tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post2147998371800516441..comments2024-03-18T13:50:45.615-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Friday Night Lights, "The Giving Tree": Lock up your coach's daughtersAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-15726287863931098172013-09-24T23:47:41.876-04:002013-09-24T23:47:41.876-04:00"Also, the club has a sign outside that says ..."Also, the club has a sign outside that says "All ages night Saturday," which is the night the band plays there."<br /><br />So that means the SAT test is over.<br /><br />Also, to me the most unrealistic part of this episode was the way Coach barely knocks on the Saracin House door and then let's himself in rather quickly. We've seen him at numerous kid's doors and he has always knocked authoritativly and then patiently waiting. Not this time though when his daughter is in a post-coital glow. Oh well.Mervisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-12448137663617587082009-03-24T15:08:00.000-04:002009-03-24T15:08:00.000-04:00Add me to the list of people who cried during the ...Add me to the list of people who cried during the Tammy/Julie scene. These two actresses are so consistently brilliant. <BR/><BR/>I think all the focus on Julie and Lyla in this episode really brought attention to Minka Kelly's weaknesses, as other commenters have noticed. In episode after episode Aimee Teegarten delves into the tough emotional world of the teenage girl, and Kelly mostly just looks pretty. <BR/><BR/>I admire how Teegarten is unafraid to be annoying and unlikable at times, in order to create a realistic character.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11321038487752088006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-77434388390298356212009-03-22T05:46:00.000-04:002009-03-22T05:46:00.000-04:00I'm pouting about how the seatbelt moment wasn't i...I'm pouting about how the seatbelt moment wasn't in the hulu version I watched.<BR/><BR/>Also, the club has a sign outside that says "All ages night Saturday," which is the night the band plays there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-3067779509122023702009-03-22T05:13:00.000-04:002009-03-22T05:13:00.000-04:00In the pilot, Julie comforted Lyla in the halls of...In the pilot, Julie comforted Lyla in the halls of the hospital, but it was in silence. Having Lyla sleep over at the Taylors' was nice in that it gave them a moment together, but it was silly, plotwise. Lyla would be fine on her own for a night. And if not, she'd ask Tim to come over. Perhaps I am letting the ret-con of her age affect my view of the character, though. I think Mrs. T. should have <I>insisted</I> that Lyla come home with her rather than offer it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-87559760655343473512009-03-21T21:22:00.000-04:002009-03-21T21:22:00.000-04:00To @renton and the rest saying the portrayal of th...To @renton and the rest saying the portrayal of the refs was unrealistic, I offer as counterargument the "legendary" game 6 of the Western Conference final between the Sacramento Kings and the LA Lakers. Bad enough that Doug Christie was called for an offensive foul when his *head* touched Kobe Bryant's *hand*. Bad enough that Ralph Nader got up in arms in the press. And that's far from the only time officiating has been that egregious at any level.<BR/><BR/>Google <A HREF="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=dick+bavetta+controversy&btnG=Search&aq=f&oq=" REL="nofollow">Dick Bavetta controversy</A> to see what the real world looks like. And yeah, it happens in college and high school sports too.R.A. Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14851961356321735388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-48019770191173766602009-03-21T20:13:00.000-04:002009-03-21T20:13:00.000-04:00As I think about it more, if a high school head co...As I think about it more, if a high school head coach were ejected by a referee, I would bet that a forfeit would come soon after it. And the coach would be suspended. Or fired.<BR/><BR/>The NCAA football rule book, which is the only one that is online doesn't even have any provisions for a coach being ejected.<BR/><BR/>The only situation where I could picture a coach getting thrown out of a game would involve the coach hitting an official or opposing player. I don't believe Woody Hayes was thrown out of his last game as a coach for hitting a player, but it's likely that the officials didn't see it.<BR/><BR/>I need to get over this fixation on the referee issue...<BR/><BR/>I think what we really need to see is "Friday Night Lights: The Defense!"Bob Timmermannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08557837169697676093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-16506141419215186172009-03-21T19:48:00.000-04:002009-03-21T19:48:00.000-04:00Loved the episode and the show but had a HUGE prob...Loved the episode and the show but had a HUGE problem with the refs.<BR/><BR/>In Texas, isn't it safe to assume that for a high school playoff game that some TV station, even way out in Dillon would have had someone shooting the game? (Not to mention Panther fans with video cameras, the school's yearbook staff). No one would ever get away with anything like that, especially if the Panthers had challenged the refs beforehand.<BR/><BR/>(I've always thought the football was, by far, the weakest part of the show)<BR/><BR/>Missing calls THAT blatant would have been a huge story all over the state.<BR/><BR/>Hope there's a season 4, though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-2696358221262849582009-03-21T18:47:00.000-04:002009-03-21T18:47:00.000-04:00I have no sympathy for Buddy either, he's just an ...I have no sympathy for Buddy either, he's just an idiot. Some people can't acknowledge reality until it slaps them bloody, and Buddy is one of them. He lives in la la la denial land about everything until it blows up in his face. I have no doubt he utterly convinced himself the risky deal was a sure thing.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16906089927390662087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-19311775367857577832009-03-21T16:05:00.000-04:002009-03-21T16:05:00.000-04:00He's always been able to provide for his family (f...<I>He's always been able to provide for his family (families, really, if you count the Panthers) and that's becoming harder for him.</I><BR/><BR/>So he provides for his family by blowing the money that was put aside for that very purpose? I understand that times are tough for Buddy, but the responsible thing to do is not to blow your entire wad on some half-baked scheme. What kind of person honestly believes that there's a sure thing in this economy? And if things are that bad, why didn't he sit Lyla down and explain he'd have to tap into her college fund so they could stay afloat, and then work out a plan to replenish it once things got better?<BR/><BR/>No, instead he foolishly and irresponsibly put all of his eggs in one basket and it all went down the tubes. I'm sorry, but I just can't muster up any sympathy for Buddy here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-85155068756588120032009-03-21T14:01:00.000-04:002009-03-21T14:01:00.000-04:00Buddy looked like a heart attack waiting to happen...Buddy looked like a heart attack waiting to happen this whole episode. I liked watching his bulldog rage, that you always knew was there underneath that bluff, hearty, head of the boosters and the Rotary Club. I've been waiting for Lyla to turn on Buddy for a while. As someone said, if only a better actress had that part.<BR/><BR/>I don't have any kids, so maybe I'm not the best judge of these things, but I'm about the same age as the senior Taylors, should it really have been a shock that their 17 y.o. daughter was sexually active? And could any teenage boy be less threatening than Matt Saracen? <BR/><BR/>If Matt was taking the SATs the same day as Tyra, why didn't Julie suggest he help Tyra, or Julie herself? It was just a little weird to have Julie suggest Landry as a tutor, and then agree with him about the Giving Tree.<BR/><BR/><I>I've seen a lot of high school football games in my life and quite a few bad refs, but I don't see how those guys could have kept their jobs. </I><BR/><BR/>that was my thought too; maybe they wanted it to be clear to all the people who love FNL but hate football? apparently there are a lot of viewers like that<BR/><BR/>(Coming attractions people at networks are worse than AIG financial executives. We should tax them at 90%)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-31603705172347957172009-03-21T13:15:00.000-04:002009-03-21T13:15:00.000-04:00By stealing "her" money, Buddy told Lyla by his ac...By stealing "her" money, Buddy told Lyla by his actions, "Screw you, I'll do what I like and I don't love/respect you enough to live up to my promises." Kudos to Tim for stepping up for her. Even beyond the fact that Lyla will spend the rest of her life paying off college loans, that's incredibly insulting to hear from your parent that you stood by when he didn't deserve it.<BR/><BR/>I would have been happy at this point to have Landry tell Tyra to permanently piss off (I like them together, but this storyline is getting old), but I had to admire her actually taking his point AND stepping up to do something for him back. Though it would have come across better if she hadn't said "your STUPID band."<BR/><BR/>Every single one of these kids (maybe not Gracie yet, where is she anyway?) has been drinking in bars since day 1, episode 1. Nobody cards in Texas, apparently.<BR/><BR/>I also give kudos to JD for sneaking off with the girl anyway. And to his mom for being the (not listened to) voice of sanity in the McCoy household. Too bad she's not a better liar. <BR/><BR/>P.S. "You know what's good to do before a game? Getting laid. A lot." Thank you, Zen Master Riggins.<BR/><BR/>Matt and Julie was adorable, and her parents handled it as best they could.<BR/><BR/>I didn't pick up that Coach was trying to get kicked out of the game. Wow, cool then. I was wondering why he'd so spectacularly lost his shit after telling the players not to.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16906089927390662087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-69203254534818348922009-03-21T11:50:00.000-04:002009-03-21T11:50:00.000-04:00@Stephanie, Buddy took a bath selling his house af...@Stephanie, Buddy took a bath selling his house after it had sat on the market, bleeding money for months. Times really are desperate for him. He's always been able to provide for his family (families, really, if you count the Panthers) and that's becoming harder for him. <BR/><BR/>A town like Dillon, so dependent on the oil wells for its prosperity, is going to be harder hit than most by a downturn in the economy. Two seasons ago, recall Tyra's tryst with the investment analyst. They didn't open those wells. With national unemployment creeping up, with banks collapsing, the people in a town like Dillon aren't going to be buying a lot of new cars in the near future.R.A. Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14851961356321735388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34218243566163880632009-03-21T11:41:00.000-04:002009-03-21T11:41:00.000-04:00Some of this did feel familiar, but I loved it any...Some of this did feel familiar, but I loved it anyway. Eric's reactions to discovering Julie and Matt were perfect, from the seat belt tugging to the grill scraping. And the "talk" made me cry. It's a crime that Connie Britton has never been acknowledged for her awesome work.<BR/><BR/>I did think the referees were so bad as to be unbelievable. I don't know how any ref who ignores so many blatant fouls could still have a job.<BR/><BR/>I'm pretty tired of the whole Tyra/Landry story. I kinda wish they'd move past it and do something else with the characters. I was never invested in their relationship to begin with, and I feel like it's taking away from better stories.<BR/><BR/>@spiderpig: I don't know the specifics of your situation, but my situation was similar. I worked all through highschool to set aside money for college, and my parents helped me where they could. I never expected anything more. <BR/><BR/>But I think this situation is different. As Lyla mentioned, her parents had been putting aside this money for her since she was a baby, and Buddy told her they would pay for her college if she made the grades. It would be one thing if he was desperate and told her that he needed to use the money so they could get by, but that's not what happened here. He took it for some get rich quick scheme because he wanted things to be the way they were before. He couldn't just ride out the bad times until things got better, so he ended up squandering his daughter's future. I thought he was way off base calling her a spoiled brat over this. I'd have freaked out on him, too.<BR/><BR/>I'm excited by the prospect of a two season renewal, but I can't help but wonder who's going to be left on the show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-85061122900379643842009-03-21T11:34:00.000-04:002009-03-21T11:34:00.000-04:00I think the most important bit of dialogue in the ...I think the most important bit of dialogue in the Buddy/Lyla fight was Lyla saying that Buddy promised the money was hers if she had the grades. So she didn't sit idly by and wait to be pushed through college. She held up her end of the deal and Buddy, again, failed to. Leland is a fantastic actor, though, and I think Kelly showed that she can definitely step up her game when she has to and that she's grown over the years.<BR/><BR/>The most perfect scene was the scene where Coach walks into Matt's house. I love that we didn't see what happened. The camera stayed outside the house and waited. Awesome moment. Kyle Chandler is the best.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10681286160847912071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-33927830635578439252009-03-21T10:42:00.000-04:002009-03-21T10:42:00.000-04:00In regards to Lyla's reaction to Buddy losing her ...In regards to Lyla's reaction to Buddy losing her college money...<BR/><BR/>I find her reaction to be completely justified considering how badly he has let her down over the years. His infidelity was the catalyst for her family falling apart; and despite everything, she stuck with him. The realization that he so haphazardly threw away her future was the last straw. The person she should trust the most in the world is also the one who causes her the most pain. <BR/><BR/>Best moment of the episode is when Mrs. Coach told Matt to go talk to Coach in the backyard. Like the warden leading a prisoner to their execution... Just perfect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-52946468637366964992009-03-21T09:54:00.000-04:002009-03-21T09:54:00.000-04:00Except for the fact that Lyla's voice made me want...Except for the fact that Lyla's voice made me want to stab a fork in my ear, the scene with Lyla and Julie in the bathroom was perfect. Lyla is the ideal person to understand what Julie meant when she said she felt like she wasn't "daddy's girl" anymore. Lyla seemed so much older and more mature than Julie in that scene also. <BR/><BR/>Am I the only person who doesn't understand how Lyla should feel so justified and just plain entitled to the money Buddy lost? Is it wrong for a parent NOT to pay for their child's college tuition? My parents <B>helped</B> me through college, but I also got scholarships, loans and worked while I was in college to pay for it. I would never have yelled at my parents about how I was expecting some money no matter how good my grades were. I think Buddy was right on calling Lyla a spoiled brat. I thought Lyla was mad because Buddy was once again making very bad choices but the yelling scene outside the Riggins house made it seem like Lyla was yelling "Waaaaa you lost my money". <BR/><BR/>Alan, what you said about the scene Buddy and Tim's confrontation at the door to the Riggins house was spot on. I really loved the subtext of that scene. Riggina is so the man this season. Love him.spiderpighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00403419955022563625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-65951395479366147412009-03-21T05:14:00.000-04:002009-03-21T05:14:00.000-04:00Something we've all said about the development of ...Something we've all said about the development of characters this season is that they haven't done a good job of building up anyone for a potential fourth season and beyond other than the McCoy's. But what we've neglected - me definitely included - is how quickly ALL of these people we know and love were introduced to us in season one.<BR/><BR/>I've been thinking it over more and more, and even if everyone but the Taylors were gone and the show had to start from scratch, the creators would already be three characters ahead of where they started in episode 1.1. I have faith they could pull it off.R.A. Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14851961356321735388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-5224604833804168402009-03-21T05:08:00.000-04:002009-03-21T05:08:00.000-04:00Jim D: Tim's firm-but-gentle blocking of the doorw...Jim D: <I>Tim's firm-but-gentle blocking of the doorway ("Please...") was just a perfect balance.</I><BR/><BR/>I think that this was also a nice way to show the positive effect that Lyla has had on Tim. There's no way a pre-Lyla Riggins is that patient or says, "Please." But Riggins truly does care for Lyla and actually wants the best for her. I know that Lyla isn't the most popular character among viewers (and the fight outside Chateau de Riggins pretty clearly showed Minka Kelly's acting limitations) but give credit where it is deserved.<BR/><BR/>I also liked the scene with Lyla and Julie. Yes, both of them are very easy on the eyes. But additionally, as Alan points out, I really don't think that the two of them have really ever spoken. Lyla really could provide a nice counterbalance to Tyra in the older sister/confidante-to-Julie role.<BR/><BR/>I agree that this is the best drama on network television so I don't want to see it go but I really wonder how it would look in a fourth season. Matt, Tim, Landry and Lyla would all almost certainly have to go. Tyra would most likely have to go. Yes, we could still keep the Taylors, and the McCoys could take more of a center stage but there would still have to be more and the show has not done a good enough job of developing new characters to replace the (presumably) departing ones that we have come to love. I'm very interested in seeing how it plays out.Omagushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15348311761717355552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50763705530931089692009-03-21T03:01:00.000-04:002009-03-21T03:01:00.000-04:00I've seen a lot of high school football games in m...I've seen a lot of high school football games in my life and quite a few bad refs, but I don't see how those guys could have kept their jobs. <BR/><BR/>Most states have officials from a different part of the state take care of playoff games from the two competing teams. And I've never seen a coach get thrown out. Football refs absorb a ton of abuse from coaches. And most of the time, they just stoically stand there.<BR/><BR/>By watching the game on TV and phoning the sidelines, Coach Taylor was, at any level, cheating. <BR/><BR/>Aside from that part, I thought the episode was very good and enjoyed seeing "Responsible Tim Riggins" for a change.Bob Timmermannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08557837169697676093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-89658648255974199022009-03-20T23:12:00.000-04:002009-03-20T23:12:00.000-04:00@Alan&Rick - Shall I start offering stock tips...@Alan&Rick - Shall I start offering stock tips? My December prediction (see up-thread) of increased (rather than diminished) prospects of FNL renewal in light of the new Leno show was quite remarkable, don't you think? Truth be told I had no eff'n clue, just blind faith in the best show on network television... What was Buddy Garritty's motivation for giving Wade Aikman such an odd long look when they shook hands at the end of the game? Was it newly-discovered respect?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-76194663349174958952008-12-12T15:10:00.000-05:002008-12-12T15:10:00.000-05:00The Landry/Tyra story is repetitive but I liked th...The Landry/Tyra story is repetitive but I liked the "Dillon Debate Tema" shirt Landy was wearing (a nice contrast to the "Dillon Football" shirts we see all the time) and Tyra looked very fetching in the Crucifictorius shirt.<BR/><BR/>Speaking of which, isn't the girl in the band a freshman? Aren't Landry and his drummer under 21? Are there not laws in Texas about under 21s working/appearing in a bar/club?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-72693545775304733402008-12-12T14:34:00.000-05:002008-12-12T14:34:00.000-05:00I agree that the Tami/Julie, Eric/Matt, and Riggin...I agree that the Tami/Julie, Eric/Matt, and Riggins/Buddy scenes were wonderfully played. The thing that made the Riggins/Buddy in the doorway scene so layered, though, was the realization (by this viewer, and probably by Tim) that, whatever Buddy's failings, he still cared enough about his daughter to come and beg for her forgiveness. Not so with Riggins, Sr., or anyone else in Tim's life, except maybe Coach Taylor. So Tim's firm-but-gentle blocking of the doorway ("Please...") was just a perfect balance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-80431895257344037122008-12-12T13:27:00.000-05:002008-12-12T13:27:00.000-05:00One thing I loved - and it was small - was Coach T...One thing I loved - and it was small - was Coach Taylor in his car after finding Julie in bed with Matt. As he tried to put his seatbelt on, he yanked so hard it stuck, and then had to relax a bit to pull it all the way across himself. Just a small way this show is so great.<BR/><BR/>And when I watch episodes like this, I can't help but wonder how screwed up a system it is that shows like this are so endangered, and Howie Mandel is getting a new show on TV...greebshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10945022888968961800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-60597651319208899212008-12-12T11:23:00.000-05:002008-12-12T11:23:00.000-05:00Nobody portrays awkwardness as well as Matt Sarace...Nobody portrays awkwardness as well as Matt Saracen........awesome scene with him and the coach!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-65684665944930806882008-12-12T10:15:00.000-05:002008-12-12T10:15:00.000-05:00Kristin said..."Okay, they made me cry--again. The...Kristin said..."Okay, they made me cry--again. There is something about having a pre-teen daughter that makes me really react to the scenes with Julie and her parents."<BR/><BR/>Right with you Kristin...and yeah, I had a tear in my eye, too.<BR/><BR/>As a parent of an 8 and 2 year old girls, the scenes with the Taylors and Julie get to me the most.<BR/><BR/>I love watching how they handle things, the discussions they have with each other, and how real it feels.<BR/><BR/>That said, I'm not looking forward to those years a whole lot lol. I much prefer dealing with problems that are limited to 3rd grade math homework, deciding whether she's seen one too many Hannah Montana episodes for the day, or whether she should wear sweatpants in the cold on the way to her dance class.<BR/><BR/>One other thing that I got a chuckle out of, when Landry was helping Tyra at her house, Tyra's mom -- the still beautiful Dana Wheeler Nicholson -- walks in wearing just a towel.<BR/><BR/>Was that a subtle reference about her role in one of my favorite movies of all time, Fletch?<BR/><BR/>I was kind of waiting for Chevy Chase to knock on the door, with her answering, and Chase telling her his car just hit a water buffalo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com