This week, the second-to-last Friday Night Lights episode of the fourth season gave us a birth (Uncle Tim Riggins has a nephew), a death (mourning for Calvin, and the “payback” revenge-killing decision forced upon Vince), and a number of plot developments that signal significant changes for some of the series’ best characters.
This week, Michael B. Jordan really took command of the hour, playing out Vince’s agony over
his friend’s death and his divided loyalties to the code of the streets where he lives (pressure to help kill Calvin’s murderer), his team, and his rehabbing mother. Jordan is very subtle. Vince usually maintains a blank mask, as is frequently the case for a young person subjected to the kind of emotional abuse Vince has endured on any number of levels. Yet Jordan allows us to see behind the mask at crucial moments, conveying all the pain, anger, and intelligence that’s knocking around inside Vince. I like the way the writers continue to bring Jess back into Vince’s life during his moments of greatest need without feeling that their shared past has to be spelled out to us. (The only false note I heard this week was when Landry was told about Calvin’s murder and it came as a shock to him: Wouldn’t a killing in Dillon have been major news, news that a smart kid like Landry would at least have read about or seen on TV by then?)
If I continue to dread the mud through which Tami is being dragged in the abortion-protest subplot — really, this woman has gone through enough this season — I suppose that the season-ender next week will provide us with some answer to the question of whether she’ll keep her job as principal or resign before she’s fired. And I have to say, as initially bracing as it was to see Tami in the role of school leader, this character got a lot more interesting story lines when she was a guidance counselor. But can she even return to that position? Whatever happens, Connie Britton remains high on any sane person’s list for an Emmy.
And what of her husband? Eric is looking even more hangdog than usual, what with worry over his wife’s future and this (literal) big mess over the climactic Lions-Panther game. The repair and destruction of the rutted Lions field, as well as the clever prank instigated by Landry to place toothpicks in the Panthers field, made for good, roller-coaster drama. But the best aspects of the football scenes were those shots of Eric as the still, small center of the uproar all around him. You get the feeling that Eric is reaching his breaking point, the way Kyle Chandler is so masterfully playing him. (And kudos to D.W. Moffett for also playing it smirkily cool on the opposite side of the table.)
As for Tim Riggins — hoo boy, what an unlucky lovable lug, eh? Thoroughly enjoyed him murmuring, “Stay angry,” to his adorable newborn nephew (and admired the way the childbirth scenes with Billy were played for laughs without any directorial apology — FNL does comedy when it suits itself). The final scenes, with Tim taking the fall for the Riggins brothers car-stripping crime, looks to me like a way to ease Taylor Kitsch out of the series. It seems almost poetically right: Just when Tim buys a big piece of land where he can roam free, he gets locked away in jail.
What did you think of this week’s episode? And what do you think will happen in next week’s season finale?
Follow @kentucker
Another great episode. I can’t believe this season is almost over. Why can’t it just keep going? I also thought it was odd that Landry didn’t know about Calvin. Going back to season 2, I think, isn’t Landry’s dad a cop? Micheal B Jordan just tugs at my heart every week. What a find he was!
Communities where Calvin’s shooting happened aren’t covered in the press or on tv…no matter how small a town is. A shooting like that wouldn’t be reported.
Another brilliant episode. The tension has been building all season…on the football field, with the chop shop, with the pressure on Tami to hold her family together and do the right thing in the face of community pressure, with Vince and his mother and his past. Suspense is killing me. Brilliant story telling.
Could also be that the death was reported but the victim’s name withheld at the request of the police. That happens pretty frequently in shooting cases.
i am a young and handsome man from us.
i just wonder if i can meet a mature women here,
because i am at the beginning of my career and i need someone’s support..
i uploaded my hot photos on S u g a r m o m m a M e e t .C’ o m …. under the name piccolo ,
maybe you want to check out my photos first!
Another possibility is that Landry had seen news about Calvins death, but didn’t make the connection with Vince. I imagine that at the time the East/West Dillon showdown hype reigned over all local news, unfortunately one person getting killed in an apparent drug/gang situation is not gonna knock that off the front page headlines.
I can’t speak for what happens in Texas, but the comment that black communities don’t get covered in the newspaper has certainly not been true at the papers for which I have worked. I also believe Landry would have known about the death, but sometimes people miss what’s going on. It happens.
You’d be surprised at how clueless a lot of teens are about what happens in their communities. They don’t read newspapers or watch local TV channels…unless it’s football season. And a lot of times the victims’ names are withheld, due to the age or family requests. In my town, most crimes involving minors are reported without their names…only kids “in the know” are privy to any info.
you mean, even if a kid is dead, they don’t print his name? That’s just weird. So I guess they won’t print funeral info either, or a folo story on the kid? Sometimes juveniles who are SUSPECTS in crimes aren’t identified — unless they are being tried as adults, in which case they would be named at most papers, I believe. Are you serious?
I agree that it is highly likely that Landry would not have heard about Calvin’s death. Especially considering it only happened one or two days prior (I can’t remember exactly), the circumstances of his death were suspect, and on top of that Calvin was a minor so the police would be very likely to ask for the victim’s name to be withheld. That happens frequently in my town. In the event of a wreck, a shooting, or really any crime the name’s of minor’s are usually withheld initally and only released later and then included in a death announcement. It’s very common. I’m sure Calvin’s name would have been disclosed at some point but it is not that unusual for the media not to identify minors involved in those type of altercations initially.
As usual, this show delivered!!! Incredible performances. Tim and Vince: Heartbreaking on every level. Tami and Eric: Brilliant. Buddy: So so great in his new role as chief booster of the Lions. Loved Jess and Vince (Landry can forget it). I just hope Tim gets a break–for once in his life, please give this guy a break!!! Bravo to all. I can’t believe this season is almost over!!
Is anyone besides me wondering if Vince and Jess might actually be half brother/half sister, that Jess’s dad might’ve had a one night stand with Vince’s mom way back when? I began to worry the night that Jess’s dad took such an interest in Jess and she got jealous because he didn’t show that much interest in her. There seems to be this forbiddeness about their relationship. Anyone who has seen John Sayles’ LONE STAR or read Sam Shepard’s play, FOOL FOR LOVE, will know what I’m talking about. Just wondering….
YES, ME! I thought that all along. I love this show and I’m 62!
Me too! I commented this a couple weeks ago. I don’t think they know, but I think Big Merri has his suspiscions (sp?). Even more so after creepy gang-guy last night told him, “Your dad was right, you’re nothing like him.” or something to that extent.
I didn’t even think of that but it’s a really good observation. I’ll be paying more attention to that aspect from now on.
As usual your recap was right on point. The acting in this show is the best on TV…I love Mad Men but this show gives it a run for its money…Vince especially breaks my heart. The season is way too short.
This episode all my heart breaking was done by Mr. Tim Riggins!!! God that last scene where him and Billy are sitting in the jail cell, no one is talking. But Tim realised that once again life was screwing him by getting so close to something he wanted so badly, but now it was not going to be his… SOB!
Another powerful and emotional episode!! How sad that Season 5 will be the last season and this season has only one more episode. This is the best show on television and I will miss Taylor Kitsch next season. Will be watching the Emmy’s this year. Go FNL!!!!
I find what they have done with this new season pretty fascinating… I think it can be pretty difficult 2 introduce new characters into any show & even when a show does retain old 1′s they usually get the most investment… I just think michael b jordan is phenomenal… In a largely phenomenal cast! Bright side 2 next wks season finale is that the dvd comes out in 3 weeks….
FNL is perfection. can’t wait for the new season this fall (on directv). the emmy’s better do some serious nominating and rewarding to FNL this year and next.
Don’t you just love that Directv subscribers get to see the end of this season and then roll almost right into the new season?
I am tempted to get Direct TV just for FNL! But I hate that I lose reception from satellite every time there is a storm!
I LOVED the baby scene where Tim and Billy were just looking at him … and then the baby smile while he slept!! AAwwwwww
Oh by the way .. I know I have kind of sorta maybe have ‘ruin’ some scenes for you all .. ( That is what I have read ) SORRY!!! BUT I have to say the Ken Tucker pretty much gave one ‘secect’ away ;op
why cant EW hire a real critic? this was probably the worst epi of the series. too far down with melodrama. the abortion plot wearing thin. riggins getting screwed. fnl has always been subtle. and all the plots with vince.
So, he can’t enjoy the show because you didn’t? That makes sense.
I loved this episode… painful, yes, but brilliantly acted and written.
real (not) critic…how does it feel to be all alone?
Great show ! why does every show the mrs. and I get attached to have to be cancelled? I hadn’t heard that next year will be the last.
I guess real critics don’t use capitalization.
I just felt wasted after last night’s ep. Nobody on that show can catch a break. BEST SHOW ON TV!! Is this season only about 12 episodes? What a travesty NBC let it go – it’s better than most MOVIES out there.
I totally agree on both points: That nobody seems to be able to catch a break and that this is the best show on TV. I have to say that we need SOMEONE to get a silver lining here. They MUST WIN next Friday–I want this for everyone, and especially for Buddy! Tim needs to get probation. Vince’s hoodlum “friend” needs to get killed so we never have to worry about him showing up again. His mother needs to show real signs of recovery. I’m not saying we need happy endings and fairy tales for all, but we need SOME sunlight!! This was exhausting!
It was really exhausting. I love this show and I could barely watch it last night. If they’re not going to get some redemption next week, then the show runners have gone too far down the darkness highway. The audience cares about these characters too much to have them lose everything. Especially Tim Riggins. Watching last night, I wondered how the show would survive without him. If he’s leaving the show (is he?) then I hate to say it, but it’s a good thing if next year is the last year. (Is it?) The new characters are great, but FNL without Tim Riggins? They’ve got to get him out on that land, catching a break.
he will not be around for the first half of next season, which sadly is its last. but he will be back for the final 5 episodes so it’s not completely riggins less.
Thank you Ken for lightly skipping over the abortion storyline. It’s nigh unto impossible to separate the way the issue is presented without touching on the deeply held feelings about the issue itself and thereby pissing everyone off.
Actually, what I respect immensely about FNL is that they’ve handled the abortion storyline beautifully. What’s-his’name’s mother isn’t being painted as a monster. Without delving into my own opinions about abortion, I feel for both Tammy and the woman who is calling for her dismissal. They are painting a picture without making judgments. That’s a beautiful thing.
I don’t understand how Tim and Becky don’t know anything about the trouble Tami is facing over the abortion issue. Tim brought Becky to Tami. You would think one of them would have stepped forward to do something to help Tami.
I’m hoping that Becky will do so next week. Maybe go to her ex’s mom and tell her to back off or something. I can’t believe how wrapped up I get in this show! I practically want to go to Dillon to support Tami myself!
Right. And why wouldn’t the school board have brought Becky in privately to find out the facts–since Tami emphatically denied breaking protocol or encouraging an abortion? Becky’s mom brought her in for the abortion! Are the writers justifying keeping Becky out of it due to confidentiality?
i’m assuming it’s a confidentiality issue. tami never said the name of the student and i doubt she would want her dragged into it. imagine what the town would say to/about becky considering what they’ve been doing to tami.
EW spoiled what happens to Riggins a few weeks back.. so dig around if you want to know. I agree with other poster- Becky needs to bake Tami a cake or something. This show should not be canceled- its sad to know it will be going….
DirecTV spoiled it months ago
Didn’t they just spoil it today as well? In what scene did Tim take the fall? Loved the recap, but do your homework.
The agony on Eric and Tami’s faces at the end….man it was hard to watch. Say what you will about this show turning into a “soapie” but I have never watched a show that is just so spot on about a marriage. Eric tells Julie to take it easy on her mother this week…as he is looking at this spray painted car. To me that was the highlight last night. I could see Tim’s ending a mile away. The only way he will be completly happy is maybe at the end of the series. I do think that being hard on the “main” characters is taking it toll on the viewers. I hope..HOPE there is some sort of redemption next week. Although hubby and I already are confident the Lions will lose next week. Hopefully they lose with some sort of great ending that only FNL can deliver.
I think the Lion’s are going to win (they have to), and I predict it’s going to be Landry (or Lance as Coach calls him) kicking a 40+ yard field goal–and I will cry!
this show is perfection. watching again this second time around makes me even more upset that taylor kitsch wasn’t nominated for an emmy. i know most people think kyle connie and zach deserve noms most, and they do deserve them, but kitsch turned in some stellar work this season.
I completely agree!! I think Taylor Kitsch absolutely deserved a Best Supporting Actor nom in the drama cateogry. He’s brought a lot of depth and maturity to Tim Riggins, and he’s really grown as an actor. God I’m going to miss him next season.
i know! i’m both looking forward to and dreading next season. i can’t wait to see what’s happening with everyone but it sucks that there’s less tim riggins and that it’s the final season. i don’t know what i’m going to do when this show ends…that sounds so pathetic when i say it out loud!