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Clear eyes, full hearts ...
Friday Night Lights on Wednesday finished one of the best inaugural seasons a series has had in a long time, and there was much to love about the finale. But it also left me asking one pretty big question.
(Spoilers aplenty coming right up, so turn away now if you don't want to know a whole bunch about the episode.)
That question is this: Might it not have made for better drama if the Panthers lost?
They didn't, of course: Dillon won on yet another last-second trick play, this time a version of the hook-and-lateral. The outcome, though, sparked a serious discussion in the office as to whether the win was NBC-mandated, whether it was the right call dramatically and the direction the show could have gone if the Panthers' comeback fell short. (My colleague Dan Fienberg expands on those thoughts over at his own blog.)
There's something poetic in sports about a player or team clawing its way just to the brink of glory and, despite all best efforts, falling just short. In this context, it also could have thrown Coach Taylor's situation at TMU into doubt, making for an intriguing little cliffhanger at the end of the season (and, with NBC ordering some extra scripts, there are positive signs that the show will be back. Fingers remain crossed, however).
We were also left wishing the game would have had a little more of a dramatic arc -- and that the finale had been more than an hour (which is, alas, not gonna happen for a low-rated show). Had there been more of a seesaw feel to the game, the improbable outcome might have been a little easier to swallow.
In the larger scheme, though, I'm really just quibbling here. The game was not the most important thing to happen in the season finale, and I was (as I tend to be with this show) head-over-heels nuts about the rest of it, from Lyla's cathartic sing-along in her crappy new car to the callback to episode two with "Devil Town" playing over the parade scene. And, as it fits into the big picture of the show, Dillon's win might actually work going forward.
It appears that Coach Taylor is in fact headed off to be TMU's quarterbacks coach, with the pregnant Tami and Julie will most likely remaining in Dillon. The scenes in which Tami's news played out -- from her encounter with Smash's mom at the clinic to her post-game speech telling Eric he couldn't stay in Dillon just for the child -- were all just beautiful; I am not ashamed to say I misted up a little during the hotel-balcony scene when she told her husband she was pregnant, as in gonna-have-a-baby pregnant.
I don't know if a show like this will get much Emmy recognition, but Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler richly deserve to be in the mix. Hell, Chandler even had me sort believing his "there are no losers here" speech at halftime.
Zach Gilford, too, did some of his best work of the season in showing, without saying much, how wounded he felt when word of Coach's imminent departure leaked. The two scenes he and Chandler shared, outside the bus before the trip and in the hotel bar, consisted of maybe 50 words, but they communicated a ton.
And Landry, oh my heavens. Pretty much every part of his plot thread was gold, from the selection of the chocolates to the Crucifictorious T-shirt to "Lady Marmalade" in the car. He earned that peck on the cheek from Tyra (whose look of realization when her mom mentioned the word "date" was a lovely little piece of acting).
(UPDATE: NBC cut the Tyra-Landry kiss scene in the version that aired. See the comments section below.)
With all that, and assuming NBC does the right thing and gives Friday Night Lights a second season, I can see a lot of possibilities for next year. Do we begin season two during spring ball, with Tami midway through her pregnancy and everyone just getting used to their new situation? Or do we pick up the next summer, with Mrs. Coach about to give birth and Eric distracted by the pending start of the college season?
How do Saracen, Smash and the rest of the team handle such unexpected success? Is Street a full-time member of the staff now (as the last scene seemed to suggest)? Are Landry and Tyra still just friends?
I really hope we get to see the answers to those questions come fall, and I'm cautiously optimistic that we will. Even if we don't, though, here's a big ol' thank you to the cast and crew of Friday Night Lights for one of the best seasons of network TV in this decade.
The floor is yours to discuss the finale and the season.
I can't believe the season ended tonight. In my opinion, FNL started rather slow, but quickly turned into the brilliant TV gem it is! Tonight's episode is filled with tears and joys! I hope NBC brings the show back, although would that mean the Panthers will get a new coach? If so, what will happen to Kyle Chandler?
Choon | Apr 11, 2007 6:12:33 PM | #I thought the ending was perfect for a number of reasons. 1. Everyone who's read the book or seen the film expected them to lose at State. The win surprised me. 2. It was the perfect series ending, in case they aren't picked up next year. 3. They were going to have to do a split location story line next year anyway ... Riggins and Lyla are both seniors. Now with Coach Taylor at TMU, he can recruit Riggins there, Lyla can "just happen" to go there too. And Street and Mac can coach the Panthers in Dillon. 4. Having the Coach in Austin should give even more screen time to "Mrs. Coach" and her dealings with the kids, which have rocked the second half of the season.
Hondo | Apr 11, 2007 8:26:30 PM | #What are you referring to here:
"He earned that peck on the cheek from Tyra (whose look of realization when her mome mentioned the word "date" was a lovely little piece of acting)."
Unless you saw a different cut of the show, this part never aired, at least not in this part of the country.
confused | Apr 11, 2007 11:09:29 PM | #Thanks for the link to the Fiesta Bowl clip, Rick. I had been wondering how many of the show's 10 viewers instantly recognized and loved the play. If the show (and your blog)had an audience of millions, there would now be a debate about whether the play should correctly be called a "hook and ladder." Whatever you call it, I agree with you (and Dan) that it should have fallen a yard short.
Lorne | Apr 12, 2007 5:02:21 AM | #Same here, I saw no peck on the cheek. And I'm also missing out on a rad repeat marathon of Undressed. I don't live in the boonies, I'm from Boston! Give me all my shows!
Jen | Apr 12, 2007 6:46:01 AM | #whose version of the song "Devil Town" was playing when they had the parade?
JP | Apr 12, 2007 7:40:09 AM | #I too missed the peck on the cheek. I also think coach Tayler's halftime speech was cut short (at least I didn't hear everything that was printed in yesterday's Chicago Tribune).
JG | Apr 12, 2007 7:42:38 AM | #All year long I have been dreading the season finale because I thought that it might be a big let down. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved the ending, despite some TV cliches (Panthers winning the State Championship after a second half comeback).
The reason that FNL never comes across as a mediocre family drama is that all their characters are three dimensional, even the likes of Buddy Garrity. I fully expected Buddy to read the riot act to Coach Taylor, but instead Buddy just gave him a simple thank you.
My favorite moment was the hilarious road trip with Landry and the 'girls'. Landry had an interesting collection of women, even if he originally intended to be alone with Tyra. His Crucifictorious t-shirt was a nice touch, especially when he told Tyra that helping Lyla would be the 'Christian' thing to do.
Please renew Friday Night Lights, NBC!
Paige | Apr 12, 2007 7:42:41 AM | #here's how next season could go...
like the idea of the show starting off before the season starts... maybe with two-a-days... Mac McGill becomes coach... Smash leaves the team to play with Voodoo... then, a few games in, coach Mac can keels over in the middle of a game... leaving the team without a coach. the team endures a rocky season... coach Taylor leaves TMU in mid season to take over the Panthers job again...
Matt moves in with coach - cuz he can no longer take care of grandma...
coach Street gets his GED and another tattoo.
tim | Apr 12, 2007 7:54:36 AM | #p.s. where can i get one of those Crucifictorious t shirts?
tim | Apr 12, 2007 7:55:39 AM | #I thought the ending should have had the play fall a yard short, but......if this is the only season of FNL, this way is better. (WHEN the DVD comes out I hope we get to see that "peck on the cheek" and the whole halftime speech.
I must be dense because I didn't think the TMU job was a settled issue. I know what Tami said, but Eric was just looking at her when the scene ended.
I think season 2 should start in the summer. Anyone who has lived in a small Texas town during the summer KNOWS there is LOTS of drama there!!
Tim | Apr 12, 2007 8:08:03 AM | #In the screener that was sent to critics, right after Tyra's mom asked Landry if he had a date in Dallas, Tyra looked over and gave him a peck on the cheek. It was an incredibly sweet moment, even if it was mostly out of pity on her part, and I'm a little upset it didn't make it to the final air version.
Coach's speech was also substantially different in the screener, and that's what was transcribed in the Tribune.
Rick | Apr 12, 2007 8:31:24 AM | #It was a really solid finale, whether it becomes the series finale or not.
I'm surprised that you think Coach Taylor is going to TMU. I thought they left it open ended, so that if the show is picked up, they can have him stay. I just don't see how it can work without Eric Taylor coaching the Panthers.
Jason | Apr 12, 2007 8:55:23 AM | #please bring it back awsome show great storyline and acting one of the best shows i have ever seen i loved it give it a better time slot you wont regret it please bring it back
joe | Apr 12, 2007 8:57:14 AM | #Rick, I don't even remember the line about the "date in Dallas" being in there.
Jason | Apr 12, 2007 8:57:29 AM | #When do all of you see NBC making this decision on whether there will be a Season 2 of FNL.
The finale was awesome, I was on the edge of the couch, using the Fast Forward button on my TIVO to get to the next scene ASAP.
Chad | Apr 12, 2007 9:07:32 AM | #Don't expect any decision until the Upfronts at the end of May.
Jason | Apr 12, 2007 9:16:29 AM | #The whole "teams effort paying off in the end and they win the big game" is incredibly movieish. That usually wraps up the end of a feel good sports film. I think it would have made better drama if they would have lost.
Mandy | Apr 12, 2007 9:25:47 AM | #I didn't see the peck on the cheek or hear the part about the date either. Now I really wanna see that version. Overall though this show, like the whole season, was spectacular.
Melissa | Apr 12, 2007 9:26:15 AM | #You can call NBC at 818-840-4444 Pacific Time and ask for the customer comment line. Tell them briefly how much you love this show and to please renew this program.
Barbara | Apr 12, 2007 9:51:55 AM | #OK. So here's the lowdown on the Tyra-Landry scene that didn't air.
It's at the start of the game, when the camera pans up to Landry, Tyra and her mom in the nosebleed seats. As he sits down, Tyra's mom asks if he has any more of the chocolate from the car.
Mom: "You had a lot of those. Why'd you have so many? Did you have a date here in Dallas? Is that right?"
Landry: "Why would I have a date in Dallas?"
Mom: "I'm just saying, that's what it seems like."
During this exchange, Tyra's expression goes, very subtly, from geez-Mom-will-you-shut-up-already to, oh-Lord-he-was-hoping-this-was-a-date. She leans over, gives him a very quick peck on the cheek and says "Thank you -- for everything."
It's a great little scene. Hopefully it'll be on the DVD.
Rick | Apr 12, 2007 10:07:44 AM | #I think without a series pick-up for next season, they had to go for a win. Could we really have taken seeing all those boys dreams dashed? If there was any assurance of another season, it's possible to go "well, next year". Without that, we really needed the win.
And, strangely, I've seen arguments that if they'd lost, that would also be a cliche. There really are only two choices - win or lose, and either way they'd be accused of cliche.
I'll take the cliche that leaves Jason Street, Matt Saracen, Tim Riggins, and Smash happy for a while. There's enough pathos in realizing how crappy the rest of life can be sometimes.
Lisa | Apr 12, 2007 10:11:59 AM | #This is really one of the best shows on network television: interesting story lines, complex characters, and a brilliant cast. Given all that and a Peabody award, it would be very disappointing if NBC failed to renew this wonderful series.
Dan | Apr 12, 2007 10:29:30 AM | #Them winning only means one thing. If my resources are right, contrary to what you've been reading. The show "friday night lights" WILL NOT BE RE-NEWED. My sources say ratings actuall have been dropping, and indication that it will do worse next season.
rusty | Apr 12, 2007 10:56:29 AM | #Great ending. This show outshines everything on television. Bring it back, NBC. Please.
Erika | Apr 12, 2007 10:56:33 AM | #
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