This week's Friday Night Lights comes with a Dramatic Language Warning. Which can mean only one of two things: a) some dramatic language will aid in the dramatization of some sort of drama, in this, a television drama series, or b) the censors have forgotten the meaning of the word. I mean, I have, after typing it so many times. Either way, I'm ready for some excitement.
We begin this week with our boy Smash getting himself in over his head. Nothing new here. He's holding a press conferenece on the porch of his house, surrounded by the other black players and a horde of nosy reporters. As the press, well, presses him about the Mac McGill scandel, he fumbles a little when it comes to whether or not the black players are given an equal amount of opportunities on the field. Actually, um, they are. But it's about the ATTITUDE, man! Just fire Mac, is the point he's trying to make. What, does he have to draw a picture for you?
Cut to Coach's Den of Football Planning and Scheming. Another assistant coach, hopefully of the non-racist variety, is taking all the black players off of the...planning...board...thing. They're in trouble. Coach decides that the future of this team lies in the skilled and polished hands of...the JV team? I don't remember much about high school sports but I do know what JV stands for - You Suck. In Latin.
On the field, Coach gets a taste of what he's gotten himself into. The freshmen have never even seen a football, apparently. Coach guns after some poor kid named Tyler, whose name Coach repeats a full SIX times. Then he asks him what his name is. Oh, no. Coach has been kicked by a wayward horse again. No, wait, he's just making a point about how Tyler can remember random information but not the rules of football. Well, I could have told you that. Look at that kid, there's nothing behind those eyes except the vague desire to go moan about all of this in his Livejournal. Meanwhile, Tim is getting just as frustrated, screaming and flipping out all over the smelly JVs. Coach pulls him aside and demands to see Tim the Leader, who I believe has yet to make an appearance on this show. Unless he's leading with his...little Tim. He calls the three kids over and they turn into a pack of overly eager little squirrels, spouting "You got it, Coach!" and "I'm with you Riggins!" Tim and Coach are equally disgusted.
In lieu of the weekly Expositional Radio Sports Show, we instead get a peeved Coach glaring at a snippet of the nightly news featuring Smash's press conference. Julie's making plans on the phone, and as soon as she hangs up Tami jumps on her like McSteamy on an intern. Julie casually says that it was Tyra, and Tami turns on her "The Guidance Counselor is IN" neon sign, using such fantastic language as "we have some concerns about this new relationship" and "I'm surprised that's someone you've chosen to spend so much time with." Ahh, Tami. Chosen. You're fanastic.
And here we have Tami, channeling the spirit of Paul Abdul
Julie predictably protests, and after some more squabbling Coach pipes up with "What about Lois?" Yes, Julie, what ABOUT Lois? That nice semi-lesbian friend you used to have? Well, she's dead to us now. Julie sarcastically suggests that since they want to control her life so much, they should homeschool her. I'm praying that this happens, because a day at Taylor Academy might just be the best thing I've ever seen. Coach launches into some sort of speech about different kinds of persons, and it's way too complicated to even recap, you just have to hear it because it makes little to no sense. Julie tells him that he is embodying the very definition of prejudice, and maybe if he weren't so prejudiced he's still have his whole team. Dammit, Julie, there is very little you could ever do to make me hate you but you do NOT disrespect Coach like that. Go to your room!
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Comments (13)
I must admit that I am not a football fan, but I love this show. Kyle Chadler has been a fav since his "Homefront" days, and I too yelled out"face mask" when that nasty play was made! Great recap!
1 of 13 | Posted by Natalie
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Posted on February 16, 2007 4:55 PM
I really enjoyed this episode, but then again, I enjoy ALL episodes of FNL! Great recap again!
Ok, I wanna know how Tyra, Julie, Matt and Landry could even get in the front door of the strip joint (The Landing Strip - hee hee)? Isn't there usually a doorman or bouncer? Maybe I'm getting too technical(?) Anyway, I thought Coach's comment about getting their little "perp" was too funny. Those Taylors!
Mama Smash continues to be the awesome voice of reason! She rocks! I love that woman.
I also yelled "FACE MASK" at the TV! LOL, good to know I'm not the only one who gets into it! I thought the psychotic DV fans were gonna bust down that fence and kill our beloved Panthers! It was a very captivating episode. FNL is my favorite show, I REALLY hope it doesn't get canned!
2 of 13 | Posted by Jojobear
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Posted on February 16, 2007 5:03 PM
This might be my favorite episode of tv - ever.
As far as this:
I think you're missing the subtext. Everyone involved knew it had NOTHING to do with official police business. It was an attempted lynching. Mac asking for a warrant was his way of saying he knew what was afoot and he wasn't gonna stand for it. It was two against a whole bunch and there was no way Smash was getting off that bus.
That scene blew my mind. The fact that they were able to deal with those issues, so deftly, so subtly, with out any preachiness or after school special vibe was really incredible.
3 of 13 | Posted by beckylooo
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Posted on February 16, 2007 5:31 PM
Awesome episode. Awesome recap. I melted too when Matt & Julie reconnnected. As for the Texas parts, no one checks ID anywhere outside of the big cities, and the bus scene was based on a true story. I can't remember the exact date, but it happened to some high school team getting the hell out of dodge several years ago after creaming the opponent on their home turf. The writer obviously knows his Texas football, and all the built-in drama that has mushroomed out of it.
4 of 13 | Posted by Ozone Dude
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Posted on February 16, 2007 6:23 PM
To me, this was the best episode of the entire season! Great recap as always!!
Coach/Kyle Chandler is and will always be my favorite on the show and I love the dynamic between him and Tami. I loved the scene in Tami's office when Coach is all confused and vulnerable and going to his loving wife for support. I want to be Mrs. Coach Taylor!
I also love Mama Smash and all of her guidance and support - she's the epitome of strong black woman and I love it. After she gives her pep talks to Smash I just want to hug her!
The whole police car, warrant scene made my heart stop. I was more concerned that the show was going to end there an leave us all hanging. I would not have been able to take that!
And Julie and Matt...yes, melt our little hearts....and based on the previews I can only imagine the Landry advice that is soon to be. hahahaa.
5 of 13 | Posted by y2kcsc
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Posted on February 17, 2007 8:48 AM
Excellent episode, perhaps the best so far. And, awesome recap!
I really disliked Mac last week, but this week, not so much. I like the way the characters on this show, while at first, seeming one-dimensional, are really very layered.
I loved Mama Smash! I especially like the way Waverly is being written as the young "idealist" versus Mama Smash as the mature "realist"; both viewpoints are valid and it's yet another example of the nuanced writing of this show. I see a big Mama versus Waverly showdown in the near future!
OMG! The "perps" and "Why can't we get ours?" Too funny.
The Taylor family? Perfection. Coach and his three "wives"? Perfection. Julie and Matt? Another heart melted! My attachment to this show is beginning to concern me...
6 of 13 | Posted by midwestliberal
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Posted on February 17, 2007 10:48 AM
Another great episode/recap!!
I always get sad after an episode ends, and I have to wait another week for a new one. So imagine my suprise when Coach Taylor made a special appearance on Grey's Anatomy the next night! Oh wait, that's sort of spoiler-ish. Sorry, but it was amazing.
7 of 13 | Posted by iSaySeriously
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Posted on February 17, 2007 10:51 AM
Great recap!
8 of 13 | Posted by sluggerbun
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Posted on February 17, 2007 3:31 PM
yea i'm already sick of waverly. i liked her... at first because she was all like hey smash no i'm not going to buy into your whole egotrip. but now she's all like i'm gonna be a bitch and tell you what to do. she just needs to chill... and back off from my man...
great great episode :)
9 of 13 | Posted by meliasaurus
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Posted on February 18, 2007 1:58 PM
i just can't get over how realistic (and hilarious) the taylor family is. when tami and julie were hollering at each other with the coach sitting there looking perplexed, mrs. jack turned to me and said 'that's my childhood.'
the racial drama was a little heavy-handed and improbable (sorry, but there's no way smash and the rest of those boys would walk off the team in the middle of the playoffs; coach mac would probably have been suspended 'pending review' or some such), but it made for great TV. and that 'will you be my girlfriend' moment? priceless, and too true. ah, nostalgia! god bless you, FNL.
10 of 13 | Posted by jack
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Posted on February 19, 2007 7:21 AM
This is a show that I almoast always go back and watch again. Not for geeky stuff like Lost, but because each scene is so lovely and perfectly done. The acting, writing, casting, everything is fantastic.
I can not wait for next week. On the preview when Julie told Tami, "we're thinking about it" (sex) and Coach with the panties, I am dorkishly excited.
11 of 13 | Posted by dent
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Posted on February 19, 2007 12:27 PM
There actually is a strip club in Austin called The Landing Strip.
http://www.austinlandingstrip.com/
I LOVE Matt & Julie and cannot wait to see how they play out in the next episode. The Taylors are my favorite TV parents.
When is Lyla going to get a life? She is so boring!!!!
Jason needs to go get his ass pummeled in quad rugby try outs. He is so freaking annoying.
Landry is the best! Who ever writes his lines is a genious!
12 of 13 | Posted by TitsMagee
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Posted on February 19, 2007 1:35 PM
I LOVE this show and your recaps, I wait for them to be posted. Just tought I would trough my 2 cents in and say here in Detroit Michigan there is a strip club called The Landing Strip, its close to Metro airport. Hehehe
13 of 13 | Posted by Roney12
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Posted on February 20, 2007 6:45 AM