MovieChat Forums > Friday Night Lights (2006) Discussion > Thoughts and questions after watching

Thoughts and questions after watching

posted 8 years ago by designdesign23
4 replies | jump to latest

I have just finished binge watching all five seasons and I can honestly say this is one of the best shows I have ever seen. I don't think I have ever watched a show that had me as emotionally invested in the characters as I was while watching this show. Aside for Lyla, I really cared and rooted for every character. While I love the show, there were some storylines that I really did not understand throughout the series and wondered if anyone else had any thoughts on it.

1. Russell Hastings- Did anyone find him to be an extremely useless character? After the first couple of episodes of the team and coach recruiting him, I can't remember him saying a single thing during the rest of season 5. It seemed a waste to bring a character in when it was going to be the last season and there was no time in developing his character.

2. Matt and Julie vs. Becky and Luke- I consider Matt Saracen to be the best character on this show. I know a lot of people praise Kyle for being a good actor but I think Zach was the best on the show. All of his scenes, especially the ones that focused on his father, were so powerful. Plus, his funny scenes with Laundry throughout the series were always a treat. I truly thought he was from the South because his accent was so good. But, I didn't realize until Becky and Luke showed up how terribly undeveloped Julie was as a character. I really only cared about her when she had scenes with Matt, and when he left it seemed like the writers had no idea what to do with her and just threw in the random affair. Julie didn't have an identity on this show which is sad considering she was on every episode. Becky and Luke were a cute couple but each had their own identities developed throughout season 4 so that in season 5 they complimented each other. I have seen on this board some people really don't like Becky, but I enjoyed seeing her backstory in season 4 and learning about her rough home life. I cared more about her story than I ever did about Julie when she wasn't with Matt.

3. Laundry- Laundry is a character that I think the writers really screwed over. He seemed to never be the guy any girl really wanted and season 4 should have focused on his reaction to losing Matt, not just Julie whining all the time. I couldn't believe watching the season finale that he only was in it for like 30 seconds and didn't get to have any other bonding moments with the rest of the cast.

4. Jess's family life- Did they ever explain where Jess's mother was? There was one episode either in season 4 or 5 when her little brother was fighting with her constantly about not having a mom, but they seemed to just drop that plot. I also wonder why they chose to get rid of her dad because it doesn't seem like the actor was filming anything else at the time.

5. Season 2- I know a lot of people on these boards really hate this season, but I'm not sure why. Aside from the completely unrealistic and awful storyline of Laundry, his father, and Tyra covering up a murder and Lyla, in general, I thought it was alright. I do wish this season focused more on Tyra and Tim repairing their relationship so that the reconciliation in the end was not so random. I always thought they should be together because they were both characters who completely progressed from the first episode and confided in each other. What do people really hate about the second season?

6. Smash- Does anyone know why the actor was the only original cast member to never return to the series after he left?

[–] faulknerster 8 years ago

1. The writers initially had a bigger story for Hastings (apparently dating Jess), but it was dropped early in the final season because there was too much story to tell. Yet, they signed the actor as part of the main ensemble. So, they couldn't just drop him from the series.

2. I agree that Becky became a sympathetic and interesting enough character as the show wore on. I also think the writers mishandled her introduction and she was a flat cliche in her earlier episodes. So, I get the hate for her at the beginning of season 4.

3. Landry probably shouldn't have been in season 4. But it seemed the writers wanted to keep some of the older cast-members to make the minor re-boot a smoother transition. But he was pretty useless post season 3.

4. No, they never explained it as far as I recall. I think it can be assumed that she died.

5. I don't hate season 2. It has its moments. But it is quite easily the weakest season of the show and just not just because of the murder cover-up. You had Julie at her most annoying, Lyla's boring new romance, Tim dealing a ferret loving meth dealer, Jason trying to get some rag-tag surgery in Mexico, Smash and his corny interracial storyline (a story that could have been interesting if done with more subtly and verve), Santiago being a cheesy and half-baked new character- there was just a lot of ridiculousness and cliches. The biggest problem for me is that the season dawdled, no real focus or plot momentum. It also lacks the great episodes of other seasons. Never mind that it was randomly cut short due to the writer's strike.

6. I believe he was taking a break from acting at the time. I actually like the idea of Smash never returning since there are plenty of people who when they get out of those small towns never come back. I would have liked to see Mama Smash again however.

[–] designdesign23 8 years ago

Thanks for clearing all that up!

I agree Becky's introduction was handled poorly. I kinda like that they didn't get to explore that relationship between Hastings and Jess because I think it would have threw the season off a bit.

[–] Schrute2112 8 years ago

Glad you enjoyed it. Such a good show about people and their struggles as well as their victories.

Almost didn't watch because I'm not too interested in hs football or the state of Texas.

[–] designdesign23 8 years ago

I felt the same way you did. I hate football so I always avoided this show. Glad I finally gave it a chance.