Friday Night Lights wrapped up its fourth season a big winner: It succeeded in turning the East Dillon Lions into a team to root for, tying up story lines for some fan-favorite characters, and introducing key personalities that will carry the series into its next season. And, oh yeah: Somebody kicked a 46-yard field goal to win the big game!
The Riggins brothers’ car stripping scheme
played out as I feared it would. At the start of the hour, we saw Tim and Billy meeting with a lawyer who thought he could cut them a deal that would result in a “one-to-five year” sentence for each. By the end of the night, you knew that Tim was going to take the fall for this, solo — he couldn’t bear for his newborn nephew to have a jailbird dad. I sorta hated this, but on the level that one “hates” anything about FNL, which is to say, the characters are so vivid and authentic, you get angry with them for making bad decisions. As drama, however, it played out beautifully, almost tragically: Tim, who had finally bought that parcel of land that would let him roam free, will leave to do time in the pen (and presumably, Taylor Kitsch will leave the series).
The hour had a lot to get through: subplots to resolve and an extended-family Thanksgiving dinner at the Taylors’ house, the highlight was which was (to Tami’s chagrin) Buddy Garrity’s deep-fried turkey. It says a huge amount about Brad Leland’s presence in this series that, while he was pushed to the show’s edges this season, Buddy still looms like a big, goofy, lovable presence. Next season, I’d like him and Steve Harris to team up somehow — I can’t see Harris’ taciturn character co-hosting Buddy’s radio show, but I could see Buddy as a BBQ cook, couldn’t you?
Speaking of Tami’s chagrin, she couldn’t muster enough of it to make an apology to that chicken-livered school board and the witch-hunting parents, so she volunteered to become a guidance counselor again… but at East Dillon. This reunites her with Eric at work, always a good arena for these characters to play in, and the “Connie Britton Deserves An Emmy” campaign got another boost this evening.
Onward: How about that very cunningly staged scene in which Julie knocks on the door of Matt’s grandmother only to see Matt? (It was, in fact, a big night for people showing up on other people’s doorsteps to emote: Tim did it with Becky and later with Billy; Jess did it with Vince and his mom). Matt is such a lunkhead, he thought Julie would be happy to see him unexpectedly home from Chicago. The very nice parallel work here was to have Landry also irritated with Matt for never calling, never “texting.”
In fact, this turned out to be the surprise Great Landry Episode: Jesse Plemons played terrific scenes breaking up with Jess, speaking bitterly to Vince, squabbling with Matt, and struggling as the team’s place-kicker. In a more just world, Plemons would be a best-supporting-actor nominee.
As for the climactic Panthers-Lions showdown, I was happy it turned into a fairy tale win for the Lions. I know it strained credulity, I know it was all too obvious that Coach would let poor ol’ wounded Luke play at a key moment, and I know that Landry’s kick was well-neigh impossible for a kid of his abilities. Bottom line: the Lions and the show needed a rousing, enthusiastic ending, and it worked.
And so we come to the end of the season, with a fade-out on Matt’s face as he flies home to Chicago. Seeing that close-up of Zach Gilford gave me pause: If there’s one thing this hour didn’t do, it was to raise the stakes for new characters such as Vince or Jess or anyone else on the Lions team. But I’m sure the producers will remedy this as soon as the fifth season commences. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that when we speak of Friday Night Lights and its ratings-cursed, quality-blessed existence, all things come to those who wait.
Random notes:
• Best line of the night Matt to Julie: “The area I live in is called Greektown. There’s a lotta, like Greek people there.”
• Best exchange of the night Matt to Julie: “This is a special spot.” Julie to Matt: “Why? Because you deflowered me here?” Bonus points for using the word “deflowered.” Wouldn’t it be great if, instead of TV shows trying to sneak in racier words like “douche,” they started using old-fashioned words like “bounder” and “gadzooks”?
• Best emotional moment Vince telling Coach Eric, referring to victory, “I don’t think I’m the one who can give it to you.” Believe me, Michael B. Jordan, you were victorious as an actor in that scene.
What did you think of this season overall?
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This show breaks my heart on a weekly basis. They do not strike a false note in the acting or the writing. The people are so real that they live on outside the TV screen. Amazing. Amazing.
Beautifully put Opus99. I love these people – the actors, the characters, they’re one to me. I cherish every moment I have with them. Its all just freakin’ brilliant.
Agreed, Opus. I flat out love this show.
Loved every moment of it. Can’t believe next year will (probably) be it’s last.
maybe someone can start a campaign (like the one to get Betty White to host SNL) to get another network to pick up the show (if the creators even want it to continue) Someone like Lifetime, TNT, Fox….anybody! Love the show!
Great stuff. Thank God Tammie Taylor stuck to her guns. Love her. I only got teary-eyed three different times tonight!
My sentiments as well. I couldn’t picture Tami reciting that ridiculous “apology”, but I thought her job as principal might be too important to her not to try and keep it. I’m glad she’s going back to being a counselor. If I’d had a counselor as good as her in high school, I might have liked high school better!
I Sort of punked out & fast forwarded 2 the end of the panther/lion game, I realized that even if it played as 2 cutesy I just couldn’t imagine Coach, luke, vince with a lost… The fact that I was scared speaks 2 the fact that the show did a great job making u invest in the story lines of these new characters as well as coach & lance aka landry… A lot 2 like about the ep including that look on joe McCoys face after the field goal, billy’s speech @ dinner & just seeing coach smile… I was surprised that we closed with Matt & not vince but all in all a great season!
I had the same reaction. Couldn’t stand the suspense of the game so cheated on the ending. Glad to see most everyone smile, even Matt. Coach opened up during that game…finally back in charge after so many months of impossible problems. Incredible program, great season, excellent acting, this is exceptional storytelling.
Great call on Joe McCoy’s face after the field goal. DW Moffett was excellent – he don’t need no stinkin’ dialogue!
I’m not that suprised that I came to care for the East Dillon Lions – however, I AM amazed at how much I came to despise the Dillon Panthers this year (after spending three seasons loving them) and how much I wanted East Dillon to beat them. (I suppose I felt exactly like Buddy Garrity in that regard.)
I had the same surprise. I found myself cheering against the Panthers as much as I was cheering for the Lions (I hate the McCoys!). What a fantastic show.
Love, Love, Love this show!! I hate to think of it not returning after next season. =(
As always, I loved this episode of FNL. I admire Julie for being strong enough to tell Matt that “I need to find my own Chicago”. You go girl! The Thanksgiving scene reminds me how much the Taylor family has grown over the 4 seasons we’ve known them & how previous thorns (such as Buddy) are now close friends.
But, there’s something I don’t quite get…maybe someone here can help clarify. Tami got in trouble for giving a student (at East Dillon) bad advice, but the school board is okay for letting her become the head counselor there now??? Yes, the accusations are bull, but it would seem they would want her to get away from advising students. Or is this just to get her away from the narrow minded parents at (West) Dillon? Any thoughts?
I wondered about that, too. But the troublesome mom was LUKE’S, and he’s at East Dillon. So, no, I can’t imagine it will go over easily.
i think the parents just wanted to see tami punished somehow, whether by embarrassing her with a forced apology or something else. to them, being demoted and sent to a “lesser” school (it’s underfunded, in a bad part of town, etc) is punishment. luke’s mom may not be happy, but i think overall, the others will be. and maybe that conflict with the caffertys will boil over next season, too. (and maybe i missed it, but did luke ever apologize to eric or tami about his mother? it seems like he should acknowledge it, since he’s been pretty forward about a lot of other stuff…)
It’s called school politics. While there may be parents unhappy with Tami as counselor, they would think it worse for her to remain as principal, a more visible figurehead. East Dillon is obviously considered the “poor” school, so the Dillon “richies” wouldn’t care if she was over there. Very, very VERY typical small-town politics….
I also think they could get away with this because her new position would realistically be considered a demotion, which conceivably should make the parents with torches and pitchforks happy.
Also, the head of the school board accepted Tami’s proposal in lieu of her debilitating lawsuit. I doubt Luke’s mom was his primary concern.
Yeah, it really confused me how much they went after Tammi. After all, it was Becky’s Mom who took her for the abortion. If the girl’s mother took her, how can you say Tammi had too much influence or pressured her?
That is the way society is today with education. (I’m a teacher/coach by the way) If they don’t like something, they blame the teacher (sometimes rightly, sometimes not) instead of looking at themselves first. No group is perfect, but a lot of the time in situations like this, the problem starts at home, not at school. Love this show for making school politics feel realistic. Aggrivates me!
Josh, please tell me that the smiley face indicates that you, a teacher, MEANT to misspell “aggravates.” Otherwise, your comment about “the way society is today with education” takes on a whole new (sad) meaning.
Holy sh**!!! What a amazing episode and a perfect way to end the season!! I have to figure out a way to get direct tv. No way I can wait a year to see how this all plays out.
Is NBC even broadcasting the final season? I thought DirecTV was the only carrier. (Fortunately I have DirecTV and will be able to catch the fabulous final season.)
Amazing episode, but I felt bad for Julie and Matt, especially because their “deflowering” scene reminded me of the REAL scene where she jumped his bones by the campfire. Taylor Kitsch continues to do stellar work, as does the rest of the great cast. This show deserves more than one more year, but since I’ve been watching since Episode One, I know that we’re really lucky to have gotten this many seasons, given NBC’s reluctance to promote the show or give it a good time slot. I never thought it would be given the chance at five seasons (albeit SHORTENED seasons…bummer). Wonderful show, one of the absolute best on television. Can’t wait for next year!
I’m glad someone finally mentioned how SHORT this season was. What ever happened to the days when a TV season was 20+ episodes???
It sucks, doesn’t it? I couldn’t believe that was the season finale! Seems like the season just started and now it is over!
I thought it was just me…I remember new episodes running the whole school year with just a summer break. Now your four episodes in and watching reruns…WTF!
as implausible as the lions victory was, i loved every moment of it. when everything else is going wrong, there needs to be some bright shining light. (also realized this episode how great d.w. moffett is.)
and as much as people have clamored for jesse plemons and zach gilford for emmy nominations, can i submit one for louanne stephens, aka grandma saracen? easily the best supporting player. ever.
Agreed. Louanne Stephens has been a wonderful presence on the show. The superior supporting work of such actors as Stephens, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, and the divine Liz Mikel is a huge reason this show is the best on TV.
Yes, Louanne Stephens is excellent, but I have to vote for Liz Mickel, aka Smash Williams’ mama, as best supporting player ever. She just killed it, in a very limited role. Every scene, just killed it.
BEST. SHOW. EVER.
I love this show, I do, but for me the only false note in the whole thing was the win. I mean, I wanted it for them, but for a show that is so real, that just seemed a little unreal. I am a little sad that we don’t see the lives of the West Dillons guys because I would so like to have a front row seat for JD McCoy’s sure to be tantrum over losing. I want to see that brat get his, beyond just losing the football game.
unreal?……like La. Monroe beating Alabama a few yrs. back?
You ever hear of the term ‘upset’?
Or the New Orleans Saints’ SuperBowl win? WHO DAT!
Or App State over Michigan?
Kind of like the 2008 superbowl. The Giants barely made it into the playoffs via wildcard and the Patriots were undefeated. The Giant’s won… and Plax is in jail like riggins
Tim Riggins….in a cage… so not right ;(
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See I am justified in my love of Matt and Julie, they were given best line and exchange of the night!
Cried ……. again. I had seen the season on Directv and now again on NBC! Loved every scene.
What really got me was Coach speech to the team ‘ ask ourselves what kind of man we are …’ and ‘ show me’ .. the whole speech was aaawwww and the voice of the radio guy, man I love his voice!
Great episode. Does anyone know the song playing at end of show and who sings it??
“Goodbye,” by Steve Earle.
Thanks Brett. I’ve been wondering about the song for a bit now. As to the show – it has been one of the best (if not the best) on television for the last several years. I couldn’t agree more with the viewers’ praise of the acting and writing…truly spectacular.