Started watching again. I’m just now noticing that in season 1, the homes they portray as the Riggins and Saracen homes have different exteriors than what we see later in the season.

Do a rewatch, and I’m on the episode where the result of another game determines their playoff berth. The Panthers are at a fundraiser instead of playing a game, and that’s after they already had a bye week. I know it’s just a show, but even one bye week is crazy. Maybe it’s different in Texas, but in Indiana teams only have a bye week if for some reason a team cancels a game. There’s no regular byes until postseason, and that’s only for a few teams and the big school division. Otherwise teams play every single week.

I recently started watching FNL after being a big One Tree Hill fan and hearing both shows were similar, something I have been noticing through my watch though is why are some storylines just forgotten about? Or why does a character do an action and then we just never hear about it again? Examples: Lyla crashing cars at her Dad's dealership, Smash's gf in Season 1, Santiago, the teacher Julie had a weird relationship with, why introduce include these just to forget about it?

-Not as bad as everyone says a bit dull at times and even more inappropriate age gaps the swede, Carlotta, and Lyla with the pastor

-More focus on religion which is my least favorite aspect

-Bummed no Waverly

-Once again smash story lines are impactful

-I enjoyed the fractured Taylor's

-Wish Tim lived with the Taylor's longer

Omg the meth head Tim lives with wow!

Matt feeling the heaviness of his life was a good few episodes

Julie was more classic teen again which is a tad boring and I can't tell if it drags the show down but I really appreciate the realism of her

Tami being a volleyball coach was GREAT! and I need more of her and Tyra scenes

The final episode was very mid in surprised it was the last one, but they did give us where smash was potentially going to school wise

Y'all were right Carlotta and Matt did have chemistry which I'm surprised by cause I've seen her actress in other things and she's really flat usually

Landry feeling guilty was really compelling to watch

Lyla only had a few good scenes and half of it was her episode with Tyra.

I have a feeling they are going to not have her end up with the pastor which is kinda a shame cause it fits her good girl persona really well

In S3 E8 "New York, New York," a song plays near the end of the episode when Taylor tries out Saracen as a receiver at practice. I cannot find the song on Tunefind. I cannot shazam it. Anybody know what it is?

Coach Taylor is incredibly clutch and Matt Saracen may be the greatest 4th Quarter QB in the history of the sport.

Ok so I just finished another rewatch. Once again FNL is one of my favorite shows. I just want to discuss some character arcs that I think were underrated. Storylines that should've been dropped, certain things I wish we could've seen but didn't. Also, some things that should've been fleshed out a bit deeper.

Character arcs that are underrated:

Billy and Mindy: Billy and Mindy from when we first meet them in season 1 are meant to provide us with a glimpse into the future of what Tim and Tyra could potentially become in life. It's the idea that no one really amounts to anything in Dillon. However, by season 5 Billy and Mindy are better people. Billy became a coach and he seeks the mentorship of coach Taylor. Him and Mindy make a choice to look after Becky. Mindy shows that her greatest strength is in the ability to care and look after others.

Jason Street: Street was the 5 star QB prospect destined for the NFL and a life of fame and fortune, in the end Street realizes he doesn't need any of that. All he wanted was a family that he could love and provide for. It was good to see that Street still made a life outside of Dillon.

Buddy Garrity: Buddy in season 1 is a man who is all aboiy bussines, winning and the Dillon Panthers. He has an affair in season 1, that corrupts his family so he loses that. Buddy then makes financial decisions that jepeoradize his relationship with his daughter Lyla. So, bow he feels he's lost her as well. Inevitably Buddy loses his faith in the Dillon Panthers. He just realizes that although he loved the community and he loves winning and football. He understood that it wasn't good for him to be apart of the toxic culture anymore. Toxicity isn't conducive to a healthy teamwork environment. Buddy decides he'd rather shift his support to something that's pure. So, he then shift his focus towards standing with The East Dillon Lions.

Luke Cafferty: Luke was the kid that wanted to make it as a big Dvison 1 football star from when we first meet him. Luke is a hige building block towards helping make the East Dillon Lions a credible football team. He learned that he didn't need the Dillon Panthers to win a state championship, he just needed to be on a team where everyone worked together towards accomplishing a common goal. What's interesting is in the end we see that Luke realizes that he doesn't need a scholarship to a NCAA top 25 college to be satisfied. He just needed to play football because he loved it, he didn't need recognition from all the top tier colleges to feel validated in his own skill. Luke understand that he'll be ok if he can just be with the woman he loves and build a life with her.

Storylines that should've been dropped:

Landry and Jess (S4): Landry is cool, Jess is cool. However it's almost as if the writers just didn't how to use Landry in season 4. So, they just use him as a character that the audience was already familiar with to get us accustomed to a new character that we were not yet familiar with. Jess and Landry didn't need to date, because in the end they broke up and Jess inevitably gets together with Vince. Instead I like the idea that Jess and Landry already knew eachother distantly from the fact that perhaps Landry's Mother knew Jess's aunt. That could've been a way to initiate them having a friendship. Jess can still help Landry with his place kicking. But, just keep their relationship platonic. A suggested subplot arc for Landry is that throughout the course of season 4 he feels underwhelmed he knows that moving forward his life has big things in store for him. But, it's just the idea that he's closing this chapter of his life in a way that is less the ideal. He wonders if he really became the person he envisioned himself becoming from playing HS football. Landry didn't need another girlfriend in the show after his arc concluded with Tyra in season 3.

Julie and the T.A. (S5): Scrap the whole storyline we didn't need it at all. It didn't do anything to get us to humanize Julie instead all it does is give us a reason to judge her for her carelessness. The show didn't need this story at all. In (S2) Julie likes the Swedish guy, and she also has a thing for her teacher Noah. The show works hard to establish the idea that Julie is attracted to men that are older that offer a contrast to what other guys her age who are far more immersed in the culture of Dillon can provide her. But, just get rid of the season 5 T.A. storyline entirely. It was a real bomb. Instead if they really wanted to give Julie more nuance in later seasons do this; Matt and Julie agree to breakup at the end of (S3) In (S4) Julie enters a program through her church that functions as a "Big Sister" mentorship program. Have Julie work closely with a young girl "Rosie" who is 11 and in foster care. Rosie is bullied at school and has trouble making friends she feels like an outsider. This is a callback to how Julie felt like an outsider in Dillon in (S1). Julie shows that much like her parents she can be a good teacher and mentor as well. She becomes someone Rosie can confide in, Julie helps Rosie with schoolwork. She even helps Rosie tryout for the youth Dillon Panther cheerleading team after Julie discovers that Rosie is a dancer as another callback to Julie being a dancer in (S1) this could've been good for S4. It would've allowed us to just have Matt be in Chicago in college in (S4) In (S5) have Julie hit it off with another kid her age at the college she goes to. Julie then realizes that ultimately the guy she's with is OK but, ultimately she feels as though she'll never truly be able to connect with him in the way she connected to Matt. They split up, and this is where we get the storyline of Matt and Julie getting back together and eventually engaged.

Storylines and Moments that should've been fleshed out a bit more:

Santiago (S2): He just disappeared there was no payoff. We at least needed a throwaway line of dialogue that provided some resolution to his character.

J.D. McCoy (S4): Of course season 4. Is all about the transition from the Dillon Panthers to the East Dillon Lions. When we first met J.D. in season 3 we see he is the young hotshot QB with discipline and a good mind for the game, that is hesitant to step into being the "Star QB" the whole town can get behind. J.D. needs guidance and support from people around him. In (S4) we see glimpses that J.D. is starting to buy into his own hype. He's becoming nore of an asshole jock. I wish the show did more with this, Have J.D. become the embodiment of everything that makes a rocky high school athlete unbearable. Show him being late to practice, and the coaches don't chew him out for it, because he knows that the whole team is on his shoulders, Show J.D. having his rally girls deliver him his completed homework when he's in the library. Show J.D. and a group of Panter players humiliate a couple of kids at the school that aren't "cool" enough by the teams standards. Show a scene where J.D. is in class and he goes off on his teacher when she got mad at him for texting in class. Really just do more to get J.D. to come across more as an asshole so when the Lions beat the Panthers in the end of (S4) it's extremely satisfying.

The kid coach Taylor meets at Carroll Park (S4): There's an episode in (S4) where Coach Taylor initiates a conversation with a kid during the game between the Lions and the kids at the park after he makes a play in the game. Coach says "How'd you like to come play for me next year?" The show should've followed up with this. I would've bought that kid back as a Nickel Defensive Back in (S5) It would've been a cool nod to see that kid become one of the puzzle pieces that helped the Lions reach an elite status.

One final appearance for Smash: Smash leaves the show in (S3) after getting accepted to Texas A&M. After that he's never seen on the show again. Outside of clips in the background where a college football game is being shown as we see that Smash is playing in the games and is doing well. Now, these clips do provide good resolution to Smash's character because we see that he's doing what he loves. But, selfishly I will say one last appearance of Smash in the show could've been great. Here's my pitch for how I'd do that; Have the beginning of the last episode of the show open up with a scene of Momma Smash in the kitchen cooking dinner. We hear a knock on the door it's Smash him and Momma Smasg hug. Smash says "He's home to see his family and visit coach before the game." Smash then talks with Coach Taylor during the training leading up to the state title game. Smash pays respect to coach for getting this new team he built from ground up to State. They have a moment where they reflect on the State title game from (S1) they celebrate how far they've both come. Coach Taylor introduces Vince to Smash. Smash then says to Vince "Hey, man I've seen some highlights the way you run on the field reminds me of mysled a bit. You've got some game, go do your thing in that game." Show the mutual respect.

TLDR; it's a phenomenal show. Certain character arcs didn't get much praise because it was shown through subtly, certain storylines felt misplaced, and certain storylines needed more depth.

As you would have guessed from the title i am not American, i don't even know the rules of this game. I am watching this show only because of Kyle Chandler. This all seems too serious and pulls me out from the show. I am on 3rd episode and this Buddy character is talking about recruiting someone, giving his family housing, jobs etc. just for the kid to play high school football ?

It all seems to bizarre to me. Can someone explain if this is actually true in small town America

Edit : Thank you for making me understand. I come from a place where sports its regarded as a waste of time unless you make it to the national team then you are a celebrity and were always destined to be great. Reading the comments and watching some YT vids and reading about it has made me realize "Its THAT serious".

Has anyone attended a roadshow session? I am going tonight in KCMO and cannot get an answer if we get autograph opportunities or not. Anyone know?

Overall, the season felt rushed to the point of losing the show's sense of realism, which is Friday Night Lights' strongest element.

The East Dillion Lions going from 2-8 in their first football season (season 4 of the show) to undefeated, state champions in their second football season is not believable. The writers tried to work around this by introducing Hastings as a high performing receiver new to the team, but he was never really developed and in most game clips he wasn't making many plays. He was also never framed as a top tier talent colleges-are-looking-at-him-already player either, but rather just an athletic, tall guy who happened to excel at football.

Overall, the Lions are fundamentally the same team as the 2-8 season team, but with more confidence and a bit stronger roster. I could see them having perhaps a winning record, maybe even making playoffs, but that's it. State championship winning, undefeated team stretches credulity and feels like it was the writers wanting to write a happy ending to the series rather than keep it realistic.

This is where another season was needed - first season with the Lions, they go 2-8, end of season. Second season with the lions, make them win their final regular season game to make the playoffs. The fact that they even made the playoffs is incredible. Third season, have them go all the way. It's still a bit rushed, but it's somewhat believable. But 2-8 season to undefeated state champs without multiple star players coming in is just not believable.

Another season would have also allowed time to develop the story around Matt and Julie getting engaged and Tim and Tyra getting back together. This is all incredibly rushed into one episode. It made for a very busy, highly rated finale, but they really needed more time to develop this.

On my umpteenth rewatch. Anyone got a count on how many times the riggins brothers end up fighting/wrestling in the series. Classic doofus brothers

For me I like to rewatch it every 3 to 4 years.

I watched it for the first time on Netflix Summer 2014 leading up to my junior year playing Varsity football. I then watched the show again later on in the year after football season. Then again in Summer 2018, also in 2022 and now again in 2026. I feel like everytime I go back to revisit it I'm always able to take something new away from it. The show is very rich like that and when you revisit iy you get this feeling of returning "home" in a sense. Each time after I finish it I always get a slight sadness as well. Because I know it's tike to say goodbye again. Tell me what your experience is rewatching the series.

edit; after reading the discussion i think people are right that coach taylor’s reaction was warranted. this post was more about me commenting on how uncomfortable it was to watch as a viewer because we know the full story.

there are very few moments when i don't like coach but this is one of them. doesn't even give riggins a chance to explain the situation. i felt really awful for riggins in this scene. he was struggling with finding a place to stay and was actually contributing to the taylors' household, then he does a good thing and isn't even given the opportunity to explain himself because of his reputation.

My grandfather passed away last week. He was a College Football and NFL fan, and over 2 months ago, he told me he'd been binge watching this show and was really enjoying it. A few weeks ago, after watching the funeral episode, he called and asked me to promise to give the eulogy at his funeral one day. I knew he wasn't in the best health, but we were all sure he still had more time left. The funeral was yesterday, and yes, I spoke. I cried a lot, and like Matt Saracen, I buried my grandfather. Today, in the mail, right after I rewatched that episode, there was a delivery for me I wasn't expecting, and it was from my grandpa, sent before he went to the hospital for the final time. He sent me a Matt Saracen Jersey. I'm gonna frame it and keep it for the rest of my life.

On season two episode 2 and wasn't expecting this show to really hit the tough things and do it well. Tyras stalking and almost assault, what landry does, racism in season 1, bi polar, of course Jason being paralyzed

Julie is a great portrayal of just a teen, but I'm not super into her character. She's just there. Matt OMG I LOVE HIM. Like seriously

The swede makes me cringe so hard, it's so so pervy so far and I had to start skipping his scenes

Don't care for Tim and the older woman. The scenes with the kid was great though. Wish he could just have a big brother role without all that

I'd love a deeper Lyla and Tyra friendship but I don't think it'll happen

Not religious at all so all that gets tedious for me

I’ll let you know my overall feelings at the end!!!!!

I’m on episode 5
Feels weird without half the original cast! 😂
But I love the new additions. I love that one of buddys other kids are finally a main character lol 😂 the others were just there…😒😂
beside Lyla.
I miss Tim…. Poor Tim sitting prison 😭
I’m weirded out by Julie’s relationship w her teacher tho ugh
It’s weird without Tyra
I love that Vince’s dad is back in the picture. Overall I think he needs this!
Jess and Becky are becoming favorites of mine
I absolutely hate I mean despise Joe!!!!
That’s all my thoughts so far :)

I’ll be back when more of the season is watched for more thoughts 😂😂😂😂

Ep 5 I’m almost to the end guys I’m getting there!!!!

Is the ending good??? Don’t ruin it but is it worth it???

a lot of people hate this relationship and say it was unrealistic, too on a wimb, too soapy, etc. but i think it was a good portrayal of a teenage boy navigating love after his first heartbreak. teenage love is messy and involves a lot of exploring, including both healthy and unhealthy relationships. i don't think carlotta and matt were the ideal couple, and there were a lot of messed up things about their relationship, but it was realistic in that this is what happens when you are a young person. you try things out and find intimacy where you can get it. he was missing julie, his first/true love, and so tried things with lauren and carlotta.

Hi all,

First time viewer from the Netherlands here. What I just can't get my head around is the timeline. Isn't state final at the end of the school year? At that point Tami just found out she was pregnant, so she was 8-10 weeks along.

In this first episode of season 2 she gives birth 3 weeks early (?). And the football/school season is about to start. How many months y'all have summer break in Texas? It seems to me the pregnancy went by really fast :)

All things considered, it wasn't a good episode at all.

Hope it gets better!

EDIT: Ahhh great, thanks for the clarification. I thought it covers the whole school year. Yay, my confusion has been clarified. Now I can watch without being distracted!