Pear
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Post by Pear on Nov 9, 2013 1:28:35 GMT -5
So begins the story of the Dillon Panthers. It's week one of the new football season, and the atmosphere is buzzing with excitement. There's a new coach in town and a quarterback phenom, both ready to anchor a team expected to win the State Championship. There's a coach's wife, a hard-working second string quarterback, a loud-mouthed running back, and a slacker fullback. There's a bunch of characters that can't really be defined in one word like I've done above, because all of them are unique in their own way. Yes, that sounds cheesy, but it's true; what the pilot does so well is establish each of their relationships, each of their mindsets, and each of their places in Dillon.
It's a hard task to accomplish, but this episode essentially pulls it off in the first five minutes. The camera work conveys so much about Dillon in a few tracking shots, later leading into a quick catch up with all the characters; it feels like a catch up rather than an introduction because we've already been thrown into the world, feeling very much a part of this intimate town. This is a show about that intimacy, that sense of community built up around one thing: football. When everyone gathers at Buddy Garrity's car dealership to celebrate the upcoming season, the show reminds us exactly how much influence the sport has. It has to be both liberating and terrifying to be a new coach here, both welcomed and burdened with massive expectations. Everyone raising their championship rings serves to support Coach, but also exerts power and influence over him.
Coach deals with it all with extreme poise and confidence, but he's also honest and realistic. He doesn't just put on a brave face for his players; he believes in that brave face. He can understand the difficulty of high expectations heaped upon the struggles of supporting his family in a new environment, but he also has hope that it'll all turn out fine and has high expectations for his team. Kyle Chandler and his awesome face convey this perfectly, and Mrs. Coach's first scene with him is a thing of beauty (and oh God, Connie Britton. I adore this woman); she takes a genuine interest in his game film, then recognizes the stress in his shoulders and helps to alleviate it. This is a marriage in which both partners truly understand each other, and the Taylor family is a family that I so desperately would like to live with. I can sleep outside if necessary...what's that, Coach? You believe in me and you would like to have me? Aw, thanks.
The pilot also does a fantastic job of adding character moments rather than burning through plot. Over the course of the 45 minutes, we get a sense of who each one is. We know that Matt's the intelligent kid that wants to play football under those lights, but he misses the mark more often than not. We know that Tyra's the sassy, assertive woman that wants to escape the monotony of her life. We know that Tim's the "seemingly a cliche jock but GUESS WHAT is actually much more complicated than that" guy that uses football as an escape from his life. We know that Jason's the star quarterback with aspirations of the NFL and something other than Dillon.
Going off that last point, the final sequence of the game is one of the most devastating and thrilling things I've seen on TV. The buildup is so fantastic that even though we barely even know the guy, Street's injury hurts like hell. Much like Julie, who wants to break away from being tied to her father, Mrs. Coach, who wants to move to a bigger house, or Tyra, who just wants to get away, Jason has desires. All those dreams are crushed in one moment, pushing Matt Saracen into the spotlight. It's the classic "second string dude helps team mount an incredible comeback" scenario, but the show is able to spin it into something better. The episode circles back around to that sense of community as the team stands together in the hospital, praying for the QB that represented their desires and futures. This team now has to believe in Matt Saracen and Eric Taylor, and for now, that belief is intact as they listen to their coach:
"Give all of us gathered here tonight the strength to remember that life is so very fragile. We are all vulnerable, and we will all, at some point in our lives... fall. We will all fall. We must carry this in our hearts... that what we have is special. That it can be taken from us, and when it is taken from us, we will be tested. We will be tested to our very souls. We will now all be tested. It is these times, it is this pain, that allows us to look inside ourselves."
GRADE: A-
OTHER THOUGHTS:
-If you don't like football, that's absolutely not a problem. I know people that have even found the football sequences in the show to be thrilling, but even if you don't, the show's less about football than the idea of football.
-I really like Julie.
-Whenever I watch that last sequence, I get chills. Ahem, it's a little dusty in here.
-...but seriously, for a pilot to make you tear up? Damn impressive.
-There's a lot of nice foreshadowing in this episode, all the more noticeable on rewatch.
-Hey, it's Todd!
-We get the first "Texas Forever" here.
-I love that short scene between Matt and Lorraine, where Matt sees her tapping her foot. It's a nice subtle moment that establishes the relationship effectively.
-"Do you think that God likes football?" "I think everyone likes football." Nice reiteration of themes there.
-Riggins is pretty awesome.
-I didn't really mention Smash or Lyla. I enjoy them both, although not as much as the rest.
-I don't know...do I want to have a relationship like Coach and Mrs. Coach's or be a part of their family? Both?
-Stop trying to get Mrs. Coach to join your stupid book club, random women. She's better than that.
-The dealership scene is also pretty hilarious, most notable with Riggins getting hit on.
-Welcome to Friday Night Lights coverage. This should be fun. |
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Pear
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Post by Pear on Nov 9, 2013 1:38:27 GMT -5
Also...how would you guys like the schedule to work? Once a week? Every few days? Whenever I have it ready? I'm sure this applies more to the people starting for the first time. I do want to give enough time to watch the episodes.
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Post by NewHereAgainoZach on Nov 9, 2013 2:49:46 GMT -5
Nice, Pear; great start!
I loved this show, although I can't say that I got to watch it, as I didn't have TV for the longest time.
One of the things I appreciated the most was that sense of community as help and hindrance. After watching the documentary "Go, Tigers!", it's very clear how a small town like Dillon - probably an old oil-boom town slowly going bust - can pin its collective hopes and desires onto a group of kids. The threat that the Boosters pose is palpable, as a queasy feeling in the gut, every time those blue-stoned rings are hoisted, whenever Coach pulls into a gas station, whenever a football is dropped.
I look forward to reading your thoughts on the season, and would be pleased as punch if you put one out every day! However, I understand that schedule's an issue for the writer, and the reader, and that there are still a few souls fortunate enough to be about to experience this artwork for the first time.
Take the snap, and fade into the pocket; you'll find an open receiver.
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outforawalk
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Post by outforawalk on Nov 9, 2013 3:05:39 GMT -5
I have never watched FNL and long felt that I should -- for both the AVC cred and the fact that I'm on a football team (and the fact it supposed to be great)... Anyhow, just discovered it's on Amazon Prime so I will attempt to not binge-watch and instead follow along with your reviews... a novel concept, and one I am not sure if I can pull off, but I'll try!
Anyhow, from my perspective, whatever schedule they come out at is fine! I doubt they can show up too quickly given the binge-watching tendencies I'll be fighting.
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Post by Douay-Rheims-Challoner on Nov 9, 2013 9:10:51 GMT -5
I remember watching the pilot I was a bit indifferent to the documentary approach, kind of liked this Coach guy though clearly he was under a lot of pressure, but then pow, Jason Street. That was a devastating hook for the show.
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Post by Angry Raisins on Nov 9, 2013 11:36:50 GMT -5
One thing that disappointed me a bit about later FNL is how
MILD SPOILER
Landry ended up on the football team. I liked how earlier, and in the pilot specifically, he gave a perspective of the students who were pretty indifferent to/annoyed by the whole football thing, while still having enough of a connection (as Saracen's friend) for his presence in the stories to make sense. Changing that, so pretty much every male student character the show followed was a footballer, felt a bit narrow and lazy.
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Pear
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Post by Pear on Nov 9, 2013 11:42:12 GMT -5
Nice, Pear; great start! I loved this show, although I can't say that I got to watch it, as I didn't have TV for the longest time. One of the things I appreciated the most was that sense of community as help and hindrance. After watching the documentary "Go, Tigers!", it's very clear how a small town like Dillon - probably an old oil-boom town slowly going bust - can pin its collective hopes and desires onto a group of kids. The threat that the Boosters pose is palpable, as a queasy feeling in the gut, every time those blue-stoned rings are hoisted, whenever Coach pulls into a gas station, whenever a football is dropped. I look forward to reading your thoughts on the season, and would be pleased as punch if you put one out every day! However, I understand that schedule's an issue for the writer, and the reader, and that there are still a few souls fortunate enough to be about to experience this artwork for the first time. Take the snap, and fade into the pocket; you'll find an open receiver. Yes, exactly, it was very well done; the show portrays both sides of things: community as help and hindrance, the desire to leave and stay in Dillon, the hope and apprehension that comes with a new start, etc. One a day probably wouldn't work for me. I only have time right now to revisit select season 1 episodes, anyway, and I probably wouldn't be able to crank out reviews that frequently. I'll see if I can get some people to help fill in the blanks, or I'll just post open threads for the ones I don't cover. |
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Pear
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Post by Pear on Nov 9, 2013 11:44:32 GMT -5
I have never watched FNL and long felt that I should -- for both the AVC cred and the fact that I'm on a football team (and the fact it supposed to be great)... Anyhow, just discovered it's on Amazon Prime so I will attempt to not binge-watch and instead follow along with your reviews... a novel concept, and one I am not sure if I can pull off, but I'll try! Anyhow, from my perspective, whatever schedule they come out at is fine! I doubt they can show up too quickly given the binge-watching tendencies I'll be fighting. Yeah, I'll try to allow for time to watch, although no guarantees. I won't be reviewing every season 1 episode, in case you didn't already know that. Still, you'll love it. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2013 13:10:17 GMT -5
Pear As long as you keep posting these reviews, you can do them on any schedule you want. This was great - thanks for sharing it. Really good review, in my opinion - you got to the heart of all the individuals and how they fit into Dillon itself, which I think is the point of the pilot, at least up until the end. Has another pilot episode stabbed me in the heart like this one? I doubt it. SPOILERS OMG That last scene of everyone in the hospital just killed me. Lyla Garrity sobbing. And I don't even like Lyla! It's not even close! END SPOILERS Edit: I might just register like six or seven accounts so that you can have all kinds of 'likes' for doing this.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2013 13:17:12 GMT -5
One thing that disappointed me a bit about later FNL is how MILD SPOILER Landry ended up on the football team. I liked how earlier, and in the pilot specifically, he gave a perspective of the students who were pretty indifferent to/annoyed by the whole football thing, while still having enough of a connection (as Saracen's friend) for his presence in the stories to make sense. Changing that, so pretty much every male student character the show followed was a footballer, felt a bit narrow and lazy. SPOILERS I GUESS You're not wrong about this, particularly because the dynamic of Landry existing extraneously to the football machine early on was such a good contrast, and led to some great stuff, like him helping Riggins with schoolwork and his perspective on Saracen being thrust into the spotlight, for better or worse. At least they didn't have Landry become a star out of nowhere. And I love his triumph at the end of S4. Still, I think you make a good point. However, Landry playing football was never a problem for me, because I never cared what Landry did, I just wanted him on the show. END SPOILERS |
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Post by Douay-Rheims-Challoner on Nov 9, 2013 13:23:46 GMT -5
Pro-tip: [spoiler][/spoiler]Anyway, re: Landry.
Landry joining the football team felt like one of the many misguided choices season two made, but also one of the few the show actually stuck with post-season two (that awkward moment reading FNL comments on the internet and then realizing you'd completely forgot the show ever had a character called Santiago. I'd agree with @catgun though it was hard to not cheer him on as he unlikely pretty good player.
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Pear
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Post by Pear on Nov 9, 2013 16:47:58 GMT -5
Pear As long as you keep posting these reviews, you can do them on any schedule you want. This was great - thanks for sharing it. Really good review, in my opinion - you got to the heart of all the individuals and how they fit into Dillon itself, which I think is the point of the pilot, at least up until the end. Has another pilot episode stabbed me in the heart like this one? I doubt it. SPOILERS OMG That last scene of everyone in the hospital just killed me. Lyla Garrity sobbing. And I don't even like Lyla! It's not even close! END SPOILERS Edit: I might just register like six or seven accounts so that you can have all kinds of 'likes' for doing this. Thanks! Yeah, that last scene was just fantastic. Attention, everyone: You will bawl your eyes out when you're watching this show. And don't worry about spoilers unless you're referencing a future episode. I would assume everyone who comes to this thread is expecting spoilers (if not, I apologize. Now everyone knows). |
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Post by NewHereAgainoZach on Nov 9, 2013 18:53:57 GMT -5
One thing that disappointed me a bit about later FNL is how MILD SPOILER Landry ended up on the football team. I liked how earlier, and in the pilot specifically, he gave a perspective of the students who were pretty indifferent to/annoyed by the whole football thing, while still having enough of a connection (as Saracen's friend) for his presence in the stories to make sense. Changing that, so pretty much every male student character the show followed was a footballer, felt a bit narrow and lazy. SPOILERS I GUESS You're not wrong about this, particularly because the dynamic of Landry existing extraneously to the football machine early on was such a good contrast, and led to some great stuff, like him helping Riggins with schoolwork and his perspective on Saracen being thrust into the spotlight, for better or worse. At least they didn't have Landry become a star out of nowhere. And I love his triumph at the end of S4. Still, I think you make a good point. However, Landry playing football was never a problem for me, because I never cared what Landry did, I just wanted him on the show. END SPOILERS I think you mean Lance. Wasn't his name Lance? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2013 22:04:34 GMT -5
SPOILERS I GUESS You're not wrong about this, particularly because the dynamic of Landry existing extraneously to the football machine early on was such a good contrast, and led to some great stuff, like him helping Riggins with schoolwork and his perspective on Saracen being thrust into the spotlight, for better or worse. At least they didn't have Landry become a star out of nowhere. And I love his triumph at the end of S4. Still, I think you make a good point. However, Landry playing football was never a problem for me, because I never cared what Landry did, I just wanted him on the show. END SPOILERS I think you mean Lance. Wasn't his name Lance? I can't believe I forgot this. Easily the best running joke on the show. and when Coach got Landry's name right in the S4 finale, it was nothing short of wonderful. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2013 1:31:36 GMT -5
I love this show and wish I had time to watch along, but I'll read and occasionally comment. Great start, Polar!
I think what I most liked about this show is how real it felt to me. I don't think it was just the camera style. It was the lived in feel and tone, the fact that the characters felt like actual human beings with faults, and feelings that made sense. The dialogue wasn't the best I've ever heard, but it was pretty damn good, and I never felt like I was hearing something "written."
All I have to say about the pilot is just echoing what DRC and Catgun said. I was enjoying it, liked the characters, wasn't totally sucked in until Jason gets hurt. He was clearly the popular, awesome jock and seemed untouchable. Him getting hurt was devastating and unexpected. And hoo boy that hospital scene was a killer. Fantastic beginning.
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Post by K. Thrace on Nov 12, 2013 0:19:31 GMT -5
Whatever schedule works for you. I want to follow along with your reviews, because this show deserves real reviewing. I read the AVC's reviews and they are somewhat lacking early in the series' run. Keep it up!
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Hat
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Post by Hat on Nov 12, 2013 13:02:15 GMT -5
I hard a hard time with the camera work at first. Initially, with those tight crazy zooms all the time, my reaction was "you are trying too hard to make these unimportant things seem important," but I think they toned it down a little bit later on in the series.
Thanks for the reviews!
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Pear
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Post by Pear on Nov 12, 2013 14:06:04 GMT -5
Whatever schedule works for you. I want to follow along with your reviews, because this show deserves real reviewing. I read the AVC's reviews and they are somewhat lacking early in the series' run. Keep it up! I plan on it! Yeah, there probably won't be much of a schedule. Hopefully I have time to check out Profit at some point. |
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Hat
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Post by Hat on Nov 12, 2013 14:38:52 GMT -5
Before I started watching FNL, I'd heard that the Taylors had a great TV marriage, but I didn't know how great the other female characters would be. I never would have guessed that Tyra and Tami would be two of the best characters in a show with a high school football team as its hook. (My other favorites: Smash's mom and Matt's grandma. I wish they wouldn't have squandered their opportunity to bring Smash's mom back in season 4.)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2013 20:51:14 GMT -5
Already hooked. I think I've got my thumb on the overarching themes through two episodes, could be wrong though. The football practice scenes are much more effective for me than the games. It's a great illustration of how violent the sport is day in and day out, and how much people expect these kids to tolerate physically. I could be wrong, but I have an inkling that every game is going to be the equivalent of blowing up the Death Star. Also: hooboy Mrs. Taylor.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2013 1:09:40 GMT -5
How did I miss that you put this up? Great review of the pilot. I'm always amazed at how this show just sprang up fully formed, with compelling characters and a really strong and accurate feel for small town Texas football. I also get a lot of enjoyment out of location spotting while watching, since the series was filmed here in Austin. I started re-watching the entire series a few months back, but I didn't make it past the end of season 1. Looks like I have to pick it back up again. Sweet!
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Post by NewHereAgainoZach on Nov 17, 2013 1:28:27 GMT -5
How did I miss that you put this up? Great review of the pilot. I'm always amazed at how this show just sprang up fully formed, with compelling characters and a really strong and accurate feel for small town Texas football. I also get a lot of enjoyment out of location spotting while watching, since the series was filmed here in Austin. I started re-watching the entire series a few months back, but I didn't make it past the end of season 1. Looks like I have to pick it back up again. Sweet! It helps that Peter Berg had a strong book to start with, and also had made the film, so he was steeped in the culture, and the story. Like Grillo-Marxuach was with The Middleman. It's all connected! |
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Post by Douay-Rheims-Challoner on Nov 17, 2013 3:07:15 GMT -5
When you think about it, NewHereAgainoZach, they're also both like Profit and Cobra, in that all four shows struggled with low ratings (but only FNL avoided cancellation.) |
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