'FNL': Where's Papa?

We are moving inevitably, inexorably, gloriously to the episode in which Coach Taylor returns to Dillon to re-take over Panther football.

Right?

It has to work out this way. Coach’s coach (wife Tami) is falling apart. Uber-booster Buddy Garrity is falling apart. Coach’s daughter Julie is turning into a harpy. Riggins is adrift again. And the Panthers haven’t even opened up defense of their state title!

You could practically subtitle this second season "Where's Papa?" For all of Dillon, it seems, is moody and unstable, what with Coach Taylor up in Austin.

A wise friend once told me: "The best job you'll ever have is the one before the one you thought you always wanted." And so it is with Coach Taylor, who isn't so much coaching college ball in Austin as babysitting bling-ridden players.

And meanwhile, Rome burns. I blame the Swedes — or "The Swede," a sweaty, swarthy alt-rock band singer with a beat-up van. With his early-Springsteen facial hair, the Swede oozes rebellion, which is what attracts Julie; she dumps sweet and honorable Dillon quarterback Matt Saracen because she looks at Matt and sees herself becoming her mother.

But you don't have to cry too long for Matt; into his night life arrived a comely Latina home-hospice worker, come to take care of his grandma. Thanks, Social Services! Soon enough, she's discovered the soft porn under Matt's mattress. Let the sexual games begin.

Which brings us to last night's main event, involving Saracen's nerd friend (and now teammate) Landry and the chastened hottie Tyra. When last we saw them, they were dumping the body of Tyra's stalker into Dillon River, Landry having accidentally killed the creep while he was attacking Tyra.

Last night's episode began with Landry and Tyra holding hands as they returned to the scene of the crime in the middle of the night, and it ended with the two of them having sex.

I love the lookie-loo camera work on "FNL," the way it makes you feel V.I.P-privy to the characters' lives, but the Landry-Tyra courtship still feels, in the end, like an intimacy with a shaky foundation. Did Tyra have sex with Landry out of pity or love?  Did Landry care? (No.) Their hookup, as it played out Friday, was brief and mostly implied -- maybe the producers themselves couldn't quite believe it.

Yeah, Landry confessed his feelings of love to her, and dared to expose how haunted he remains by the night of the attack, but "FNL" was still displaying basic Hollywood math: Nerd joins football team, nerd konks bad guy, nerd gets girl.

-- Paul Brownfield

(Photo courtesy NBC Universal)

Comments

[Thea]

I agree that Coach's return seems inevitable, but dislike the whole idea that the town has to go to Hell because he's not there. And when and if he comes back, it won't be so easy for him to fix things.

Aw, Julie's not a harpy! That's a little harsh, don't you think? Let's face it, a lot of teenagers are like that. And everyone looks dirty compared to the sweet and pure Matt. But maybe he won't be pure for long.

I don't like Tyra/Landry. At all.

[Mary]

This is probably one shows that can take a bad storyline like the Landry/Tyra one and make it work...or at least make us not hate it completely. I give credit to the actors, and even the writers because while the writers initial plot is ridiculous, they handle the aftermath, and all the feelings the characters would have very well.

But, enough about that story line. I love the Taylor family SL this season. Last year, their family was the rock that anchored all the other characters. They centered everything and even in the worst times, they were the safe house, so to speak. Now, that's all changed. It makes me wonder who is going to come forward and help them when they need it? So far, only the new guidance counselor, Glenn, has stepped up. Where's Mama Smash? I would think Tami could call her for some emotional support. Buddy is too wrapped up in his own crazy mixed up life to be there for Coach. And, obviously, Tyra is a bit pre-occupied, otherwise I think she'd smack Julie upside the head and say, "What are you thinking?" (Julie, just stay clear of Landry. You hurt his best bud! He doesn't take kindly to people hurting the ones he loves!)

People have been complaining about how off-kilter the show has felt so far this season, but I think that's intentional. Just think how sweet it will be when Coach comes back. All will be right with the world.

Or will it? Hmmm...