Game of the Week - Friday Night Lights
Big plays. Big plans.
I have to say I was a little skeptical of this week's FNL - just based on the title of the episode. Isn't there always a game of the week? How would this one be different? That question was answered right off the bat when Buddy and the Mayor come storming onto the field to announce that the Panther-Arnett Mead game has been selected to be the nationally-televised High School Game of the Week.
So, the pressure's on, but when isn't it, really? The televised game creates all sorts of spirited hoopla and turns out to be Matt's chance to shine at his new position. With the game on the line, #7 makes some clutch plays to help the Panthers win the game and move forward into the playoffs. Off the field, Matt's maneuvering proved crucial to the shaky, forced bond between mom, Shelby, and Grandma, Lorraine. Just when it seemed like things were about to implode, the two come together to support Matt. Let's hope that camaraderie lasts long enough to get Matt off to college.
Speaking of college, it was actually looking like it might be a possibility for Tim. #33 was being pursued big time by a recruiter from San Antonio State. But, in true Tim fashion, he blows off the recruiter and decides to drink with Billy instead. Shocking. Lyla steps in to save the day, but soon grows tired of the Riggins routine and leaves Tim to his own devices. This bit of tough love proves to be just the medicine Tim needs. Tim gets it together to meet with the recruiter, sign the paperwork, and get himself into college. Wonderfully exciting? Yes. High potential for heartache if Tim decides not to give a crap and it all falls apart? Double yes.
This week, Landry's star was also on the rise. The televised game put the "scholar-athlete" in the spotlight and highlighted, once again, that this is a kid who's moving up in the world. Juxtapose that - as they did throughout the episode - with Tyra, who was quite literally going nowhere - stuck in a low-budget hotel room with a crazed Cowboy Cash. The charm of the rodeo fades fast as Cash grows angrier and shadier by the minute. He owes money, is reckless, and two steps away from seriously hurting Tyra. Time for Tyra to high-tail it out of Dallas, which she does with the help of Eric and Tami.
Unfortunately, Tyra's call for help comes at the worst possible moment: Tami's birthday. And even though Tami declared this year a non-birthday, Eric made her day by surprising her with a hotel room filled with chocolates and champagne. Too bad it was short-lived. But I was glad Tami picked up that call. Not sure what would have happened if she and Eric had showed up later than they did. Also not sure that's the last we've seen of Cash. Grr...
A few more highlights/thoughts from "Game of the Week":
- At this point we've seen dozens of Dillon football games, or at least choice snippets of them. Why, then, does it seem like the Panthers are always playing Arnett-Meade?
- It's somewhat surprising to me how much Grandma Saracen hates Matt's mom. Her anger towards her for leaving Matt is understandable, but it seems to go deeper than that. Hopefully not far enough to sabotage Matt's future.
- Speaking of which, it seems like Matt's mom really gets him - wants to help him find a way to go to college, knows he'd like schools with art programs. But how long can this rekindled relationship last? Is anyone else worried it might all collapse at the worst possible time?
- How great was it when Buddy declared it "beer thirty"? Almost as great as when he said he knew whomever was at the door wasn't there for him "'cause he didn't have any friends."
- I thoroughly enjoyed Lyla and Mindy's boozy Riggins bashing. We knew it would be short-lived, but it was nice to see these pseudo-enemies bonding over the bad boys. Always good to see Lyla let down the pretty-girl guard a bit.
- The whole Dazed and Confused montage at the beginning of the episode was great.
- Though Tyra did what she needed to do to bring herself back to Dillon and away from Cash, I worry she may have really alienated herself from Tami. Will she wind up more isolated now than she was in that sad hotel room? That might depend on Landry and how big his generous but bruised heart is.
Until next week... when we find out just what kind of deeds Julie and Matt have been doing since that day at the lake.
