I'm a little late in recapping the latest episode of FNL due to the fact I am in serious denial, that I could have just watched my final FNL. We now know it won't be coming back this season, even with the writers reaching a deal. Rather it's the future we have to worry about. I will do my part to save the show and hope I can count on the few readers I do have to follow suit. Letters to NBC may be necessary.
After an episode like that, I am reminded why it would be a shame to lose such a beautifully written and well acted show.
Peter Berg, who I want to kiss, for creating FNL guest stared tonight. His interaction with his former high school sweetheart Tami and old pal Eric was hysterical. From holding Gracie Belle at the football game, to kissing Tami's cheek every chance he got, Moe quickly got under Coach's skin. All it took was a bottle of whiskey and Moe accusing Eric of stealing his girl, for Coach Taylor to kick some ass. However, we didn't get to see Moe's face so I can only hope he looked just as bad. Tami slamming doors and having Julie yell goodbye just to aggravate Eric's hangover was an example of subtle excellence.
Elsewhere in Dillion, Jason received some surprising news, apparently he still has a few viable swimmers in the tank. I wasn't too thrilled with Jason knocking some girl up. The only highlight it provided was a chance for Coach and Jason to talk. Coach has a special relationship with all his players, but there is something extra special when it comes to him and Jason.
Then there is bible loving, Lyla Garrity. Riggin's relentless attempt at pursuing Lyla has converted him into a church going boy. I didn't see a beer in his hand once this episode! There was this look on Lyla's face, as she sat at the dinner table at the ranch, that revealed little miss perfect doesn't want a perfect proper life. Lyla Garrity wants an exciting life with a complicated boy whose name is Tim Riggins.
I have loved everything about Brian Williams these past few weeks. Smash, is some flashy name a cocky football player gives himself. Don't get me wrong, I loved Smash and his arrogance on and off the field, but I love the man Brian Williams has become. He gave up on guaranteed money and fame playing Arena ball for a small town college. "We don't have the size, we have the heart." Whitmore College is lucky to have to him and I hope I get the opportunity to follow Brian's career.
Favorite exchange of the night-
Landry: I didn't realize a hot Mexican nanny was your type.
Matt: She's not Mexican and she's not a nanny. She's a Guatemalan, in home care nurse. I told you that like a hundred times.
Let the campaigning begin! Bring FNL back!
February 11, 2008
May the Best Man Win
February 4, 2008
FNL
My emotions were all over the place on FNL's latest episode. Laughing and crying is the sign of a perfect episode.
I have missed Matt Saracen being front and center, however this Matt was not the sweet southern boy, I had come to know and love. First calling his teacher a bitch (I may have laughed just a little, but it was a shocked laugh). Then ditching school for strippers and beer, courtesy of Tim Riggins. Drunk Matt trying to practice was a little funny. Drunk Matt yelling at Coach, not so funny. Coach grabbing Matt and tossing his ass into the shower was an emotional scene. "You left me for a better job. Julie left me for a better boyfriend....everybody leaves me. What is wrong with me?" The boy needs a hug.
The other boy needing a big old hug was Smash. Being suspended three games is rough for the passionate running back. Having his scholarship revoked by TMU is crushing. "They say I’ve got questionable character. That’s the mark of death, Coach.” Beautifully delivered. The tears swelled up in my eyes. However, it was his speech to his fellow Panthers that really blew me away. Not being able to take the field was eating Smash up inside, yet there he stood in front of his teammates encouraging them to play on without him and then there was Smash all alone in the locker room realizing Panther football would be played without on this Friday night. The sight of him breaking down caused the previously swelled tears to roll down my cheeks.
The show wasn't all heavy hearted tonight. Like I mentioned earlier, I did enjoy some laughter as well. My two favorite exchanges of the evening:
Tami: “Hey are you a Panthers fan?”
DMV guy: "No, I hate football."
Tami's plan of gratitude whatever it may have been was thrown right out the window at that point. Her face was priceless.
Apparently Tim Riggins ditches school every Wednesday.
Matt: What are you going to do?
Riggins: I was thinking... you know museum, yoga, library for a bit. Then again I might just do the uge.
Last but not least, I have to say I highly enjoyed Landry showing up on Tyra's doorstep and kissing her. There is something real between these two after all.
Only one more episode of FNL left. That thought alone is depressing.
February 1, 2008
The Beginning of the End
8 months ago, we were left with a haunting image. A frantic and extremely hairy Jack Sheppard proclaiming, "We have to go back, Kate. We have to go back!" Those words and that face had me yearning for the Lost season premiere.
There was no doubt in my mind who was pouring that OJ with a splash vodka. Like father like son, Jack. But I was a little uncertain who was leading the cops on a car chase through the streets of LA. It brought much joy to see Hurley off the island, with Jack looking on. However, hearing Hurley say "I'm one of the Oceanic 6" made me a little nauseous. Only 6 people made it off the island? The thought of so many being left behind is troubling. So for now, we know three of the six. Leave it to Lost making me lose sleep over who the other three will be!
Jorge Garcia (Hurley) blew me away last night. From his joyous cannon ball to his heartbreaking grief over his dear friend Charlie's death.
Where's Charlie?!?!?-Hurley
He's dead, brotha.- Desmond
The water works really started to flow as he hugged Claire and delivered the news of her hero's demise. Perfection.
Now speaking of Charlie, I'm pretty sure I screamed, "holy shit" when he showed up to visit Hurley. I didn't think he was alive and one of the Oceanic 6, but never the less I was shocked to see him. I'm glad to know in the afterlife, Charlie appears to be a sexy, confident rock star. He worked those shades! Charlie's visit to Hurley was not pleasant, however. His urgent, "they need you," only leaves me more anxious. Don't even get me started on the creepy guy claiming to be an attorney for Oceanic Air and asking Hurley, if they are still alive. I need to know who was left behind and why...NOW!
The season premiere delivered from beginning to end. Highlights:
-Jack was actually going to kill Locke. I think it's safe to say that relationship is over. Having John Locke has an enemy is a unsettling thought.
-Jack and Kate still have "it".
-I just look at Ben and I get chills. Whatever he fears, I fear.
-Sawyer going against Jack and Kate. Somethings never change. You can't blame the guy he's just doing what he's done all along....surviving.
-The officer interrogating Hurley knew Ana Lucia. What a small world. But why is it that Hurley claimed to not know her?
-All the survivors together in front of the plane wreckage. That was an image we hadn't seen in a long time.
Overall, perfect episode to set up what will be a bittersweet 8 episode return. In this case 8 in not enough.
January 14, 2008
Friday Night Lights
I have to apologize for not blogging on the return on my favorite television show last week. The episode which centered around Tim and his stay with the Taylors had to be one of the best this season. Tim Riggins is the most loveable Dillion resident. I have to mention, last week my boyfriend was too lazy to move from the sofa when I started watching FNL, needless to say he's hooked. All it takes is one episode to make someone realize how great these people are and how wonderfully done this show is. This week he was back for more and once the episode ended, he said, "I don't want it to be over, I need at least another 30 minutes of it." I have never been more proud.
There was a lot going on in Dillion on Friday night. Smash was busy taking offers from colleges all over the nation. Explain to me, why Smash is letting a high school cheerleader consult with recruiters? I don't care if her brother was Tom Brady, anyone is more qualified then her concerning his college career. The good news is Smash is staying in Texas. Hey ya'll, Smash is gonna play for the U, baby! I got a little emotional when Smash showed up with flowers for his mama. It's always nice to see Smash as the mama's boy and not the star running back.
Over at the Taylor household, Julie was staying quiet about what really went down with Tim. I didn't find it all that surprising considering how selfish she had become. By game time, Julie had decided the truth must be told. Tim Riggins was actually not the monster Coach Taylor had thought him to be. Instead Tim was a knight in shining armor to his little girl.
Just when you think Tim is heading in the right direction, he goes and steals $3,000 from the meth dealer. Sure he saved the Riggins's home from foreclosure but the wrath of crazy meth man is not going to be pretty. This is the same guy who woke up Riggins with a shot gun in the back and stalked him at school.
Before the start of the football game, I turned to my boyfriend and said, "I just want to warn you, Panther football is a little unrealistic. They usually are down in the 4th quarter and miracles occur." Sure enough the Panthers were losing to the Laribee Lions with only a minute to go in the 4th quarter but what would happen was no miracle. Coach Dickie took it upon himself to stop what would have been the game winning run by Riggins. When your team isn't blocking, it's not the coach's job to lay someone out. Coach Dickie blamed his behavior on his dying wife, but as a coach you leave that at home. I don't recall seeing Coach Dungy making tackles after his son committed suicide.
As for Shelly, well her stay at the Taylor's household has come to an end. Taping over football film with an episode of The Office was the straw that broke Coach Taylor's back. It's good to see team Taylor together again making popcorn and having movie night.
My boyfriend only has one more week of FNL before he returns to college life without a television, and he hasn't even gotten the chance to really know Matt Saracen, Santiago, and Jason Street. I feel he will be robbed if he doesn't meet the rest of the Dillion residents.
There's Always Next Year
I hate Jessica Simpson. No not for showing up at Texas Stadium on December 16th and cursing Tony Romo. Nor do I hate her for wearing a pink jersey to that game and dancing in it everytime the camera was on her. I do hate that pink jersey though. Grow some balls and wear team colors. I also do not hate Jessica for dragging Tony Romo and his pals to Mexico for what will forever be known as the "the ill timed vacation."
I hate Jessica Simpson because Tony Romo's brilliant season as QB1 will not be remembered for the records he broke or the games he won. Instead his 2007 season will be linked to some washed up, straight to DVD bimbo.
During the off season, I have some film I want Tony Romo to study. It's a piece of film that will change his career for the better and ensure victory next season. The film is entitled: Newlyweds Season One.
December 16, 2007
Jessica Simpson
Dear Jessica Simpson,
Please take your pink Romo jersey and stay the hell away from Texas Stadium.
Thank you.
December 10, 2007
Friday Night Lights
It seems just like yesterday… Landry had picked up that pipe and beat Tyra's attacker to death. I was shocked. I was disappointed. I was looking forward to closure on this storyline, since it seemed a little out there for FNL. The only plus side to this storyline was Landry's tortured soul. It was truly captivating. I was relieved to see him step foot in the police station and confess. However, I was concerned he was so convinced he had murder a man out of hate and not self defense, which it clearly was. Thankfully Tyra convinced Landry, he did what he had to save her life. Landry showing up on Tyra's doorstep to deliver the good news (no charges would be filed) was the perfect ending to this storyline. By the way, didn't Landry use to play football?
Speaking of tortured souls, Santiago plays the part beautifully. He has this lost little puppy dog face that just makes you want to reach through the television screen and hug the kid. The highlight of the episode came when Buddy pulled the car over and had a heart-to-heart with Santiago. Buddy Garrity is an amazing man, who would have thought?
“Tonight is your night. You have an opportunity to go out there and accept the challenge. You have the opportunity to be part of a team. If you don't do it tonight, you're never going to do it the rest of your life."
Santiago took those words to heart. In what has become expected of FNL, the Panthers were down and out. Santiago asked Coach Taylor to put him in. At this point I'm expecting Santiago to come in and save the game. Over, done. And, I'm ok with it. I had the biggest smile on my face as Santiago was put on his ass more than once. It was humbling. It was even more humbling when Santiago admired his surroundings and determination came across his puppy dog face. The moment that followed was typical FNL, Santiago put the quarterback on his back, and all was right for the Panthers. I don't think Buddy Garrity has ever been so proud.
Other highlights of the show:
Tami and Julie's blow up. These two have been at it for weeks now. I've been a little uncomfortable watching Julie's hate for her mother grow. Thankfully these two seem to have made up. I want the old Taylor family back; the one that drove to school together and cheered on Coach Taylor from the stands.
Matt finally lost his virginity to Carlotta. Way to go Matt, banging the help! If he wants this relationship to last, he better stop taking advice from Smash.
Jason seems to be on the right track. Moving out on with Herc, who I just love. His date with the internet babe took an odd turn when she admitted to being turned on by pee. Weird, right?
What can I say about Tim Riggins? He makes me smile so much each and every week. I am, however concerned for his safety, now that his roommate the chemist, is stalking him. What was more creepy, him watching gymnastic practice or waking up Tim with a shot gun?
The saddest part of the evening came, when the announcer said "stay tuned in the new year for new Friday Night Lights." How am I suppose to make it through the holidays without my Dillion family?
