Speaking of the Smashster, he returns home to have a talk with his Mama. He apologizes for disgracing himself and his family. He's absolutely humiliated and is terrified that the only thing he cares about will be taken away from him forever. Mama gives him some kind words, saying she wishes he wouldn't put so much pressure on himself and would try to just be a kid more often. Then some I love you's and kisses and hugs and aww. Good mother.
Jason is sitting in the dark on a street somewhere when a large truck pulls up in front of him. And out steps Buddy Garrity, causing me to say "Uh oh" right out loud. Jason demands to know why he set Lyla up on a date with College Boy. Buddy dances around the issue a little bit until Jason just comes out and says that it's because he doesn't want his daughter to be dating the town cripple and can he please be honest with him about this. Buddy finally admits that yes, that's true, and then launches into a rather scorching speech about how Jason's future is so uncertain - is he going to college, can he have children, if so can he take care of said children, and if not then Lyla's just going to end up being a caretaker for everyone. Plus, since Lyla loves him so much, she'll follow him no matter what, but is Jason really sure he wants to put her through all that? Gah. Not only was that whole thing quite painful to hear, but now poor Jason looks like he's not sure of anything. Except maybe how much Buddy spittle he's receiving.
Fun Fact: Spinal cord injuries lead to better haircuts.
Tyra and her mom are on the way to the interview, Mom ripping into the Garritys the whole way there. Yeah, might not want to bring up how much you hate his wife, Mom. Just a little career tip. But it looks like she won't have to worry about it anyway, because a tire blows and they get stranded on the side of the road. See, God is clearly on Buddy's side. Must be all those ridiculous football prayers.
The Saracens plus Julie are gathered at the bus stop, ready to say goodbye to Bad Actor Dad. Grandma is quite jolly, and reminds him to watch the game. Oh grandma. Matt is understandably upset, but hugs him and waves goodbye with a pained smile. And judging by the somber soundtrack and the tearful group hugs, I have a feeling that dear old Dad won't be returning. Which pisses me off because someone just give this poor kid a break. He makes his grandmother cookies, for chrissakes.
Tami pulls Coach out of a coaching meeting to tell him that she has decided to join the Mayor's reelection campaign. Coach feigns happiness for her but ultimately confesses that he doesn't like the idea of her getting into politics, especially since the lesbian thing might slip out and blow up in everyone's faces. Basically he's uncomfortable with it, but Tami doesn't really care because she's going to do it anyway and leaves her defeated husband with nothing left to do but awkwardly laugh and mutter, "Never a dull moment with you." "Well, that's why you married me, sugar." "I guess so, I don't quite remember why..." And then they kiss. THEY'RE DELIGHTFUL.
Tyra and TyraMama are struggling to repair the flat, but are failing miserably. Mom AGAIN mentions how much easier everything would be if Bob were still around, and Tyra blows up and spits out the exact same speech from the last episode, if my memory serves me. She says that if they don't change this tire right now, they're both doomed. I kind of think they're doomed anyway, but their way ends in a fixed tire, so I'll just shut up.
Jason and Herc are getting drunk over at some abandoned speedway. Jason regales him with the Buddy Garrity story, and admits that it's gotten him to thinking. He says he's been so selfish since the accident (WHAT?!), and that since Lyla's eventually going to be defined by being with him, maybe it's just better if he let her go. Wise old Herc tells him not to let Buddy get in the way, because guys like that "are a cancer" to guys like them. It's like an after school special, except with alcohol and crushed dreams and a crazy homeless wheelchair guy.
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Comments (16)
I know I had some comments but all I can think about are the previews for next week where little Matty appears to be getting his topless bump and grind on with various football-lovin-groupies!! Ahhhhhh!
1 of 16 | Posted by dainsey
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Posted on January 27, 2007 10:54 AM
I agree, not the best FNL epi ever but the show still has my vote. Thanks for the great recap, loved the screencaps!
2 of 16 | Posted by sweetleaf
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Posted on January 27, 2007 6:22 PM
"Imagine if Mama Williams and Dr. Bailey got together for a Happy Hour or something. I'd pay to listen in on that."
Now that would be MUST SEE Tv.
I love Mama Williams - I can't imagine how Smash has turned out to have such a colossal ego with a Mom like that. I love when she threw him out - yeah Mama!
Was anyone else disappointed when Coach and the Mrs. were in bed smooching and that blasted doorbell rang? I love when they get kissyface. She was so cute in his office - she is the one person who can totally stand up to him and he is helpless to it. It's great!
3 of 16 | Posted by TinkerbellAPixie
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Posted on January 27, 2007 10:48 PM
I just love love love your recaps of this show!
I had all kinds of witty things to say as I was reading this, but they have all left my brain.
Thanks, anyway!
4 of 16 | Posted by angieb
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Posted on January 28, 2007 6:07 AM
Your recaps continue to impress! I thought this was a good episode, it was nice to see Smash cool the ego a little! Props to Momma Smash for being a good mother.
Buddy Garrity is such a sleaze! Tyra's mom probably can type like 2 words a minute. And I love how mom of the year suggests getting drunk to her teen-age train-wreck-in-training daughter! That was pushing it a little for me. Not that I'm a prude or anything...!
Jason proposing to Lyla shocked me too. I'm sure Buddy will be impressed.
Screampillar, I thought the same thing about FNL's time slot...American Idol is gonna kill it. I HOPE they give this show a chance!
As for the previews of next week's show, looks like Matt will have some explaining to do!!
5 of 16 | Posted by Jojobear
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Posted on January 28, 2007 10:47 AM
I may be completely wrong...but I don't think that Coach Taylor told Smash that the kid flipping burgers was caught with drugs. I think he was trying to tell Smash that that kid flipping burgers was on that Scout's top 100 list and never amounted to anything...sort of as if to say...Smash, you don't need that list in order to be successful becuase it obviously doesn't mean anything. The reason Smash started doing drugs in the first place was because he didn't make it on the scouts list and felt pressure... I could be way off base, but I think that's what he meant.
6 of 16 | Posted by aloveaffairwithtivo
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Posted on January 28, 2007 2:39 PM
aloveaffairwithtivo - I took it the same way you did. I took it to mean not to let someone else determine your worth. He was doing just fine on his before he took the steroids -and it was only because that guy told him he was small that he risked losing everything.
7 of 16 | Posted by TinkerbellAPixie
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Posted on January 28, 2007 4:12 PM
Great recap! I love this show and hope it stays around for a while.
8 of 16 | Posted by sluggerbun
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Posted on January 28, 2007 7:00 PM
This show cannot go down with My so called Life, Freaks and Geeks, etc as one of those shows that everyone who watches loves, but really no one watches. NBC keeps talking about how much they love the show but puttingit on against AI is destined to kill it.
And please no my dear Matty, do not go the way of the groupies next week. You and Julie are the cutest things ever!!!
9 of 16 | Posted by dent
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Posted on January 29, 2007 7:59 AM
I'm hoping that this time slot is OK for FNL. It seems like AI is going to be on at 9pm instead of 8pm, so we may be alright.
That said, this wasn't one of my favorite episodes, but the Taylors rocked it! And Smash's mama too.
10 of 16 | Posted by helloooeverybody
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Posted on January 29, 2007 1:35 PM
OK, I love this show, but one thing has been bugging me since I watched it.
When Jason and Terc were driving by the restaurant with Lyla and that guy, they were in Terc's pickup truck, with their wheelchairs in the bed of the pickup. Now, how in the world do the two paraplegics get the wheelchiars out of the back and get into them? Really - does anyone know this?
11 of 16 | Posted by lawyergal
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Posted on January 30, 2007 5:55 AM
Sorry I'm a little late to the party here, but just watched the show on the DVR last night.
Not the best episode, but FNL is like sex or pizza, even when it's not the best, it's still pretty damn good. Another great recap Screampillar.
lawyergal (#11), the only thing I can think of is that Herc's pickup could have a hydraulic liftgate or ramp for the loading and unloading of the chairs. They were careful enough to show Herc driving with the aide of a special steering wheel so I can't believe the writers/director would have been so lazy as to just throw 2 heavy wheelchairs in the back of a pickup without giving it any thought.
By the way did anyone else get the distinct feeling that Dillon's "alternative lifestyle" mayor wants to get in Tami Taylor's pants? (not that I can blame her).
12 of 16 | Posted by JasonR
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Posted on January 30, 2007 6:51 AM
BTW I am liking the plotline for this week's episode. It is completely reasonable that Matt would be a little corrupted in his meteoric rise from mild-mannered nobody riding the bench behind the superstar QB Street to mild-mannered town hero. That's the great thing about this show. The characters are all flawed but all seem to be doing the best they can. Well, Tami may be a complete saint. Just when you think a character is completely destestable they show some good qualities: Riggins, Lila, Buddy, and even Smash.
Such good writing. I'll be so bitter if this show doesn't last. I'm hoping NBC sticks with it and that it will pick up some viewers over the summer in reruns and there will be some Emmy nominations in August that will bring more attention.
13 of 16 | Posted by JasonR
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Posted on January 30, 2007 6:58 AM
thanks for recapping this show. i only tuned in because the actress who plays tami taylor (connie britton) went to my church and my high school (i can still remember going with my family at age six to see her play the lead in the high school's production of 'hello, dolly!'). turns out it's a great show. the dynamic between connie and kyle chandler is so genuine and believable, the saracen kid is a grandmother's wish -fulfillment fantasy, and thus far the show really hasn't over-sentimentalized or exploited the very real issues of drug abuse and crippling injury in high school sports.
--loved the confrontation between buddy and jason. the actor who plays buddy does a fine job of toeing the line between being the meddling blowhard and the loving dad who just wants the best for his little girl. tough to watch, but honest and direct.
--smash's mom rules. 'nuff said.
--the sapphic-mayor twist was a welcome surprise, showing that FNL's writers can take this seemingly predictable concept in interesting directions.
--is it just me, or does that riggins boy always look like he just finished bathing in oil? somebody get that kid a haircut!
14 of 16 | Posted by jack
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Posted on January 31, 2007 6:57 AM
I just started watching and I am in love. This show is amazing.
I must also express my love for Screampillar! Your recaps capture everything I'm thinking and morning, and the screencaps? Priceless!!
Thanks for making a great show even better.
15 of 16 | Posted by ellebella
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Posted on January 31, 2007 6:29 PM
and by morning i meant more!
16 of 16 | Posted by ellebella
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Posted on January 31, 2007 6:33 PM