I just died on Landry’s behalf when I saw that sweet look pass between him and Tyra in the cafeteria. After her “this can’t happen again” speech, I was worried that she was going to ignore him. I’ve been there, in that position where something’s happened between you and another person and you’ve agreed to keep it quiet, but you can’t help but smile when you see him in the hall. That was a really well done moment. And I loved the watch store scene, too. And the final scene. I knew Tyra wasn't doing it becuase she thought she owed him. They really are doing a great job with this storyline, and I was very skeptical after the first episode.

I am loving Landry’s dad, too. I love that he went to Applebee’s to check out Tyra’s intentions towards his son. I’m glad they’re not making him out to be this massive hard ass like I assumed they were. I’m starting to worry about the watch, though.

Scott Porter has never looked more like a teenager than he did after the Coach told him he didn’t have time to take advice from the team mascot. I was also glad to see Herc return; too bad J didn’t take his advice about Mexico. I’m glad Timmy’s going with him, though.

Matty – I loved seeing him all angry this episode. Finally. And I didn’t hate Carlotta, either, though I’m not sure I really want to see her and Matt together.

Julie is out of control. I don’t know what in the world she means when she said Tami lost her when she had Gracie and Coach left.

I could watch nearly naked Tim Riggins all day. I’d like to thank Taylor Kitsch for his off-season workouts.

I can not express enough how sad I am that the only reason I'm still watching this show is because of Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton.

I hate Julie, I hate the way this "religion" story is mangling Lyla and by extension Tim, I hate that Tyra and Landry seem to think murder is an appropriate start to a relationship and I despise Jason's trip to Mexico, Coach dumbass McGregor and the damn Swede. And while we're at it, I'm not too fond of Matt and Smash and whatever it's doing to the team.

I want to be invested like I was in Season One and I'm getting really tired of being disappointed.

Much, much, much better than last week. The scenes between Coach and Tammy were heartbreaking and very moving. The scenees between coach Buddy were excellent also.

Not sure where this Mexico thing is going, but might be interesting.

The Panthers are are freakin' train wreck. How I wanted so badly for Street to bound out of his wheelchair and body slam Couch Douchebag over that 'team mascot' remark.

Smash better get over his 'Terrell Owens Syndrome' fast.

That slap Tami gave Julie was long overdue.

Come back Coach Taylor - FAST!

I loved this and the fact that I finally remembered this was on Friday's now. So I felt so bad for Tami having Julie acting out so crazily. It was totally shaddy what Julie did knowing her mom's home with the baby doing everything by herself. That slap was fucking well deserved and I cheered when it happened. Now Riggins...I had to drool over his body, because damn! This was a great episode, imo.

Very good episode. Definitely some good interaction with Matt/Smash, Tim/Lyla, and Tim/Jason. Love seeing Buddy Garrity plotting behind-the-scenes. Julie is a miserable brat and I wish Tami would have hit her again.

And we got a return to football! It was Dillion Panther football all right. Nearly four quarters of horrendous play and one miracle Panthers play to win it. ;)

Things are definitely beginning to look up. I'm excited for this season.

But I still hate Julie.

I’m torn. I of course want Coach Taylor back, but not like this. Not teaming up with the likes of the sleazy Buddy Garrity. Especially considering you know it’s going to blow up big time.

I loathe Julie. She’s pissed she doesn’t get to spend time with her mom? Then try helping out around the house, so Tami’s not stretched so thin and quite hanging out with douchebags at all hours. Damn, I wanted to slap her too. I want a really, really epic redemption arc, cause this girl is burning all kinds of bridges.

And I know what they are going for with the nurse, but it ain’t working. She’s not spunky and sensible. She’s a raging bitch. And what’s with all these women being unable to resist the underage man flesh?

I wanted to beat the shit out of Smash too and I loved Matt being so bitchy to him. If his head gets any bigger, that boy’s neck is going to snap. He’s another one who needs to have a come to Jesus meeting. Let Tami smack him around some!

I adore the respect that this show always shows towards religion. I really actually wanted Tim to really have an authentic conversion experience, not just try to get in Lyla’s pants. I think that would have been a fascinating storyline. Instead we get more scew up Riggins. Not that I don’t think the boy is fiiiiiiiine, but there’s got to be more.

Aww, Street you are an awesome coach and I adore you, but please do not go through with this bullshit Mexico idea. You were great on the field and I liked when he called Tim on his self destructive behavior, but I can not buy him as the mature one in this friendship when his response to one admittedly asshole criticism is “Fine then I’m going to quit like a whiny bitch and go off and chase a pipe dream. That’ll show ‘em!!”

Although hey, Six and Timmy roadtrip!!!

Damn it. I love Tyra and Landry and I rooted for them all last season, but this storyline fucking sucks.

Mad!Matt is so very compelling. HATED the "comfort woman" scene with Carlotta, really cringe-worthy. But I loved Matt's feeling the need to apologize to CT for the break-up. It was yet another acknowledgment of how much the Taylor family means to him.

I'm enjoying getting to know Mr. Clarke, and the murder story isn't frustrating me quite as much. I wish the watch angle weren't so anvilicious.

Tim and church? We knew that couldn't end well.

And how is Buddy in a position to bring CT back?

Finally, Julie's remark about "your baby is crying" just about made me hope that I'll be in a coma for the entirety of my children's teen years. Truly heartless.

How could people possibly rather watch non-Bela Legosi vampires than this??

After the line ""Tim, I don't ever wnat to hear you say you were hungover again!", any other show would have Buddy's TimChat include a speech like "Don't you know how unhealthy that lifestyle is? Blah, blah, blah..." Instead, we get the awesome: "I have seen you play with a hangover many, MANY times, and you are damn good!"

And what other show would have such a positive and immersive depiction of Christian religion on mainstream tv?

Other stuff I loved:

• First time this season (and the first time since he "officially" became a coach) that he was acting like a coach. Plus, he sounded *exactly* like our favorite CT. Yes, he's an awesome coach. When CT returns to the team (spec-we're way passed "if" at this point), I hope he does, too.
• (CT shows up at Buddy's place)
  Buddy: "YES!"
  *pointless dialogue*
  CT: "Do You have a drink?"
  Buddy: "Yes I do....yes I do!"
• Aaron Pierce as Lance's football-loving dad. Another perfect piece of casting! :) And they look exactly alike.
• I laughed out loud when Julie tried to fit in with the Sweede's gang of druggies with a long-winded monologue about the EPA strangling polar bears. Hopefully, she'll realize that she's smarter than all of them put together.
• Another Buddy note: when he talked about McGregor being "mean and nasty", I shouted "He's just like you, Buddy!!"
• Tyra's now one of my favorite characters, a complete 180 from last season. Kudos to the actress and writers.

But what's up with Matt being stepped on by the coach and Smash? Hands off my stinkbug! Nice to see that the other members of the team *do* in fact look up to him, though, and that he's got some fire when angry. Would like to see what the other townspeople think of the situation, including Mama Smash, who would be the first to knock her kid's swelled head down to size (again).

Can't wait until next week!

I love this show more than ever!

And sometimes its the little details that make the whole episode. I just floved the fact that in that last scene with Tyra and Landry kissing he was wearing a math geek T-shirt with . . . uh . . . some kind of fancy math on it (Calculus, maybe? I'm so NOT a math geek). Anyway, I loved the emphasis on the fact that it's totally Beauty and the Geek going on there. And I have to admit, the actors have really raised that storyline to something far greater than I originally expected it to be. I can't wait to see what happens next.

And, seriously? If Connie Britton doesn't get an Emmy nomination . . . nay, doesn't WIN the damn Emmy then there really is no justice. She is just sublime.

The only thing I'm not thrilled about is the whole Carlotta business. I don't like her at all, but I could overcome that if it weren't so clear that they are trying to push her and Matt together. Yuck!

Hello, Tim Riggins! If those pants had been a few millimeters lower they really would have served no purpose at all.

I've hated the bratty spawn since the pilot. A slap doesn't even begin to cover what I think she deserves.

Did anyone really want to slap Julie when she said "your baby is crying"? Oh lord. I wanted to jump through my t.v. and slap her. Also how was she lost after her mom had the baby? I get her feeling that way due to her dad being gone. But over her little sister? What? She's not a 6 year old who should be jealous over a new baby in the family.

Well, we finally got more Smash. Only, instead of being arrogant and charming, he was just arrogant. I hope the "great Dillion Panthers" lose a game soon, so his ego can be put back in check. And I actually cheered when Matt tackled him. I never though I would say that.

Oh, Julie. You just had to tell your mother to go the hell, didn't you? You should have seen that slap coming. It's funny; I actually liked how the Swede was like "That's kidnapping! Get the hell out of the car!" when Julie tried to get him to drive off. He may be sleazy, but he's apparently not a complete moron. Oh, and I loved how Julie refered to Gracie as Tami's child. I can get over her dating the Swede/dumping Matt, but combinding that comment and her indifference to her sister being sick last week, I'm really getting pissed about how little Julie cares about her own sibling.

Herc! Glad to see that you were able to escape Bionic Woman, for a few mintues. And Jason! Loved him chewing Tim out. But, oh dear, I don't think this surgery is going to end well.

I really want to like Landry and Tyra, but I still hate this storyline. Isn't it a little too soon, for Tyra to be making killing jokes? But I do love Landry's dad. The casting was perfect.

Oh, Coach Taylor. I really want him to swoop in, and save Dillion like Superman, but I'm worried as hell. When he shook Buddy's hand, it felt like he was making a deal with the Devil. But the sooner he comes back, the better. We need more Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton together.

Matt and the Latina nurse are clearly going to hook-up, in the future. That back massage was not subtle, writers.

Finally an episode that deals with football! Saracen suddenly dropped a pair in this episode; I love that after an entire year of putting up with Smash's B.S. that he's finally calling him out on it.

I actually cheered when Tami slapped Julie. She's been asking for it since midway through season 1. Sorry Julie, not taking that hit at the Swede's house is not enough to redeem your months upon months of brattiness and eyerolling.

I'm curious to see where the Riggins and church thing goes, if anywhere.

I'm loving AT's acting, but this has got to stop. She totally deserved that slap after telling her mother to go to hell. WHO DOES THAT!?

But good girl Julie, for not smoking that pot. That's bad for you. :)

And woo to angry Matt.

Man, I do not know how to feel about this episode. There are some things that I am really not like storywise, but the actors and cinematographers are so good and ahhhhh! So conflicted.

But I will definetly be coming back again.

This felt like a breath of fresh air after the deep depression of last week's episode. It's my favorite of the new season, for sure.

The whole time the Tim and God thing was happening, I was loving it and hating it at the same time. It just felt cheesy, yet while I was listening to the words the preacher was saying, they were so fitting for Tim, so I could see why he was getting pulled in. But I feel like the rejection from Lyla, even though I do think he meant what he said in a way that wasn't just to get at her, is going to turn him right back off that little jaunt. So, if anything, Tim the Church Goer was really, really hot.

New Coach made me hate him more with his treatment of Jason. I'm not sure I love where his storyline is going, but I did love his bits tonight.

As much as I am disliking Julie so far this season, I am really glad she didn't smoke the pot. It's a little reminder that while she may be heinous around her family and making out with older boys at 2am, there is still some of Tami and Eric's parenting running through her veins. Or was. It may have been slapped out.

Did I cheer when Eric shook Buddy's hand at the end of this episode? Yes, I did. I may not want it go through Buddy Garrity, but I want Eric back in Dillon so bad, I don't care. His family needs him and damn, that team needs him. I didn't even know how much I was invested in the Matt and Smash friendship until Matt was going at Smash on the field. Daaamn.

ITA. I haven't been around in the boards, but I've been keeping up with the show. I am really enjoying everything except I Know What You Did Last Friday Night. Julie smack has been long overdue and needs to be followed up with a old fashioned good talking to. That girl has lost her damn mind.

I could barely finish last week's episode, so I tuned into this one expecting to be disappointed. But I loved it.

EXCEPT for the mysterious dead body hanging out somewhere and Lyla's fake conversion experience. Like Tim, Lyla's lost and looking for a place to belong. Like Tim, Lyla's use of religion (appears to) has ulterior motives. Her blessing with Mom's new boyfriend made me doubt the authenticity of this "conversion".

I've also been not liking Coach Taylor this season - with all the chaos going on at home it was striking me as selfish beyond measure to keep driving four hours back to a different job. But now the redemption is coming: hooray! And is there any way we can have him dress like that on the sidelines all the time?

I hope Matt can be happy soon.

Maybe they can substitute Julie for Tyra when sentencing day comes along.

I actually had to mute the television everytime Carlotta showed up and opened her mouth.

Admiring Tami's self control for stopping with the one slap.

Wondering which remark was more heartless, "your baby" or "team mascot?"

I have to rewatch this one but I do want to say a few things while it's fresh:
On the shallow end, how HOT did Eric look in those jeans and that wrinkled button down at the game? Yummy! Also, the shot of Riggins getting out of bed at the beginning was nice, too!

I love that Coach wants to come home but making a deal with Buddy is kinda like making a deal with the devil.

I HATE McAss. Watching Riggins pass out was bad enough but when he told Jason he didn't have time to talk "with the team mascot"? I was yelling 'oh, no, you didn't' at my t.v.

And seeing the entire scene with Julie and Tammi puts me completely in Tammi's corner. A 16 yr old out way past 2am, making out with a too-old-for-her-boy, refusing to get out of the car? I'd have drug her out, too. And then saying 'go to hell'? I'd probably slapped her harder than Tammi did. (And for the record, I've never slapped my daughter. She's also never behaved that way.) And the Swede? He couldn't get out of there fast enough. If he's not a complete idiot(but I kinda think he is), he'll steer clear of the jailbait. But I'd still like to see Eric get a hold of him!

I feel sorry for Riggins and Jason. Riggins clearly knows one way to express affection. Poor boy. And Jason did not deserve McAss' treatment.

I think that verbalizing what she saw in Landry to his dad made Tyra realize a few things tonight. And I know alot of you think the hot girl wouldn't end up with the geeky guy but I've known a few couples like that. The hot girls who happen to have brains tend to look a little deeper sometimes, you know? Still not crazy about the murder but AP and JP are selling me on their relationship a little more each week.

Smash still has a few lessons to learn about being a leader and a team player. I get that he's a senior but he's got to learn there comes some responsibility to the team. Jason was a star but he was also a leader. The team would (and still will as a coach) follow him anywhere. Smash does not inspire that in his teammates because he is still cocky and selfish. There is a difference in confident and cocky. Coach Taylor will make changes that Smash will not be happy with so maybe he will transfer elsewhere. If he doesn't learn some lessons and grow up, he's going to be another spoiled punk like Antoine.

I LIKED this episode. Alot. A real nice mixture of the stories, something for all the characters. I love FNL. More than is probably healthy. I wanted to go check Timmy out of the hospital myself tonite. Timmy needs a momma, ya know?

edited because correct spelling is important

I guess I'm on eof the few who doesn't think Smash was an asshole. Maybe the only one. Now, Matt was right to call smash out at the Shakey's or whatever it is, but on the field...not so much. Maybe I'm just happy to see smash actually figuring into the episode.

There were moments when I felt like my show was back - and somehow most of them seemed to involve Buddy Garrity... which I am not entirely comfortable with. The scene with him and Tim, the scene with him and Coach Taylor, and his little "yeah!" moment answering the door when Coach got there. All those moments made me excited for FNL again.

Then I get the Landry/Tyra story, the Tim and Jason Mexico fiasco, the Carlotta/Matt steamy romance, and the facade starts to crumble again.

If the show's intention is to make us a) all feel like Panther fans who just want the football game to start to distract us from what's going on in the character's lives and b) that the Dillon world is in disarry without Coach T there then they are doing a fantastic job. At 950 I said to my husband that since 930 I finally felt like my show was back, and his response was "that's cause they're playing football again"

I have become part of a small town Texas community who desperately needs the football game to make things right with the world.

I did love the Smash/Matt confrontation - I though it was very true to both of their characters, and Smash clearly is benefiting from having a clean slate with this new coach (Coach T would have cut him off at the knees before letting Smash's ego negatively affect the team... steroids anyone!)

Strangely, I actually took away from those scenes that he did have an authentic experience (thanks to the seriously fantastic emoting going on). I feel like he had this emotional high from that conversion that he didn't have a framework for expressing other than a sexual one, so he made that misstep with Lyla. Does that make any sense?

It was somewhat ambiguous, though, so I can certainly see why Lyla reacted like it was a calculated move.

I don't know. It *looks* like Friday Night Lights, but I can't believe the same people wrote the dialogue. Did they decide to strike early? Everyone was just going around saying exactly how they feel all the time. The exceptions were almost all Buddy scenes, I think, with Coach and Tim. Otherwise I have no idea what's happening to this show.

A Crucifictorious poster! Yes!

I think I like Angry Matt even more than the regular version. I'm surprised Riggins didn't help him beat up Smash given that past though. Also, for future reference, "rock bottom" for Riggins apparently is "Billy sleeping with the MILF".

The Swede is lucky he hasn't yet run afoul of The Hair, but I suspect that day will come.

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who geeked out over that. BTW, it was Calculus...integral equations actually.

About time Tami slapped that little selfish bitch. Poor Tami's losing her mind.

Matt acting out was so poorly timed but I was so happy he did it. I get that Smash feels it's his time to shine and he's looking out for his future, but there's a way to carry the team on his shoulders without acting like such a cock.

The whole Landry/Tyra relationship is way more endearing that it has any right to be. Considering the whole dead body down in the river thing.

What I hate is that they are putting all of the bad behavior on Julie. It's like the show wants everyone to hate her. Never, ever has any other character on this show been made to look so bad, and that includes when Lyla banged Tim. Whatever, Aimee Teegarden is still doing a fantastic job with the role. Like it or not, it's realistic, and she is pulling it off beautifully.

Lyla reminded me of 40-year-old woman tonight. She and Scott Porter cannot pull off playing teenagers, it's ridiculous. I like the way she's trying to help Tim, but I prefer it in a friend way rather than in a romantic way.

Buddy is a huge hypocrite. I love that he brought Coach back to Dillon, but two things: first, telling Tim it's all McAss' fault and it's perfectly fine to play drunk and hung over. Way to justify your own alcoholism, Buddy. Second, telling Coach that Julie is running around wearing "clothes she shouldn't be wearing." Huh? The worst I've seen her in is a long tube top. Buddy's own daughter walked around wearing a lot less at times last season.

I still hate the Carlotta storyline....excuse me, I mean plot device. Now they're trying to "young her down" by making her a nursing student? She looks 24 at the youngest. Also, that line about you think because I have brown skin I'll do your laundry? Puh-leeeeze. What stereotypical "feistiness". I think I last heard that line in 1995. Clearly Matt has the hots for her. The way he looked at her, the way he looked during the backrub. I officially no longer feel sorry for him, because he's in teenage boy soft-porn heaven, right down to the Spanish Lullaby. Oh, and her I came here to work my way through college, to become a nurse, to help people.....Does that also include helping underage boys with their sexual frustration? Because it's obvious that's what she'll be doing, at least in his dreams and quite possibly in reality as well. It sure seems to be heading that way.

Overall, a better episode than last time. But I am tired of Julie carrying the burden of unlikeability, and it had damn well better stop soon. Maybe the writers will be satisfied now that she's been slapped. Also, note that she didn't take a puff of the joint and she was doing her homework diligently. The girl still has some sense, which is more than can be said for a lot of teenagers. I'm going to focus on the positive.

I agree. At the time I was surprised they were moving this storyline so fast, but then Lyla had to take that kiss the wrong way, and they lost me. I know Riggins and Lyla's feelings for each other are messed up, but I think her blowing him off at that moment was contrived.

And I, for one, will be in the front row. With popcorn.

Hard choice, but I actually go with team mascot, because what was cold about it, was that Coach McAss was respectful to Jason and called him "Coach" a day ago, but he suddenly just dropped that bombshell, just because things were going his way. It showed that no matter what, he deep down has no respect for Jason. And that is just low.

Lyla/Tim: I was wondering where this religion thing would go, and I'll be pissed if Tim did in fact do that, just to get into Lyla's pants. I know Tim isn't perfect, but I figured he would be better then that.

No, not happy with the Smash demonizing.

I missed that! But without even seeing it I want it, right now!

And he likes Thursday!!!! Double YES!

I agree. Lyla had every reason to think that Tim coming over and letting himself into her room (deja vu, anyone?) had an alterior motive. But for some reason, I believe him. Tim can never seem to get it right when it comes to saying what he really wants someone to hear. How does he say thank you for getting me to come to church and realize that there is something out there beyond this town and football? He tells her she brings him closer to God. And in all fairness, she did. He went to that church because of her, whether it be just because she was there or because he really believed it would be good for him. And forgive me if this sounds cheesy, but what he found when he got there were words that he could relate to, a situation that described him, and it wasn't just about that hot chick standing next to him. But of course, he can't just tell her that and have it just mean that. There's needs to be an attempt at a kiss and a sexualizing of the situation to turn him right back around. Not at all a surprise, but a little sad.

So interesting and a very good theory, and really, I hope it is true. I just took it so differently. I guess because I was so hating the Julie during this I just assumed that she didn't take the hit because she totally knew she had no idea how and would look like a complete idiot. Self-preservation rather than moral preservation.

I was in Smash's corner in the parking lot. He's right, it's his senior year, he wants to get his name out there and the coach is the one who's running the offense around him. If Matt has a problem with that Smash isn't the one to talk to. McGregass is.

BUT

He needs to shut his mouth on the field. He already knows Matt is pissed the hell off, don't be needling him any harder and damn sure don't be doing it during a game.

I loved that Eric was at the game and while I hate that he's trusting Buddy for anything I want him back in Dillon so bad I don't care how he gets there. I can't wait to see what happens when he gets back on the field. I hope it's soon. And since the previews put him back in Dillon and worried about a job I think him coaching Dillon will be happening before too much long.

I'm looking forward to it because I think things will dramatically improve once he's back. I just hope they jettison Lyla's religious awakening because I can't get past the fakeyness of it and resolve the murder story in the process.



That's exactly the same reaction I had to her prayer in the premiere ep.

Okay, I think I need to go do some deep breathing. I'm still not over the storylines I hate yet. That doesn't usually happen until Saturday afternoon.

Let me join the chorus stating that Tami needed to get in a couple of more whacks at Julie while she had the chance. That was way overdue. But, I did love when she broke down in CT's arms over the incident the next time.

"Your baby is crying." HATE! Has Julie done ANYTHING at all to help Tami with the new baby? Like I said, slap her again.

The "team mascot" comment was cringeworthy (but in a good way). The look of dejection on Street's face was heartbraking. I always thought Porter was one of the weaker actors on the show, but he brought the A game tonight.

I'm still undecided on the Carlotta storyline. For someone so against doing Matt's laundry, she didn't seem to mind having his dinner waiting for him after the game. Seriously, if you're washing Grandma's underwear, what's the harm in throwing in a few of Matt's socks while you're at it. I did like the fact that she accompanied Grandma to the game. I don't know how I feel about the possibility of a romance between her and Matt, but at this point I'd take her over Julie (who, did I mention, I'd like to see slapped again).

Loved scheming Buddy Garrity. I finally saw why he's such a good car salesman tonight. He knew just the right buttons to push with CT. I'm surprised he didn't mention the amount of time Glen is spending with Tami. LOL at CT's comment about not wanting Glen in "his wife's icebox."

I'm actually liking the Lyla religion story. Why did they have her change churches? That was definitely a more evangelical congregation than the one she was shown attending last year (when the affair came to light in the church parking lot). I knew Tim wouldn't convert immediately, but I would like to think it had some effect on him. Maybe show him opening up a little over the whole season, which would be more realistic than an instantChristian anyway. I do wish we had seen Crucifictorious perform at the church (what happened to them, anyway?)

I would have liked to have seen how CT handled cutting the kid. But, I would have preferred to see him give Julie one across the face instead.

I'm actually not so much against the whole murder storyline anymore. I think its being handled as well as any show could. JP and AP are acting the hell out of it. I'm kind of coming around. The way some critics are reacting you would think the writers had a spaceship land during the halftime show during the Panthers game.

Smash needs to be brought down a few pegs.

One last time, someone slap Julie again.

I was waiting for Jason to leap out of his chair after the "team mascot" crack and punch McAss. Thank goodness for the mexico road trip. J and Timmy time. Who knows what will happen but these two guys should spend more screen time together. They have good chemistry with each other. It's not all girlfriend and boyfriend stuff.

Count me in with hating that brat, Julie. She's had it coming for a long time now. Good for her mother!

Enough with Landry and Tyra. The story line just doesn't work. It just doesn't seem to be up to FNL writer standards.

Buddy. Good old Buddy. In the background, manipulating coach T and getting his way. You gotta love this guy.

Great, Great, Great show tonight. This episode should have been the season opener. Quality Televison.

Scott Porter did a great job and can't wait for more of J and Tim.

Definitely. I didn't think he went there with the intention of hooking up at all. I think, like with the first kiss with neighbor lady, he just misread the signal. And dude, speaking of neighbor lady (what *is* her name? someone upthread mentioned it, but I still can't remember for the life of me), does it not bother Billy to have his brother's sloppy seconds (and I apologize, because I really hate that term, but if the shoe fits . . .)? I don't know; I keep forgetting that so much time has passed, so maybe it's not that big a deal.

I hope we get to see the Tim/Jason road trip. That ought to be a good time.

I loved how proud and excited Landry's parents were in the stands before the game.

I have also noticed some subtle things - Tim was wearing a 1974 (maybe 1976) state champions shirt, and later, another one from another year. In the locker room just before Matt confronts Smash in the parking lot, he pulls their state championship shirt over his head. I didn't catch the Crucifictorious poster, though. I'll have to rewatch.

This. Is brilliant. Seriously. I think it was a mix of things - looking for something to belong to, loving Lyla (which I think he does in an idealized kind of way), trying to get her attention/approval. But Tim not having any other way to express himself to a woman other than sexually - especially when paired with the Billy/Jackie development - is a great insight

That's what I got from it as well. I knew everything he was telling Lyla was a bunch of crap. And I'm glad Lyla called him on it.

UGH. I'm no Tim/Lyla fan but I think I might be when all is said and done. Damn it!

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about. By far the best ep so far IMO, largely because for once it had great balance between the characters. Felt like the "old show".

Matt should stay far, far away from all the Taylors. The boy simply becomes a bumbling dope around all of them, his attempt to apologize to CT was just painful. But just when I was grousing over having to hate the character, he magically grows up during the commercial break! Loved team leader Matt, loved QB Matt, loved Smash-envy smackdown Matt. Please stay on this path, please continue to be able to actually string a coherent sentence together, I like it so much more.

The NILF, though, is creepy, maybe a little overdoing it on Matt's fast track to growing up. Man she didn't waste any time, did she? There is a strange mix of ILFism and mothering that's downright Oedipal. Jeeze.

You go Jason. I never wanted him to default to Panther coach for life. If going on a wild goose chase to Mexico is the beginning of his exploring some options beyond Panther World, I will be happy. SP was awesome tonight. But where are Jason's parents? (A question we asked all year last year) How is he planning to finance the surgery? Good to note he does have a quaded out truck now. And speaking of, I liked this ep so much and was so glad to see increased time for Jason, I did not even mind Herc, that much.

Dang, could Snidley Coach McAss just twirl his villian mustache and get it over with? We get it, he's sub-human. Guy told Jason to chose between coach and mascot, Jason tried to coach and McAss called him a mascot. What a guy. Hope he has his resume up to date.

The previews overdid the Julie smackdown, but that was still disturbing. She is pretty awful though, and I agree with everyone that calling the pod creature "your baby" was alarming. Could the Swede please give Riggs his grease shampoo back?

TK was outstanding tonight, IMO, and I don't mean the dangerously drooping pants. The church scene was beautiful. I watched the live video feed from that church the night they shot it, so watching it on the ep felt very post modern. Wasn't it fortunate for Tim that the only open seat in the house was next to Lyla? And how did that happen anyway? A girl who looks like that and there is not a line of guys wanting that seat? Seriously, both actors really nailed it. It's going to be so interesting to see where this goes.

And then Tim returns to the scene of last year's crime, almost makes it at least to first base, and then gets rebuffed. I felt Lyla plain ole got scared, probably of her own feelings. Seemed like she was totally into it, right up until the last minute when the alarms started going off. Can't really blame her.

I would like to know the status of Jason and Lyla. Are they friends? Do they talk? Need at least one scene.

And Buddy. What a piece of work. So incredibly self-serving and manipulative. Not to speak of hypocritical. Coach needs to tend to his family, huh? Hello pot, meet kettle. I try to think why I don't hate Buddyfucco. I think its because he does his dirty work so wide-eyed and so convinced of his own righteousness.

It sure was. I cringed just a bit. What did he say again after he told him they broke up?? All I heard what "blahbhafhv rwhefuwhfqe". Um, What!?

But so glad to see his spine was fully in place after the break. The "yeah I'll say something" line. NICE! And not even saying anything to Smash after the game.. just walking up and tackling him to the ground. NICE!!

And WTF, why did I like that Carlotta scene near the end????? I am losing my mind!

I loved this episode. It felt like FNL again. Tim's conversion experience I think *was real to him, he just isn't good at expressing himself and totally mis-read Lyla's happiness for him as more than that.

I think the Jason storyline is being handled well. I don't think it's a fiasco at all. I don't think it will end well, but I can totally understand why a guy like Jason would try to find a cure. He's a take charge kind of guy--that's what made him a great quarterback. It would seem odd to me if Jason didn't seek out some other type of treatment or therapy.

On a shallow note--CT looked hot in every single scene. Damn, that man ages well. I loved all his scenes, and not just for the hotness. He can express so much without saying a word. Loved the scene with him and Tami when she confessed to hitting Julie.

Julie--I can't stand her, but at the same time, I can see her character getting beyond this eventually and being likable again. That scene with her and Tami fighting was so incredibly REAL! I expect CB to rock those scenes, but I think that was AT's best scene, acting-wise. The pitch of her voice totally sold it--that high pitched squeal as she was being pulled out of the van.

Landry and Tyra--I feel bad for them. They are like Romeo and Juliet in that there will be no happy ending to their story. It makes how sweet things are becoming between them almost painful to watch. I don't hate the storyline, but I hate what it will do to the characters.

Well, for me it's because he's also so damn funny.

First thing....

Kyle Chandler is by far the HOTTEST, the SEXIEST man EVAH!!! Just.GUH!(JMHO)
Good lord, I thought I was going to keel over as CT was standing there watching the game..delicious!

Second...
I just can't nit-pick this show. I have loved everything about FNL since day 1. Tonights episode had me going through every emotion. I'm lovin' Tyra(and her hair)and Landry, I think what she said to his dad was awesome and true to the heart.

Buddy's talk with CT about his family was spot on! CT needed to hear what he doesn't see.

AT that's bringin' it and making me love the whole Julie storyline. Yep, she's being a selfish 16 year old bitch testing her parents to the very end. She deserved that slap. I'm thrilled she didn't smoke the pot. I can't wait to see what all happens once CT is home.

I was lmao at Jason tellin' Riggins off at the end. The "I'm gonna come and kick your ass" line was fantastic. The whole church scene with Tim was so telling. I'm waiting for the Tim and Lyla hookup.

Matt is superior. So when will the dirty sex happen with him and Carlotta????

Smash was back in rare form. The fight brought everything together and I'm so glad CT was there to see that so much has crumbled since he left. I love Smash...

I can't wait for CT to come home even if it looks like there will be some issues.

So put me in the boat that can't find fault with this show. Maybe it's because when I watch, I'm not looking for the bad. I just enjoy it and look forward to Friday's. Of course YMMV...

And lastly....

Damn straight!

The Buddy vitriole is a little unfounded regarding this bringin' CT home campaign... I am not sure this is entirely self-serving. Mean coach is trying to be his own man by being a steaming pile of asshat and rejecting all that CT accepted/embraced. That doesnt seem like a strategy that is good for Dillon. Trick play at the end is okay. Tricking own team about play is shitty. Hence the smashdown.