Lyla, over at Jason's house, notices that there are sheets on the couch. Jason explains that his parents have been fighting. More parent troubles, eh? This is what we call a THEME. Lyla, who in case you were wondering is still devoid of anything resembling a personality, asks Jason if all this lawsuit business is a good idea. Jason hates the whole situation but is starting to think that maybe his parents are right, maybe he should have had more tackling practice. Lyla says she'll back him no matter what he decides, she loves him, etc. And I usually love Jason scenes but this one just trainwrecks into sappiness so let's just move on.
Matt eagerly asks his father how the first day went, but it's pretty clear that it went mighty shittily. Later, Julie finds him sitting out on the front steps staring into space, praying to the football gods that they make it to the playoffs. She presents him with a frozen casserole from her mother, causing him to jokingly ask if he's that pathetic. Yeah, Matt, you kind of are. But that's why we love you. He bares his soul to brave young Julie, how he thought that things were going to be different and that he wishes that his father actually wanted to be around. Julie calmly suggests, like I'm shouting at the screen, that he could try getting angry for once. No, Matt calmly says to both of us, he can't. "He's trying. What else can you really ask of anyone?" And a small halo begins to form over the kid's head because he's a friggin SAINT. Julie better dig her claws in and never let go.
Matt used to forget which house is his, but not anymore!
Time for some bull wrasslin'! Country music! Popcorn! Ferris wheels! Mullets! Coach is sulking in the car over the lawsuit and the stupid game that they all wish they were watching instead. He's just upset that he can't control it. Well that's too bad, because it's time for the rodeo. Tami dons a cowboy hat. Aaamazing.
Julie is talking to Waverly about some foreign art film that she went to with Matt, and at the last minute remembers that she's supposed to be lying so she not-so-smoothly stammers that Smash went with them too. Waverly is skeptical. Smash is watching them and confesses his confusion to Matt. He doesn't know how to handle this girl because she's indifferent to his charm. Matt suggests that maybe he should, oh I don't know, show the SLIGHTEST bit of interest in her life. Smash, ever the gentleman, says, "I don't want to pay attention to her. I want her to pay attention to me." You know, I totally feel for Waverly. I really want to like Smash, but whenever he busts out with this egotistical crap I just want to smack his outrageously charming face.
Elsewhere at the festival, Tyra asks her mom if she's ever thought about moving away from Dillon. Tyra don't go! I just started to like you! We could have a beautiful future together! They're interrupted by Bob, who just wants a small word. As he and her mother tersely chat, Tyra slowly drifts away. Presumably to throw herself off a cliff.
Tyra and her new boyfriend
Jason and Lyla arrive as well. She ominously asks if he's ready for this, which I assume means that she's talking about the powerful social dramas and conflicts that can unfold only at a local rodeo festival. They soldier on.
Later on, Tyra's mom meets back up with her daughter to discuss things. She tries to brush the whole situation off as just a little fight, but Tyra's not up for this bullshit anymore. She says that she loves her more than anything in the world, and that she's a damn good mother, but she's "such a loser when it comes to men." So she gives her an ultimatum: if Bob comes back, she's moving out. Hey Tyra, could you stop being so awesome? My television is going to explode.
Smash and Waverly are watching an arm wrestling match. I guess this is what they do at rodeo festivals? I must confess I've sadly never been to one. Waverly asks him about all of the things that he's allegedly done with Matt and Julie, but since he can't lie his way out of a paper bag she ultimately catches him in his web of untruths and is appalled. "It's your own damn fault. You can't even see what's in front of you. I'm Smash!" he blares. STOP IT. YOU'RE AWFUL. He then jumps into the arm wrestling ring amidst many a hoot and holler, leaving Waverly to stew in disgust.
"I'm a moron!"
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Comments (7)
Great recap!
Dillion is the saddest town on earth.
This epi made me like Tyra too.
I was thinking that you would be happy to see Smash this time, but boy was he a jerk. Ugh.
Matt and Julie....cute cute cute, and I could look at Riggens all day long, he's got that bad boy thing all working for him.
I wish Street would just tell coach about the whole "you didn't teach me how to tackle" thing, see what coach has to say about that!
1 of 7 | Posted by sweetleaf
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Posted on January 12, 2007 6:06 PM
I'm starting to like Tyra more and more as well. I love how she attacked her mom's loser boyfriend! You go girl. The Smash, while thoroughly annoying, is still pretty funny. Waverly needs to dump his egotistical ass. Matt continues to be the sweetest thing on TV and I hated his dad less this epi. At least he was trying to be a good dad.
It's true that the football scenes are almost non-existant now. I like seeing the (obviously foreseen) win at the end! Anyway, I still love this show. Please keep it on NBC! Great recap!!
2 of 7 | Posted by Jojobear
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Posted on January 13, 2007 6:45 AM
Great recap! How cute is Matt Saracen?
3 of 7 | Posted by sluggerbun
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Posted on January 13, 2007 8:46 AM
I agree this episode was not as gripping as previous ones, but your recap made it totally worth it! Love the commentary as always!
Out of all the drama and despair in the town of Dillon, I have to say that Coach and Matt are little pieces of heaven. Love them both! I've also really liked Tim from the start. He has this quiet sensitivity mixed with badass stubbornness that makes him a character to watch.
And as much as "the Smash" kills me with his egotistical ways, Lyla needs a life! Something needs to happen to her storyline besides making cupcakes and picking up paraplegic porn for Jason.
Oh my, I can't wait for next week. It looks like the wrath of mamma Smash is about to hail down!
4 of 7 | Posted by y2kcsc
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Posted on January 14, 2007 8:49 AM
Ugh Smash irritates the hell outta me. I was so thrilled when Waverly ditched him not once - but twice during this episode. She is way too cute to fall for all his ego and preening.
I want to adopt Matt Seracin - what a cutie.
As for rodeo stories - I took a friend and her two daughters to the rodeo a few years back when it came through Chicago. I was in it for the hot cowboys in the too tight wranglers. The opening event was calf roping and the rope got caught in the horses feet - he kicked back to break free hitting the calf in the head, the calf fell to the ground twitching in an awful way. My friend turned to me horrified - looking at me like I had made her pay to watch baby animals die. She grabbed her two daughters and left.
That sad feeling is the same sad feeling I felt when I saw Jason turn and wheel away from the Coach.
:(
5 of 7 | Posted by TinkerbellAPixie
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Posted on January 14, 2007 2:07 PM
Yah, good show, poor attendance. It may not make it past this season. Too bad, really, because it does ring true for the most part. Teens are so complex these days, I recently told my grandson (19) and granddaughter (17) I wouldn't trade my childhood for theirs. Too many issues, too frenetic, too much in a hurry to grow up. "Lights" encapsulates a lot of those feelings and emotions in a way no other show does, all mixed in with the West Texas small town football culture.
Excellent recap, Scream, if a bit too heavy on the Texas boys' cuteness. Down, girl!
6 of 7 | Posted by Tony A.
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Posted on January 16, 2007 9:53 AM
Finally watched this last night, so I'm a little late to the board. Not much to add, just thanks to Screampillar on another great recap and to shore up our small club of 'Gasm FNL watchers.
7 of 7 | Posted by JasonR
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Posted on January 16, 2007 11:36 AM