I feel like I should make some mention of the Super Bowl in this week's recap of Friday Night Lights, but I'm failing to see any sort of connection. Friday Night Lights contains no football, and the Super Bowl contains no Tim Riggins. But you know what does? Snakes on a Plane. Seriously, he's the one having sex in the restroom. I tried for about a half hour to find a decent (and non-nudity) screencap, but failed. So you may enjoy my own interpretation instead.
Matt and Lorraine are breakfasting it up. He makes her some eggs and even cuts her toast the way that Carlotta used to do it, as Grandma points out. The mere mention of his Guatemalan princess's name launches Matt right into a production of Stutterpalooza, complete with mopey, lovelorn eyes and dropped kitchenware.
Coach is quizzing Julie on her upcoming driver's test. "Don't roll your eyes at me," he barks, "you're going to need those eyes for the road!" Aha. Thanks for the tip, Coach. Tami, who for some reason is determined to not let her husband take part in any aspect of her daughters' lives, declares that she will be the one taking Julie to the test. Coach yells, "Fine! I'll be in the bathroom!" I like to think that all Taylor conflicts end this way. "Honey, could you pass the potatoes?" "Fine! I'll be in the bathroom!"
Matt is driving around in his shitbox when Slammin' Sammy delivers the news that Smash has been suspended for the rest of the regular season. And as if things couldn't get any worse, the car starts huffing and sputtering. In other words, it's pulling a Saracen. Matt pulls over and proceeds to beat the everliving crap out of the poor car, which then restarts and drives off to Guatemala. Ouch.
Over in the room adjacent to the locker room (the conference room? The gameday classroom? The Jason Street Memorial Lecture Hall For Kids Who Can't Football Good?), the team is giving Smash a hard time about getting suspended. Way to not support his pummeling of aspiring British ballet dancers, GUYS. Coach gives them a rousing pep talk that includes the word "adversity" in every way that it can be used, and - I'm sorry, who is this thirty-five-year-old guy? It looks like the janitor put on a hat and is trying to pass himself off as a Panther.
You're not fooling anyone, Larry. Get back in the broom closet.
Art class time! Pass the doobies! The art teacher, let's call her Miss Stick-Up-The-Ass, demands a critique from a very distressed Matt, but he is just not in the mood for pencil drawings of flowers in a vase. Shocking, I know. She keeps pushing him until it is very clear that he's just not feeling the flowers today, which he illustrates by calling her a bitch. And out comes the snark! From little Matty Saracen! She asks him to repeat himself, so he does. "My critique is that we're drawing a bunch of sad, stupid pictures of a bunch of sad, stupid flowers," he grumbles. "And I said bitch." Ha! Joyful = Me. She IS a bitch. Matt is correct.
Landry, rocking a bitchin' toothpick, catches up with Matt in the hall, only to watch flabbergastedly as Matt storms right out of the school.
Garth, I'm sorry, Jean, corners Tyra in the hallway to ask if she still has a thing for Landry. The height difference is highly amusing. Tyra, caught off guard with all of this sudden forthrightness, tells her that they're just friends. Well, good, says Garth, because she likes him. A LOT. Whoa. Tyra tells her to go for it, then runs off to volleyball practice with the face of someone who has just been accosted by a rabid, bespectacled shih tzu.
It's just a perspective trick. They did the same thing in Lord of the Rings.
Out on the field, Coach is irked by both the mysterious absence of Saracen, and the sudden leg injury of Lance/Landry. Apparently he fell over a curb. Ha, that is so perfect. Smash is leading the team in warm-ups, but Coach pulls him out because while he appreciates him suiting up and everything, they really need to practice without him there. And I don't know if it's the lighting or what, but Smash is looking, well, pretty.
Congratulations, Smash. You're still in the running towards becoming America's Next Top Model.
« Celebrity Apprentice: What a Croc | | Gauntlet 3:Angels and Pink Umbrellas- so Victoria Secret »
Comments (10)
Beautiful episode. After the heartbreaking bathroom scene, I have a new respect for Zach Gilford (aka Matt Saracen). His acting was phenomenal.
Yes, I noticed "J. Street" written under the P. It's the little things that make this show so awesome.
And Smash's rousing pep talk and subsequent breakdown...wow. LOVE this show.
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!
1 of 10 | Posted by maybeimamazed02 | Posted on February 5, 2008 11:33 PM
Finally, the magic of season one. This show is amazing.
I do not have Season 1 DVD, but recently found out that they are playing season one episodes on the Universal HD Cable Station. From what I can tell, they are on Monday and Friday at 7pm. I've been DVRing them, and watching them - pure magic. So, those of you who are fans, check that our if you have that channel.
2 of 10 | Posted by lawyergal | Posted on February 6, 2008 5:50 AM
Amazing episode. Loved the Riggins and Matt scenes, and of course like everyone else the scene with Matt & Coach and the final scene of Smash alone in the locker room were incredibly gut-wrenching. It's easy to make fun of Matt for being so insecure when as a state champ QB1 he should be on top of the world, but look at all the things that have undermined this kid's self esteem.
Another great recap SP! Keep those Gracie Belle screencaps and captions coming!
3 of 10 | Posted by JasonR | Posted on February 6, 2008 8:14 AM
Good recap. Add my vote to those who thought the bathtub scene was especially great - and "real".
4 of 10 | Posted by fire@will | Posted on February 7, 2008 1:31 PM
I knew that picture of Gracie in the car seat would be featured in this recap as soon as i saw it!
Love Riggins saying that yoga was part of his routine when he skipped school. Also loved your fake-Riggins that also enjoys beers. That made me laugh out loud.
I also think Tyra just wanted to win and doesnt' really like Landry. There is just zero chemistry there and i wish that story would have been tossed in the river along with the body.
I heard that this week is the last new episode and if they don't renew the show, it will be the last. My heart almost broke.
5 of 10 | Posted by DP Hooker | Posted on February 7, 2008 8:08 PM
Here is some speculation on FNL future. I am already crying about the (possible) cancellation, and I am earing my Crucifictorius shirt today in honor.
Yes, I am a nerd, but I really love this show.
6 of 10 | Posted by fnllover | Posted on February 8, 2008 11:00 AM
Oops. Here is the link FNL STORY
7 of 10 | Posted by fnllover | Posted on February 8, 2008 11:03 AM
WOW. I suck. It won't let me paste the link.
Go to EW.com, then go to news and notes, then hollywood insider.
8 of 10 | Posted by Fnllover | Posted on February 8, 2008 11:09 AM
BEST. EPISODE. EVER.
Love this show. Best one yet. See above.
Awesome recap, too. As usual. : )
9 of 10 | Posted by dainsey | Posted on February 11, 2008 11:39 AM
Fans are starting a campaign to save the show!
Go to bestweekever.tv. ON the right there is a FNL petition, and people are also sending light bulbs to NBC.
10 of 10 | Posted by FNL LOVER | Posted on February 12, 2008 1:38 PM