Post by Pear on Jun 6, 2014 1:24:03 GMT -5
This one's all about people leaving, but while there's a sense of melancholy--as is the case whenever you're separated from someone who's close to you--there's also a sense of hope and freedom. Both Lyla and Tim know their relationship is over, but that doesn't prevent them from enjoying the time they have together in this episode, nor does it take away from the times they shared prior to this. Lyla's finally taking control of her own life, something we certainly didn't see when she was still tied to Jason Street.
It's very similar for Matt, someone who's always been tied to his family and friends and responsibilities in Dillon; him traveling down that long road is sad, yet thrilling, and we all know it had to happen at some point. Julie has to move on, as well, and this episode nicely encapsulates Tami's feelings about watching her daughter grow up and slowly start to move away from her life in Dillon. Mrs. Coach is pissed about the fact that Julie takes off on the trip without her permission, but that's rooted in a very understandable nostalgia.
EPISODE 7- "IN THE BAG"
Money's--rather, the lack thereof--been the cause of problems for these characters, and in this episode, we see the need for it as the reason why Luke can't practice (Tinker, you're awesome), why Billy has to turn to something shifty to cover Mindy's hospital bill, and why Vince is struggling to live in a world where he has a reason to carry that gun (writers, still taking a few liberties with the East Dillon contrivances, I see). It's a good episode in general, but I'm not sure how much I like what the writers do with the Landry storyline here. Tyra's not even in this episode, yet they do a disservice to her character with the whole rest stop scene.
EPISODE 8- "TOILET BOWL"
This works as a nice follow-up to "Stay" because it explores how we try to move on after those people leave or after we break apart from a previous staple in our lives; for example, Julie's visiting colleges, Buddy's doing what he does best, but this time for the Lions, and Luke's popping pills to attempt to move past injury. In addition, the team can find a ray of light even in the "Toilet Bowl".
Jess and Vince: more backstory, please. What exactly happened?
EPISODE 9- "THE LIGHTS IN CARROLL PARK"
Oh, Glenn. He obviously isn't going to be breaking up the best marriage on television, but it's no coincidence that the show places this situation next to the scene in which Joe McCoy tells Tami that he and his wife divorced.
Anyway, Coach's reaction to Glenn's apology is comedy gold. I love you, Kyle Chandler, and I love Coach's fence-jumping. I also love you, Michael B. Jordan. Vince's reaction to Virgil offering him the job is excellent, as is the dynamic between the two.
The title of the episode refers to Buddy and Coach attempting to turn the lights back on in Carroll Park in order to somehow "save" it, but the show is quick to call them out on their BS. D'Angelo Barksdale addresses the idea of the white savior and makes sure Coach and Buddy realize what they're truly attempting to do. It's a well-handled storyline that could've easily been the opposite.