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RSSTouchdown! The wonderful season finale of 'Friday Night Lights'
The Dillon Panthers didn't have a perfect season, but "Friday Night Lights" sure did.
The best thing about tonight's third season finale (9 p.m. on NBC) is that it's not bittersweet. We already know the show will be back for two, yes that's right, two more seasons. Obviously the folks at both DirectTV and NBC were thinking with clear eyes and a full heart.
So you can just sit back, relax and watch the culmination of what I think is one of the best seasons a TV series has ever had (it's right up there with season five of "24," season five of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and the current season of "Lost" in my mind).
Tonight picks up five months after the Panthers lost the state championship. It's great to see the town of Dillon when it's not football season (apparently no one is that excited about Dillon baseball.) Everyone is making plans for college while Billy and Mindy are preparing for their wedding (and yes she's still wearing the dress with wings).
There is much going on as Matt (Zach Gilford) makes plans to move to Chicago for college, Tim (Taylor Kitsch) and Tyra (Adrianne Palicki) prepare to be the first of their family to go to college, and Lyla (Minka Kelly) rethinks her decision to attend San Antonio State.
But that all serves as the backdrop to the episodes big dramatic thrust which finds Coach Taylor (the incomparable Kyle Chandler) dealing with the repercussions of taking J.D. out of the state championship game and his season long struggle with J.D.'s dad. What's so wonderful about this series is its ability to make us care deeply about this town, the people in it and the sport that they love. The final moment of the episode will simultaneously break your heart and leave you wanting more.
I won't say more than that because I want you to be surprised by all the twist and turns but a couple of things to highlight:
1. There's a moment between Eric and Tami (Connie Britton) where they basically have a conversation just with their eyes. They remain the most believable married couple in prime time.
2. Everyone on the show is pretty great but Gilford really deserves more recognition than he gets. His delicate, deft take on Matt Saracen is so palpably real. The man deserves an Emmy nomination.
3. I think it's about time that Derek Philips who is just fantastic as Tim's brother, Billy Riggins, gets added to the opening credits, don't you?
Are you excited for the season finale of "Friday Night Lights?" Talk about it below.
Quotes of the Week
"I doubt that Ritchie Rich. You've got 90210 written all over your face." John Cooper to Ben Sherman on his first day as a cop on "Southland." I know this quote was played over and over again in the promos for the show but I still loved it. What did you guys think of "Southland?"
"If he's going to do this, he's going to do it for love." House, about Meat Loaf's character, Eddie on "House." Thanks to Elizabeth for the quote.
"Peter, don't be such a prude! I'm sure Agent Dunham knows what a penis looks like! Don't you agent Dunham?" Walter, in his bath robe on "Fringe." Thanks to Josh for the quote. It's great to have Walter back in quotes of the week, isn't it?
"But you see everything coming. This has never been about what you missed. This has been about why missed it." Wilson to House about Kutner's suicide on "House."
"You don't have to apologize for reacting to what we say. I mean it's two ways this. We can be horrible to you and you can be horrible back." Simon to Anoop on "American Idol."
"By hand? That's like life before TiVo." Castle when he realizes he has to go through paper files on "Castle." Thanks to Shani for the quote.
"My daughter and I we don't talk okay. So please just let it go." Jack to Renee about Kim on "24." But we know Renee does not let it go.
"Oh boy." Steven Bartowski on Chuck. Ryan loved this quote because Scott Bakula, who plays Steven, used to say the same thing all the time on "Quantum Leap."
"50% real. Enjoy." Jordan showing off her bikini body on "Scrubs."
"Oh no the new boss does not find Jim adorable." Dwight on "The Office."
Exchange of the Week
"Well Ben I was hoping that you and I could talk about the elephant in the room." Locke to Ben on "Lost."
"I assume you're referring to the fact that I killed you." Ben's response.
A Fun Link
Donna Martin returns (finally!) to "90210" next Tuesday, April 14. You can get a look at her episode by clicking here and here.
Best News of the Week
Well there won't be more episodes of "Pushing Daisies," "Eli Stone," and "Dirty Sexy Money," but at least we'll get to see the ones that exist. ABC announced that it will air "Pushing Daisies" beginning Saturday, May 30 through Saturday, June 13 at 10:00 p.m.; "Eli Stone" beginning on Saturday, June 20 through Saturday, July 11 at 10:00 p.m.; and "Dirty Sexy Money" beginning on Saturday, July 18 through August 8 at 10:00 p.m.
I believe this news deserves a "Whoo hoo!"
That's all for today. I won't have a column on Monday because I'm going to The House That Technology Forgot (otherwise known as my parents house) for Easter. Perhaps the Easter Bunny will bring them cable in this year's Easter basket. But I'm back on Wednesday, April 15 to process Kim's return to "24," Donna's return to "90210," and what's happening on "The Office" (I like it). Also next week we'll take a look at the return of "Prison Break." Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you next Wednesday. Have a fantastic holiday.
Amy Amatangelo, TV Gal ®
Zap2it Twitter Talk 
First~
I loved this season of FNL, having watched it on directtv, and I am sooooooo pleased that it's coming back for TWO whole seasons!! But please, have riggins stay and help billy and mindy! I am so selfish, but I know many other people will agree with me!
But Amy, I have a confession to make. I didn't like Southland. Appreciated the 90210 comment, but that was about all. I much prefered the Unusuals!
Have a lovely Easter with your family and we'll see you back here on Wednesday.
I really wish you wouldn't have said so much about the FNL finale tonight. They weren't so much spoilers, but I am that person who avoids the previews at the end of the episode so I can be surprised the next week.
I can't you left out Casey's "ehh" when someone on Greek said they love the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movies because "the guy who plays Kostas (Michael Rady, who plays Max) is so hot" from quotes of the week!
I enjoyed Southland and feel like it has a lot of potential. Not surprisingly since it's created by the same people, it felt sort of like a cop version of ER with all the intertwining (sp?) stories. On a side note, it sounds like Ben McKenzie's character's father is a lawyer. Wouldn't be awesome if they got Peter Gallagher to guest as his dad? :)
As for FNL, tonight's episode is absolutely amazing. I can't wait to see what direction they take us in next year with all of the plot twists. And, I sincerely hope they figure out a way to keep the Riggins boys on the show. BE SURE TO HAVE KLEENEX AVAILABLE!
Meat Loaf played a character named Eddie on House? That's great! Think Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Amy - I, too, am going to a house that technology forgot for the holiday. OK, Mom DOES have cable but that's as far as it goes and no premium cable stations - her comfort zone is to pretty much stick with ABC, CBS and NBC, though. I will be bringing a few good books to read...and I wish you a Happy Easter!
I caught that Scott Bakula "Oh, boy!" and squealed like the giddy fangirl I am. I just love him.
I also love that show a little more each week and will be quite distressed if NBC doesn't pick it up for a third season.
I think the creators of ABC's tragically cancelled shows are rubbing their hands together in sinister glee. Genius for them to contractually oblidge ABC to air all their episodes. Pure and brilliantly evil genius.
I believe this news deserves a "Whoo hoo!"
I guess it's better than a "oh, hell no!"