Friday Night Lights

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

Big doings in Dillon this week. You've got the first week of the state championship, with the game being televised nationally. Riggins and Tyra continuing their contest to see who can do a better job of sabotaging their future. And Saracen's mom and grandma continue their conflict. And Lila tries to cope with her relationship problems by getting drunk with the stripper.

We finally had a set of game scenes that actually played like a semi-realistic game. With s core of 10-7 and clearly a defensive battle. And the day was saved by Saracen coming in at wide out to provide a decent threat. And Riggins once again displaying his prowess as a runner. And finally Coach Taylor making a decision that a real coach would have to, instead of worrying about his players personal lives.

Riggins is forced to deal with a full press recruiting effort, and his response is typical Riggins: get drunk with his brother. Lila tries to get him to meet with the recruiter and live up to his potential, but Tim just doesn't get it, he really is too scared of the future to admit it. But after the big game, with Lila not there to press him, he finally takes the necessary steps. Of course there are still plenty of chances for him to blow it.

Tyra gets a glimpse of Cash on the circuit, the real Cash, and it's not a pretty picture. And in a conversation with Landry gets a picture of all that she is missing by being there instead of back in high school. So when things come to a conclusion she reaches out for Tami to come rescue her. And even though it is in the middle of a romantic birthday get away Tami and Eric, being the good parents/teachers/mentors that they are, drop everything to drive to Dallas and get her away from the abusive cowboy. Of course like Riggins it remains to be seen if this is a turning point.

The little interlude of Lila and Mindy isn't as exciting as you might think. But it does remind us of Lila's bad girl side, and that she is more than just a poster child for supportive girl friends. And her mention of going to Vanderbilt does remind you that she is a force to be reckoned with outside of her relationship with Tim.

Last there is the seeming battle for Matt's soul. On the one hand the doting but clearly addled grandma, who he acts as caretaker for. And his late to the race mom, who basically abandoned him, but has come back and is trying to make up for lost time. And most importantly is providing a parental figure at a time when he does need that in his life, because he may be well adjusted, and mature enough to take care of his grandmother, there are times when he needs that parental figure to step in and push to look to the future and not remain caught up in the worries about today.

Overall, another good episode. Not quite as strong as some of the other ones. But good overall. And it was interesting to see how it moves forward without Street or Smash. time to focus on football again, and look to the future. I am still worried about how they plan to keep the show going with pretty much the entire cast of kids graduating. If this is the last season I hope to enjoy it. But I think there is a lot of hope for the future so long as the Taylor's are there.