FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: “Who Do You Think You Are”
January 21, 2008 by Kath Skerry
Turning on NBC at 9pm this past Friday, I wasn’t sure if I was watching FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS or Tuesday Night on The CW circa 2006. I mean what a treat to not only have Matt Czuchry (Logan from GILMORE GIRLS) as a guest star but we also had a cameo from the former head of the PCHers, Weevil (played by Francis Capra, formerly of VERONICA MARS). I mean Weevil!! Yeah, I was a little excited to say the least.As for the episode itself, it fell a bit short for me, don’t get my wrong, a lackluster hour of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is much better than most of the derivative droll that is forced on us by the networks, but things just felt a bit off this week night. Important storylines were forced, others were given too much screen time, while others way too little. It was all a bit uneven.
Landry & Saracen…
Talk about disappointing. I’ve been waiting all season for Matt and Landry to get back together. Next to Tami and Eric, Matt and Landry are my favorite couple on the show. I missed the friendship between the two former outcasts. We’ve seen so little of them together this season, that when I saw them standing by the car talking, I thought we were in for an epic episode. Finally we were going to see Saracen’s reaction to the news that Landry and Tyra were not only friends but they had sex, oh and that Landry killed a guy, confessed to the police and was eventually exonerated. But I would have been ok with them just talking about the Tyra sex. But nothing…nope! Instead Landry learned that Matt was banging Carlotta and she was leaving. Yay for that news, but yawn on the rest. I’m hoping the FNL writers have penned the scene (many scenes) where these two “best friends” catch up on each other’s lives. (Oh and I’m not mentioning anything more about Carlotta’s departure because I find her borderline creepy and I just want her gone)
Riggins, Lyla and Logan Huntzberger (or whatever his name is)…
We get it – Tim Riggins is “finding himself” this season, but what’s with this whole ‘I love Lyla Garrity’ storyline popping up again. Why haven’t we seen a glimpse of Tim pining over Lyla the past few episodes. I know he’s had a thing for her for a while but it felt like we missed a few scenes to get Riggins to the point that he was buying her flowers. My friends didn’t have as much of an issue with it so maybe it wasn’t that big of a deal, but it felt odd to me. And I’m telling you, if the FNL writers take Lyla’s non-rejection of Tim (Tim seeing Lyla kiss Logan) as a reason to undo all the character building they’ve done with Tim this season I’ll be very disappointed. I repeat, VERY disappointed. And whatevs, it’s not like Logan is going to be around for the long haul. He and his seemingly 24 hour Christian radio show (the one where Lyla works before school, after school, and late into the evening) aren’t slated to be around for more than a few episodes. I hate to see Riggins wasted on someone as annoying as Lyla Garrity, especially since she’s all born again and probably won’t be having sex with Tim which means we won’t be seeing Taylor Kitsch without his shirt in a pre or post bedroom scene. So again…what’s the point?
Smash, his Momma, and Noelle…
I’m not sure if I’m suppose to have an emotional reaction to the whole interracial dating storyline that Smash and Noelle find themselves in, but I’m not. Sorry to be jaded but I’ve been watching TV a long time and I’ve seen it before. Sadly, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS isn’t breaking any new ground here, and there actually falling more on the side of the cliche down to the ignorant white people giving Smash and Noelle dirty looks in the movie theater. I’m over Smash and I’m certainly over Noelle (and have been since the first day she was on the show), but if it means we get to see more of Smash’s momma then I’ll deal with the rest of the storyline.
Santiago, Buddy and Weevil…
I’m on the fence about Santiago. I’m not bothered by his storyline, but if we never heard from his again I don’t think I would miss him. I guess the best part of Santiago’s story is the growth of Buddy Garrity. I like that Buddy has something to worry about other than the Dillon Panthers. He really cares about this kid and despite what Weevil said, I think it goes beyond football. I don’t think Santiago’s problems with his former life are behind him yet but the fact that he tried to do right by Buddy by fighting to get his watch back said a lot about this kid. And what a fun surprise to see Francis Capra (Weevil from Veronica Mars) on tonight’s episode as Sanman’s friend just out of the clink. And we thought we’d never see Weevil again.
The Taylor’s…
Saving the best for last. The Taylor family had some issues this week as they struggled to put little Gracie Bell into daycare. Tami (and Eric) struggled with separation anxiety and all the scenes relating to their issues – from Tami trying to drop her off at daycare, to the discussion about the future of Tami’s career, to the resolution on the back porch, to them finally dropping her off together – were pitch perfect. Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton can do no wrong? It’s amazing how effortless and real their portrayals are. My only complaint was how much time they spent on the storyline. Gracie had no lines and she still got way more screen time than Jason Street (nice forced cameo by the way) and Tyra (no Tyra at all? that’s just not right). Again, I feel that FNL has lost its way a bit when it comes to balancing character storylines.
Overall it was a solid hour of television, but I don’t think it was nearly as great as I know FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS can be. Let’s get back to the team if it means a better integration of the characters and their storylines.
Tell me what you thought of this week’s episode? Am I on the money? Off the mark? Anything I didn’t cover that you want to talk about?
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Thanks for the recap! I am bothered by all the cliched storylines popping up, not only the Smash and Noelle interracial dating but what about last week’s coach attacking Riggins due to the stress of his wife’s cancer… seems forced. And speaking of forced, the scene with Riggins on the phone at Herc and Street’s apartment…. so they’re good buddies now? Really? Good thing we have Kyle and Connie around to provide a foundation for all these stories.
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I was dreading/fearing maybe Carlotta getting pregnant and Matt marrying her or something. I hope I’m totally off with that fear!
Love MommaSmash-she’s so awesome!
I have to admit that I liked Santiago trying to improve his life by making better choices-or trying. And he obviously feels some loyalty to Buddy and their family-which he’s never had. He’s so conflicted/scared/hurt–it’s got potential for a great story.
Such a great show! Can’t believe we’re almost out of episodes.
I was so excited to see Weevil and Logan! 🙂 I miss Matt and Landry as well.. they were the funniest parts of this show (besides Coach & Mrs. Coach) so bring it back, FNL!
I’m not that upset about not seeing Street in a few episodes. I didn’t particularly like his trip down to Mexico, and I don’t really see anything interesting that they can do with him right now. Seeing as this is a show that revolves around the Taylors and the high school football team, it seems only natural that those who sort of leave that realm, either by graduation or what have you, will not have any storylines. I liked the cameo b/c it shows he’s still around, but we don’t need another 20 storyline show a la Heroes.
I was really excited about the growth Tim was making a few episodes ago. Then last week he steals from Meth Man, and this week he’s back to being ga ga over Lyla. I feel Tim made one step forward and two long steps back, and that disappoints me.
I felt the same way about the Landry/Matt scene. I was all excited and when it ended I thought, that’s it? I want more! I want to see another Members Only jacket scene. Those two are so great together. I am glad Carlotta is gone. That whole mess lasted way too long!
Tami and Eric Taylor are perfection!
I’ve finally got all caught up on the show and can join in on discussions (having gotten season 1 for Christmas, and catching up on season 2 via the internet).
I felt this episode was a bit off balance: too much teen angst and really no football. I was not a fan of the Carlotta plotline, but I felt it worked quite well this episode. I miss season 1 Saracen though: I liked the awkward nice guy he was, not a player who sleeps with older women.
I have no desire to see Lyla and Riggins together. Being a guy, I hardly ever like “bad boy”-“good girl” pair ups (I also was rooting for Jack over Sawyer on Lost), and I hated the season one love triangle with Street. Also I was never a big fan of either of them, but have been warming to both of them this season (Riggins has had some very good storylines). And this new guy makes alot more sense for Lyla than Riggins.
I’d like to see some more of that waitress that Street hooked up with a few eps ago. I loved that plot (hilarious bad date, followed by some sweet moments), and it’s nice to see Street happy for once, I hope this show doesn’t just forget that it happened.
I wrote way too much, but I wanted to end by saying that my favorite plotline of this ep was Santiago’s/Buddy’s. I’m liking the kid, and am glad the show is focusing on him trying to figure out his life, rather than jamming him into a romantic plot or something.
Carlita’s gone! That was the best news of the whole show. Shame she didn’t take Lyla or at least Noel with her…great recap! Like you I thought it was kind of a mishmash episode, but still the greatest drama ever! Now let’s get Riggins to move on to a new girl…
Now I know I’m being a bit of a tease, but I have the next two episodes of FNL, the second of which I watched at lunch today, and OMG it is good. Like really good!! More to come later in the week.
This was an uneven episode and felt a bit clunky, as it didn’t flow very well. But, it was still really good and the Taylors continue to be the best thing about the show. And yes, they definitely need to get Landry and Matt spending more time together again. They have provided some of the best scenes on the show.
As for venturing into “cliche” territory, I would say that nobody does cliches like FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. The writers and actors on this show seem to be able to elevate even the most overused storylines on TV and give you great scenes, like Smash’s reaction on the drive home, Matt’s holding the note, Buddy and his box of stuff, etc.
Thanks for the recap. I have to say that Im really liking Santiago/buddy relationship. For a while there I hated buddy, but now he just seems so different and I like the character development of both of them.
Awesome recap kath! Keep up the good work
Let’s just enjoy what is left of FNL rather than critiquing it too much because this season is probably all we will get. At least that is the feeling that I get.
Carlotta leaving: It felt rushed especially with Saracen discovering how he felt about her.
Riggins: I liked having Riggins over at Street/Herc’s place hanging out. Him and Lyla doesn’t feel forced to me at all, but I just don’t get the feeling it works out well for Tim. He is just a glutton for punishment. What I didn’t like was that there were no repercussions from him and Billy stealing money from a drug dealer.
Santiago/Buddy: Solid storyline
Smash/Noelle: What’s the whole point of their relationship anyways? He’s got his scholarship to TMU and the whole process is over. This is how FNL ends their relationship?