Leave the Lights On

Coach goes looking for Tigger at the park. Man he stuck out like a sore thumb didn't he? What's up with Tigger. One minute he is Mr. Team, helping Luke mend the fence and then he's skipping practice. Then later on in the episode he's back at practice and coach asks him to stretch the team out while he talks to Vince. A little inconsistent to start this week off, but still a great episode I thought.

Glen approaches Eric about the Tami incident and man did you catch he look in Eric's eyes while he was forced to listen to that novice ramble on? Eric handles the scene amazingly well but when Glen says perhaps he will see him at one of the gasmes, Eric fires back "oh you'll see me sooner than that."

Eric wanted to knock his lights out but he was a little preoccupied with turning the lights back on at Carrol Park. Buddy thinks he can help Eric out by asking the mayor for some help. Despite being angry with BG about the mailbox incident he mentions that she and him "had a little history, you know, before she started playing for the other team you if know what I mean?" Yes Buddy we always know what you mean.
Buddy can be a goober at times but his heart is always in the right place. He also is a formidable figure in the community that does not back down to anyone. We see this trait as he is the first person to crack the iron posterior of Virgil Meriwether. Buddy shows up to grab some BBQ and Virgil asks "where u comin from, Prom?"

There is no back down in Buddy's game and he orders his usual. He sits down with his food and asks for a glass of water to show he will not be run out by Virgil's lack of compassion like everyone else. Nobody backs down Buddy Garrity.
Virgil mulls over Buddy's proposal and finally yields when he tells him what he'll need to help "take back the park." We met Elden, an ex-gangster-turned-community organizer who previously played D'angelo back on HBO's The Wire. Quite possible the best show ever on television.
Elden agrees a game at the park is a good idea because the kids as he says love their football. Buddy answers right back as if speaking from the pulpit... "Everyone Loves football." I got chills.
The game itself was amazing. But before kick/throw off Landry talks to Vince, to clear the air between them because of Jess. He tells Vince that if he needs to hit him, just do it and get it over with. Vince stares at him a long while, then, as the lights suddenly come on, he nods approvingly, thumps Landry on the chest a couple times as if to say "OK then." Landry confused asks, "What does that mean?" It means get loose Landry cause it's game time.
How great was it when Tami and buddy were greeting the other team as they got out of their cars. "Hi y'all, thanks for comin." And Eric climbing the fence to turn the lights on was classic.
Vince emerges as the leader after getting called out for being on the "wrong side" by the other team. "Lil Vince" takes charge in the huddle and shows he runs this team.
Landry's throwback to Vince was unreal. All that practice in Matt's driveway paid off. We see a young midddle schooler named Maurice picking off Vince's pass and catches Coach's eye. He tell the young man to make sure he comes and finds him next year. got the feeling that Eric is really building something here in East Dillon.

There is a great deal of depth to Vince beyond the game of football. Very emotional scene when he asks Eric if he can put him down as a reference. He seemed taken aback by Eric's cooperation and willingness to help. You get the feeling no one ever gave Vince a shot, but now he's getting his chance with the help of Coach and Virgil. I want to see this kid succeed, but it's hard to shake off your past. We see this when Vince is sweeping and Calvin drives up. One of the guys who gets out of the car with him asks Vince to hook him up with some food. When Vince tells him to go order it from Big Mary like everyone else, the thug gets in Vince's face. Virgil runs out and tells them it's time for them to leave. Virgil tells Vince he knows it's hard, but Vince is better than them. Vince insists he isn't, but Virgil disagrees: "You're here, ain't you?"
Man I really hope this does not end poorly for Vince ala Ricky from Boyz n the Hood.

Back to the domestic side of things. Eric tells Tami, glen came to see him.
"Glen the science teacher? Uh oh."
Eric- "You kissed glen?... No I didn't hit him what are u worried about him for... By proxy I have kissed glen!"

When Eric has to take a rain check on their date Tami says she'll just have to call Glen. Eric doesn't skip a beat and replies, "just make sure he doesn't drink all my scotch."
"Damn" they love each other and I them. I loved it when they pulled their car up to the river and Tami reminds Eric this is where they had their "first date" - not their first date, but their "FIRST" quote unquote "DATE" quote unquote.

Tim asks a distraught Becky if she is OK, but she blows right by him in a huff. Tim replies with his signature "good times."
Loved the scene where he is knocking on the door on "Skeeter's behalf."
"All day, all day. Don't care...there ya go"


Not sure how the Becks preggers storyline turns out but I was surprised to see Tim so lost for words. Gotta think he got a few rally girls pregnant back in the day no? I would imagine he had the clinic's number committed to memory. Luke was a stand up guy I thought. Really like this kid. Loved the scene where she was sitting on his truck and they were talking things out.














There was a great shot of sneakers hanging on the phone wires with the football field/park lights in the background. The practice of tying sneaker laces together and throwing them onto power lines has long be thought to advertise where drugs are sold or to mark gang territory. This image was followed by a close up shot of a fence then pulled away to show the score board. Football provides an escape, a road less traveled for these kids. Eric is taking the journey with them into an unknown place. Vince was shocked to see how willing Eric was to vouch for him just like Eric was shocked at the violence down at Carrol Park. Just because it's a bye week doesn't mean life takes a week off. I thought the show did a great job of injecting some football into a busy episode of side stories and delivered some great and touching moments.

P.S. How bout J.D. callin his math teacher a bitch? Kids losin it.

Please Reset the Game Clock to AWESOME

A loyal but possibly disillusioned FNL and Texas Forever fan made some comments at the bottom of my last post about the direction or lack there of, the show has been displaying. He wished that someone could go back and note how much time was spent season to season on the show's main theme of football. Well you asked for it Marc and I heard you.
After a five hour session of fishing on the L.I. Sound, I got home last night and hit the film room. Using the stop watch feature on my trusty Suunto, I went through the first four episodes of Season 2 and noted the amount of time the show spent on the football field or in the locker room. This included practices and games. Taking the total time, and using my trusty calculator because my math skills are about as strong as #33's I came to the following results. for Season 2, each episode averaged roughly 3 minutes and 50 seconds worth of "football." Repeating the same process with the last four episodes of THIS season, I calculated that each episode featured and average of 4 minutes and 41 seconds worth of "football." Now I never competed in the Academic Smackdown, but it seems clear to me that we have actually been treated to more high school football this season than the previous.
The show has always spent time on off field topics like the relationship between Tami and Julie. This is nothing new. Also the time allotted for such story lines this season like Landry and Jess, Matt and the artist, Tim and Billy, were previously filled in past seasons by things like Landry killing Tyra's attacker and the subsequent aftermath, Jason Street trying out for the U.S. "Murderball" team and hooking up with that tattoo artist, and Buddy's affair and divorce. Perhaps the new story lines are not as compelling to some, or the new characters have yet to capture our hearts, but the show's format has stayed pretty true to form. As always I love the comments and takes on our beloved FNL, but I caution you out there not to be too hasty in your judgements. We were dangerously close to not having any FNL to watch at all this season, so I would cut Peter Berg and his staff some slack and just enjoy the ride while it lasts. I'm not sure what we are in store for this week, but I will tune in as always with clear eyes and a full heart.

WIN OR GET OFF THE POT

I'm not sure if she is even potty trained but Gracie seemed like she was ready for the Toilet Bowl because "Gracie doesn't have any pants!" Eric plays Mr. Mom while Julie and Tammi visit Boston College. Someone else who seemingly can't dress himself is Landry. He promises to wear a "button up" shirt to his date with Jess. She agrees to go just so long as he doesn't wear the one with the Periodic Table on it. He assures her he has "other" nice shirts.

Whether it's coming from a request or an internal desire, we see a lot of the characters on FNL trying to change their stripes. Landry already mentioned, is willing to dress up for Jess, Tim dons a suit for his trip to the real estate agent and for his job interview. Billy is entering a life of crime while Vince is doing his best to put his in the past. Buddy once someone special to the Panthers wants to swap blue for red and now help the Lions. Vince's mom is battling addiction and trying to be the stable mother she thinks Vince needs.

Change is good, but not if its forced. Like Tim says, "Some guys are meant to be in a suit some guys aren't." Tim is just looking for a job and not trying to be a super hero, but Rigs you have a supernatural way with words. Chaucer a legendary wordsmith used words like "Ass and Fart," but always in the right context. Tim can be crass as well, but he is master of the English language in his own right.
It's all about context, I.E. "So just go in the bath tub."
"The clutch is you friend...I don't have air bags by the way."
"4's...mental note this, Dr. Curey will ask you four questions, you answer No, No, Yes, No."

And last but not least, "I didn't want that job anyway." (My wife and I lost it when he said this line because back in 2001 during our senior year at Dartmouth, amidst the corporate recruiting process, she and her roommates hung a banner from their house that read the exact same thing. (Picture Above)

Tim hilarity continued when he interviews Skeeter with the beer can. That's "National Beer" he is drinking ny the way. Did you happen to catch his Panthers jersey hanging above his bed? When he took Becky to see the land he wants to buy it was special to see him share his vision of what he wants to do with his life. Lyla is no longer all he wants it appears. He and Billy both are choking on reality at the moment and are facing some big boy moral conflicts as they try to justify their late night chop shop activities to themselves. That being said, I did not like how Tim missed the game Friday night, and can someone explain to me how he got a key to the gate on the property?

Becky's comments to him were heart felt and touching, and I almost want to see her and Tim end up on that wrap around porch some day throwing the ball to Skeeter, but there still is that whole I slept with your mom thing. So...
Now to the game, the infamous and much maligned, Toilet Bowl. We finally saw what all the hype about Luke has been about. The kid can flat out run! I was a little worried about his ball security on his first carry. Needs to cover the tip of the ball up with his finger, but "4's," plays through the injury and helps the Lions get a win. Eric still need to find a receiver for Vince to hook up with, but Landry seems like he will be able to get us some field goals if we can get him close. That is until Vince breaks his legs for talking to Jess.
The game was broadcasted thanks to the passionate work of Buddy. I got emotional when he talked to Eric at practice about how he used to mean something to the Panther faithful and how he wants to be that man again for the Lions. He gave the Lions faithful a much needed voice, even if it is broadcasted on 1040 AM El Fuego.

Pride is very important to the folks in Dillon. When Bill and Tim are breaking down the car in the chop shop the camera focused in on Billy's state championship ring. Very poignant shot I felt.



Julie is able to put her relationship woes with Matt aside and kills her interview at B.C. Her comments about how Dillon has shaped her were great and showed us that she clearly is a Taylor. Tami just might rock a pair of sunglasses better than her Husband. she echoed my own feelings as a parent when she tells Julie that she is her dream. with Julie, Eric and Gracie, she got what she wanted, she got it all.


Earlier in the episode Eric tells his team in a moving speech that he is proud to take the field with them. I am proud as well. Proud of how this show is continuing to impress and fill my heart with joy. I attatched the clip of the game here, courtesy of NBC, in case anyone needs some mid day inspiration.

Checks In The Mail

Tim has the look of a man who sees something he wants, but has no idea how to get it. This week we will continue to see a number of characters faced with money issues. There's the Cafferty family who has been the victim of cattle thievery. The subsequent work to prevent further cows from wandering off lands our star running back on the IR possibly. Eric last week was seen on the phone haggling with a vendor of some sort looking for money. Eric tried to explain that he had just recently received the invoice and therefore has not had the chance to pay it. Billy faced with a mountain of hospital bills and no insurance appears to go into "business" with Calvin "Corn Rows." Mindy thinks Billy is cheating on him which will force Tim to confront his big brother. What Billy has to say might not jive with #33 but it also might entice him, as he too is in need of some funds to possibly but that piece of land he has his eye on. Not to mention all the dog food Skeeter must be chowing down on. That stuff is not cheap. We will continue to wait by the phone with Julie to see if Matt calls. While their relationship continues to suffer, things with Jess and Vince appear to take a positive turn this week although each step forward there means two steps back for Landry. Maybe he will write a song about it. Possibly a Christian Rock mash up of Paula Abdul's hit single. We'll find out soon enough. Till then and as always Clear Eyes, Full Hearts y'all.

IT'S BEEN A STRANGE WEEK

Yes it has been Tammi. That loser Glen has been a weirdo ever since he came onto the scene last season. Eric was all over it back then, but had no chance to defend his wife's honor after the "mouth rape." I wonder if Tammi will even mention it to Eric. Coach might want to hold off on making Vince's gun disappear nah mean?

I was so pumped though to see Vince show up at the Taylor's front door with that bag. He hands it to Eric and says "there ya go." He does so as if to say I'm in. A quarterback has got to be clear about what has to be done and I think Vince gets it. He lived up to his end of the bargain and puts the ball back in Eric's court as if to say let's see what you got Coach. Vince initially questions Eric's motivations for caring about him so much. We as loyal fans know that just because you are no longer a player of his, Eric does not forget about you. (I.E. helping Jason Street fix up that house he was trying to sell) Vince still has a gun, for an arm that is, but the best weapon in his arsenal is Eric's heart which now has it's sights set on seeing Vince succeed.

While one character is making strides to avoid a life of crime, another seems to be getting sucked in by one. Billy, Tim and Mindy are at the drive through when she starts having contractions. Billy tells Tim they need to get to the hospital to which Tim protests "WE GOT FOOD HERE!" The hospital bills are piling up and with no insurance Billy is no doubt going to get involved with Corn Rows and his car thief mentor. Riggins Rigs is going to turn into a chop shop I fear.

One of my favorite catch phrases of this season has become Becky's "Hey Tim Riggins." Her dad comes back to town and tries to make up for lost time by getting her a puppy which her mother promptly returns. "Whoa whoa whoa, Miss Lippy. The part of the story I don't like," is how Becky lets her mom give the poor dog back without even putting up a fight. She didn't threaten to run away or marry Tim or anything, she just stayed on the porch like a goon and took it. That little girl's gotta think 'You got a pet. You got a responsibility.' If your mom wants to return it you don't just cry for 5 minutes then call it quits. You get your ass out there and you save that fukking dog!

Tim tells Becky's father that he had sex with his wife and then proceeds to administer his own version of an Academic Smackdown, on him in the mud. I'm glad they had Tim beat that deadbeat senseless, but I think it made Tim realize that he is not very responsible either. A light goes off in Tim's head. It was as if the lights on the Christmas wreath hanging on the trailer formed a halo above his head. He goes back to the pound and asks for the dog back. The woman there asks him if he is going to be responsible and take care of it this time around. He says yes ma'am he will. Tim is so right, Julian a dogs name it is not. Skeeter it is! Just don't forget Tim's rule #1, "don't go in my truck."

Tim pulls over so Skeeter can go to the bathroom and is awe struck by the lot of land for sale. We knew Tim's time on the show was limited, but it wasn't until now that I could see how or why he was going to take his leave. The pieces are still coming together but it's becoming apparent what's going to happen. He won't leave Billy high and dry just yet though. Not as long at Mindy has her hand on the bell. "Ugh that bell!"

We see Landry calling Tyra to tell her he has arrived at the "designated rest area," only to find that she is not there. I could not help but think of the Rest Stop Bust scene from There's Something About Mary. Rest areas are the bath houses of the 90's Landry come on. When you don't look to the left or the right you get kicked in the face and Tyra blindsides our man once again.


Matt Lone Wolfe Saracen has broken Julie's heart with his Wanderer act. I don't think she is overeacting. They have dated for three years. for him not to call ain't right y'all.

While Matt needs to get home and mend some fences, Luke was plenty busy with some repair work of his own this week. I knew Tinker was going to be a great character. From the scene where he is eating Luke's fries, to where he tells Mr. Cafferty Luke's a good guy. He's part of what holds their team together, he's humble, and he never acts like a star. Luke's dad seems touched, possibly even impressed of Luke's ability. He tells Tinker he's a good man and I could not agree more. Luke gets injured the next day rounding up the cattle but how bad we do not know. I was a little disapointed though, I must say, with the lack of turn out by the Lions to help Luke out. I know the scene with his dad and Tinker would not have been as compelling if there was a big crew there, but there was a great chance for Vince to lead and rally the team to help a fellow Lion instead of skipping out and going to the "baby shower" Tim and Billy were throwing. The party of course which was the brain child of ol' #33 and in Billy's opinion possibly "the best thing" he has ever said.

The Lions have another week to prepare for their game so hoepfully it's enough time to come together some more and for Luke to heal. Until Friday Night, Clear Eyes Full Hearts!


P.S. For any fans of HBO's "True Blood" out there I recently began a blog discussing this show as well. Feel Free to check it out. http://thebloodissacred.blogspot.com/

The Complete Package?

Eric finally has his QB1. We will see if Vince does indeed have the "brains and the brawn" like he said last week, thats needed to lead the lions. Luke battles his father at home it looks like as his loyalties will be tested.

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO NOW?

The allure of Dillon was too much for someone this week as we saw a familiar face return, while for another it has seemingly lost its hold.

With so much going on in the show right now I'm going to take a page out of Eric's play book and "Keep It Simple."

First off, Thank God for mid term breaks as Lyla returns to the show with some quality scenes this week. Tim reminds her in case she forgot that he is a sort of "moment to moment kind of guy." Well when he opened up the trailer door to see her face, "This Magic Moment" started playing in my head. I can't think of another time where she looked better. Lyla asks Tim after she rides the bull if he misses her and he replies "more than you know." When Becky comes knocking on the trailer door "for a ride to school," Tim tells Lyla that Becky is just the land lady's daughter. Lyla all too knowing just smiles and shakes her head. some things never change.

I felt like Tim was speaking for all of us. Lyla asks him "what do you want Tim?"

YOU

"What else do you want?"

YOU

Amen Tim, Amen. What else is there? when Tim tries to get her to stay in Dillon dangling the managerial position at Riggins Rigs before her eyes, my wife blurts out "Just say yes already Lyla...I'd say yes!" If I was ever going to lose my starting job as husband, I guess I would consider Tim Riggins a compliment.

Lyla eventually missed college or is just weirded out by Becky's awkward compliment of "you're so pretty" and heads to the bus station. Tim and her once again part ways and I once again reached for the tissues. The bus pulls away and Tim is left standing there hanging his head. Becky tries to console him but Tim just asks her to "shut up...please." And even Becky gets the gravity of Tim's mood.

While Tim has just cause to sulk, the Lions have nothing to be sad about. They gave a heck of an effort in their first televised game. Heartwarming to see Vince's mom there, ha really played great. That lone touch down where he trucks two defenders before powering into the end zone was great stuff. I guess when you spend the week practicing against two former State Champions, high school competition doesn't seem too bad. QB1 or not, he still is gonna have to get his baby back ribs from the take out counter if Mr. Meriwether has anything to say about it. That was great when he pulled out Vince's chair with Vince still in it.

In what had to be one of the best scenes ever on the show. Billy and Tim come to practice. "You boys ever play a couple of state champions?! Show 'em your ring Tim!" Tim wearing his jersey from the High School All American game was a great touch although I was surprised he hadn't cut the sleeves off of it by now. "HERE WE GO!!!" What a great scene. I'm not the only one who has dreams about going back and playing high school football at the ripe old age of 32. Billy recapping at the bar how fast he felt was just perfect.

The team looked good, Coach McNulty formerly referred to by this guy as "Coach Best Buy," actually works at Sears. Loved when he kicked J.D. and his posse to the curb when they tried to disturb Vince and Luke's "film session." I'll forgive him as a result of this scene, for his reckless Joe Namath impersonation guaranteeing a win to the reporters. Tinker on the other hand was amazing in front of the camera when he just burst out laughing. Eric just gets up and says "peace" to the ridiculous line of questioning. I loved how the announcer said "Roll Lion" during the game scenes. nice new catch phrase. Landry is still working on that throwing motion and I don't think they are showing us that casually.

Uh I guess I have to talk about the other story lines that are going on as well. Matt and Julie was actually pretty good. Someone needed to wipe the glitter off of his lips though after their kissy face in the car. The lovebirds are off to Austin. Austin, Massachusetts? Matt asks Julie to dance when the "pretty music" comes on the radio. Somewhere in between the peanut butter sammy's and the Heartless Bastards at EMO's though, Matt has a change of heart. Julie comes home and slumps to the ground crying that she thinks Matt is leaving.

Tammi showed why she is a great mother. After Eric talks her out of going to Austin, she was all set to "beat her ass" when Julie got home. Gracie knew what was coming when she went "uh oh" after Tami left one of her numerous voice mails on Julie's cell. "You're my favorite daughter" she tells Gracie who cracks an adorable smile. It thought it was great also how Landry is terrified of Tami Taylor and defenseless against her "interrogations." great overall episode form Landry. I liked how he tells Matt even if he doesn't know what it is Matt wants from him, he is still going to be his best friend.

While one relationship is seemingly ending another is struggling to get off the ground as Becks stiff arms Luke and his Gummi Bears. More to come from those two I'm sure.

We end the week watching Matt driving away to some scene appropriate music. We're not sure what it is he is looking for but just perhaps it's not in Dillon anymore. A great episode I thought, second best of the season so far. Some people out there have been sipping the Haterade on the sidelines saying the show has lost its touch and is not as strong as past seasons. To those haters I ask you like Eric asked the Lions early on, "to go home tonight and think about why it is that you're out here." You wanna hate, you go ahead and hate somewhere else, but not on my blog, not in my colors! you go ahead and get your things and get out of my house!

Those of you still with clear eyes and full hearts, until this Friday, remember to keep it simple. Like Tim said "It's a simple life, but it's a great life."