Riggins game jersey is there.

I think the big comeback in the game was used as a metaphor for their whole season – they came back from the devestating loss of Jason to get to the state finals, just like they came back from such a big deficit at halftime to win the championship. Yes, maybe a bit too Hollywood, but that actually has happened a lot of times in real-life sports.

Friday Night Lights is my favourite drama on network television (Grey’s has had a very sub-par season). Its characters are more vibrant and realistic than any other show I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching, and the acting is sublime. That’s the number one requirement for a drama- characters that you are invested in- because the nature of television writing requires constant plot twists (often unbelievable adversity- ie. toxic chemical trainwreck) that would seem corny if the viewer didn’t care deeply for the characters. FNL does this *so* well.

That being said, the finale was only a pretty good episode (which would still be a very good episode on any other show). They didn’t need to put the Panthers down by 26 points at the half, and then have the “Hollywood” comeback. We don’t need the added drama- just have Matt struggle, Voodoo play well, and leave the Panthers down by a more-believable 14 points (make it a 26-14 game). And I’m still a bit confused as to how many players are returning for the following year (Riggins *has* to be a senior right? Saracen is definitely a junior at best, while I think someone mentioned Smash being a junior as well), but I hope they don’t stretch plausibility by retaining everyone. And I’m anti-”Head Coach Street”, I just don’t buy into it (it could make for some good storylines, but it just doesn’t make sense).

Looking back on it, the episode had some great moments, especially between the Taylors. Saracen had some very strong moments as well, and I think complications from Smash’s injury will keep him out next year (or at least cause him to miss time, which in turn will cost him his scholarship). Actually, damnit it was a very good episode, I just expect too much from this show!

Totally disagree. He’s getting ripped on the radio for leaving Dillon to go to TMU, and that’s with him winning State. If the Panthers had lost State, everyone would’ve blamed it on his TMU decision and the distractions it caused, and his house would’ve been cinders by the time he got back from Dallas.

By the way, they changed the halftime speech that Coach T gave from what Mo Ryan wrote in her blog. Instead of that explaination of “Clear eyes, full hearts,” they had Coach T talk about the team having the people who will always support them in their hearts when they go back on the field with the flashes of some of their family members. I loved the original speech but I also liked how they changed it as well.

Thanks to you, GMMR, because I hadn’t watched until the last month or two. I am completely hooked.