Monday, February 9, 2009
News The Televangelist: 'Friday Night Lights' episode 4
Posted by Allison Keene @FlossyAlli on Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 6:53 PM
Though we've yet to hear the Dillon Panther's pre-game chorus of "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose!" this season, the principles of the phrase were on full display this week. The episode played out as a series of vignettes about battles: choosing them, winning and losing them, and the art of them.
Let's begin with that juggernaut Jumbotron. On the advice of one Katie McCoy, Tami sets out to "kinda stalk" the school board president in hopes of swaying him in her direction — a tactic already employed by the ever-enterprising Buddy Garrity on the links at the country club. Despite letting her hair down and wearing a summery tank top (I've never seen a principal look like that!), Tami's attempts to woo fell flat as her passions about the Jumbotron funds being more useful to hire back teachers and gain supplies turned her into what Katie McCoy would call "the angry woman nobody likes." Tami knows here her battle is lost, but Coach Taylor offers some soothing and wise words: "Because you stood up for what you believe in, in that sense you won. At the very least make them feel guilty!"
Then we have the knee-injury-battling Smash Williams, whose narrative arc seems to be coming to a close. I always thought it a shame that Smash's character was written so one-dimensionally, even though he showed off some personality while hanging out at Landry's house when Landry started waxing poetic about his failed relationship with Tyra. Smash says jokingly to Saracen, "Let's go. It's getting sad and weird in here and I need to keep my mood up." Now that Jason Street is gone (though his name is still mentioned in passing, leading me to believe we've not seen the last of him), Smash has become Coach Taylor's pet project. His attentions and support finally paid off this week, with Smash given a chance at a walk-on practice at Texas A&M, proving he still has what it takes to be a winner in all respects. In an emotional final scene, Smash gives a big smile as he moves on to the next stage in his life — one outside of Dillon that includes college — the same dream shared, but not often achieved, by so many of his peers.
Elsewhere, storm clouds gather over the Saracen v. JD quandary. Facing pressure from all sides, Coach decides to change his offense to work within a two-quarterback system. It's a truly unusual setup, as he mentions, though definitely the best compromise at this point for Coach versus the Angry Mob. I can't help but get the sensation that Matt's going to fall apart on us while JD shines. But if the two-quarterback system could take the University of Florida to a national championship with Christ Leak and an up-and-comer named Tim Tebow at the helm, maybe it'll work for the Panthers!
Speaking of JD... despite the fact that he was initially set up as the "villain" taking away the hopes and dreams of our poor sad Matt Saracen, I don't have anything against JD, who in all sincerity seems like a nice kid. His parents are kinda nutty, but the glimpses we've gotten of him so far seem to prove Coach's hunch that JD's parents might be pushing him a too hard, especially given that he's barely 15 years old. Even JD himself ruefully said last week, when Matt and Julie stumbled across his room of trophies, "Yeah, my parents gold-plated my first dirty diaper, too." In a way, I don't think any of us would be surprised.
Next Week: More JD versus Saracen, and maybe a little Jason Street on the side?
Musings and Miscellanea:
- I didn't get to the Tyra/Landry subplot which I thought was the heart of this episode. They've been growing steadily apart since the Big Ugly Situation in season two that brought the unlikely pair together. Tyra still uses Landry as an emotional crutch, however, and intellectual haven away from her family, despite the fact that they're not "dating" anymore. But how is Tyra supposed to resist an impossibly cute French-speaking baseball phenom bull-rider named Cash, I ask you?!
- Another great Landry moment tonight: "My mom's taking my phone now," he babbles to Tyra, professing his love while he's still woozy on laughing gas. His mother's wise words follow, "You'll thank me later." Ah, if only there were more people willing to snatch phones away from inebriated souls dialing under the influence.
- An interesting and, thank god, necessary storyline that's building is the return of Saracen's mom. I'm just happy he has someone else to take his Grandma to the doctor. Still, how heartbreaking was the line, "I needed your help 10 years ago, or five years ago, but now I have it figured out." Take the help, Saracen. Seriously. This is not a battle worth fighting anymore.
(Photo: avclub.com)
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