Quick Take: Friday Night Lights, "In the Bag"
"I'm offering you everything I've got… this is not just about football." – Coach Taylor to Vince
Review: Friday Night Lights, "In the Bag"
(S0407) After a pair of moving and emotional episodes of Friday Night Lights, "In the Bag" was more of a mixed bag if you'll pardon the pun, with lots of small movement over multiple storylines (Julie dealing with Matt's departure from town, Luke's further integration with the team, Tim Riggins' further integration into Becky's family, Vince Howards choice between good and bad life paths) and a few threads that seemed a bit meandering (Tami's co-worker Glenn hitting on her after a karaoke party, for example).
I have to admit that watching the now single Julie (Aimee Teegarden) and Landry (Jesse Plemons) join the Academic Smack Down team was not nearly as interesting as a lot of the stories we've seen them engage in the past. Julie's breakdown when answering a question on stage about Thomas Wolfe felt a little too on the nose and over the top for this typically nuanced and beautifully toned show (Matt Saracen "can't go home again," get it? Yeah, we get it). That said, I continue to enjoy Landry's laid back Southern mumble/charm, with lines like, "This is exciting… learning." Though just me or is his chemistry with romantic interest Jess, played by Jurnee Smollett, a snoozer?
Luke Cafferty (Matt Lauria) dealing with his responsibilities at home (helping pops with the ranch and fixing a ranch, lessin' the rustlers come in to steal the cattle… anyone tell that I've been playing a good piece of Red Dead Redemption lately?) and earning the respect of the East Dillon Lions was more engaging, partly because this is one of the few storylines (along with Vince's, which felt borderline cliché this wee) that actually has to do with high school football.
That latter bit about Vince's "choice" on guns aside (and who called in the "gun threat," I wonder?), the two most emotionally resonant moments this week came from Luke's teammate Tinker (played by Lamarcus Tinker) coming solo to help him with the fence, and from Coach Taylor's (Kyle Chandler) "I'm offering you everything I've got… this is not just about football" moment with Vince.
Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) continues to explore his softer side, meanwhile, in an episode that he spends telling Becky (Madison Burge) about his father's secret girlfriend and child in Seattle and rescuing the dog that her father had attempted to give her as a gift (in effect becoming the fatherly figure in her life himself?). I had a hard time getting past Becky's father talking on his cell phone about this pretty darned big secret right in front of Tim's trailer, but otherwise was pretty entertained. Tim naming the dog while on the road in the pickup truck ("Skeeter it is…") was particularly fun.
I'm looking forward to next week, when East Dillon plays Campo Park with a real shot to win. I'm ready for some football, if nothing else!
More thoughts on "In the Bag":
Video: Friday Night Lights, "In the Bag"
Check out all the FNL baggery in full while available, from Hulu:
Recap: Friday Night Lights, "In the Bag"
Julie tries to cope with Matt's leaving while Vince makes some tough life choices.
From Around the Web: Friday Night Lights, "In the Bag"
