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Welcome back to our Friday Night Lights rewatch!
Last week, the younger California Garritys visited fascist Texas, the house flippers got a purchase offer, Jason meets New York-based sports agent Grant Halbert through former teammate Wendell Foley, Billy and Jason put together a Tim highlight reel for college recruiters, Landry kisses Devin before finding out that she’s a lesbian, and Joe McCoy continues to be the very worst helicopter parent.
Stephanie asked whether I’ll be sad to see Jason leave Dillon and the show. I’ll be real, y’all — Jason’s storylines have been ROUGH. (Not to mention the early obnoxiousness of Herc, which seems better calibrated now, or my tolerance has just increased.) It never really felt like the show knew what to do with him, but this sports agent journey is a fitting send-off for the character and actor.
Let’s kick off the celebration with a drinking game!
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!
3.08 “New York, New York”
With his house flipping earnings, Jason goes to New York City in hopes of landing a job as a sports agent — and Tim tags along. Shockingly, Jason’s brilliant plan of showing up unannounced at Grant’s office is unsuccessful, esp. since his mutual connection, Wendell, just signed with another agency. Tim suggests going to Wendell’s college Penn A&M to get him to change his mind — which Jason does! And Grant gives him a job after all! Now gainfully employed, Jason ventures to Erin’s parents’ house to ask if they could live together as a family of three and she accepts — as Tim tearfully and happily looks on.
Coach Mac collapses on the field during practice, so he’s out of commission for the next two weeks. Eric reluctantly hires JD’s personal coach Wade as a replacement, who of course comes in with his fancy USC ideas and lets Matt practice as a wide receiver without approval from Eric — but Eric relents on the latter after much convincing from both Matt and Julie.
Katie McCoy shows Tami a foreclosed house that’s about to hit the market. Tami wants to make an offer, but Eric’s concerned about the increased mortgage with job security being somewhat fickle for both of them in a town like Dillon. They go back to at the house… and Eric arrives at the same dang conclusion that they can’t afford it while presenting the same dang reasons. But somehow now Tami’s OK with his refusal and says she doesn’t need this house, despite just saying how she needs this house. I truly don’t understand how anything changed other than Eric’s delivery being calmer. All that hullabaloo just to get nowhere!
Last and certainly least: Tyra has her first college interview with Weston — which is off to a great start with a call from frigging Cash. He’s about to leave for six months, and he’s gonna try to be faithful, HOW ROMANTIC. Instead of waiting to hear back from Weston and finishing her senior year of high school, Tyra opts for joining her full adult boyfriend on the road.
How many times do I have to take a drink?
14 drinks and 2 shots. (TEXAS FOREVER!!)
Did the Panthers win?
They didn’t even play a game this week!
MVP of the Week
I know it’s Six’s big farewell, but Tim really shined in the best friend department. Travelling cross-country for a poorly thought out plan, and then coming up with the Hail Mary idea that gets Jason the job!
Self-Sabotaging Play of the Week
OH, TYRA. Whenever there’s a setback — or just not instant gratification — she tends to go for the nuclear option. I still want the best for her, but with a giant dollop of Sassy Gay Friend.
Best Taylor Couple Moment
They weren’t in sync for most of the episode, but I did like this:
And after Matt’s impromptu wide receiver tryout:
Tim Riggins’ Finest Moment
SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM.
When Jason gets called into the meeting with Wendell and Grant:
When Jason’s workshopping what to say to Erin:
And, of course, the goodbye speech:
The Taylor Advice of the Week
Light on pearls of wisdoms this episode, maybe because of a prevailing lack of it from them (OK, mostly her). Usually, I’d try harder to find something, but I’m just so annoyed at their storyline that I shall abstain.
Post-Game Breakdown
- Jason’s entry level salary of $40,000 in 2009 is $60,584.34 in 2025. According to this random link, median rent plus utilities in NYC was $1,054 in 2008.
- Also in Jason: he just loves to show up everywhere unannounced, huh?
- Also in money: Billy thinks one quarter of a house flip profit is enough for Mindy to quit the Landing Strip? (Jason previously said they’d be lucky to get $15K each.) Not beating those moron allegations this week, bud.
- We’ve been basking in how much of a return to form Season 3 has been so far, but Tim and Jason aside, this was a real misstep for me. I just hate when Tami and Eric argue! Especially in such a waste of a subplot!
- Related: why were there multiple real estate subplots in Season 3 lololol FNL jumping on that HGTV bandwagon.
Join us next week when Mandy C. recaps “Game of the Week”. My burning question for y’all: what would you like to have seen on Tim and Jason’s sightseeing tour of New York?
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All the Jason and Tim stuff just slayed me this episode. Love those buds for life.
I think about Tim discussing “Gypsy” A LOT 😂
Omg YES I loved him trying to sell Jason on “Gypsy.” So good!!
– Tim has SO MANY great moments in this episode!! Thank you for capturing them in gif form. I absolutely chortled when he said, “Jason, I’m pregnant.”
– Tim and Jason’s scenes made me tear up multiple times. Texas Forever!
– GAH I am SO ANNOYED with Tyra! Girl! You know better! Get your shit together!
– I agree, the Tami / Eric house fight was pretty lame. Though I did kinda enjoy the reality check of their salaries / livelihoods.
– I’m glad you enjoyed the GIFs! It was a real struggle to limit myself lol but it was such a good Tim/Jason episode!
– Re: Tami/Eric — you might have hit on what bugged me the most, since Tami’s usually much more grounded about their finances, so this just felt like a wild departure.