The Kids are Alright on 'Lights'

I was pretty sure that Matt and Julie weren't going to go through with it last night on Friday Night Lights, but I just wasn't sure how it was going to play out. After all, she was pretty determined, or at least she thought she was until she was in the actual situation. I know one thing; Coach Taylor has nothing to worry about when it comes to his QB #1. Matt is a good kid, and very respectful. I just loved the way he told Julie that he loved her before she got out of the car and walked into her house several hours late. Speaking of which, this was another display of Connie Britton's amazing talent. Since I'm not a parent myself, it's difficult for me to relate to a parent's concern for their child's virginity, but Britton made me feel it in that scene where she confronted Julie. The funniest scene of the night happened when Julie told Matt that her mom knew, and he became instantly concerned that she was going to tell Coach. This, of course, is reason #407 why you shouldn't date your coach's daughter (dropping her off several hours late when her parents are already convinced that you're off taking away her innocence would be #408).

I used to think that Tyra was a waste of a character, but the writers have done an excellent job of fleshing her out lately. She's now one of my favorites on a show packed with beautifully layered, intriguing characters. She's always there for the people she cares about no matter what trouble they find themselves in. Her mother, who wouldn't know a healthy relationship if it hit on the head, slept with the married Buddy Garrity, and now the entire town knows about it thanks to her outburst outside the church. Of course, this was a good thing for Julie to see since it so clearly demonstrated the hurt that her mother spoke of, but it was devastating for Buddy's wife, kids, and Tyra. And then there's Tim's messed up relationship with his loser of a father. Nothing is ever easy on Friday Night Lights, but that's what makes this show so damn good (well, that and Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, the writing, etc., etc.).

If you missed last night's episode, click over to nbc.com to watch it for free. All of the pictures in this edition are courtesy of nbc.com.


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