did, that’s who, but that’s beside the point.  Tim claims to not be laughing at her, but with Alaska on the brain, he asks if she’s talking about the Sarah Palin kind of politics.  Tyra responds with a hearty, OH GOD NO!  She was thinking more along the lines of Mrs. T.  Hmmmm, I guess that was exactly the point!  Tim says that he can see it for her, and Tyra looks at him with a mixture of love and fear in her eyes.  Tyra bites the bullet and admits that she’s been in love with him from the age of 5, and being there with him is the greatest feeling she’s had in a really long time.  In case we weren’t sure already, she’s completely over Landry, I guess.  So much for an anticipated awkward reunion between the two.  Tim shares her feelings.  But Tyra is scared, letting him know once again that she has dreams.  Tim knows, because he has dreams too.  He takes a few beers from the cooler, telling her that he’s gonna build a house right where they’re sitting and he’ll get a job, and he guarantees to never do anything illegal for the rest of his life.  And he hopes that one day, their dreams can merge together.

That’s the only thing about these two that haven’t merged already.

She looks at him with a smile growing on her face.  He extends his beer bottle towards her, and she twists the cap off and clinks it in assent.  They each take a sip, looking at each other as the music swells around them.  LOVE THIS!!!!

And we visit the Dillon Shopping Mall, all decked out in festive Christmas decorations.  Coach is riding down the escalator as Tami puts Gracie Bell on Santa’s lap.  Coach makes his way towards Tami as she takes a picture and tells Gracie to let Santa know what she wants.

Psst… ask for an Emmy, Gracie.  PLEASE!!!!

Coach grabs Tami from behind, scaring her half to death.  She’s surprised that he’s there because he’s supposed to be on his way to STATE, but Coach takes the camera and prompts Gracie to smile big for the picture.  Once they get it, they thank Santa (for interceding on their behalf with the Emmy voters?), and Coach asks to talk to her for a sec.  Tami wants to know if something happened that would take him away from the team.  He looks at Gracie, then back at Tami, telling her that he turned the contract down and IT’S HER TURN!!!!!!!!!!  YAY!!!!  Tami can’t believe what she’s hearing, but Coach says that he wants to go to Philadelphia, and will she take him with her?

FINALLY!!! LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!!!!

I didn’t hear an apology in there for how much of a selfish pig he was being, but she kisses him nonetheless.  He didn’t say the words, but he’s clearly sorry.  And it’s Coach, so I can’t hate him, especially now that he’s redeemed himself.  And now that they’ve made up, all is right in the universe once more!

And now that their future plans have been settled, it’s time for STATE!

GAME TIME!

The bus arrives at the Cotton Bowl for the championship game.  I guess their budget couldn’t afford the Cowboys stadium again.

Screw the Cowboys!

I like the Cotton Bowl better though.  For the Lions, it just seems much more appropriate somehow.  Their improbably journey to this moment is captured perfectly in the awe and wonder in everyone’s expressions as they climb off the bus.

This is the moment
My final test
Destiny beckoned,
I never reckoned,
Second Best!

Dressed in suits, they walk through the tunnel out onto the field.

I’ll ask again… why only two tickets apiece?

Like children, some of them play around on the field, but most of them just soak up the experience.  Vince throws a pass, and the camera gets caught up in the lights.  Suddenly, it’s night time and the game is about to start.  The pep bands are playing, cheerleaders are dancing, and fans are cheering while scenes of the nervous Red Storm players focus for the game in the locker room.  Their opponent in orange runs out onto the field while Tinker prays and a random Lion splashes cold water on his face.

A little divine intervention wouldn’t hurt

Coach walks out into the locker room and approaches Vince.  He squats in front of him, saying how Vince may never know how proud he is of him.  Vince responds, telling Coach that he changed his life.

And fuck, I’m crying again!  GOD I LOVE HIS SHOW!!!!

The team takes a knee, and Coach asks if they’re ready.  The players respond in unison, “YESSIR!”  Then Coach leads them in prayer.  “Dear Heavenly Father, Keep us and protect us tonight.  Please allow us to take the talents that you’ve given us and use them to the very best this evening…. as a family… as one.  Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever.  Amen.”

Final Samoan war dance

Out on the field, Vince pumps up his players, fully realizing the leader within him.  Audio drops out as the soundtrack takes over.  No narration, no dialogue, no words.  The ref conducts the opening coin toss, and the game begins.

Heads, the Red Storm wins.  Tails, the Orange team loses.

The ball is kicked off, and Luke prepares to receive it.  Coach looks over his shoulder to where Tami is sitting, and she blows him a kiss for good luck.

Team Orange throws a TD pass to score first.

Vince’s dad walks into the stadium having swallowed his pride to be there to see his son play.

Hastings catches a TD pass, and the Red Storm sidelines go wild!  Then Vince completes a short pass to Luke.  He evades the Team Orange defenders while Becky cheers from the stands and Buddy jumps up and down.

He runs it all the way down the field, diving into the end zone for a touchdown.

Mrs. Howard and Jess’ Aunt clasp hands and celebrate.  Billy points at Luke with pride.  Things seem to be going the Lions’ way,

but Vince gets sacked and Luke gets stuffed.

Then Team Orange runs the ball in for another touchdown.

A feeling of despair falls over the Red Storm sidelines as Coach looks up at the scoreboard to reveal the score to be 26-21, in favor of Team Orange with 3 seconds left in the game.  The Lions have the ball with 63 yards left to go.

One play left, and for those in the know, it’ll have to be a Hail Mary pass.  The chances at one last 4^th Quarter Comeback ™ are very slim indeed.

After commercial, we hear from radio announcer/narrator one last time, laying out the long odds for the Red Storm.  They need a miracle to happen.  Coach tells Vince that he has to give the receivers time to sprint down the field.  A calm takes over Vince as he responds with another Yessir and runs out onto the field.

Don’t worry, Coach.  I got this!

We see concerned looks all around as radio announcer/narrator tells us that if the dream is gonna happen, it’ll happen right here and now.

Again, the sound fades out as Vince readies for the snap.

We see Tami, Mrs. Howard, and Buddy praying for that miracle to occur.

Vince takes the snap and drops back.  Mr. Howard looks on intensely, pulling for that miracle.

Ignore the fake look of the fans in the background….

Luke, Hastings, and whoever #22 is run down the field straight for the end zone.

Gay Coach and Jess watch intently.

Tinker holds back two linemen all by himself.

An Orange defender gets blocked while Coach watches the play unfold.

Vince evades yet another defender, giving his receivers that time Coach was asking for.  Then he steps into the pass and throws the ball high up into the air.

We assume that silence falls over the crowd as everyone looks up with raw hope as the ball flies down the field.  Becky and Mindy watch, Mr. Howard, Mrs. Howard, Matt and Julie, Buddy, Jess, the Red Storm players, Vince.

In the end zone, the Red Storm receivers jockey for position, all looking up.

Luke’s eyes lock in on the ball as Tami looks on wide eyed, and Coach looks on with a sense of inevitability.

The ball flies through the air, and as it passes through the stadium lights, the background changes, and suddenly it’s daytime.

The ball comes down in the arms of a player in green.

The player in green runs past the scoreboard that tells us he’s a member of the Pemberton Pioneers.

Weird seeing Coach in green… just like it was weird seeing him in red two seasons ago

Coach congratulates him on running a good pass pattern.  We’ve fast forwarded 8 months later to Philadelphia as Coach runs practice for his new team up north.

Cut to Tami walking the Braemore campus, greeting students along the way and stopping to give us a Mary Tyler Moore look up to the sky as she’s realizing her dream to be a career woman.

All that’s missing is the beret getting tossed in the air.

Just as weird as seeing Coach in green, is seeing Vince in Panther blue

Back in Texas, Vince is decked out in white and blue as a Panther, and he’s taking direction from Old Coach.  Maybe he got the Panther head coaching position?  As Vince readies to take another practice snap, the camera zooms in on his hand, where a STATE championship ring snugly sits!

YAAAAAAAAAY!!!! I WANT ONE!!!!

Black Coach and Billy survived the merge with their jobs intact, and Buddy Jr. and Tinker made the Super Team.

And lording over all things Panther is Buddy, riding around the field in a Panthers golf cart.

Over at East Dillon, a crowd gathers to watch the championship banner get taken down as the scoreboard gets dismantled.

At the bus depot, Luke and Becky share an emotional goodbye as he’s dressed for the army.  He takes his championship ring off his finger, closing it in her hands before boarding the bus.

In Chicago, Matty gets ready for work while Julie gets ready for school.  They kiss and head out together.

In Dallas, Jess takes up alongside another high school football coach as she pursues her dream.

In the Panthers locker room, complete with “J. Street” written in Sharpie on the wall underneath the Panthers logo, Buddy supervises the installation of a sign reading, “CLEAR EYES, FULL HEARTS. CAN’T LOSE!”

And deep in the heart of Texas, Tim and Billy work side by side, slowly building that home he was telling Tyra about, and that ranch he promised Jason he’d have back in the first episode of the first season.  Good friends, livin’ large in Texas.  They sit down for a beer as the sun sets, toasting each other and “Texas Forever!”

Back in Philadelphia, Coach runs drills with his new team deep into the evening.  They gather to take a knee as Coach talks to them, telling them that they’ve got a lot of work to do, but he’s looking forward to the challenge.

These guys don’t know how lucky they are to have Coach…

He tells them to go home, get their rest, and be back for 6:00am, which really means no later than 5:45am.  That’s always been Coach’s way!  The team shouts back in unison, YESSIR!  Coach then says, “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts…”  But he only gets silence in return.  After a few seconds, he dismisses it with a knowing smiling, promising to deal with that later.

BEST COUPLE EVER!

He ends practice with one final lap as Tami joins him out on the field.  Coach and Tami kiss, and Tami asks if Coach is ready to go home.  Coach responds, “Yeah, let’s go home.”

Goodbye, Coach and Tami

He puts his arm around his wife’s shoulders, and together, they walk off as the lights over the field go off.

And with that, the lights go out on Friday Night Lights forever.

And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen.  Friday Night Lights leaves the air with a triumphant finale.  I will miss this series something fierce, and I will hold it in my heart forever.  Thanks to my fellow Gasmii for slogging through the sheer magnitude of this final recap, but mostly for sharing this season with me.  A special shout-out goes to LrhFlute for your support, feedback and copyediting.  I’ll see y’all in the fall, when I’ll be recapping an as yet undetermined show (unless Flipit fires me in the meantime).  Until then, as the soundtrack played the show out:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

And a final gift to you.  Delta Spirit’s song, “Devil Knows You’re Dead,” which can be heard over the 8-Months-Later montage, can be downloaded for free!  http://www.nbc.com/friday-night-lights/soundtrack/