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Another week has passed, which means we are back for our Friday Night Lights rewatch! Cheers!
Mandy C. asked me last week how I would handle the Jumbotron v. academic funding issue if I was Tami, and my answer is basically the same as Meredith B.’s answer in the comments: prepare the best documents and proof I can while knowing it probably wouldn’t end in my favor because Texas football.
In last week’s episode, Tami fought to use booster money for academics instead of a Jumbotron, Tim and Lyla fought and made up, Smash continued his college search with Eric’s assistance, Matt struggled to do what was needed for his grandmother, and Tyra became class president! Let’s take a peek at the drinking game before we dive into this week’s episode, shall we?
The Official FYA Friday Night Lights Season 3 Drinking Game
Drink once every time:
You want to give Matt Saracen a hug
Tami Taylor drinks a glass of 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.”
Gracie appears in a scene
You want to punch Joe McCoy in the face
Grandma Saracen gets riled up
Billy and Mindy are too much but you love ‘em anyway
You tear up
Drink twice every time:
The Panthers score a touchdown
Tim and/or Billy Riggins makes poor choices
There’s a classic Coach Taylor pep talk
You think, “Cash is bad news.”
Devin is the shit
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”
Smash gets into college
On to the episode!
3.03 “How the Other Half Lives”
Tami, as the one actually in charge of throwing the football BBQ party, is stressed about hosting it at home after how much of a mess it caused last time, and Eric absently agrees to hold it somewhere else next year. This takes a turn when Tami meets Katie McCoy at the grocery store, and Katie offers to host the party at their house. When Tami relays this to Eric, he is not pleased because he rightly assumes their version of the BBQ party will be much fancier and the Taylors might feel obligated toward the McCoys in return.
The party is, indeed, much fancier than ribs and plastic cups in a backyard, complete with a free valet (that Eric refuses to use), glassware, a live band, and, oh yeah, BBQ. Katie whisks Tami away upon their arrival and they have a great time. During the party, Eric is inside playing pool when Joe, Buddy, and Wade join him and start talking football and Eric’s planned lineup. After a brief argument, Eric agrees with Wade that JD is “an incredible 15 year old,” but he knows Matt Saracen and doesn’t know JD McCoy. Joe (and his punchable face and tone) suggests that Eric should get to know his son. Eric takes that moment to end the conversation and leave the room.
Matt continues to be stressed over football and his starting position now that wunderkind JD McCoy is on the team. When the team goes out for morning practice and sees JD already practicing with his private coach, Wade Aikmen (not to be confused with Aikman, obviously), Matt is understandably nervous. Coach Taylor reassures Matt he’s still QB1 as part of a mini-Coach Taylor Pep Talk. During the game, Matt is doing great until the last play where instead of scoring the game-winning touchdown, he drops the football when tackled in the end zone. Meanwhile, Julie and Matt have several moments where Julie initiates talking to him, including over lunch where Matt is stressed about the upcoming football game, at the football party where they make fun of JD’s trophy collection and are awkwardly overheard by JD, or after the football game where they agree to talk about anything other than football.
When Billy and Tim leave dinner where they were presumably celebrating Billy’s engagement, which was financed by Angela, Billy takes them to a sketchy trailer to meet a sketchy guy who has a money-making opportunity for Billy. Unfortunately, that opportunity is stealing and then reselling copper wiring. Billy goes in on this to make money for his wedding (and life generally) and talks Tim into helping after learning the sketchy guy can’t be his wingman. They almost get caught but do get away with it. However, this caper causes Tim to stand up Lyla at the football party, to the chagrin of both Lyla and Buddy. Tyra, however, is unsurprised by this. Between that gaffe and not defending her earlier to the Collette women when she mistakenly laughs at Mindy’s vows, Lyla is mad at Tim (again). He arrives at her house after the party/wire theft to apologize, and Buddy greets him with a warning to not break Lyla’s heart. Lyla tells Tim that she’s told everyone he’s a good guy and not to make a fool of her, and he promises he won’t, so they’re good again. Or for now?
While at work, Smash gets an offer from an Alamo Freeze exec to be a regional manager with perks and a much higher salary and is told to think about it. When he gets home, he tells his mom he’s going to take that job instead of going to the football walk-on tryouts coming up soon because he’s supposed to be providing for them. As a 17-18 year old, but okay Smash. His mom flat out rejects his promotion offer and tells him he is absolutely going to football tryouts and to college, whether he gets a football scholarship or she has to pay for it. That’s why she got that second job, after all, Smash.
How many times do I have to take a drink?
18.5, with the half drink going to Gracie crying off-screen. The Riggins brothers made a lot of poor choices, y’all.
Did the Panthers win?
It was close, but they kept the tradition of losing to Arnett-Mead alive.
MVP of the Week
After consideration, this week’s MVP is Smash. All he wants is to provide for his mama like he’s always wanted, whether it’s through a promotion at Alamo Freeze to Regional Manager or through football as he’s always dreamed. (Side note: who is out there making 18 year olds Regional Managers?) Though he might have to share this award with his mother, who is insistent that he go to college and not worry about the family’s finances so much.
Dubious Play of the Week
Julie is obviously back into wanting Matt, while I just want better for him. I say this without remembering how things play out in the future for them, but I don’t think she’s earned that second chance just yet.
Best Taylor Couple Moment
The exchange of Eric saying he “miss[es] the coach’s wife,” Tami replying that she “can’t wait to meet the principal’s husband,” and his “touché” in response. It was a very them exchange, and Tami is always good on calling him out on the football parts of their life when needed.
Tim Riggins’ Finest Moment
It certainly wasn’t all the poor life choices encouraged by his older brother. However, he was very cute both physically and figuratively flirting with Lyla in the library (even if I would have wanted to shush them as a library patron). I mean, just look at that photo of them up above the recap. Who could say no to that face? Clearly not Lyla, or me for that matter.
The Taylor Advice of the Week
This goes to Eric reassuring Matt of his spot as QB1 as they walk into practice and see JD already practicing with his own private coach.
Post-Game Breakdown
- It cannot be a coincidence that JD’s fancy private quarterback coach is named Wade Aikmen in a show about Texas football (even if it is a slightly different spelling).
- The scene with all the for sale signs in the head coach’s yard after a game loss? That’s a real thing that happened sometimes after my high school football team lost back when.
- Shout out to the show for doing the research of knowing a kid with all that buzz like JD McCoy would absolutely be on the Texas Football freshman preview cover.
- Where is Jason (again) this week?
My question for Kandis and you, our lovely readers, is this: we’re only two episodes into the season, so which drinking game rule do we think will be the most deadly this time around?
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I think Joe McCoy’s punchable face is going to be depleting my alcohol supply!
That one is definitely a contender! I’m hoping the Riggins start making better choices but am doubtful.
I’m with you, Meredith B! Although as the person who came up with this rule, I *am* finding it helpful in dealing with his obnoxious presence.
It’s definitely Joe, but my second one that’s getting a lot of use as I watch ahead is “thinking Cash is bad news”.
I have no memory of Cash but am curious to see what kind of shenanigans Matt Donovan gets up to!
– Tim and Lyla were definitely very cute in the library!
– Omg I was dyyyyying when Lyla was laughing at Mindy’s wedding vows. I agree, Lyla, that they sounded ridiculous, but WHERE in that conversation did Mindy indicate she was joking before reciting them? You know these people are dumb! Keep it in and mock them later with Tim if you must!
– I loved that coach’s wife / principal’s husband moment between the Taylors too. It felt like such a good “earned” scene after Eric stuck his foot in his mouth ALL OF SEASON 2 for him to just immediately be like, you know what, touche, that was a dumbass thing to say, and for them to move on because they’re in a better place now.
Lyla, read the room! Mindy was clearly not joking! No wonder these people don’t like you, save your judgment for the right time.