I am all too painfully aware that I'm jumping on the bandwagon way after all the critical acclaim has been heaped upon it. The "it" in question is the fabulous drama Friday Night Lights (which thankfully has moved to Friday nights).Even though I'm not a big football fan (baseball is my sport of choice) I knew I would be instantly hooked because I have been a fan of Kyle Chandler's since his days on the post-WWII drama Homefront, as well as Early Edition and even What About Joan (with Joan Cusack). However, Mr. Chandler isn't the only reason this drama scores. After viewing the first season online, I've discovered what everyone else had been saying was true. FNL is one of the best written, performed and paced shows around. Starting with Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton as Coach Eric Taylor and his wife Tami. They are the core of the show. Theirs is a realistic relationship. They have fights, they make up and they talk to each other. It's so refreshing to see that on TV, an adult relationship. My heart nearly broke in the second season premiere when Eric told her he had to go back to his new job at TMU so soon after the birth of their second daughter Grace. Connie Britton was brilliant as Tami held back the tears until Eric left and then let her emotions overflow.
The entire cast is top notch. Personally, I think Zach Gilford is headed for superstardom. As the QB1 Matt Saracen, Gilford displays a vulnerability and a quiet strength all at the same time. How Julie Taylor (Amiee Teegarden), the coach's daughter and Matt's girlfriend, could even think of getting involved with another guy is beyond me. And is it just me or does Jesse Plemmons, who plays Landry, remind you of Matt Damon?
And it's not just about football. It's about people, relationships, issues. Football just happens to be the backdrop. So, for anyone who is still on the fence about getting involved with this show, stop wasting time. Either watch the first season online or get the DVDs because this is one show that is well worth the time and effort.
Image courtesy of NBC.com
