Wow, what an energy-rush this week’s Friday Night Lights was. I know what many of you meant when you wrote in the Comments section that last week featured an Emmy-worthy performance by Zach Gilford as a grieving son; I agree. But I also thought this week’s romantic scenes between Taylor Kitsch and Minka Kelly were extraordinary; Kitsch in particular gave a tremendously subtle performance.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
How about that incorrigible little minx Julie, blithely ignoring Tami’s orders and traipsing off to Austin with Matt for a music festival featuring acts such as the Heartless Bastards and Hem? (Kudos to the Heartless B’s for putting in a fine cameo.) Julie has been more good-natured around the house lately, but it made sense that she’d pull out a little rebellion along about this time in the series, when she’s feeling the pressure of a fragile relationship with Matt.
Even better was the return home later in the hour, one of the few times Aimee Teagarden was really able to match the kind of emotional power Connie Britton can let with at will. Julie’s wracked sobs and guilt and grief matched Tami’s choked anger and fear and maternal relief.
As for Tim Riggins and Lyla Garrity — this was a terrific way to bring her character back, to reestablish how much she cares for Tim, but also how much she’s out-grown him. (Her line, “What do you want?,” met by his plaintive, “You,” was a total heart-crusher.) And the writers have made Tim a classic anti-hero: he’s now the charismatic rule-breaker who’s discovering that breaking the rules doesn’t get you very far in love, in work, or in life over the long haul. The scenes in which Tim and Lyla were enjoying each other’s company (whether in a bar, as pictured here, or alone in his grotty trailer) were sexy and poignant; very delicately played and moving, I thought. Nonetheless, On the bus you go: Bye-bye, Lyla Garrity/Minka Kelly!
The football this week was convincingly brutal — it’s true to FNL‘s realism that East Dillon lost; pulling out a feel-good victory would have felt like a drama-cheat. But I am getting a bit tired of coach Stan being all fidgety and shooting his mouth off at the wrong time. Comic relief is something FNL doesn’t much need. Then again, I trust the producers that they know what they’re doing with this character, and that Stan’s annoying behavior is going to pay off in some way further into the season.
And about that final scene: Do you think Matt is driving off into the sunset for good? (I know one person who isn’t going to miss him — that obnoxious artist whose subplot wasn’t really working out.)
What did you think of the episode?
Yet another great episode.
I hope we see Matt for at least one other episode. It just doesn’t feel like his journey is over. One of my favorite episodes so far this season. I love seeing Tami in a fit of maternal rage.
I agree, another amazing episode. I actually found myself tearing up at the end when they showed Matt driving off, very sad to see him go, but I hope he comes back for a few more episodes. I did like how they showed him when driving away he kind of let out a little smile…..I hope he find peace and happiness wherever he goes. You will be missed Matt.
Loved the soft smile.
Enjoy the season everyone. It begins to get stronger and stronger.
Wait – so far things have sucked?!? LOL! Why don’t more people watch this show!??!!??!!??!
I found the first half of this season was mediocre to good. The last half is some of the finest television any show has ever offered.
FNL has a bad, bad habit of introducing subplots and then very abruptly extinguishing them when they clearly don’t know what the hell they’re doing with them. This happened in season one with Waverley, in season two with the hood that suddenly lived with Bud Garrity, and now with Matt’s a-hole artist “mentor”. Do the writers really not storyboard these plots more than an episode in advance?? Poor form.
I completely agree. It is one of the few things I don’t like about this show.
Well, to be fair, the writers weren’t allowed to finish season 2 due to the strike. So any subplot they left hanging at the end of that season I give them a pass for.
I think the whole reason for the mentor was to clue Julie in to the point that she’s holding Matt back. They got that across, but did leave the rest of the mentor thing hanging.
Don’t you have subplots in your life that suddenly screech to a halt? The artist may have been there to put that seed into Julie’s head that she and Matt had to break up. This is where that lead. Kitsch and Kelly were excellent. Kitsch has been doing a fine job all season, but tonight…as he’s talking about Riggin’s Rigs, he’s excited but in the end its only a pitch and one that’s not really gonna work. It was a brilliant scene, ending with the “What do you want” exchange. Brilliant, heartbreaking scene.
What, you mean like the entire series of LOST after the finale was over?? Sorry – I’m still bitter. FNL continues to move me more than any other show on TV. It was great having Lyla back in Dillon if only for the week.
I don’t mind dangling sub-plots. Sometimes in real life we don’t get finality or an official ending. Sometimes people and things just fade away…
Not every subplot has to be wrapped up in a nice little bow – I think the purpose of the “a-hole artist” was to show Matt that life is a journey and just because you follow-the-rules, doesn’t mean things will turn out as you’d hoped. The artist taught Matt not to judge a book by its cover. In addition, it was his comment to Julie that started her second-guessing her role in their relationship (is she the reason Matt isn’t chasing his dream?). As Ken said – “I trust the producers”, they have not let the true followers of this fine show down.
I completely agree.
Oops, saw this right after I commented. Obviously, I agree.
Exactly. The artist Matt ‘interned’ for served his purpose. I think the reason it seems that FNL abruptly drops some characters or storylines is because each season takes place during football season. Several months have passed between the end of one season and the start of the next. Also, the seasons have been shortened because of the writers strike and then because of the deal w/ DirecTV. No more 22-episode seasons
. Therefore, storylines have to be wrapped up quickly. In a way, it’s better than dragging them out.
Yes what happened to Santiago? No excuse for that one.
The writer’s strike happened to Santiago…I miss him
Exactly. The strike killed season two and the show isn’t to blame for that. NBC decided to not bring it back after the strike resumed and when Direct TV deciced to co-finance the third season a lot of the actors who had been apart of the second season were unavailable. Also costs of production had to be cut as well. So don’t be so quick to blame FNL for what was out of it’s control.
Might not have been a subplot per se maybe more of a motivator to get Matt to realize he had no future in Dillon, I assume Santiago bring over 18 now is an adult and either in Uni or college or just moved away, as did a few other players when they graduated.
So every time FNL has an emotional, heartbreaking, amazingly, well-acted episode, such as The Son (but quite frankly all the episodes), I usually am so emotionally taxed that I don’t have the energy for another episode, and I say to myself I am going to save the next episode for a few days till after it airs. I never do. I have to watch it. And than quite contradictorily, I don’t fast forward through the title song, or most advertisements because I don’t want this amazing show to ever end.
For most of FNL, I have been quite harsh on Riggins. He has never been my fave – what can I say Saracen won me over ages ago. But I have never doubted Kitsch’s acting ability – he is amazing. Last nights episode once again proved how he subtly pulls at the heart. The first time Lyla asked him what he wants and he said you – the hope on his face. I really had images of Tim and Lyla as the the next Coach and Tami Taylor. When she asked again, and his face just dropped when he (and I) finally realized that the person he was heading towards would never be man enough for Lyla Garrity. God, it just broke my heart.
I have to say Matt driving off in the sunset did not sit well with me. He said it last week – he hated hating his father. And than he went off and did exactly what his father would have done. I would have felt better if he explained his actions and said good bye. I know nobody would have stopped him. Except maybe himself. But I still would have liked him to have said goodbye. Also, I need him to come back!
Another amazingly well-acted scene was when the Lions lost and the look of disappointment on Coach Taylor’s face. And yet he knew he needed to pull it together for his team. So, as the wonderful coach that he is – he did! God, I love, love, love, love, love, this show.
I have just started to re-watch the whole series on Netflix and I question why more people do not watch it!
I thought Matt driving off was the only way he could leave. He’ll call. He’ll come back to visit. He’s not abandoning. His grandma is fine, his mom is there to help. If Matt went in for the goodbye, for the closure, he’d probably not leave. Leaving was a brave thing for him.
OMG! … I love your comments … I agree with everything you wrote. I swear if I re read this I am going to start crying.
@Dawnomite – I know what your saying, and I know deep down its true. But I can’t help feeling cheated. I have not seen this season and have really been trying to remain spoiler free but I hope that Matt comes back!
@Laura – Thanks!! I wish that Ken Tucker could put a little more heart in his reviews! I feel like he is so rushed and just highlights things we already know (they are fab actors – duh!).
Once again, this show proves it has no peer. As always, Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler were amazing, but this week they were matched by Kitsch, Teegarden, and Gilford. I especially the very end where Becky is telling Tim about soulmates and he says, “Becky……shut up.” The well-placed pause and the look on his face were so subtle but so well-acted it communicated the ache in Tim’s heart.
Minka Kelly was an absolute breath of fresh air for the season. She’s also great on Parenthood and made a big impact during her small role in 500 Days of Summer. I can’t wait to see where she ends up next.
yes, her chemistry w/ tim was great. i loved the part when becky said, “you’re so lucky.” and lyla must have thought she was referring to tim’s being in love with her. then becky said, “you’re so pretty.” lyla probably realized then that hanging around for tim (again) wouldn’t be prudent.
love love love love this show. kitsch was awesome in this episode. why can’t more shows be this good? and i too miss the santiago storyline.
minka kelly looked prettier than ever last night. i hope all these old favorites like smash, jason, lyla, TYRA!!!!, matt, etc can come back in the 5th season either fully or for some great arcs.
Tim .. Tim … Tim .. TIM!!!! you break my heart each and every time I see you and I can’t stop seeing you!
i disliked mat and landry since the pilot. mat was bearable though, smalltown doo goode cliched as he is
it was a really good episode. so nice to have minka kelly back. but we all knew it would be unrealistic to last so it was additionally intense
Who cab watch this show and not like Matt and Landry? There is absolutely nothing cliched about Matt.
Who can watch this show and not like Matt and Landry? There is absolutely nothing cliched about Matt.
When Landry and Matt were talking when they were throwing the football around Landry saud they have been best friends since they were 5. So how come Matt graduated and Landry is still a senior?
Are you watching the same show? I used to hate Lance/Landry (LOL). But than I paid attention. He is probably one of the most under-rated actors around. Wait – they all are!!!
Landry is a wonderful character who could’ve been reduced long ago to silly sidekick/comic relief. His growth as a character alongside Tyra in seasons 2/3 were a pleasure to behold.
I thought there was a beautiful symmetry to Lyla/Tim and Julie/Matt this episode. Speaking of beautifully subtle– Matt’s “I love you” to Julie absolutely held his every motivation and decision to leave Dillon inside those three words. And the looks at his grandmother, mother, and his bedroom window… Priceless. I have to say that it was so nice to see Taylor Kitsch shine. His “Becky. Shut up. Please.” was just as powerful as Matt’s “I love you.” It had a gorgeous heft and vulnerability to it.
Lord, I am pathetic for loving this show the way I do.
Not pathetic, but real. I agree with everything you said.
Definitely not pathetic! This show is amazing!!!
Comopletely agree with you! Not pathetic, the show is just phenomenal compared to most anything on TV!
Not pathetic. I totally love this show! I love all the characters, even the one’s I totally hate… Mr.McCoy and his mini-me, for example. This is such a wonderful show. Absolutely my fav!!
I hope Lyla/Minka returns for the series finale giving Tim some much deserved happiness.
agree. i like that these two last seasons will have Tim work on himself and (hopefully) man up to a goal. but i do hope the series ends with a hint that these two will reunite down the road.