An Early Start to the Holiday Season

After having a discussion less than twenty-four hours ago with some friends about how I find I do not get emotional at the moments when I should (i.e. graduation), I watched last night's Friday Night Lights season finale and found myself getting teary eyed. Not shocking I suppose. I have come to find that this show tugs at my heart strings like none other.

Last night's episode, entitled "Thanksgiving", finally brought closure to some storylines while managing to open up some others. However, true to form, Friday Night Lights did not disappoint.

*WARNING: There might be some spoiler alerts to follow so do not continue reading if you have not yet watched last night's season finale!

The episodes preceding last night's season finale certainly have been full of complex and compelling storylines for our beloved residents of Dillon, Texas. Vince chose to follow his heart rather than the gang which once was his life, Tami faced criticism for fulfilling her duty to a lost and confused teenager when no one else was there to help guide her, Coach Taylor had to motivate his East Dillon Lions to be better than the privileged team of kids across town, and Tim Riggins' car chopping days with his brother Billy finally caught up with him. Needless to say with all of this drama, I had a lot of questions and was anxiously awaiting the answers.

I could not have been more excited than when Julie Taylor went to ask Mrs. Saracen if she needed a ride to Thanksgiving dinner at their house and Matt was on the other side of the door. I honestly do have a spot in my heart for all of the characters in this show, but Matt especially. mHaving been absent for the latter half of season four, his return to the show not only was rewarding for me as a fan, but also opened up once again his relationship (or status of) with Julie. Rightfully so, Julie is angry with Matt: for the way he left Dillon, for the way he left her. And not surprisingly, Landry is also mad at Matt, his best friend: not one phone call while in Chicago. Simply by being there does not make the world right again for Matt as he soon finds out. Although I will not spoil the outcome of what happens between Matt and Julie and Matt and Landry, I will say someone does end up on a plane back with Matt to Chicago.

Tim and Billy still face their legal woes after having been thrown in jail for selling stolen parts of cars. When Tim Riggins cried in last week's episode, I was dumbfounded. Although Tim is more than what he seems (and he proves this time and time again), it was heartbreaking to see him cry knowing the progress he has made in his life to become a better, more respectable guy. Unfortunately for Tim (or fortunately some might say), his desire to become a more respectable guy also means he must make the tough decision: putting family first. Will putting his family, more specifically his brother and his nephew first, mean sacrificing his chance at a better life? The answer remains to be seen.

Probably the most intriguing storyline for the latter half of this season has been that of Tami and her future as principal of West Dillon. Essentially being forced to give a public apology for her actions to save her job, Tami tries but inevitably goes with her gut and says she did what was right for the student at that time and has always done what is right for the students when they have come to her with their problems. PRAISE TAMI TAYLOR! Once again, the writers of this show did not fail us: rather than taking the easy way out and doing the necessary thing to keep her job, Tami stands by her morals. Luckily for Tami, and I think the audience too, she makes a career change rather than taking administrative leave (aka administrative death). Although this particular storyline has been real, controversial, and captivating, I think the issues Tami faced as a guidance counselor were the most interesting and emotionally compelling.

Whether it was Tim Riggins vs. the Dillon Police, Vince vs. gang life, or Tami vs. the people of Dillon, last night's season finale could also have been called "The Hoosiers of Dillon". I think however given the fact this show is a drama that takes place on and off a football field, the title "The Hoosiers of Dillon" would be most appropriate because of Friday night's game. The rivalry that has been building up all season long (both the show's season and Dillon's football season) between Coach Taylor's former team, the West Dillon Panthers, and his new team, the East Dillon Lions finally comes to fruition where it matters the most--on the football field. Anyone following the show knows that it has been a struggle for the East Dillon Lions to not only become a team, but to have the proper equipment, respect of the community, etc. Having worked hard to finally become a team that can compete, the biggest game of the year is here: East versus West. Not shockingly, in last week's episode a wrench was thrown in the plan when West Dillon players ruined East Dillon's field, thus making what should have been a home game for the Lions an away game on the Panthers' perfectly manicured field. Consequently, like in the beloved movie Hoosiers, this was to be a match of David versus Goliath. There are many surprises in this game and I definitely found myself rooting for East Dillon from the comfort of my recliner. This is not a score you can get from the ESPN scroll and because I think you should watch this show, it's not a score you are going to get from me either!

To watch last night's season finale, click HERE!

Lastly...
The fate of Friday Night Lights remains to be seen. Although this episode could have been the series' last, I certainly hope not. Shows like this one do not come around too often and when they do, they aren't around long enough.


Channeling out-
Erin

Friday Night Lights

For those of you who have patiently anticipated a post on Friday Night Lights, here it be! Friday Night Lights is without a doubt one of the most under publicized shows in TV history! It could be argued that it is also one of the most underrated shows in television history but that would not be true--those who watch the show, critics and fans alike, cannot give it enough praise! From filming that gives it a realistic quality to its acting and superb writing (nothing on this show seems forced or unrealistic), this little show about Texas and high school football is one of the best out there! Perhaps the reason Friday Night Lights is unfortunately under the radar is because NBC does not give it the publicity it deserves and it has always been given a horrible time slot--this season it airs on Friday nights in the summer (the past couple of seasons have aired earlier on for DirecTV. These viewers only hope that it continues to get revived despite the everlooming threats of cancellation.

The most recent episode, which aired on NBC two weeks ago, was entitled "I Can't". Even if you had never watched this show before, this is definitely an episode you do not want to miss. Mika Brzezinski, an MSNBC personality and a self-professed non-television watcher, happened to turn the TV on the night that "I Can't" aired and the following Monday could not stop talking about the episode it was that profound. This episode is the prime example of why FNL is not simply another television drama, but is gritty and real.

Now, this blog is not here to talk about politics but unlike other, lesser dramas (yessss, I am referring to The Secret Life of the American Teenager), FNL takes a serious look at teenage pregnancy and all of the decisions and consequences it entails. Madison Burge plays 15-year old Becky Sproles, who finds herself pregnant after a one-night-stand. Not only is Becky young and not in love with the baby-to-be's father, she is also poor and finds herself facing the same future as her unhappy mother. Rather than simply resolve the issue at hand, this decision is a real struggle for Becky and for those wishing to help her: Tim Riggins (played by Taylor Kitsch), Tami Taylor (played by Connie Britton), the boy who got her pregnant-Luke Cafferty (Matt Lauria), and of course her mother. Regardless of your beliefs, pro-life or pro-choice, I think it is difficult to argue that FNL takes the subject of teenage pregnancy lightly.

Another issue which this quintessential episode deals with is that of addiction. Star football player at East Dillon, Vince Howard (played by Michael B. Jordan), is forced to handle his mother's substance abuse--a problem that almost gets her killed. Unfortunately for Vince, his mother is unable to go into state-sponsored rehab because there is no room and of course as is the case in many states (especially in poor areas), not enough funding. Vince, being only 16 or 17 himself, cannot continue to take care of his mother while focusing on school and football. With the help of Coach Taylor, Vince is back on track to doing well and staying out of trouble. His quest to be respectable is compromised when the cost of rehab is $4,000 upfront. Much like Becky's pregnancy, the solution to Vince's problems are not easy.

Needless to say, FNL is pretty heavy stuff. The characters and story are both things viewers can easily relate to. Although life here in Indiana or wherever you are may not be Texas high school football (which to outsiders definitely seems surreal), everyone has family issues and relationship woes. When the story, the cast (both good actors and good looking people), and everything else is in perfect sync, it makes for an awesome viewing experience. To watch "I Can't" click HERE! And be sure to watch tomorrow night's new episode, "Injury List", on NBC at 8/7 Central!

Ohhh, and one final word of warning! For those unaccustomed to Friday Night Lights, beware that it might start out slow--but keep watching! You will find yourself captivated and truly invested in these characters. There is no extra "fluff" and by the time you give it some time, you will find you don't need it anyway!

Channeling out!
Erin and Emily

(photo from Hulu)