'Friday Night Lights' returns with a mystical look at Season 4

Changes be coming to the fourth season of "Friday Night Lights," and while the football drama has always been rooted in reality, its promos on DirecTV have gone a more fantastical route. The latest teaser for the series, which returns on Oct. 28 on DirecTV and next summer on NBC, once again gives the series a sort of Guillermo del Toro makeover.

Gone are the harsh, barren grounds of the fictional town of Dillon, Texas. What we see here is an alternate reality, where the sky and wind look to be living creatures, and one very magical tree has the power to uproot an entire village. Fans may recall a similar promo last year, where lightning bugs sparkled like Tinker Bell. 

Show Tracker will have more on "Friday Night Lights" as the season nears, but the above clip offers some hints as to what do expect in Season 4. Minka Kelly's Lyla Garrity exists only in photograph, but it's a picture that soars through the whole town. Like Scott Porter's Jason Street last season, here's betting her character plays an influential role even when not on camera.

More distressing, however, may be the slow-mo sprint that Aimee Teegarden's Julie Taylor takes away from Zach Gilford's Matt Saracen. After getting reacquainted last season, is the couple heading toward splitsville in Julie senior's year? And what to make of the pained, tired look given by Kyle Chandler's Eric Taylor as Tami (Connie Britton) joins him on the football field in the teaser's final moments? Remember, the two are at different schools at the start of Season 4. 

Jesse Plemons' Landry seems to be enjoying life on the porch -- and there's no sign of any new characters, or Season 3 breakout star Stephanie Hunt (look for her on "Parenthood," the upcoming NBC series from "FNL" writer/producer Jason Katims) -- but the 30-second clip has already given us enough to ponder.

As for the song, that's Greg Laswell's "Come Undone."

--Todd Martens

Comments

[Carina MacKenzie]

Even their promos are better than all other television ever. Can't wait!

[Shannon]

I don't think Julie is running from Matt so much as the 'destruction' that (figuratively) flying through the air at them. She turns to look for Matt as she runs, and he joins her.
Meanwhile, I'm hoping Jason Katims latest interview with Eonline is correct for the character of Tim Riggins, a.k.a. the best character on the show. We don't want to see Riggin's regressing after how he's matured thus far.
Though sometimes new blood can hurt a show, I'm hopeful that we like these new characters and that the beloved core cast isn't forgotten.
I can't wait for season 4, both on Direct TV and on NBC - though I've heard conflicting timelines for the NBC airing, creator Peter Berg recently said to look for it on NBC in January/February, and here it says Summer...any word on the actual NBC premiere?
Looking forward to more FNL coverage!

[J]

Love it. Much better than anything NBC ever did (or didn't do, really). Can't wait to see how this season turns out. Sounds like it's going to be amazing! (And with what I've read today, episodes 4 & 5 are going to be something else. I could feel my jaw hitting the floor just reading extra casting calls!)