Man. Friday Night Lights, tackling the issues. This week's episode provided us with a healthy dose of racism, a dash of sexism, a pinch of disabledism, and a smattering of Landryism. But no smoke monsters. Sorry, kids.
We start off as we rarely do: with a football game! Usually it takes place towards the end of the episode, when my heart is too broken to care. But they're being all shady and starting out full force this week, just to keep me on the ball. Pretty sneaky, sis. Football, football, football. The Panthers win 30-10!! And yes, you're hearing correctly: one of the announcers does yell "What in tarnation?!"
After the game we get a rousing but somewhat odd victory speech from Coach. It's very George W. Bushish in its twangyness. Maybe it just seems weird coming at the beginning of the episode. Anyway, there are some reporters in the locker room and they're interviewing Assistant Coach Mac McGill. And since that's a name like that just sort of screams trouble, we know that that's what there will be. Trouble, that is. The pesky blonde reporter asks if race is a factor in the upcoming game, and Mac says some stupid things that are followed by even stupider things, such as how black kids have natural gifts for running the ball and aren't suited to be quarterbacks. Commence the Cringe Count! He goes on to say that they're dangerous, like junkyard dogs. Cringe Count: 2! The damn reporter needles a little more, asking if white kids make better quarterbacks because they're inherently smarter, and Moron Mac does NOT deny this, insisting that not ALL black people are dumb. Cringe Count: 3! Coach catches wind of this situation and wisely pulls Mac away, but the damage has been done. The excrement's about to hit the air conditioning.
Ah, Car Ride with Expositional Radio Sports Show. How I've missed you. Of course the whole McGill scandal is the topic of the day, and poor Coach just looks miserable. How many situations that are beyond his control must this man face? He's like Job! Job I say!
The Williams family is listening as well, and for some reason Smash just doesn't seem to get it. He doesn't understand why everyone is so offended. Um, maybe it's because he just called you a junkyard dog, Smash. Do you need me to draw you a picture?
As it turns out, the Williams are on their way to look at a house! To buy! Huzzah! The kids absolutely love it, and Mama doesn't think that they can afford it but oh what the hell. They're movin' on up! Of course, as with all things on this show, this brief moment of happiness will surely be followed by a world of pain. I could be wrong. But I'm probably not.
Next stop on the downhill train is Tami's guidance office, where Julie and Tyra are being accused of skipping class. Julie whines that it was only P.E., which in my book is a completely valid excuse. It's like saying, "I'm sorry I missed Torture Class, it won't happen again!" Tyra apologizes for the both of them, to which Tami replies "Well Tyra, that really sounds like a hollow apology to me, so save it." She's so real and in my face! As punishment, Tami declares that in order to make up for the missed classes, they will both have to attend practices for and play in the powderpuff game this week. Both Julie and Tyra look as if they're going to vomit.
Cut to powderpuff practice and holy crap it's LANDRY!! Someone finally let him out of his cage! I'm so excited to see him I can barely process what's going on in the scene but I'll try anyway. He's going to be the referee for the game, and the coaches are none other than His Majesty Timothy Riggins and His Lordship Matthew Saracen. Julie recoils upon seeing Matt, the "charity calendar" party wounds still fresh, and correctly notes that this is going to be awkward. A coin is flipped and the boys start picking teams. Matt picks Tyra first. More picking. Tim picks Lyla. More picking. Matt picks Julie third, with a meek little "Julie Taylor? Please?" She begrudgingly gets up, and if looks could kill Matt would be chillin' with Anna Nicole right now. Too soon?
Jason appears in a school hallway! He's alone for a minute, then the bell rings and the hallway swells with smelly teenagers. A few of them stop to chat for a minute to welcome him back. And is that...a smile?! A Landry appearance and a happy Jason all at once? Best episode ever!
The elusive Happy Jason
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Comments (15)
Episodes like this are the reason that FNL is one of the best shows on television.
And Landry's back!
1 of 15 | Posted by eightyschica
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Posted on February 10, 2007 1:03 PM
Great episode! And I think we can all celebrate the greatness that is Landry! I certainly missed him!
Did anyone else notice that Jason was sitting in the driver's seat last week when he and Lyla talked about marriage? If so why's he learning to drive now?
2 of 15 | Posted by ellebella
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Posted on February 10, 2007 1:12 PM
"I didn't know any other restaurants existed in Dillon."
Well, there is the "oriental" place.
I've become addicted this show, and I'm really enjoying your recaps.
3 of 15 | Posted by brilliantmistake
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Posted on February 10, 2007 1:40 PM
Hahaha! Can I just say thank you? Yes? Okay THANK YOU! I seriously needed a laugh and you hooked me up tenfold.
Loved the Isaiah Washington line!! See? I just laughed again thinking about it.
I agree about the scene where Coach asked Julie not to take away their trust. Touching. Brilliantly followed by him chasing her down the hall to find out about the QB thing. LOVED IT.
So many funny parts. Can't even touch them all. Thanks for a great recap.
4 of 15 | Posted by dainsey
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Posted on February 10, 2007 3:04 PM
once Landry announced he was going to be the ref, I knew we were in for some awesomeness.
It is sort of odd to already be doing a "very special episode" in my opinion. but it worked pretty decent anyways.
5 of 15 | Posted by kevintheomanharris
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Posted on February 10, 2007 8:41 PM
I love, love, LOVE your new wallpaper...as soon as I saw that pic I thought the same thing!
I really hope the team can come back together...Coach needs to fire Mac and then channel Denzel Washington (a la Remember the Titans) and bring home a win. That should do the trick.
Speaking of tricks…I was totally anticipating some fogged up windows when Tyra went to see her mom at work…but you’re right – it’s only a matter of time.
I didn’t see previews…is there a new episode coming on this Wednesday?
6 of 15 | Posted by y2kcsc
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Posted on February 11, 2007 4:03 PM
The "Christian" music I believe is DMX. Not quite "Christian" Love your re-caps and LOVE this show.
7 of 15 | Posted by Roney12
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Posted on February 12, 2007 8:16 AM
The only thing better than FNL is your recaps. Thanks!
8 of 15 | Posted by Miss Information
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Posted on February 12, 2007 9:32 AM
great recap!! the recap really does a wonderful show justice!! :o)
9 of 15 | Posted by sunshine858619
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Posted on February 12, 2007 5:23 PM
This is consistently the best recap on TVgasm! I love that you love this show as much as I do - even if there are only about 10 of us watching it. Your comments are always spot on: you read my mind on Waverly's hair and the resurrection of Landry.
10 of 15 | Posted by beanzie
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Posted on February 12, 2007 5:56 PM
Once again, awesome episode, awesome recap!! Loved when Coach chased Julie down the hall after finding out she was going to be QB... he's too cute! Landry = hilarious!! And I also thought it was weird that all those guys that were in rehab are all on the national team of whatever that game is(sorry I'm blanking out)!
11 of 15 | Posted by Jojobear
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Posted on February 13, 2007 1:56 PM
Yeah, that Christian music was indeed DMX. Don't think he's getting the support of any Christian groups anytime soon.
I was curious bout the driving situation too. He definitely was in the driver's seat of the jeep last week. Also, how could they possibly have Saracen's team win the game? Riggins' team was clearly far more prepared. Hell he had a girl who knew how to chop block, there's players in the NFL that don't know how to chop block (skill posiition guys don't usually learn that skill).
12 of 15 | Posted by barcrawler
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Posted on February 13, 2007 3:32 PM
Also, what happened to the lawsuit? Wasn't everyone pissed about that? They all just get over it? Buddy Garrity's the only one upset and just barely.
13 of 15 | Posted by barcrawler
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Posted on February 13, 2007 4:13 PM
Thanks for the great recap and all of the screenshots---that picture of Coach that's now your new wallpaper keeps cracking me up. Oh, Kyle Chandler, how I adore you!
I also thought this was a solid episode. I'm really curious to see what happens next with the team (come on, Coach, fire the racist already!). And who doesn't love Landry? We need more Landry scenes.
How did Jason get so good at rugby so quickly? I could see him being decent at the game, since he was an athlete, but I wouldn't think someone who was only a month or two out of rehab would be good enough to be considered for a national team. Are there really so few quad rugby players that such a newbie would be invited to try-out for nationals?
14 of 15 | Posted by gatsby
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Posted on February 13, 2007 6:56 PM
Um... How much do i LOVE this show.
your recaps are great too :)
i'm afraid that they're going to cancel it soon though. but i guess it's not up against any show that are that good. i just dont know what i'd do with out a smash fix though...
15 of 15 | Posted by meliasaurus
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Posted on February 15, 2007 1:26 AM