In the Taylormobile, Julie is whining to her mother about how she needs to spent at least four weeks in Dillon over the summer. Tami clearly has her mind on other things and doesn't want to talk about this right now, saying that the whole thing is six months away and they don't know what could change by then. This somehow doesn't tip Julie off at all, so instead she just whimpers, "You don't have to yell." Tami apologizes. DAMN, how do teenagers DO that?!
At the big Panthers Dinner, the team is sulking as they eat. Ugh, that fucking reporter had to ruin everything. I bet it's the same one that got those racist comments out of Mac McGill. Bitch HATES the Panthers! Buddy arrives and pulls Coach away from the coaches' table. Before he can say anything, Coach launches into a defensive speech, saying that yes he did put his career ahead of Panthers football but he had his reasons. Buddy, in a rare display of class, says he only came by to say how much he was going to miss him and that he's a fine football coach. Sigh. Every single scene, my soul dies a little more. I am caught off guard by this sudden twinge of affection for Buddy, but you know what? One of the things that strikes me most with this show is its almost total lack of two-dimensional characters (with the exception of maybe Corky, the red-haired meathead football player). No one is perfect, but no one is completely villainous either, which makes it damn near impossible to really hate anyone. It's amazing.
He turns around to the podium and introduces Coach to the crowd. Coach tells them that he's going to cut through the crap and explain why he took the job. He says that they all have dreams, and he will do anything to help them achieve those dreams. But he has dreams too. It seems to me that Coach stole this "I have dreams too" speech from his daughter a few weeks back, but it doesn't make it any less lovely. And she stole it from MLK, Jr., anyway, so it doesn't really matter. He goes on to say that he hates the press, and apologizes for it all coming out the way it did. He finishes his speech and Buddy starts to rouse the crowd with our old friend "WE'RE GOING TO STATE!" and a Panthers chant. The only ones not chanting are our boys, who look sullen and dejected. Matt even gets up and leaves the room.
The Eyebrow has spoken.
Later, the Panthers are sitting around in the hotel lobby, bellyaching about Coach's decision. Jason stands up for him and so does Smash, saying that he earned it and it's up to them now. The Vikings appear and choose to ruin yet another moment. Voodoo pulls Smash aside and tells him he's been watching his game tapes. He tries to persuade him to come over to his team, because with their powers combined, they'll take Texas by storm and every college in the country will want them. Smash can even live at his house. He also throws in that they don't treat them (meaning black people) like second-class citizens there. Also, Voodoo looks old enough to be Smash's father. Seriously, is he like a ninth-year senior? Smash does the right thing - he says he's a Panther, and walks away. Aw, Waverly would be proud, wherever she is.
"I'm 35."
Matt is chilling with Julie and complaining about her father. Julie actually sticks up for her old man for once, saying that all he ever does is think about the team, it's all he ever talks about and it's his whole life. "Then why is he leaving?" Matt snaps. I feel you, Matt. If Coach left me I'd hop on the first train to Suicideville. (One way only!)
Matt finds Coach at the hotel bar. Coach says he understands if he's pissed for the variety of reasons, and that all he can say is he's sorry. "But let me tell you this, and don't forget what I say. But if you're ever lucky to have a family like I do, I promise you you will understand." Matt mumbles a goodbye and leaves. And I must say this is the first episode where I've barely even heard Matt stutter. He must really be pissed.
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Comments (16)
Screampillar, thank God this show is at least tangentially about sports, which makes it ok for a guy to cry, just like it's ok for a guy to cry at the end of "Rocky", "The Rookie", "Remember the Titans", "Brian's Song", etc. (at least that's what I'm telling myself).
I rewound and replayed that winning touchdown at least 3 times, just like I did when Saracen scored in the game before.
This show is about as close as one can come to perfection. I thought the same thing about how the Slow Clap is such a cliche, but on this show, like everything else, it rang true.
Screampillar, let me be the first to thank you for an amazing job recapping FNL. I especially appreciated it since I don't know many people who watched, so I enjoyed being able to share my enthusiasm for the show here.
Let's all pray that the NBC suits are as addicted to this show as we are, and will be willing to give it time to develop an audience. If there is any justice, awared nominations will rain upon the writers, directors and cast and its profile will be raised. Hopefully, NBC will promote the reruns hard over the summer and people will get on the bandwagon.
1 of 16 | Posted by JasonR
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Posted on April 16, 2007 9:19 AM
Ditto JasonR.
2 of 16 | Posted by OzoneDude | Posted on April 16, 2007 9:57 AM
FNL is hands down my fave show on TV right now. They must renew.
And I totally sobbed from the moment they walked into the locker rooms and saw their names on the lockers until the end of the episode. Definite snot issues at my house as well.
3 of 16 | Posted by kmills
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Posted on April 16, 2007 10:57 AM
WOO-HOO!! WE WON STATE, BABY!! PANTHERS RUUUUULE!!
just had to say it one more time.
i loved the finale. there has been some criticism about the resolution of the football game, and some suggestion that the producers decided to let the Panthers win in case the show didn't get renewed (as most folks know, the real-life Permian Panthers team on which the original 'FNL' book and movie are based did NOT win their championship final). Normally, I'm not one for the improbable come-from-behind victories, but I'll take this one. We all deserved the opportunity to stand up and cheer for Dillon, Coach and Tami, and, of course, the kids. It's also fitting that Dillon win on the hook-and-ladder play, which was used by Boise State in this year's Fiesta Bowl to upset Oklahoma (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=270010201). If it can happen in real life, why not on TV?
Thanks for the funny and generous recaps, screampillar. I am from Virginia (went to the same HS as Connie B., the actress who plays Tami!!), and am currently coping with the shock of what has happened at VA Tech, where my cousin is an engineering grad student (he's o.k., but it just makes it much more real and present for me). This re-cap has lifted my spirits somewhat.
4 of 16 | Posted by jack | Posted on April 16, 2007 11:53 AM
I LOVE the show as well!!
Some might argue that it is also cliche to have the team win, but who the hell cares?!
They played that song Devil Town (is that the title?) at the end of another episode before this one, and yet I liked it just as much (if not more!) on this finale.
I wasn't expecting the team to actually win. I think the writers had to end things on a positive note so all the viewers would feel happy and satisfied and then look forward to the next season (as if we needed any convincing!) Maybe it was directed at the small percentage of viewers who couldn't make up their minds??
just a thought but I can't wait for the next season to start
(maybe the seniors, whoever they are, will be staying on for a "post graduate year!")
5 of 16 | Posted by lovedoctor
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Posted on April 16, 2007 12:55 PM
Screampillar, thanks so much for helping me relive the glory (again) and for a season of amazing recaps. Even if I do think you're a little too easy on Coach (IMO he was a bit of an ass this episode), I love your enthusiasm and you always crack me up. What will we all do over the Summer without this show to love? Because we WILL be back next season!
6 of 16 | Posted by alex | Posted on April 16, 2007 1:30 PM
Hang in there Jack (#4). Glad your cousin is ok. Everytime we get a reminder of the kind of pure evil/depravity that human beings are capable of, whether it's shooting up a college or an Amish schoolhouse, or flying planes into buildings, it really shakes us all to the core. If we're lucky, some good (or bad) TV, or a really good website about TV can provide some temporary escape.
7 of 16 | Posted by JasonR
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Posted on April 16, 2007 3:24 PM
thank you for the amazing recap!! this episode was wonderful, although, no i didnt cry!!! i WILL cry if they cancel such a perfectly produced/written/acted show!!! i am so glad the panthers won, i was worried that they would loose like in the book/movie, but i need a feel good ending especially when you feel like your favorite show might be ripped away from you at any moment. come on NBC!!!! give us another season of FNL!!!
8 of 16 | Posted by sunshine858619
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Posted on April 16, 2007 3:50 PM
Yes, the the tears flowed for me too! Freakin' awesome episode!!!! We were actually cheering out loud when the Panthers scored their touchdowns like it was real life or something! LMBO...
If this show is cancelled , I will be sooooo disappointed! It is perfection, and Tami and Coach are so adorably believable as a couple! I LOVE FNL! I'm sad to see it end...my Wednesday nights are gonna suck now....
Thank you Screampillar for all the great recaps. They were so fun to read!
Jack...glad to hear that your cousin is ok. I have been watching the coverage of this senseless tragedy all day, and it is just unbelievable....
9 of 16 | Posted by Jojobear
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Posted on April 16, 2007 5:47 PM
Picture it - the seniors graduate and go on to play for Coach at TMU while the kids still in Dillon get schooled by Tami (and Young Coach Jason thanks to Eric's commute). Seems like a recipe for the perfect Season Two.
10 of 16 | Posted by MTS19805
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Posted on April 16, 2007 6:48 PM
I guess I am in the minority. I would have prefered if they lost the game. It just feels weird for everything to go right for once. Dillon is supposed to be full of heartbreak dammmmit!
11 of 16 | Posted by kevintheomanharris
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Posted on April 16, 2007 7:02 PM
Screampillar - thanks so much for your recaps all season. FNL is my favorite and your shared love for the show has made it even better! (so, tell us, exactly how many e-mails have your written to NBC requesting a Crucifictorious t-shirt and Panthers hat?? haha.)
When the boys got to Texas Stadium I could not control the tears. I think there are so many more stories and the plot lines are wide open. I can already feel my heart melting when I see Coach holding his baby (i'm guessing a boy) for the first time!!
Long live FNL!!
12 of 16 | Posted by y2kcsc
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Posted on April 16, 2007 7:09 PM
Screampillar, you almost had me crying at my desk again when you talked about the halftime speech. Beautiful episode.
I have been giving some thought to next season because I refuse to believe there won't be one. Football ends at the beginning of December so to keep the seniors (I think maybe just Tim and Lyla?) they can make next season all about the spring- spring workouts coached by Jason, two-a-days, and of course prom!!!
13 of 16 | Posted by dent
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Posted on April 17, 2007 5:57 AM
Bahaha @ the "I'm 35." thing. Seriously, you have done such a wonderful job with these recaps - you never disappoint!! Thanks for the link to the alternate speech -- I really liked that one too. Can't say it enough though - have loved, loved, loved these recaps. Thanks for the laughs!
14 of 16 | Posted by dainsey
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Posted on April 17, 2007 8:23 AM
Great recap to a great episode!! This was an awesome finale that gave us some closure, but still leaves us guessing about next season (yes, there just HAS to be a next season) and whether coach will stay in Dillon. I was a little surprised, but happy that the panthers ended up winning because with all the difficulties and hardships they faced, they deserved to win.
I loved your screencaps, haha especially the one about Jason's tattoo and voodoo's oddly old appearance for an 18 year old kid.
I also laughed about your reference to the slow clap being cliche, because it reminded me of my economics class during sophomore year and my teacher telling us how he hates slow claps because they only happen in movies and on tv, but really never happen in real life. It became a joke that whole semester and a couple funny guys would randomly start the slow cap, which took off. haha
Again, thanks for recapping such an amazing show and it's always awesome to read about your enthusiasm for FNL!! WoHOO, we won STATE!!!
15 of 16 | Posted by Triks
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Posted on April 17, 2007 7:32 PM
Yay! Friday Night Lights is officially back next season.....although they gave in and put it on friday night.
16 of 16 | Posted by CandiceMarie
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Posted on May 17, 2007 3:55 PM