Grid Effect

The third episode of Friday Night Lights opened with the teams second footbally game of the season and first with sophomore quarterback Matt Sacerean. From what we are shown, the game portrays Matt as coming into his own and exceeding expectations, but they lose the game 13-7 on a last second scramble from Matt as he is tackled just short of the goal line. My only problem with the depiction when a high school team only scores seven points, the quarterbacks performance couldn’t have been terribly stellar.

Despite any laudatory praise from the coach, rightly or wrongly, the town blames him for the loss. They even go so far as to spraypaint “loser” on the sign of his front porch. This kid is going to buckle under the pressure. In addition to being put in an impossible situation of having to replace local hero and Notre Dame bound, starting QB Jason Street, who suffered a severe spinal injury last week rendering him a paraplegic, his dad is in Iraq, he is living with and taking care of his Alzhiemers stricken grandmother and taking pre-calculus as a sophomore. It’s hard too understand why he is a nervous wreck. The town people aren’t really helping matters. Several of them have gone out of their way to recruit a Katrina refugee, Tatum, too play for the Panthers (Allegedly, the footage of Tatum they were watching was actually Vince Young at Madison High School in Houston. Can anyone prove or disprove this?). As noble as the cause may sound, it is completely self-serving.

Another theme of tonight’s episode worth mentioning, is the town’s fanaticism. Not to get preachy, but mainstream America likes to think this is something isolated on the plains of the varying rural communities in west Texas. To the contrary, abrasiveness like this is everywhere. I live in Columbus, Ohio and last year a player for Ohio State was receiving death threats after dropping a pivotal touchdown catch. This season, a referee from the Pac-10 was also receiving death threats after a controversial Oregon-Oklahoma game. Is it more reasonable if the level of play is more competitive? Have you ever been to a Jets game? Their fans are not passionate, their insane. It’s not only an examination of this particular town and culture but (probably accidentally) of our countries misguided priorities as well. Looking at next weeks previews, the players might begin embodying that hysteria.

On another note, the Tim Riggins character continues too impress. When his girlfriend (Tyra) more or less admits cheating on him with Smash (the star running back and Riggins’ rival), and she defends herself by suggesting “he slept with half the rally girls” (what is a rally girl? Is that like a cheerleader who doubles as a fast food employee? How is she different than a run of the mill cheerleader?), his response without skipping a beat: “We sure do have something special here Tyra” was priceless. Then she threatens breaking up with him and continues talking, waiting for him too stop her from driving off, and he just keeps hitting golf balls off a cliff. Totally emotionless and completely distraught because he blames himself for Street’s spinal injury. He lashes out at everyone, not just his (ex?)girlfriend. Though her and Street’s girlfriend, Lyla, take the worst of it. His attitude is that of undertoned hostility and pent up agression. Taylor Kitsch manages to make him empathetic, which is commendable.

Looking forward to next weeks episode. Thoughts on the human eared mouse of Nip Tuck tomorrow. It will make more sense then.