What’s up Panthers, are y’all ready to ruuuuumble? Because we’re headed to State!!!
But before we do, an answer to Meredith’s question—out of Landry, Coach, and Matt, I’m the most mad at Coach because who takes a job without consulting your partner?!!—and a recap from last week: Coach takes the TMU job in spite of Tami’s misgivings and eventual declaration that she is not moving; after Landry tells Tami about Tyra’s assault, Tyra decides to file a report; and Lyla discovers Jason kissing Suzy and throws her engagement ring in his face. We’ve got a STORM of drama heading into this S1 finale, so you better believe we need this drinking game:
The Official FYA Friday Night Lights Season 1 Drinking Game
Drink once every time:
You want to give Matt Saracen a hug
Tami Taylor drinks a glass of white wine
Tami Taylor says “y’all”
Landry Clarke goes off on a tangent
You’re Team Tyra Collette
Buddy Garrity makes you roll your eyes
You think, “It’s JUST football, people.”
The quick camera cuts make you reach for the Dramamine
Drink twice every time:
The Panthers score a touchdown
Tim Riggins makes poor choices
There’s a classic Coach Taylor pep talk
Grandma Saracen says something sassy
Take a shot every time you hear:
“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!”
“Texas Forever.”
Finish your drink when:
Hands slap the Panther “P”
Jason’s incident happens
Book club admits they don’t read the book
And now, let’s go to State!!!
1.22 “State”
Since State is such a huge frickin’ deal, Dillon hosts a huge pep rally to celebrate. Tyra, who has tickets from Tim, asks Landry if he wants to road trip (an offer he accepts with an incredible amount of calm), while Coach catches Julie and Matt totes making out. Awkward! Tami misses the whole shindig because she’s at a clinic… getting a pregnancy test! (S/o to Smash’s mom who helps her.) And yep, Mrs. Coach is preggers, but she can’t seem to find the right time to tell Coach.
Unfortunately, Tim actually gives his tickets to Jackie and Bo (laaaame), but offers Tyra nosebleeds as a consolation. That means that, surprise, Landry, you’re going on a road trip with Tyra… and her sister… and her mom! They gain another passenger when Landry spots Grandma Saracen waiting for the bus, and then another passenger when they come across Lyla (who gave her car back to her dad and got a used one) broken down on the side of the road. Tyra initially refuses to allow Lyla to join, but then they hash it out THANK GOD WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS.
Meanwhile, the team tours Cowboy Stadium in awe, and the press break the news that Coach has accepted the job at TMU. Yikes! There’s a team dinner where Coach is forced to address this, and to his credit, he handles it well; he talks about the pursuit of dreams, and how he’s always supported the team’s dreams, but now it’s time to follow his own. Matt just gets up and leaves, while Smash and Jason stand up for Eric. Oh, and did I mention that Voodoo is on the opposing team? He pulls Smash aside and tries to convince him to transfer to his school, West Cambria, but Smash is like, nope, I’m a Panther!
At the hotel (filmed at the Hyatt Regency in Austin, even though it’s “Dallas”), Matt complains to Julie about Coach’s departure, and she defends him which I find endearing. Matt, clearly taking this personally, then confronts Coach, who says, “If you’re ever lucky enough to have family, like I do, I promise you you’ll understand.” And speaking of family, back in their room, Tami tells Coach he’s gonna be a dad again, and it’s a very sweet, very joyful moment.
The next day, IT’S THE STATE GAME BABY. The Panthers are down, and Matt is off to a rough start, but then Coach gives the pep talk of a lifetime at the half and reminds his players of all of their loved ones in the stands. We get a wonderful montage of all of the faces we’ve grown to love, and I’m not crying, you’re crying! Back on the field, Smash scores but then dislocates his shoulder; it’s SUCH an intense game!! He gets it popped into place and heads back, while Matt offers Coach a play. And can I just remark on the difference between Episode One Matt and Episode 22 Matt? What an arc! Coach agrees to the play, and it WORKS, and SMASH MAKES A TOUCHDOWN OMG Y’ALL THE PANTHERS WON STATE!!!!!
That night, at the hotel, Tyra spots Lyla throwing away her cheerleading uniform. She wants a change, and so Tyra offers her one: want a ride home? Coach also has shift in perspective and tells Tami he wants to stay in Dillon to be there for the family, but she tells him she doesn’t want to be responsible for him giving up his dream.
The season finale ends with a parade down the streets of Dillon, and we get to see this brilliant cast of characters set to the tune of “Devil Town” sung by Tony Lucca, a.k.a. Keri Russell‘s MMC boyfriend! It’s such a bittersweet ending, especially as Coach hears people on the radio complaining about his departure. But when he enters the locker room, he hears Jason Street giving a pep talk, and when the team sees him, they break into applause. Clear eyes, full hearts!
How many times do I have to take a drink?
16!!
Did the Panthers win?
HELL YES THEY DID! State rings for all y’all!!!
MVP of the Week
A lot of folks were at the top of their game this week, but I have to hand it to Landry for being the captain of a VERY rambunctious road trip and for finally getting Lyla and Tyra to talk it out. HUGE win!
Best Road Trip Ever
Speaking of! HOW ADORABLE WAS THIS? Let me count the ways: 1. Tyra’s mom eating the aphrodisiac chocolates Landry bought for Tyra and “feeling tingly all over.” 2. Grandma Saracen asking, “Did you bring the booze?” 3. Grandma with chocolate all over her face. 4. Landry’s very unhappy face. 5. The gals belting out “Lady Marmalade.” EPIC!!!
Mindy’s Purse
I’m sorry but this purse required its own category. Especially preceded by Landry asking Mindy, “How’s the stripping going?”
Best Taylor Couple Moment
What a pivotal episode for the Taylors!! When Coach comes back to the room and tells Tami he wants to stay in Dillon to be with her and Julie and the baby, you would think that she would gladly accept. But instead, she insists on him following his dreams, and says, “I know it’s gonna be hard, but I know that our relationship means that we can do it.” It’s a beautiful sentiment, and, well, we’ll get to test that out in Season 2, but for now, you love to see it.
Tim Riggins’ Finest Moment
Guys, it pains me to say this, but there is no finest moment for Tim in this episode. Sure, it’s nice he gave his tickets to Bo so he could see the game, but why did he have to dick over Tyra?! I can almost always find a nugget of hotness in Tim but sadly, I came up empty this time around.
The Taylor Advice of the Week
Coach’s pep talk at the half time is truly moving. He reminds the team that they aren’t just playing for themselves, they’re playing for everyone who loves them, everyone who is rooting for them, and if this show hasn’t made you emotional about football before this point, it most definitely has you in the feels at this scene.
Post-Game Breakdown
Y’all, I am both excited about next season (there’s some weird shit!) and trepidatious about next season (there’s some weird shit!). We’re gonna have to endure it, but we’re also going to enjoy it (thanks in part to our updated drinking game), so let me ask you and Stephanie, who is recapping the premiere: what are you most looking forward to? And what are you definitely NOT looking forward to?
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Haha, you nailed it. There’s some weird shit!! And, yes, there’s some weird shit.
I LOVED THIS ROAD TRIP. Somehow, I’d kinda forgotten about it? It now tops the nighttime football party the boys had as my favorite S1 scene.
I too had forgotten about the road trip so it was a DELIGHTFUL surprise!
Coach’s reaction to Tami’s news that she’s pregnant is my favourite. His smile seems so genuine – I just love it. 😍
I agree! It’s such a sweet and special moment.