Tim turns back up at the pool hall bar. The loser can't believe he's back, so he and his friends decide to take Tim out to the parking lot to beat the tar out of him. Tyra, back at Applebee's, is hearing the news that her mother has been fired, and is in the process of being outraged when she gets a phone call informing her that Tim is about to be used as a punching bag. She leaves immediately, telling her mother they'll talk about this later. Will it be too late by then? Almost certainly!
A large crowd has formed outside the bar, which looks more like a barn, as the rednecks throw Tim around like a rag doll. What the hell is wrong with these people? He's just a kid (theoretically), for Pete's sake! Tim has a stupid grin on his face the whole time, as if he's really enjoying this. Which he probably is, because now he's in as much physical pain as he's in emotionally. And he looks like crap too. Billy and Tyra arrive to save him and pretty much shame the Loser into backing off - he's just a kid and so forth - and they drag Tim into the car and off into the night. Oh, Timmy. You really need to get your shit together. And I have a feeling Tyra's going to be the one to help you do it! Huzzah!
Matt and Julie are cuddled up on the couch together. Matt looks over at the clock and quickly wakes up Julie because - uh oh! - it's 1:30am!! This is just like that episode of Full House where DJ fell asleep at Steve's new apartment and Danny tracked her down and stood on a chair to look in the window over the front door and then he fell and broke it and...hey where's everyone going? Anyway, cut to Matt driving Julie home, and as they pull up to her house she tells him to "kill the lights" like they're robbing a bank or something. She's rummaging through her bag for her keys and is just about to get out of the car when Matt just blurts out "Julie, I love you." She's shocked and delighted, as am I, and says "Me too. I mean, I love you too." She gets out of the car and walks to the door in slightly slow motion, with her hair swaying and a coy little smile on her face. Mine is much larger. My smile, not my face. I'd like to think we have the same size face.
Coach and Tami, who have obviously waited up like the good parents that they are, are relieved to see their daughter walking through the front door. Coach asks if she's alright, and she stutters some sort of answer. Looks like she's caught that patented Saracen Stutter. She apologizes and tells them that nothing happened. She says good night, hugs her mother, and thanks her for the talk. Sigh. Lovely.
"Fancy a quick round of parcheesi, my love?"
Cut to church the next morning, where Coach stares daggers at young, endangered Matt while the preacher blabs on and on about forgiveness. Heh. Cut to Tyra and her mother in the car, Tyra suggesting all sorts of things to do with their day, such as looking through the want ads or catching a movie. But Mom has a better idea. She pulls up in front of the church as the congregation gathers outside. She gets out of the car, walks up to Buddy Garrity, and starts whaling on him, all the time yelling "You lyin' son of a bitch!" Tyra pulls her off and drags her away, while Mrs. Garrity runs off in total humliation. See what sex can lead to, Matt and Julie?!
Tim shows up at Coach's house to return the camera. Coach, surprised to see Tim's bloody face, asks him if he's alright and invites him inside. Tim declines, shoots him that little smile that he does so well and leaves. Coach looks Concerned. He shouldn't be, because Tyra's going to clean him up real good. When she's not busy cleaning up the other mess her mother has made. No wonder that girl skips class, she's got too much else on her plate.
I thought this was a great episode. The whole racism plot line of the past two episodes sort of dragged, I thought, but with this one we came roaring back. Love for everyone. Thoughts? Comments? Ever made love under the cool gaze of a dead deer?
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Comments (14)
A. there was not enough smash this week :(
B. these kids are not 15/17/whatever, it is distracting how much older the actors are than the actual characters... but i guess that's par for the course
C. i LOVE julie + matt.
D. i love this show :)
1 of 14 | Posted by meliasaurus
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Posted on February 25, 2007 6:53 PM
Screampillar: I saw this episode and loved it too -- but over and over while watching, I thought "Screampillar is going to love this one". I really appreciate your love of this show -- Your initial recaps turned me on to it, and I quite enjoy it, but your total enjoyment makes me like it even better, in some weird way.
2 of 14 | Posted by rjfrankel
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Posted on February 25, 2007 10:56 PM
Yes! The entire time I was watching I, too, was looking forward to this recap. You never disappoint!! I was actually relieved it wasn't a Smashisode this week. Was a nice change!
Again - love love LOVE your recaps. Great job.
3 of 14 | Posted by dainsey
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Posted on February 26, 2007 7:27 AM
One of the best episodes of the season, and Screampillar your recaps get better each week.
This is the best written show on TV, period. No other show captures the everyday drama and comedy of life, and high school, better. Both the kids and the adults are fully developed, and the writers have even shown that a lout like Buddy Garrity has some good qualities (remember how loving and supportive he was of Lyla when she was ostracized at school?)
When Matt and Julie fall asleep may mirror a "Full House" episode (I wouldn't know), but it also owes something to the song "Wake Up Little Susie" from the Everly Brothers.
Let's pray this show lasts long enough to rake in the Emmy noms it so justly deserves and hopefully let it build an audience.
4 of 14 | Posted by JasonR
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Posted on February 26, 2007 7:41 AM
P.S. without any spoilers, our beloved Coach Taylor was great in his continuing cameo in the hereafter on Grey's Anatomy last Thursday.
5 of 14 | Posted by JasonR
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Posted on February 26, 2007 7:43 AM
in the scene at Applebys where Buddy is confessing to Coach, doesn't coach tell Buddy he should go back to his wife and kids (plural)?
just trying to remember back, but does Lyla have a sibling or two that I don't recall??
Also, if I'd just bought some teeny tiny scanties for my upcoming sexcapades, I would have A. made a very large mental note to wear them or even bring them, and B. I would have hidden them deep underneath my bed or deep within my dresser, and not right in the front of my shared bathroom cabinet (probably right next to the stolen lipstick gift from Tyra)!
ps i agree about tyra. she's really grown on me since she had that depressing interlude with the "big city" businessman, and now she totally rocks!
6 of 14 | Posted by lovedoctor
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Posted on February 26, 2007 8:10 AM
Well crafted, Screampillar.
This is a great show - almost all characters are enjoyable to follow, although I confess to being more interested in some story lines than others. Some of this stuff has a back-to school-special feel to it (for example, in scenes from next week, that cheesy voice referring to "the phone call no parent wants to get!"), but it's all so well written and acted that I like it anyway. Bring us a few more football scenes, though!
7 of 14 | Posted by Don Antonio
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Posted on February 26, 2007 8:33 AM
we called it 'indian leg-wrestling' back in cub scouts.
i love this show. it is incredibly well-written, directed, and acted, within the limitations of a prime-time family show on a major network. i can't get over how good connie britton is as tami, or how believable the interactions are between all three of the taylors. even though this week's show had a bit of that 'a very special episode' vibe about it--as did the 2-part racism story arc--the way FNL handles these familiar subjects just seems fresh and effortless and not the least bit heavy-handed. after connie's speech to julie, i turned to mrs. jack and said 'that ought to be required viewing in every 8th and 9th grade classroom in America.' it was smart and true, beautifully written and delivered. even more beautiful and true to life was the fact that, like a real teenager, julie still went ahead with her plans, and only turned back because she really didn't feel right about it, not because her mom told her to.
it's not perfect--yes, some of the actors are a little obviously older than their supposed age (jason, tim, tyra, and lila are the most out of place), and yes, the show is deliberately topical (appropriate, given the audience it's trying to reach), and there are some gaps in logic (i found it pretty hard to see how smash could go in one week from nearly being kicked off the team for using steroids and doing desperate stuff like showing up at the coach's door in the middle of the night begging to be let back on the team to leading a walk-out of all of the black players right in the middle of the playoffs; i also thought it was a little fishy how last week julie was supposed to be grounded indefinitely for getting caught in a strip club with tyra and yet manages to easily pull the 'i'm studying at a friend's house' bait-and-switch to go get laid). but these are the limitations of mainstream series television--this ain't HBO.
I am really surprised at how much I love this show. It's pretty much my favorite thing on TV these days. I really hope it's renewed, and I expect that connie, kyle chandler, and several of the kids will get a solid career boost out of FNL.
8 of 14 | Posted by jack
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Posted on February 26, 2007 10:18 AM
If there is any justice in this world, Connie Britton should win an Emmy for this episode.
The scene where she was talking to Julie about sex was perfect on so many levels.
9 of 14 | Posted by nate
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Posted on February 26, 2007 10:27 AM
Another great episode! I watch alot of shows, but this is the one I look forward to most each week, it never disappoints!
I love the whole Matt and Julie storyline. I love the Taylors!
OMG, I knew that Tyra's mom would NOT take that creep Buddy's rejection lightly! That was pretty cringe-worthy when she confronted him at the end! Man, he's in trouble now, LOL, it's great.
Looking forward to this week's episode and recap!
10 of 14 | Posted by Jojobear
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Posted on February 26, 2007 12:07 PM
$3000 camera! Not $300, Three THoooouuuusaaaaaaaand.
Fabulous recap. Thank you.
11 of 14 | Posted by sweetleaf
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Posted on February 27, 2007 7:45 AM
I have a sad feeling that sweet little Julie is going to break Matt's heart! Clearly she's not ready for sex, but she was so eager to get down to it without the emotion. And then not saying "i love you" back. ohhh, she better not hurt my little Matt!
Also, I've liked Tim's character from the beginning, (even with the dirty-hair look) and I really think there's a lot there. I'm looking forward to seeing his character develop.
LONG LIVE FNL!!!
12 of 14 | Posted by y2kcsc
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Posted on March 1, 2007 5:01 PM
P.S. Matt..I fear heat ache in your future, not the Taylor family BBQs that i wished for you!
13 of 14 | Posted by y2kcsc
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Posted on March 1, 2007 5:04 PM
Where is the latest recap???? Please tell me you are going to write and we can make fun of Tyra's mom cutting her ass on the coffee table and drunken Lyla Garrity!!!
14 of 14 | Posted by TitsMagee
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Posted on March 5, 2007 1:25 PM