'Friday Night Lights': A wish list

And so we arrive at the holiday break for “Friday Night Lights,” in the midst of a sophomore slump.

"FNL" no longer feels special. Is it me or the show? 

Must. Stop. Comparing. This. Season. To. Last.

I was unmoved by the goings-on last night, Panther fans. I was even annoyed at Landry for seeming so badly to want martyrdom, though in the end he decided (I guess) that he was acting in self-defense that night he clubbed Tyra’s attacker to death. The old deception-confession-redemption play seemed to bring to a climax the fateful act of violence that kicked off this season.

I could otherwise recap last night’s episode (in brief, Julie fought more with her mom, Riggins arrived like a wet puppy at Coach Taylor’s house, Street found waitress love, Saracen continued to find home healthcare worker love, Buddy Garrity got the paroled kid Santiago to find football love).

But here’s a few things I’m wishing for "FNL" (or what remains of the show during a writers-strike-marred season) in the new year.

• Fewer scenes of Landry and Tyra staring at each other in fierce close-up.

I mean, really, I think I could sketch every pore of Landry’s face, and I don’t sketch.

• A new haircut for Tyra, who should break up with Landry for God’s sake.

That bob she’s wearing this season isn’t doing her any favors; she looks like a soccer mom without the ball, the minivan or the kids. I get that she’s supposed to have newfound maturity, but did the producers not trust her acting talents? 

• A bed for Riggins at the TV Home for Wayward Cute Boys.

Does he now move in with the Taylors and consummate a fierce -- but age-appropriate for both -- affair with daughter Julie? Would Tami Taylor stand for it? 

• A new boyfriend for Lila.

That holier-than-thou expression she’s forever wearing -- dropping in on episodes as if she’s Joan of Arc of Dillon, or maybe just “The Ghost Whisperer” -- has transformed her into a real bore.

• A new story direction for Street.

What does the character do, other than take impetuous trips to Mexico for miracle cures and wheel onto episodes every now and then?

• Less sighing, more playing.

Have budget constraints made it difficult for the producers to stage games? I think the Panthers won their game Friday night, but the result was not shown. I believe their record this season is 2-5. Or 5-2. Or maybe 3-3. You’d have to ask Coach Taylor, although I'm not certain he knows. News conference, anyone?

-- Paul Brownfield

Comments

[Brady Westwater]

It's you - not the show. Friday Night Lights - the show and not the book or the movie - always been a bizarre New Yorker's delusion about a West Teas small town and its inhabitants. The show's dialogue and the direction have always been painfully pretentious and the plots unbelieveable.

You're just finally realizing it.

[robert Sizemore]

Sophomore slump I would have to say the blame for that has to go to NBC who switched them to friday night. do they not realize that a large portion of their viewers are at real games that night. I have to say over all I love the show, but sometimes Writers and Producers need to get a life and realize what really goes on in high school. Which brings me to the strike situation. The writers think so highly of themselves but the reality is they are better than anyone else as screwing up a show, not to mention all the crew members that they put out of work. Sorry about the rant anyway love the show but your points are pretty much right on track.