THEY SHOWED UP

Well we start off another week at the Taylor household. One thing's for sure, Matt Saracen won't offer to get the paper for Eric ever again. What he can't help doing and won't stop doing though, is call Eric, "Coach." It's not on par with being your parent, but just like how you don't start calling your mom and dad by their first names simply because you move out of the house, you never stop calling your coaches, "Coach." It's a tip of the cap to a person who was instrumental in preparing you for the game of life through athletics. An aura of nostalgia surrounds coaches. They represent a time in our lives where things made sense and a routine existed to show us the way. It's why people in Dillon are so fixated on their Panthers. There is a sense of familiarity and ritual about them. No matter what's going on in their lives, the Panther faithful know each Friday night, they will have something to cheer for, something to stand up and praise God for if you will. It provides the the same comfort that church does for many people. That is why for many, football IS religion. In the name of the Father, the Son and the "Galloping Ghost." Amen.

There were certainly a lot of people asking for others to have faith in them this week wasn't there? Buddy asks Eric to get in the car and trust that what he has to show him is worth his time, which...we find out to be true. Buddy G. is straddling the fence between East and West Dillon but sooner or later he's going to have to come down one way or the other. For now though, we owe him one.
Thanks to Buddy's tip, East Dillon now has newcomer to their pride, Luke Cafferty. We first met Luke this season when JD introduced him to Julie Taylor at the party in the season opener. He wasn't really anything more than a toothy smile holding a solo cup of keg beer then. This week we got to see what makes this kid tick. I knew the second he took his helmet off and said hello to "Principal Taylor" I had seen him before. It took me about two minutes to realize the actor Matt Lauria, before he was Luke was Roy. Roy Merritt, Victory Ford's assistant from Lipstick Jungle. Yeah I watched the show, so what? Shut Up! Anyways, Matt(Luke) lost the accent and "changed teams" in more ways than one and I'm happy he did because I really like his new character. From the excitement he shows when he asked Tami if she saw his TD run, to the emotion he shows after being exposed for faking an address in West Dillon. The kid's life, like the Fresh Prince's just, "got flipped turned upside down," but he collected himself and even apologized to Tami for lying to her. The kid's got character. What I didn't like though was how he said "thank you" a few times during that scene. You got caught lying Luke. You were polite and apologized, but don't say thank you! That's like saying thank you to a cop as he walks back to his car after handing you a speeding ticket. (guilty of that one) Might as well have said, "Thank you sir may I have another."
Luke later puts his faith in the hands of Eric when he takes off the Dillon shirt and burns it along with the Lion uniforms. As a unifying gesture Eric scores an A here, but in hindsight he gets an F in common sense. He realized it and remarks to Tami at the end of the show that he just needs to find a way to buy new uniforms. East Dillon isn't exactly West Beverly when it comes to their budget I don't think.

There are two types of people. One who sees a house on fire and hears a cry for help, but just stands there and watches. Then there's the person who runs into the blaze to try and help rescue anyone they can without thinking twice about it. Tim Riggins is this man. He remarks that Coach is off to a "shaky start" and that he would like to help out in anyway he can, even if the hat is "pretty red." Granted there is less pressure in joining a losing team as opposed to the expectations that come with coaching a proven winner. We all know he isn't really one to think before he acts, but I think Tim genuinely is looking for something to fill his heart. Bottom line is he misses the game. We saw him take JD under his wing, and Matt before that in years past. The King of Good Times, the Memory Maker, is a leader whether he likes it or not. But first and foremost the kid is a riot.
Favorite scene of the week came at Riggins Rigs while Billy was complaining that because of the book she is reading, "now every time Mindy farts she is thinking her water is breaking." Tim delivers a gem... "Hey Billy can you pass me the violin please...YOU'RE HOGGIN IT!!!" I think I rewound that part 3 times easy.

Tami "Texas Hold Em" Taylor stuck to her guns (no pun intended) when she called the bluff of Smilin Joe McCoy. Joe threatened to have someone look into possible indiscretion's during Eric's tenure at Dillon, possibly resulting in "rings being lost." So what if she got booed at the pep rally. She stood up to Joe and his crew of good old boys. She said it best when she told Eric, "So I've got that going for me and wine." I like how when she started to tell Eric about her day he took off his red East hat. He was no longer Coach Taylor, he was Eric Taylor loving husband. Something small but I liked it. A seemingly insignificant gesture with a hat can speak volumes. Like Lincoln Hawk in Over The Top.
Speaking of the pep rally did anyone else think Joe McCoy's face looked like the high priest Mola Ram from "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom?" He had that same maniacal smirk as he glared at Tami. "COVER YOUR HEART TAMI!!!"

I'm not too into the side stories of Landry and the girl on the bike or Saracen and the artist just yet. I was, however, waiting for Billy Walsh from Entourage to appear and start calling Matt "Suit" when he showed up for his first day of his internship. You may have "pluck" Matt but that tie has got to go son.



Time to wrap it up I guess, but a few more notable scenes I liked from this week. I loved the illuminated wreath on the trailer Tim moves into...very Robert Earl Keen "Merry Christmas From the Family." Feliz Navidad Tim. Feliz Navidad.
I liked how Tigger touched his jersey to his heart before throwing it in the fire. There's something special about that kid I have a feeling. We have yet to see a story line about a big lovable lineman, so I feel like this will be FNL's opportunity to endear us to Tigger like the director's did Billy Bob in Varsity Blues.
And last but not least the amazing cameo by former Texas Tech, Red Raider head coach Mike Leach at the gas station telling Eric he's gotta find his inner pirate. "Have you ever heard swing your sword?"


Great stuff once again this week. The team is coming together and the season can get back on track finally. It still looks like rough seas ahead but we've got the right captain steering the ship. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

Till next week C.E.F.H.C.L.