Season two, episode three: Are You Ready for Friday Night?
So, hateful Coach McGregor is basically running the Panthers into the ground. This is no exaggeration. He puts Riggins through such intense physical punishment, the guy ends up in the hospital. His decision to give Matt's captaincy to Smash eventually provokes an upset Saracen to punch the cocky RB on the field, at the end of the team's first game (corrected). He's got assistant coach team mascot Jason Street so annoyed, Street quits the team and plans to head for Mexico and the promise of experimental stem cell surgery, with Riggins in tow. It's enough to make Buddy Garrity throw himself at coach Eric Taylor and plead for his return from TMU.

Taylor's got good reason to come back, too. Not only is his wife stressing over baby Grace, teenage daughter Julie's no longer that perky, parental-unit friendly girl we saw in the first season; she's now hanging/making out with the Swede, obnoxiously telling her mother to shove it and take care of the baby. (Ah, 16-year-old girls...may we never be a father of daughters.) This doesn't sit well with Mrs. coach, who slaps her sassy daughter (and cries to Taylor about it later).

Meanwhile, Lyla's churchy ways sort of hook Riggins, who attends services with her...or maybe it's just how she looks in her underwear, as he tries to make a move on her again. Tyra and Landry's relationship progressed to a very, very intimate level (hinted at last week), enough that Landry's police offer dad/Agent Pierce! notices that his son might be worthy of those XY chromosomes, after all. And a frustrated Matt bonds with his grandma's live-in-nurse, Carlotta, who tends to his injured pride...err, football injuries.

Show=much more dramatic this year. Is that a good thing, readers?

Season two, episode two: Bad Ideas
Watch the episode here.

The upshot to the whole murder plot (which continues as Landry first worries that his engraved watch got lost with the body, and then has problems with his guilt throughout the episode), is that he and Tyra are getting much more screen time. But while actor Jesse Plemons clearly is stronger than second banana, funny sidekick status, it felt weird to have Landry mixing jokes with reflections on the killing. Gallows humor much?

There's no question that this weird storyline is pushing the unlikely duo together, with the strongest scene coming as tough girl Tyra lectures Landry to "be a man"--and get over wrestling with his guilt--which prompts him to tell her off. According to Landry, being a stone-cold killer isn't his idea of a man, so he feels sad for Tyra if that's how she defines one; yet while Landry's tormented over bashing the brains of her stalker, he'd do it all again because he's in love with her--and she must know that by now.

Well, Landry may have lost his innocence, but by the looks of a tearful Tyra appearing in his bedroom at episode's end...he may be losing something else, too...

Like sleep! I think it was a school night.

(Oh, and Landry made the football team somehow too, despite spending more time on the turf than lined up in a three-point stance. Honestly, the guy is the worst fictional high school football player I may have ever seen. So...wha? Maybe they need fodder for blowouts. Still, an onlooking Poppa Police Officer Clarke is proud of his son. Something tells me that might change...)

(And what's Poppa Clarke--not officially affiliated with the team--doing on the sidelines? Didn't Coach McGregor close practice last week?)

The single life
Yes, there was more to this episode than Landry...I just can't get over his storyline. But did you notice that every character struggled through this episode?

Trying to care for a baby, Mrs. coach is falling apart without her husband around. Trying to deal with Dillon High's many student problems, Glen--a science teacher-turned-fill-in guidance counselor--is suffering without Tami around, so he takes some work over to her house. And maybe not the world's greatest decision; before long, she post-partum wigs out and, frankly, he's a little scared of her. Yet by the end of the episode, it's Glen who's picking her up at the hospital, after Tami's poor decision to walk the baby in the 105 degree heat culminated in a fever for little Grace. Nice guy; he seems like a giant, older version of goofy, well-meaning Matt Saracen. Not to mention, totally calls Mrs. coach on the poor decision to have Taylor up in Austin while she raises the baby apart from him.

Also embarking on time apart are Matt and Julie, although it's not his choice. Rather, Julie's going through an angsty, 16-year-old girl phase--with her emotions complicated by the sleazy "Swede," a total Wooderson-wannabe who keeps hitting on Julie--and tells Matt that she's changing and it's all her and nothing he did. Poor Matt. Actor Zach Gilford plays this well; guy looks like he got sucker punched as he stomps away. About the only good thing for Matt--and probably, for anyone this episode--is that he finally gets a live-in nurse for his unstable grandma. It seems pricey, but maybe the government picks it up? Anyway, if nurse "Carlotta" was supposed to come off as well-meaning yet somewhat annoying, well producers, you totally nailed it.

Finally, we see a glimpse into coach's life up at TMU. As a rookie on the college level, he feels very outside-looking-in, and Mrs. coach's advice--"make yourself indispensable"--is proving hard to follow. Taylor's first task this ep isn't teaching a quarterback or drawing up a game plan. No, he has to escort a spoiled player to an eligibility hearing (the player took free tickets to a Justin Timberlake conference) while TMU's head coach makes it clear they can run practice without Taylor. But what looks to be rote babysitting turns into an opportunity for coach. Taylor lectures the heck out of the spoiled "Antwan"--the guy makes Smash look humble--and then articulately pleads the player's case in front of the review board, winning Antwan only a three-game suspension. The lecture and minimal suspension draw the attention of TMU's head coach, who tells Taylor, "I bet you were a great high school football coach." Neither coach nor I are sure that's a compliment.

Odds that the impromptu lecture for Antwan has consequences for Taylor next episode? I'm just thinking, yelling at future NFL choices might not be in a rookie coach's best interest. Medium-to-high.

Buddy: The crumbling of an icon
Meanwhile, the show continues to humanize car salesman and #1 Panther fan Buddy Garrity. Last season, he was one of the town's leading personalities...until he got caught cheating on his wife. This year, Buddy's suffering all the consequences: He has limited visitation rights with his kids, while his yet-to-be-divorced wife has a new boyfriend; the new coach kicked him out of practice, so he can't watch the beloved Panthers except on Friday nights; and the other boosters have stripped his car dealership of the annual season kick-off banquet, which prompts Buddy to drink himself into an embarrassing stupor at said banquet, now held at rival Lester's house.

There's also some Tim and Lyla scenes, but, meh. She's trying hard to be a Christian, but clearly still carrying a torch for the oft-depraved fullback. He's trying hard to...what, exactly? Flirt with other girls in front of her? Unclear exactly what his motives are, although he does help carry a drunken Buddy back to his rented room.

A brief scene also has Jason reveal that he's gaining feeling in his hands, and after a chance encounter with Murderball star Mark Zupan, it looks like he's headed to Mexico for experimental stem-cell surgery in hopes of walking again.

Oh, and Smash rapped.

But although Jason Street lost his legs and Lyla Garrity lost her perfect life, most of our heroes wouldn't trade the year for anything.

The backup quarterback got the job and the girl. The Coach got his chance at stardom; Coach's wife got pregnant. And the Dillon Panthers--unlike the book, unlike the movie--got their championship.

(And previously, on prime-time TV: Friday Night Lights was the 95th-ranked show, averaging just 6.1 million viewers and tied with canceled duds "Armed & Famous," "The Winner," and "Standoff." You know what? Let's ignore that pesky detail for now.)

But after winning a championship and sending viewers off on a high note, what can the show do for an encore?

Season two, episode one: Last Days of Summer
Watch the episode here.

We open on a football spiraling through the air as a player leaps--off the diving board?--oh, you've tricked us, show. The Panthers aren't on the field but at the pool, as the players are chillaxin the last days of summer away. It's been eight months since winning the state title, and swimsuit-clad star running back Brian "Smash" Williams and FB Riggins are definitely enjoying the ongoing fruits of their labor. A floating, draped-in-ladies Riggins especially; quarterback Matt Saracen sarcastically names him "captain of the S.S. Ta-tas."

Oh, and Mrs. Coach? Very pregnant. So pregnant that new baby Taylor unexpectedly arrives before the first commercial break, with Coach Taylor dashing into the hospital--via airplane from Austin--in the nick of time.

Yes, while all of our characters are back, they're not all where we left them, metaphorically and otherwise. The most obvious change is on the football field. As radio show host Slammin' Sammy expositions, imported new coach Bill McGregor--the "Tennessee Tyrant"--will try to fill the shoes of the "great Eric Taylor."

(Hey--McGregor's not a football coach; he's hippie Mike from "Lost"! Look, Dan Hawkins aside, hippie coaches and football don't mix. Prediction: This will not end well.)

Meanwhile, Coach Taylor has become the quarterbacks coach at TMU, a mythical Division I football program. In so many ways, a promotion--a chance for better money, more visibility. A huge break for any coach climbing the career ladder. But as we see in this episode, Taylor's not the top man on a small totem pole anymore, just one coach on the large TMU staff, with ramifications that will affect his marriage. Not to mention, his mentions in this blog; until Taylor's running a team again, Coach will be coach with a lowercase-c from here on out.

The fantastic four
In season two, the show's center clearly remains the quartet of coach and wife Tami; quarterback Matt and coach's daughter Julie. But all is not right in the state of Texas.

While the Taylors' marriage seems strong at first, there's underlying tension that gets fully exposed by episode's end. Sure, coach and the missus were going to "make it work," she told him in the season one finale. He'd take the TMU dream job and commute between Austin and Dillon. She'd stay at Dillon High to be a guidance counselor and let daughter Julie finish her last two years of high school without moving.

But as is so often the case in TV drama land, promises made with the best intentions...well, they have a way of going sour in time for the next episode. Even though Taylor's around for the new baby, Julie snipes at her dad for never visiting, and the house has turned into a sty since he's been gone. When Taylor gets a call from TMU and is told to return just a few days after the baby's birth, Tami can't handle it and breaks down in tears. As last year's moral compass, Tami was a pillar of strength for everyone--Julie, Tyra, Lyla, her husband--during the first season. These tears are new and it's scary.

Meanwhile, the junior set's problems are much more obvious.

Matt's still devoted to Julie, but his girlfriend--working at the pool--can't keep her eyes off fellow lifeguard "The Swede." (Think a mop-topped Josh Hartnett-type. Clearly not Swedish, nor the town's title-winning quarterback, might I add.) But Julie can't help herself, blowing off a party with Matt to sneak into a bar and hear the Swede's awful indie band. Although, while I hate to admit it, probably an improvement on Crucifictorious. This storyline seems to be building to a "Who will Julie choose?" moment--with strong foreshadowing of a Scandinavian scandal--but she doesn't get the chance: The Swede's girlfriend shows up and the college-aged couple head out together, with "Anton" stopping to give his high-school friend the most awkward high-five since Yao Ming was drafted.

But why's Julie breaking curfew and chasing this guy in the first place? And with the tacit approval of her mother, to boot? Because, as she tells angry coach (who picks her up from the bar at 12:30), her relationship with Matt is too perfect...too boring. "I see [Matt] turning into you and me turning into my mom...I'm 16. There has to be more than this," she tearfully confesses.

(Julie's ambivalance about Matt? Prediction: This will not end well.)

Not-so-Christian behavior
Of course, the rest of our supporting characters have their own issues to work through. You can see Smash on the cover of Texas Football magazine; you can't see how big his ego has seemingly gotten entering his senior year of high school. Riggins, who spent most of the summer drunk, runs afoul of new Coach McGregor, who's channeling Tom Coughlin and nearly kicks his fullback off the team. Look, these guys may be the stars of the Panters, but between Smash (Pride) and Riggins (representing most of the other deadly sins)...well, who's going to save these two?

Maybe newly born-again Lyla, who has more faith than ever after her 1) parents' marriage disintegrated, 2) her reputation at school collapsed, and 3) her own engagement fell apart. Or maybe her dad, Buddy Garrity. Sure, he's basically living out of his car dealership after cheating on soon-to-be-ex-wife Pam. Yes, he clearly can't offer moral guidance. And true, Coach McGregor's kicked him (fan #1!) out of practice...but as he tells coach, there's nothing he loves more than Panthers football, so maybe he'll buy Smash and Riggins some counseling sessions.

Or maybe stone-faced Coach McGregor will scare them straight. coach Taylor was no shrinking violet, but McGregor makes him look like Pam Garrity's wussy vegetarian boyfriend. In this episode alone, we learn McGregor's taken away Matt's captaining role, and we watch him force Riggins to run up-and-down the stadium steps until the guy pukes. When paralyzed quarterback-turned-assistant coach Jason Street tries to put in a word for his longtime friend Riggins, McGregor tells Street to decide if he wants to be "the town mascot" or part of the Dillon Panthers coaching staff.

(Coach McGregor's tough-love style? Prediction: You should know by now.)

Meanwhile, in plot device land
What is it with this show? Last year, 95% of the characters were wrapped up in the many, intersecting plot threads of the Dillon Panthers...and then there was Jason Street, off doing his own thing with wheelchair rugby. And yes, that was awesome and expanded this fictional universe and better realized Jason's character--but it really was a totally separate TV show. To the writers' credit, the plotline was always interesting and Jason's journey eventually looped back around in a meaningful way.

Now, in season two, another storyline comes from even further out of left-field. It's built around the unlikely friendship between Tyra Collette--the leggy, bad-girl blond who was Riggins' girlfriend once upon a time--and Matt's dorky buddy Landry Clarke. Near the end of last season, the two had plans to meet for a study date; unfortunately, while Landry's car broke down on his way to their meeting, Tyra was attacked by some sleazeball and nearly raped before Landry arrived to pull the guy off her. Honestly, it felt a little dramatic on this TV show about a high school football team, but not so Hollywood movie-esque that it stuck out.

In the eight months since, the two appear to have gotten closer. Landry's her official suntan-lotion-applier at the pool (and possibly to impress her, he's trying out for the football team).

Well, here's the big twist everyone's talking about after episode one: The sexual assault guy returns to stalk Tyra, eventually attacking her in a parking lot, only to be critically injured when Landry hits him with a pipe in the head.

So what do honor student Landry and street smart Tyra do? Call Landry's police officer dad? (No). Rush the guy to the hospital (No, he dies in the car).

They take the dead guy and--dum, dum, dum!--throw him into the river. Probably the same river where Lyla got baptized, to boot.

So rather than call the cops and explain a simple case of self-defense, the two now have several major crimes hanging over their heads. Almost inexplicable given what we know about both characters and the way the normally down-to-earth show tells its stories.

Concerned that Friday Night Lights just made a huge mistake? You're not alone.

But like with Lyla, it comes down to faith: Do you think the show can pull this off? If you've stuck with FNL since the start, watching the writers either destroy or cleverly twist cliche after cliche, than you've got to like their odds and give them a chance on this. And more screen time for Landry and Tyra is a good thing, in my book.

(The writers did hedge their bets, by following this weirdness with the most powerful and moving scene in the episode--the team getting their state championship rings, in a moment that brought all minor and major characters together. The symbolic passing of the torch between Taylor and McGregor; the awkward moments between Matt on the field and Julie in the stands; and so on.)

Still: Landry claims to follow WWRD--"What would Riggins do?" And Riggins is a drunk. A womanizer. A bad student. But running from the cops and throwing a body in the river? Well, Riggins would not have done that.

(Throwing a body in the river? Prediction:...Um, this one is pretty obvious.)

Need to catch up on Friday Night Lights but Netflix-ing the DVDs or watching online isn't your style? Check out this amazingly comprehensive overview--"Friday Night Lights: 101"--from blogger Adam Best, a.k.a. Arrowhead Addict.

But save a little room in your schedules.

"Friday Night Lights" slips back on the NBC airwaves next Friday night, October 5, at 9/8 central. But why wait? Season two's premiere episode is already online at Yahoo! TV through Monday September 30. Reassuringly, it's a great 44 minutes of television--FNL hasn't lost its special something, although it takes a big risk by revisiting one subplot from out of nowhere. Because of the many legal issues involved with recapping a show before it's officially aired, I'll hold off on my full comments for another week, but would love any of your thoughts via the comment box below.

The free episode is the latest "hook new viewers" play by NBC, which had hoped that a summer of free online episodes, a DVD release, and continued critical hype would buoy FNL heading into season two. We'll see what happens. The show got stiffed at the Emmy awards and there are continuing questions about the cost of shooting in Austin, Texas. Given that I slid over to cover the Battlestar feed--and no one raised a peep about the lack of FNL recaps--I have my doubts.

Perhaps the most promising sign for the show is a totally unexpected endorsement. Writer Bill Simmons--a.k.a. ESPN's "The Sports Guy"--currently is pleading with his fanbase to save Friday Night Lights, which he calls the "greatest sports show ever."

Simmons' argument (that the show is incredibly well-acted, appeals to men and women alike, occasionally suffers from over-dramatizing the sports plays) won't surprise any FNL fan; however, for FNL fans unfamiliar with The Sports Guy, you may be surprised by his reach. We're not talking an Oprah-like following, but Simmons' platform gives him millions of regular readers; when he launched his podcast earlier this year, it quickly became the top download on iTunes, and any YouTube video he links to immediately gets thousands of hits. Of course, Simmons is a latecomer to the FNL cause--he'd previously admitted that he watched one episode and bailed--but it will be interesting to see where this goes, and if he'll keep agitating his readers (the crucial 18-49 demographic) to watch if the show continues to struggle.

Previously, the craziest high school football season ever got--wait for it--even crazier! The Dillon Panthers advance to the second round of the Texas state playoffs, but assistant coach Mac's racist comments prompt a walkout of the team's black players. On the homefront, Coach Eric Taylor's daughter Julie befriends troublemaker Tyra, who teaches her how to steal and ditch school, and later breaks up with starting quarterback Matt Saracen after he dallies with the team's cheerleaders in a hot tub. And paraplegic ex-quarterback Jason Street weighs leaving town for U.S. Quad Rugby team tryouts, which would jeopardize his high school graduation and relationship with girlfriend Lyla.

Recap, "Black Eyes, Broken Hearts":
The replacements
The playoff game's Friday night but 16 black players--most of whom are Panthers starters--aren't coming back, at least until assistant coach Mac gets the boot. Even as Coach weighs firing Mac, he dips into the under-sized and -skilled JV (junior varsity) for warm bodies. Cue the scenes of new players running the wrong way, getting chewed out by Coach, and being told to learn at the elbow of team captain and starting running back Tim Riggins all week.

Later that day, Tim plays stern father figure to a bunch of pimply JV kids, quizzing them on which plays to run and taking away their lunch when they fail. One lesson that Tim loudly imparts? The black players sitting near them are "quitters." Ironically, the black players are at that moment considering a return, concerned that they may be losing their starting spots and potential college scholarships. Star running back Brian "Smash" Williams, the walkout's leader, talks them into waiting out the firestorm.

Cut to Coach's office. Car salesman/head booster/sleazy dude Buddy Garrity trots in to inform Coach that the Dillon boosters have taken a vote: The Panthers need their black players, so Mac must be fired. Coach points out that Mac and Buddy have been friends for decades...no matter, says Buddy. We get the team back now, worry about that later.

Coach beats a hasty path to Mrs. Coach, who's the school guidance counselor. "Everything hangs in the balance," he tells her. Mac's comments were wrong, but the man's not a racist. Coach needs the black players to advance in the playoffs, but he needs Mac's wisdom for future playoff games. What does she recommend he do? Well, as a guidance counselor, she says Mac's comments are a fireable offense. As his wife, she tells him that doing right by the 50 guys on the team is more important to Coach than doing right by just Mac. And as a friend, she tells Coach that he's got to stand up for what's right, and Mac's comments are wrong. Coach isn't too thrilled by the recommendation to axe his assistant coach, not to mention a bit shaken by his cold-blooded wife.

Meanwhile, although Smash is now doubting the walkout too, he's got girlfriend Waverly going all Lady Macbeth in his ear. Smash needs to stand up for issues greater than football, she says. Plus, Mac's got to get fired--even football-hating Waverly knows the team needs Smash and the other black players! Well, you're wrong, Waverly. Mac might not get fired; he could resign, just like he tries to do at Coach's house that evening. Surely a noble act: Mac was the man who integrated the Dillon Panthers decades ago and resigning would forfeit half of his pension. But Coach won't accept it. Mac's staying, he tells the press corps on Thursday. Looks like an undermanned Panthers squad is going to roll the dice with their JV talent.

Tim might have called Smash a quitter, but when the two meet in the hallway later that day, he tells Smash the team needs him and can't believe the other won't play. Smash's mom is equally incredulous. At home, she impresses on her son the self-destructive futility of trying to stamp out racism in one small Texas town. The best revenge for Mac's comments, for anyone's bigoted thoughts: Go out and play, mom tells him. Get a scholarship to an A-list school. Make something of yourself. Does her last-minute speech do the trick?

We find out after a commercial break. It's Friday and an all-white Panthers squad, pimply JVers and all, is boarding the team bus to Dunston Valley. Coach looks a bit nervous, but he shouldn't: The black players come striding up, and Smash asks if there's room for them too. Coach nods yes (but how can there be space? All of the missing players were replaced by the JVers, who stay on the school bus too, so that's four extra rows of an already-crowded ride. But whatever).

Welcome to playoff game #2, at Dunston Valley. The Panthers bring some element of surprise, as their opponents weren't expecting Smash and the other black players to show up, but any strategic advantage is negated by some serious blunt. force. trauma. This is the most physical game we've seen yet on "Friday Night Lights," almost brutally so--I kept writing "personal foul?" in my notebook, as Dillon players kept getting tackled or hit after the play was over.

We see Smash juke his way into the end zone for an early Dillon touchdown, then Dunston Valley answer back with their own score soon after. The bad guys are clearly trying to rattle Smash with illegal late hits and face mask penalties, but Dillon's still winning in the fourth quarter. High-scoring game, too, with both teams in the 30s.

With the Panthers up by 4, Smash prances into the endzone for another touchdown--only to be leveled with an egregiously illegal late hit by a Dunston Valley player, who then gets up and starts jawing with Smash about how lazy black players are, or something equally offensive. Where are the referees!? Talk about lazy; worst fictional officiating I've ever seen.

Anyway, evil Dunston Valley player continues to taunt Smash, and it looks like our Panther hero is about to finally blow. Yet who should come to his rescue but...Tim Riggins! Tim may be Smash's sometime rival (the show can't decide if the two should hate each other), but he's his best friend here, pile-driving the gross Dunston Valley player into the ground. Cue a brawl on the scale of Miami-Florida International '06; I think I even saw Ned in there!

Fight's eventually broken up. With the teams sent to the locker rooms and coaches awaiting word on the sidelines, a state athletic association rep arrives: The game has been called, Dillon wins. The Dunston Valley coach can't believe it, and despite getting the victory, an only slightly less furious Coach tells the Panthers he's embarassed by their behavior. Still in uniform, the Panthers march out to their bus as several thousand Dunston Valley boo and pelt them with debris. (Pretty terrifying stuff for these players, not to mention this recapper; I vow to only watch Texas high school playoff games on TV and never in person.)

But wait: It gets scarier for the victorious Dillon team. On the bus ride home, two Dunston Valley-loving state troopers pull the football team over and insist that they're going to arrest the guy who started the riot: Smash, as "witnesses" claim he threw the first punch. Man, lesson of the epsiode: Everybody's racist in Texas. And who should rescue Smash here? I think the writers want you to think it's going to be Tim again, self-sacrificing for the team, but no need: Assistant coach Mac tells the troopers to get lost until they get a warrant. "We'll get you next year, Coach," one trooper says ominously. That's assuming the two teams play again next year, idiot.

Team finally arrives home in Dillon to applause and well-wishers. Smash makes his peace with an apologetic Mac.

She's a bad girl
Rewind to the start of the week, where there's a fissure showing in the Taylor household. Coach and Mrs. Coach are concerned about daughter Julie hanging out with Bad Girl Tyra, who's been repeatedly suspended from school and "wears too few clothes." Julie's no shrinking violet, but she's channeling Sarcastro in this scene. Mom and Dad are "prejudging" Tyra, she says--making the same kind of dangerous assumption that's costing Coach's team 16 players. Ooh, snap!

Meanwhile, ex-boyfriend Matt is thinking of ways to win Julie back, and buddy Landry has the perfect solution: A mix CD. I like the way Landry thinks. Unfortunately, Julie's new BFF Tyra doesn't and tells the pair that Matt needs to offer up a real gift to make up for his indiscretion (hint: spend money). A Tyra-besotted Landry thinks this is genius, although Matt notes his purchasing power is rather limited. About $50 limited.

With Landry egging him on, Matt heads to a jewelry store and manages to purchase a $100 pendant with Julie's birthstone at half-price. Lyla, in turn, needs to get money from her sister and drags Julie to sis's place of employment: The town strip club. Lots of gratuitous, strip cluby-shots coming up. Landry and Matt show up in an attempt to make amends, but all four underage kids get busted by the cops and taken to juvie lock-up. Tyra, Matt, and Landry are all released, but an irate Mrs. Coach makes Julie wait by herself to think over her actions. But so much for a lesson learned: When the family gets home, Julie's hardly apologetic, and Mrs. Coach just loses it with her stubborn daughter.

(This is an interesting yet natural development. Throughout the season, the Taylors have modeled Marriage 101: The parents clearly and realistically love each other, spats and all, and cultivate a healthy relationship with their daughter. Recent episodes are showing the first big chinks in that trust, though, as the teenage girl begins to rebel.)

After the Dunston Valley game, Matt presents Julie with the birthstone pendant and asks her to be his girlfriend. These end-of-episode boyfriend proposals have a pretty high hit rate; like Lyla a few weeks back, Julie says yes, and we see from the previews that next episode the couple is thinking about doing...well, you know. That thing that teenage couples do!

Over on the Lifetime channel
Meanwhile, on the Jason Street show, the ex-QB chooses a trip to Austin and tryouts for the national quad rugby team over a few crucial weeks of school. Jason's OK with the uncertainty of tryouts and possibly forfeiting his high school degree--more than OK, leaning toward his GED in a conversation with school counselor Mrs. Coach. Heading off with buddy and quad rugby team member Herc, Jason shares a less-than-passionate goodbye with girlfriend Lyla. Buddy Garrity shouldn't lose any more sleep over the pair's potential nuptials; I predict daughter Lyla will be free to date College Boy by season's end.

Previously, for the star-crossed Dillon Panthers high school football team: Injured QB Jason Street wants to get married to girlfriend Lyla Garrity and try out for the U.S. Quad Rugby team, presumably not simultaneously. Star RB Brian "Smash" Williams is caught using steroids, but Coach Eric Taylor puts his career at risk by not reporting Smash to the authorities, after some serious soul-searching by both men. Coach’s daughter Julie makes a new BFF in high school outsider Tyra, who teaches Julie the perks of the five-finger discount. Julie's boyfriend, new starting QB Matt Saracen, is dragged to an impromptu pool party/"charity calendar” shoot; initially, Matt doesn't want to be there and worries what Julie will think, but amazing how a teenage boy's willpower crumbles when draped by bikini-clad cheerleaders. Unfortunately, Julie finds out and makes Matt's concerns moot: They're over.

Recap, "Blinders":
Contrived or cute? I'm still not sure about the latest ep, even after a second viewing.

Remember last week's playoff game cliffhanger? Well, it went well for the Dillon Panthers. So well that the team puts a cherry on the victory and dusts off a trick football play, having Smash throw a 40-yard pass to Matt (The play's a modified halfback option--it looks sort of like this, only much cooler, since there's an additional handoff to RB Tim Riggins, the pass is a lot longer, and dramatic music is pumping in the background. However, if this really was the last play in a football game where your team was winning 24-10, you'd be accused of showboating. But whatever.) All should be well in Coach's kingdom, but things crumble quickly when assistant coach Mac pulls a Joe Biden and tells pushy Blondie Reporter that despite Smash's obvious arm strength, some "junkyard dog" players (read: Black) are better-suited to play athletic positions like running back whereas more mental players (read: White) can play strategic positions like QB. Whoops! There's nothing cute about this, and calls for Mac's head start coming on talk radio.

Meanwhile, Julie's learning bad habits from Tyra, as the two are caught skipping gym. Punishment: Playing in the annual powderpuff game with the Panthers' cheerleaders and the Rally Girls (the dedicated fan club for the football game). And apparently star football players don't need to practice during the playoffs, as Matt and Tim get to be the two powderpuff coaches. They take turns picking players, which would be like so many playground football games, except for the sexual history below the surface. Tim chooses Lyla--who was publicly caught cheating on Jason with him--while Matt first picks Tyra (Tim's ex-girlfriend) and then screws up the courage to take Julie with his third pick. Tim runs his team like Coach Belichick, as he barks out orders and makes the girls do push-ups and drills. They actually look pretty fearsome, despite the ponytails and ribbons. Meanwhile, Matt is too scared of girls to get his team organized, leaving them fumbling and giggling like so much future roadkill. But he's got two secret weapons: Tyra, who really wants to win out of hatred of Lyla, and Julie, who's absorbed plenty of football as Coach's daughter.

Less interesting to this recapper is the racial conflict sparked by Mac (contrived!), and set up as the central figure this episode is Smash. First, we learn his family is looking to move into a new house, assuming they can get the money together. When Smash's mom is denied for a loan, the family wonders if being black played a role. Eh. Kind of an unnecessary subplot if you ask me. The only real takeaway is that Smash (who could care less about Mac's comments) is ever-aware that...race can be an issue! Especially after the show trots out every character to discuss Mac's comments with him, from his upset girlfriend Waverly to a well-meaning but offensive Tim.

Also, Jason decides to finish out his senior year and heads back to school. At first, there's some optimism amid the twangy guitars, as kids gladhand the ex-star quarterback in his return. But later, realizing that he'll just be the handicapped kid in class, Jason resolves to go for his GED and accept an invite to the national quad rugby team's two-week Austin training camp--with hopes of going to Beijing in 2008. And who's not happy about Jason ditching school for a life of sport and travel? Girlfriend Lyla, already doubtful about the prospect of marriage.

Coach and Mrs. Coach are all set to lecture Julie on Tyra's bad influence, until Coach finds out that Matt's made Julie quarterback of the powderpuff team. Talk about wish-fulfillment! An excited Coach treats Julie like the football-playing son he never had and practices with her in the driveway, teaching her the play that will, of course, win the powderpuff game later that week. (Ah, Coach. A maker of quarterbacks, on the level of Jeff Tedford. No wonder the University of Texas wants him on its coaching staff).

Tyra also forgets to play by the rules of powderpuff and body-slams Lyla during the game. I believe psychologists call this "anger displacement," as Tyra's worried her mom (a secretary) is being taken advantage of by Lyla's dad Buddy (secretary's boss).

Back to storyline A, where Smash witnesses a forum about racial tension degenerate into pushing and yelling. He's finally motivated to go and talk to Mac on his own, but the timing's not so good. Mac's been stewing all week and not in any mood to express himself to a "too-big-for-his-britches teenager." Mac says that any player who "whines" about the issue will be stuck to the bench come the next game. Now that's a message that resonates with Smash, but not in the way Mac intended. After listening to some DMX (the chosen music of disaffected youth), and with very clear encouragement from reincarnated Black Panther/girlfriend Waverly, Smash organizes a walkout of the black players during practice.

Analysis:
* Mac's comments on race aren't unprecedented in sports, even among tenured coaches who should be media-savvy to avoid gaffes, but I hated how the show's writers scripted this. What, there wasn't enough drama between the steroid use, paralyzed player's recovery, steamy romances, drive to win playoff games, lesbian mayor, etc? To FNL's credit, much of the debate about Mac's comments played out as it would in the real world--some characters thought it overblown, some took it seriously, and many just seemed confused by the whole thing.

* That game-winning scene in powderpuff is actually pretty cute; just like the real Dillon Panthers' many close games, it takes Julie running down the field, with everyone chasing her and Matt running in front of her, to get the victory. And any scene of 20 girls running down a football field scored to the Go! Team is OK in my book.

* I'm pretty excited to watch Jason's tryout for the national quad rugby squad. (Can anyone tell me why it's called quad rugby? They're not quadriplegics, but paraplegics). Murderball is one of those movies that I know I'd enjoy, so those scenes should play as a free preview.

* After organizing a student forum to discuss racial tension but watching it fall apart, Mrs. Coach is pretty miserable and worries that racism's just inherent in Dillon. Still, Coach pulls out yet another play from the textbook on good marriage and applauds wifey for being brave to tackle tough subjects. We know that Mrs. Coach is involved in the mayor's re-election campaign; maybe she'll make racism an issue in future episodes?

Welcome back to Friday Night Lights fodder. We'll get right to it this week.

And then there's Jason Street, who sometimes is his own separate TV show: The parents of the former starting quarterback--paralyzed while making a tackle--sue Coach, alleging that his failure to teach Jason proper tackling technique led to his paralysis. Jason's not thrilled about suing his former mentor, nor that his girlfriend's father, car salesman/Panther football booster Buddy Garrity, is trying to break up the young couple, concerned that his daughter will be trapped in a caregiver relationship with the now-paraplegic Jason. Not a strategic move on Buddy's part: Jason promptly proposes to girlfriend Lyla. By the steamy kiss, I'd say she accepts.

Overhearing the conversation, a disparaging Buddy says the sport's just a hobby and again questions Jason on what his life goals are now that he's paralyzed--what sort of career this high school boy is going to have one day. Gee, I don't know; the Dallas Cowboys may be out, but a wheelchair didn't stop FDR. After an escalating war of words--including Buddy's anger that the Streets are suing his football team--prompts Jason to drop the Bomb: He and Lyla are getting married. Whoops. Party's over. Even Lyla's upset.

Credits. Great theme music by Explosions in the Sky, who also did the score to the film version of Friday Night Lights.

After the commercial break: Playoff fever in Dillon! Messages on car windows, signs advertising "top dollar" for tickets.

Applebee's (show sponsor!) is hosting a live broadcast of Talking Panther Football, and the joint is jammed with fans who are all too happy to talk about the team. One of them is Buddy, sitting near a banner proclaiming the Panthers are going "Straight to State"--an opinion Buddy clearly shares, as he bets a wad of bills on Dillon "going all the way." Offering exposition this week is the radio host, who's not the usual Slamming Sammy Meade but looks like a more gray James Lipton. The Panthers are going to play the McNulty Mavericks in the first round, radio host tells us, but there's a big question: After mysteriously missing the last game, will Smash play this week? Some of the B-list players at the restaurant hear this question and could care less; the Panthers won without their star last week, so why do they need such a me-first player on the team?

Also at Applebee's are starting QB Matt and coach's daughter Julie--but they may be the only two in the entire restaurant not talking football, as they sit and discuss Julie's role on the student newspaper. Their idyll is shattered when radio host calls Matt up to join the broadcast; he offers to stay with Julie, but as "Sar-a-cen" chants echo throughout the restaurant and the town's teenage girls ogle the sophomore, she tells Matt to go ahead. Cut ahead to a darker, emptying Applebee's, as a bummed-out Julie waits outside for Matt. He's apologetic that he got tied up with the radio broadcast, but just as the two start talking, a car full of football players pulls up. Tim Riggins cackles that this is Saracen's night--after all, he did make the key play to get them into the playoffs--and forces him into the car. Matt puts up nominal resistance, but the car peels away. Abandoned by Matt, Julie gets a unexpected ride home with Applebee's waitress Tyra, although they need to pick up Tyra's sister first from work, too...from a strip club.

Dawn in Dillon. Banished from the football team, Smash is folding towels in the players' locker room; Coach walks in and gives him grief about the way he's folding. Coach also wants Smash to be his copy boy, asking him to make up binders of the team's playbook for the week's game ASAP. There is a bit of good news--Smash produces test results from the local clinic, affirming the steroids are out of his system, but tension is still high here: Coach isn't thrilled about waking up early to mete out discipline, nor is he happy about placing his job at risk because he didn't turn Smash in to the state authorities. Meek Smash, who I will call by given name "Brian" until he returns to his smash-worthy football ways, apologizes.

We next find Tim Riggins in traffic court. He's got a ticket and the judge is willing to cut him some slack as a football celebrity, but Tim still needs his dad's signature to avoid losing his license. A problem, because he hasn't seen his dad in two years.

Julie and new BFF Tyra are browsing some clothing store's wares, Julie still amazed that Tyra's sister works in a strip club. Want to know sister's biggest customer? Gross Buddy Garrity! And who just hired, last episode, the mom of said stripper as his car dealership's receptionist, presumably so he could ogle her too throughout the day. Double gross! (And it also begs to reason why fat, disgusting Buddy Garrity is in need of such visual distraction: this is his wife! Raising the whole question of leagues, and marrying out of them.) Further wowing her new, young friend, Tyra five-finger discounts some cosmetics that Julie wants.

Back to the Riggins household. Older sibling Billy's freaked that Tim wants to go track down their dad rather than just forge a signature, warning his high school brother not to get drunk with the dad (a likely scenario, with Riggins), not to trust the dad, and definitely not to give the dad the wad of cash that Billy is at this very second giving Tim for his epic 2-hour car ride to find padre. What actor could play this snake charmer of a father? And what are the odds that Tim gets drunk with dad and, feeling trusting, gives him that whole wad of cash? Yeah, I'm thinking 100%.

After a commercial break, over to the Coach's house. Julie's feuding with Mrs. Coach over a school night Old 97's concert. Julie offers to grovel, but Mrs. Coach gives in. Let me go on record to praise this show's musical sensibilities; Texas bands tends to crop up as background music in various scenes or get woven into the plot. And these are good bands, not some Top 40 flash in the pan. Just another way to bring the viewer down to Texas.

Driving along, Tim's on his vision quest to find padre. He gets a lead: Dad's ex-girlfriend--a sad, motel-living creature named Lydia--"threw him out six months ago." Apparently, she's none-too-happy that padre also stole something from her in the process. Tim finally finds his father, just as he's winning some money in a golf game. So who is Daddy Riggins? Why it's none other than Goodwin! Assuming fictional NBC characters can watch ABC dramas, no wonder Billy doesn't trust padre.

Still, Dad's happy to see son and willing to sign the ticket. Been sober six weeks too, so no boozing with high-school age son, despite his jonesing for a beer (Which seems to augur poorly for my prediction...but have a little less faith in the Riggins men). Dad offers to buy Tim some food, an offer son quickly accepts.

Back in Dillon, Jason and Tyra are sitting in Jason's jeep, parked in the Streets' driveway; there's a sign on the jeep advertising it's for sale by owner, underscoring the family's precarious financial position. How many times must the young couple have sat there, in happy times? Not to mention, Jason's in the driver's seat--a rare position of authority, given how dependent he is on others these days. When sitting in his wheelchair, he gives up several feet to his willowy girlfriend. Lyla broaches the subject of waiting to get married, but Jason counters each of her arguments by wondering if her hesitation stems from his paralysis. Interesting how when Jason was healthy, he didn't want to define himself as just a star QB; now that he's injured, his entire identity revolves around the loss of his legs. Regardless, Lyla wonders if either of them are going to college, or even if Jason respects that she has a life of her own to live. Unfortunately, Lyla was one of the millions who didn't watch Friday Night Lights last week; otherwise, she'd know that Jason was wrestling about that very problem, worrying that he'd become too needy for her. As a result of Lyla's poor viewership habits, problems clearly lie ahead for this couple.

At football practice, Brian nee Smash has been moved to blocking fullback, the less glamorous position usually manned by Tim. It's not going so well for Brian, who's clearly tired and not playing at the steroid-fueled level we've seen in previous episodes. As the assistant coaches heckle Brian, Buddy's on the sidelines, trying to convince Coach to show up at some TV show the next night. It's tradition, Buddy says. Media-shy Coach isn't having it. There's an appearance fee, Buddy says. We can't see behind Coach's sunglasses, but he decided...

...to do the show! How do we know? In the library, an unhappy Julie learns Matt's ditching the Old 97's concert for the TV appearance with Coach, but as the self-proclaimed "coolest girl in the world," she tells him not to worry and enjoy the show. A thankful Matt also needs Julie...to watch senile Grandma. Which she agrees to do. Major points for Julie.

Off at a bowling alley, Riggins father and son bond over strikes and spares; while dad scurries away to find his customized bowling ball, a friendly waitress informs Tim that estranged dad brags about his football-playing son every chance he gets. Poor Tim, seizing at the slightest bit of paternal interest, decides to invite himself to spend the night at dad's. Padre Riggins is surprised and thrilled.

Hijinks on the set of the (live?) "Eric Taylor Show," as stressed-out Coach can't work the DVD of last week's game film and waves off Matt's attempts to help. The producer quickly moves the show into its interview segment, telling Matt to ask Coach a couple of questions. Coach is OK with this--looking at his watch, waiting for the show to end--when Matt comes up with the first question he can think of: Will Smash play this Friday? Whoops! Producer and Buddy grin, a ticked-off Coach gets in Matt's face, wondering what kind of question that is. Well, it's the question everyone's been asking, says Matt. Coach: Not amused.

Back at Matt's house, babysitter Julie tends to Grandma, making her a sandwich for dinner. I think this woman only eats sandwiches, that's all anyone ever gives her. This seems to argue for some clinical study of whether sandwiches induce dementia. (I think Tracy Jordan would agree). Anyway, like any babysitter of the senile, Julie needs some company: New BFF Tyra. Cut to a scene of the three women listening to some female rocker, doing each other's nails, and drinking a bottle of wine. Julie's not so thrilled by Matt's newfound football fame, as it's hurting their relationship, and Tyra--and Grandma!--give her advice for how to better "play" Matt. Cutting edge stuff, too; the old "Who needs a football player? I've got options on the basketball team" routine. Grandma really seems to be enjoying this, too, and I can't blame her. The woman spends all of her time with a teenage boy; this must be the closest thing to a girl's night out she's had in years.

Off the set of the TV show, Buddy confides in Coach that Jason proposed to Lyla. Coach tells Buddy that they're smart kids and not to pressure them, because it will only make things worse. Buddy's not assuaged; he still wants Coach to talk some sense into Jason. Given that the Streets are currently suing Coach, this seems to be an unlikely scenario, but Coach assents.

Brian comes home late, wearing his Dillon football sweatshirt, dripping of sweat. Out juicing? No--he's been running for hours. Mom: You need to slow down! I'm worried about you, son--it's my job. Brian: I can't slow down! My job is to be the starting RB for the Dillon Panthers. And, as his worn-out body adjusts to its lack of steroids, "there's blood in the water" as other players are pushing to take his position. Mom, concerned. Son, frustrated. And sweaty.

Nighttime, some dirty backyard, as Tim bonds with his dad over beers. There goes padre's six weeks of sobriety...and part one of prediction, realized. As they discuss the plight of paralyzed Jason, once Tim's best friend, the conversation segues into what a bad father Daddy Riggins once was, and how much Billy deserves to hate him. Still, it's clear the two men don't have much to talk about. Tim does reveal he's missed two practices to be with his dad, which is big considering how much of a role he plays in the Dillon offense with Smash indeterminately out. Tim may be jeopardizing his starting spot on the team to spend the night with padre. "It's worth it, though," a worshipping Tim tells his dad. Cruddy dad doesn't have much to say to this--he even looks nervous to hear it. What else to discuss? High school football exhausted, they turn to...professional football, and whether Bill Parcells will return to the Cowboys. Heh. Fathers and sons.

Back from commercial, the Riggins men are out to play a round of golf. Football, bowling, now golf: These two are guys' guy athletes. No horseback riding for this family. A bullying Daddy wants to bet on each hole--there's prediction part two and three--but a wary Tim offers to up the ante: If Tim wins, dad comes to watch Tim's playoff game. If dad wins, Tim won't tell motel-dwelling Lydia where dad lives. For Tim's sake, I hope this wager trumps the $5-per-hole bet dad wanted to make. Tim gets off to a bad start, and dad calls him a weenie.

The football practice, which Tim is missing. Brian's back at his position but running slow and the assistant coaches have noticed their star is "flat." One assistant: "It's like Smash isn't Smash." Exactly, which is why this recapper--and now an angry Coach--are back to calling him Brian. A defeated ex-Smash is sent to run suicides, although I don't think that will pep him up.

After practice, Mrs. Coach tells her husband that he needs to give up the ghost with Brian. Coach has a right to be angry, sure, but "style filters down." Part of the reason Brian's playing poorly is because he's picking up on Coach's tension and anger. Mrs. Coach says it's time for the two to sit down and talk.

At the Riggins Open, some back-and-forth as Tim is leading his dad by a few strokes.

Back in one of Dillon's poorer neighborhoods, a bunch of local kids run around playing touch football while Brian sits on his porch, studying the playbook. Looks like Coach listens to his wife's advice; he drives up and invites himself to a seat next to a surprised Brian. As the kids run around in the background, one little boy stands out--scoring touchdowns, hooting and hollering, dancing all over the other players. Coach: Every neighborhood game has one of those kids. Brian: I was that kid.

After this cathartic exchange, Coach starts to talk but Brian cuts him off. He knows Coach has been a taskmaster because Brian disappointed him; he's come to terms with Coach being upset and will "do what he needs to do on his own." Coach doesn't like to hear that; football's a team game, he tells Brian, and you want to fly solo, go run track. Heh. As they watch the neighborhood kids yell and laugh and run, the two men discuss how easy it is to forget why they love the game. No kidding, considering the high pressure that comes with playing for the Dillon Panthers. Coach admits he's guilty of forgetting why they play. Brian, you'd better take that; it's as close to a concession of support that Coach will give you.

As they sit there, up comes that little, cocky kid. You really Coach Taylor?, the eight-year-old wants to know. Because little guy will be there on the first day of practice, 2014. Running back. Miles Sheppard, remember the name. Man, I really hope Friday Night Lights goes eight seasons, at least for continuity's sake. Miles invites Brian to play--he needs a challenger--and he and Coach make the local kids' neighborhood game one to remember. In Dillon, that's like having Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson join your pickup basketball game at the Y.

Speaking of continuity, we go back to the Riggins Open, where padre is proving himself to be just the schmo that Billy predicted back at the start of the episode. He beats Tim in the game--the man is a golf pro, after all--which means Daddy Riggins doesn't have to go to the football game on Friday night. It's one thing for Tim to come visit him down at this dilapidated golf range, but it's another thing for him to come to Dillon. Tim's upset by this, and it makes matters worse that dad seems to take a lot of pride in vanquishing his son. Tim storms off and drives home in an angry rage.

Poor Tim. What will cheer him up? How about an impromptu party organized by the rally girls--the football team's dedicated cheerleaders. Pulling up in a car outside of the Riggins house, the rally girls seize Riggins and take him to a pool party. Ditto with a sleeping Matt, and eventually Brian. Apparently, the swimsuit-clad rally girls are putting together some calendar for charity, with a picture of one Panther--draped in rally girls--representing each month. Matt is chosen as "Mr. November." Lucky Matt.

After commercial break, Coach gets dressed for a courtroom appearance with the Streets. A pre-trial hearing, I assume. Mrs. Coach offers to go with him, but Coach says he has to do this alone. He'll need her by his side--just not this morning. I thought there was no flying solo, Coach? Oh, wait, getting sued isn't football.

At the courthouse, Coach encounters Jason; despite the lawsuit, Coach is still Coach and wants to know the scoop on Jason's proposal to Lyla. Jason says that while he's confident he wants to get married, Lyla has some doubts; Coach advises Jason that getting married isn't a "cure-all" and tells him that waiting isn't such a bad thing. A pleased Buddy might even throw them a party. Jason tells Coach how angry Buddy was to hear of the engagement; the two laugh over their shared dislike of the man. Meanwhile, the Street parental units arrive and aren't happy to see their son chatting it up with the object of their lawsuit, so the conversation breaks up and the four enter court, separately.

Decisions on gameday. At school, Julie asks Matt what he did last night; he doesn't 'fess up to the impromptu party. A mistake: Since she's seen already seen pictures of Matt draped in rally girls, Julie gives him the send-off. And given the tears, I don't think this is Tyra's "play hard to get" advice at work. Meanwhile, Julie's dad summons Brian to his office. Coach: "You're starting at tailback tonight." Brian can hardly believe his luck. He claps, this viewer claps.

Locker room, pre-game. A re-energized Smash is back to leading the team prayer. He asks God to be with them. "You know how much we've been through this season," Smash prays. You mean the paralyzed QB, his untested replacement, a transfer student scandal, the pending lawsuit, and steroids-using RB? Amen to that. It's almost enough for a successful TV drama. I guess gratutious violence is the only thing missing.

Team bursts onto the field. Billy pulls Tim aside; he needs a last-minute ticket. Crummy dad has shown up to watch son play. What, you didn't think Brett Cullen would only appear in one episode?

* When the pilot episode was reviewed, Friday Night Lights drew some unfair comparisons to mediocre MTV movie "Varsity Blues"--which was very loosely based on the Bissinger novel and also includes an injured star quarterback and culture of high school football-worship--but the "calendar shoot" is the first scene that really evokes that film. Although the party is no stylized, whipped-cream bikini scene; the rally girl photo shoot is humanized by Matt (of course) stumbling and falling in the pool.

* This was episode 14 of a 22-episode order. While several episodes have not featured football, given the incredible number of subplots currently in play, it's safe to assume that the playoff games will have some role in the next eight episodes. And how many games can there be? According to a certain columnist, Texas state playoffs can last up to five games and you know Dillon's going all the way. Well, at least Buddy Garrity hopes so.

* Which of the show's writers has the abandoned dad complex? Let's review the fathers of Friday Night Lights. Not only is Smash's dad dead from a car accident--he was fooling around on his wife--he was a deadbeat before that, from all accounts. Matt's dad is unsupportive; Tyra's dad is MIA; Jason's dad is generally OK, although not the most sensitive to his son's needs. Outside of Coach--who seems to act as a dad to half the team anyway--the best dad we've seen is...Buddy! While his desire to get Lyla away from Jason comes off as wrong-headed, his motivation is understandable: He wants her to have options in life. Not to mention, as she sobbed under the bleachers during a crucial Panthers football game, he pulled himself away in the fourth quarter to comfort her. But let's not give Buddy too much credit--as a stripper-loving, underhanded car salesman, he's not exactly Dad-of-the-Year material.

"[Face] the biggest disconnect...It's a sports show, but it's a relationship show; it's a soap, but it's got social issues. What makes it great makes it hard to market.''

Reilly suggests that a DVD release and reruns could help FNL attract more viewers should NBC "reintroduce" the show next season. You can't fault Reilly for hesitating; he's already committed to FNL and fellow struggling rookie drama "Studio 60" for the rest of the season, when many network executives would have pulled the plug on both low-rated shows. Of course, NBC's now a fourth-place network and can afford to take chances, but it's still a refreshing approach that should give hope to Panthers fans: Even if the struggling team washes out of the playoffs, next year could be their year.

Welcome to the new feed for "Friday Night Lights," certainly one of the Best Shows You're Not Watching and a midseason pickup for the Fodder Network. With the exception of today's previously section, I'm going to write these posts as though you're up-to-date on the show--a dangerous assumption, given the ratings--but if there's interest, I'll consider writing recaps for eps. 1-12. And here's my pitch for the many non-viewers out there: Friday Night Lights is about football like "Battlestar Galactica" is about spaceships or "Lost" is about a plane crash. If you like the sport, great, but it's just a plot device for a show that's ultimately driven by wonderful writing and well-developed characters.

Eric Taylor becomes coach of the Dillon Panthers, the top-ranked high school football team in Texas, with the small town's hopes pinned on a state championship. And it's a storybook season all right--if the storybook is Fractured Fairy Tales.

The team's first game is marked by a paralyzing injury to star quarterback Jason Street and a miraculous throw by his untested backup, sophomore Matt Saracen, to save the victory. While Jason learns to live as a paraplegic, his girlfriend--cheerleader Lyla Garrity--is caught cheating with Jason's best friend, running back Tim Riggins. The affair's discovery has disastrous consequences for all three, but Jason ultimately takes Lyla back, and Tim vows his love for Tyra Collette, his ex-..."late-night companion," for lack of a more family-friendly term.

Now starting QB, an overwhelmed Matt is unable to duplicate his game-winning magic, and the struggling Panthers draw the concern of the Dillon townfolk. Team booster Buddy Garrity, Lyla's dad, brings in a midseason ringer from Louisiana under a Hurricane Katrina relocation clause (and some under-the-table payments). However, this replacement QB--the deliciously named Voodoo Tatum--clashes with Coach and the team; he leaves town and goes public with Buddy's recruiting violations, forcing the Panthers to forfeit a badly needed win. Luckily, Matt emerges as a capable player and, gaining confidence despite a shaky home life, awkwardly woos Coach's daughter Julie.

Through the tumult, star running back Brian 'Smash' Williams single-handedly keeps the Panthers' playoff hopes alive, but when a recruiting guru tells him to get bigger and faster to win a college scholarship, a desperate Smash turns to steroids. The cheating works: Fueled by Smash's ever-improving performance, the team gets to the brink of the playoffs but will only qualify if rival Arnett Mead loses to underdog Buckley. The town roots for and gets a Buckley victory, positioning the Panthers to need only one more win to make the playoffs and remain alive for the state championship.

Coach, Mrs. Coach, and Julie pile in the Coach-mobile on the way to school. Coach wants to listen to the sports talk radio station, but Mrs. Coach correctly notes it's not healthy for him. He, and everyone else, will get a fair dose of Honesty in this episode anyway. Instead, the Coaches listen to Dillon's own Loveline, as some pop psychologist tells a lovelorn caller that "you're in control of your destiny"...which becomes Coach-speak, verbatim, in the next scene's speech to the team. Heh.

Smash's mom is cleaning house and stumbles on his stash of steroids. Angrily arriving at practice and pulling her son into Coach's office, Smash confesses that he's been juicing. While Mrs. Williams points the finger at Coach for motivating his players to use drugs, Taylor swears up-and-down that he didn't know. Really, Coach? Given recent suspicious activity that you witnessed, Smash was putting -something- in his body. (See analysis below.)

Garrity household, KFC for dinner. Buddy, who runs a car dealership, discusses a sale he made to a friend from Dallas that day; the man's college-age son is writing a psychology paper on relationships between cheerleaders and football players. Very casually, Buddy tells Lyla that since she's an expert on the subject, he's made a "lunch date" for her to meet College Boy at a fancy restaurant. Ah, Buddy. You've had a few moments of goodness lately, but remain an immoral jerk. While there's an obvious reason behind your matchmaking--which is later confirmed--I'm thinking it's not much beyond you to pimp your daughter to sell a car.

Taylor house, as Coach and Mrs. Coach dress for dinner at the Mayor's. Coach grumps that he doesn't want to go and who can blame him--while the Mayor's a little, gray-haired lady, she's not shy when telling him how the Panthers should run their offense. Coach also frets about the situation with Smash; he's legally and honor-bound to report the drug use, but that will end Smash's high school career. And that, readers, is the death knell for any of these kids. Football's the only ticket to college for these kids, and that's just the lucky ones. For the rest, this high school football team will be the pinnacle of their lives. This isn't scripted drama; the non-fiction book that inspired this show paints the same picture.

Over to a chain restaurant (Applebee's?), where Tyra's sitting with her mom and sister, discussing life's two major difficulties: paying bills and dating men. Not mutually exclusive in the Collettes' case, as we learn. Mom checks out Tim, who's also at the restaurant, and tells her daughter to give the "very cute" boy another chance. Thanks, Mom! As response, Tyra notes that Mom has great taste in men, what with the physically abusive boyfriend that she finally dumped last episode. This is an area of concern for the Collette coquettes, though, as Abusive Boyfriend paid the bills that unemployed mom could not. Tyra discusses a job opening: Receptionist for Buddy Garrity's car dealership.

Lyla and Jason sit at another table over milkshakes, Jason giving her grief over the Daddy-scheduled lunch date. Four series regulars, all having dinner at the same place; what, you're thinking, no other restaurants in town? Actually, no, it's a small town. Don't be snarky, reader. Nor should Jason, as he needs to lay off Lyla; she just ate with her family in the previous scene, and she's chowing down again with you, dude. Doubling up on meals is proof of her devotion, considering skinny Lyla probably inspired some new modeling weight law of her own. Lyla darts over to see some friends, and Tyra takes advantage to visit Jason and ask why he took his cheating girlfriend back. He loves her, Jason says. Hmm. Lyla returns and tries to scare off her nemesis, but Tyra isn't having it. She wants to discuss Buddy's job opening; a catty Lyla says she doesn't know anything about it and, further, Tyra's probably not qualified for the job. It's not for me, Tyra responds, but for Mom--who we see chowing down in a non-classy Mom way.

Across town, the Lady Mayor's invited another woman to dinner with the Coaches. As the Coaches realize that the two women are -surprise- lesbians, Lady Mayor says she's running for re-election and -surprise #2- wants Mrs. Coach on her campaign. Mrs. Coach responds to surprise #2 with the flattered interest that actress Connie Britton does so well; Coach just looks uncomfortable. Cheer up Coach! Political intrigue, secret revelations: Your show's just become the Texan West Wing, only with bigger hair and less pedeconferencing. Maybe there's a Nielsen point or two in that.

Over at the Williams house, Smash arrives late and confronts his furious mom over his steroid use. As he stomps down the stairs, Smash tells her she's ruined his life--if Coach reports the drug use, no college will touch him. With a painted portrait of Smash in his football uniform hanging behind her, an upset mom tells Smash she's trying to save him and kicks the boy out of the house.

Next morning. After spending the night in his car, Smash apologizes to Coach, who isn't having it. Coach also doesn't know what he's doing with Smash yet, so elects to keep him out of the last regular season game--a must-win to make the playoffs--telling the team that Smash is dealing with "personal concerns." The team is upset and surprised, but Coach says they'll respect Smash's privacy and not press for details.

Over at the Saracen's, Matt watches game tape of South Pines, the Panthers' opponents that Friday night. This being Texas, a QB's preparation is a family affair, as girlfriend Julie, Dad (a soldier recently returned from Iraq), and mentally ill Grandma look on. Grandma, being cute--and sane, for once--presses Coach's daughter Julie for inside info on Smash's "personal situation." Julie knows nothing. Meanwhile, a studious Matt gets excited about spotting a hole in the South Pines defense, thinking he can exploit it come game time. A worried Dad and Grandma tell him to let Coach figure out the plays. Gee, thanks Saracen family. I can't imagine why Matt lacks confidence. Anyway, Matt presses on and tells Dad to watch him pick apart South Pines on Friday night. That's when we get another big confession this episode: Dad's unit called and he's returning to Iraq Friday morning. Good riddance, I say. Still being cute, albeit with a note of concern, Grandma says Dad could watch the game--it might be televised in Iraq, just like the Super Bowl and other big events. I think the writers want this to come across as Grandma's standard delusional talk, but hey, she's got a point; I've watched Texas high school playoffs on YouTube! But although the Saracen men are Web-savvy enough to communicate by videoconferencing, they don't seem too optimistic about the game being internationally televised or, say, videotaping the game and uploading it to YouTube. Clearly, that's difficult.

Over to the episode's least interesting subplot, Tyra's trying to motivate her do-nothing mother to apply for a job as receptionist at the Garrity car dealership. Mom's innovative job-seeking tactics appear to consist of lying on the couch, possibly drinking, and whining that she wants Abusive Boyfriend back. Unsurprisingly, the job offers aren't piling up. We get it, writers: While Tyra's a self-motivated chick, her Mom can't stand on her own.

At Coach's office, the assembled media horde wants to know the Smash story, but Coach isn't budging. Not to them, not to Buddy who barges in with questions of his own. Matt shows up and Coach is happy for the distraction--at first--but then a bit peeved when Matt starts pitching potential plays for Friday and tells him to knock it off.

Thursday. Riding shotgun as fellow paraplegic Herc drives a customized truck, Jason spies on Lyla and College Boy's lunch date; while Jason's convinced it's romantic in nature, in truth the two are just sitting there having conversation. Herc's not entirely disinterested, determined to break up Jason and Lyla ever since she cheated on them, and embarrasses Jason by getting Lyla's attention as the two drive away.

After practice, Tyra pulls heartstrings and gets Tim to use his football player status and ask booster Buddy to give Mom another chance. It occurred to me in this scene that Tim's status has been upgraded this week in Dillon. Normally, he's just the fullback; non-football fans, this means that Smash is smashing through bad guys, in part, because Tim is running in front of him like a freight train, clearing the way. Not a job that gets you a lot of glory, although you do get to hit people. However, no Smash means Tim gets to be the featured player. Which is good, because I like Tim as a football player, not so much in these scenes as high school heartthrob. Case in point: This scene. Doing Tyra this favor doesn't mean sex, she tells Tim. No thank-you sex, no make-up sex, break-up sex, nothing. It's not always about that, he says. Great delivery there, Tim. I do believe that it's not about the sex for you, given how incredibly apathetic you seem to be with Tyra. It's almost as if the script's contrivances had you declare your love for her last episode.

Buddy Garrity's office. While Tim flatters Buddy, he tries to ask for an interview for Tyra's Mom. Buddy can't believe Tim's audacity, given the public nature of his affair with Buddy's daughter, but he's seemingly impressed and thanks Tim for his candor. Or maybe Buddy's only feigning being impressed, because he wants the story with Smash. Tim knows nothing.

Garrity house, and as Buddy pulls up after work, wheelchair-bound Jason's waiting for him outside, ready for a confrontation. Did Buddy set Lyla up on a date, Jason asks, because Street went from golden boy quarterback to cripple? After some wavering, Buddy gives Jason the straight answer he's looking for: Yes. He doesn't want Lyla to face life married to a handicapped person, even if she's committed to Jason, and wants her to see the other possibilities out there. As he always does, whether it was as healthy QB or recovering patient, Scott Porter acts the heck out of this sad scene.

Friday. Dad's departing for Iraq. Parting advice to Matt? I think he tells him to "keep the feet moving." Dad, that is bad QB advice. Is there any part of this father thing you do well?

Coach and his staff are prepping for the game when Mrs. Coach stops by for a chat. Her decision: She's going to help Lady Mayor with the campaign. Some back-and-forth here, as Coach doesn't like politicians and...more honesty...isn't a fan of alternative lifestyles. A shocker from a football coach. Anyway, Coach thinks Lady Mayor only wants to hire Lady Coach to use the connection to the football team to help boost her appeal. Well, that's not fair Coach; maybe Lady Mayor liked Mrs. Coach's approach to the Gatling problem a few episodes back. Mrs. Coach acknowledges his concern and breezes right by it, sticking with her decision. You know, it's almost unfair to reference her as Mrs. Coach, given how independent-minded she is.

Boring subplot land. Tyra and Mom try to make Buddy's for an interview. Truck blows a flat, Mom is totally incompetent when it comes to changing the tire, shows zero inclination in actually getting a job. Snooze.

Slightly more interesting subplot land. Over beers, Jason and Herc discuss the Lyla situation. With Buddy Garrity's honesty fresh in his mind, Jason thinks it might be time to let Lyla go. Herc, surprisingly, isn't thrilled by this development. He tells Jason that there will always be Buddy Garrity-types running him down, but he's got to learn to block them out.

Cut to the game, where it's scoreless with about 8 minutes left in the 4th quarter, as Riggins gets dropped on a third-and-short for a seven-yard loss. Timeout, Panthers looking at a 4th and 8. (Non-football-fan translation: Our heroes need to make a big play to either keep the ball or score). Coach calls over Matt, tells him that he considered Matt's proposed play--and it's a dangerous idea. Apparently, NFL safeties Roy Williams and Ed Reed are playing for South Pines; the two defenders are incredibly fast and are waiting for Matt to test them and their 21 interceptions on the year, so they can swoop in and pick off the pass. (NFF translation: It's a Trojan horse--the reason the throw looks so inviting is that the other team wants Matt to try the play so they can intercept it). Despite an assistant coach's objections, Matt convinces Coach to go with the play. Wow, it's a really stupid play. Still, you know the Panthers will pull it off--the music suddenly gets more testosterone-fueled--and Matt just barely finds Tim for the touchdown.

Great cut to the post-party celebrating the playoff-bound Panthers. As a band plays and the whole town seemingly celebrates, an elated Matt approaches Coach with thanks for believing in him and calling his play. Coach isn't having any of it, though, and quickly defuses Matt's high and tells him to get ready for the playoffs. Why is Coach so grumpy? Maybe it's because he knows how quickly the team's fortunes can change, or he's still weighing the Smash situation. Or maybe it's because he sees Mrs. Coach talking to an animated Lady Mayor, who's visibly thrilled to have Mrs. Coach on her campaign team.

Tyra approaches a reveling Buddy Garrity, apologizing on behalf of Mom for missing the job interview. Buddy--either drunk or besotted by the pretty Tyra--could care less and is completely receptive to meeting with Mom right there, during the party. So without discussing qualifications or responsibilities, Mom gets the job--and it's a testament to Buddy's sleaziness that I don't know if it's Tyra or Mom that he's got a thing for.

Empty diner. Over burgers, Coach gives Smash his verdict: he can come back, but he's going to be taking private drug tests until forever, and this whole affair stays completely confidential. Smash agrees as Coach reiterates the huge chance he's taking on Smash's behalf. Well, there is the related benefit of getting your star back in time for the playoffs, but I digress.

Garrity House, dramatic driveway shot. In a similar composition to the scene with Buddy, Lyla returns home to find Jason waiting for her in the shadows. He starts explaining that he's worried he'd be a burden to her, that he just spent all night with Herc preparing himself for this conversation. Is he breaking up with her, Lyla asks again and again. Far from it: He's loved her since he first laid eyes on her. Will she marry him?

* Major props to the makeup department. Playing Smash, actor Gauis Charles sported enviably smoth skin when the series began; once he began using steroids, his face increasingly broke out with little bumps. Nothing that hammers you over the head, but enough to make viewers notice, especially in certain lighting.

* Which is part of the reason Coach should have picked up on the drug use. So your star RB is breaking out with acne, you've seen him suffer spontaneous nose bleeds, but his strength and speed have dramatically improved midseason? Gee, what could be the cause? Let's give Coach some slack, though. It's not like steroid use has been a major issue in sports the past few years or even a topic that, say, the President may have discussed in a State of the Union address.

* Applebee's is actually a sponsor of Friday Night Lights, but the writers do a much better job of working the restaurant into the plot than their "Heroes" counterparts do with the Nissan Versa placements. The Collette women discuss Tyra's part-time job at Applebee's this episode; a number of characters have eaten there in various episodes, which makes sense given how small the town is. Compare that to Heroes, where one character literally chanted "Nissan Versa, Nissan Versa." I'd love to see if Nissan can actually chalk any sales up to such awful, in-your-face advertising.

* Where was the 'roid rage? I kept expecting Smash to snap, but he only got more polite as the week wore on and he wanted back on the team. He didn't display withdrawal symptoms either, but as a non-juicer I don't know how severe they'd be following just one month of drug use.

* What a decision by Coach to sit Smash for the biggest game of the year, knowing that a loss would not only keep the Panthers out of the playoffs, but likely get him fired. A humor columnist for a certain website--hint: it rhymes with ESPN--picked Smash as his football player of the year. And deservedly so; getting the ball to Smash basically got the Panthers every win of their troubled season.

* Of course, Coach's eventual decision isn't exactly moral or legal, and he notes he's sticking his neck out to keep Smash on the team. As a Smash/Gauis Charles fan, I'm glad his story will continue; as a Dillon Panther supporter, I'm thrilled their best player will return, hopefully for the playoffs. But Coach, what are you thinking? In the past months, you've already been fried by the state athletic association for an illegal transfer and sued by your paralyzed quarterback's family. What's next, an Isiah Washington-esque slur over the mayor's alternative lifestyle? Trust me, you don't need this Smash trouble. I can't see how it won't come out, or Buddy won't discover it and use it to blackmail the coach into his bidding.

* Matt Saracen's narrative arc remains my favorite to watch, in part because it's been the most uplifting. Echoing the season's first game, he's thrust into making a dramatic play to get the team a win. But at the beginning of the season, he was so out of his depth, he nervously closed his eyes when making the big throw. Here, his eyes are wide open--he stares up at Coach and earns the trust to make the play. And you believe the change, too, because of how patiently Coach has built Matt up on-the-field while Julie has supported him off of it. The happiest development of a rough few months in Dillon.

* Despite the outcome, Matt's big play was a terrible decision in terms of football strategy. The Panthers were in their own territory in a scoreless elimination game, with over five minutes left; if they didn't convert the pass, South Pines would have an easy chance to score following the turnover on downs; if the safeties had picked it off, they could have easily run it back for a TD. The game was a defensive stand-off, so why run the risk of giving the other team points? Hollywood.