The important question, as Abraham Piper points out, is what we’re going to watch now that Lost has left our lives for good.
I liked Lost. A lot. I have to say that and repeat it so the Losties don’t kill me for what comes next: it wasn’t the best show on television the past three weeks. That position belongs to Friday Night Lights, the beautifully filmed drama that people think is about football. But it’s not. Really.
Friday Night Lights’s timing is fortuitous: while Lost is done, it rebooted with several new characters and an intriguing new central storyline. I won’t recap it here, but I will make a brief case why it’s worth your attention:
1) The show oozes–and there is no other word for it–authenticity. More than any other network show I’ve ever seen, FNL makes me feel as though I was really in the middle of the world I’ve been dropped into, observing the events as they unfold. And no wonder. They don’t film it like most shows, with three cameras and scripted movements. Instead, the actors are given instructions about the plot points and allowed to improvise with the camera’s following them, which creates a beautiful effect. Don’t believe me? Check out the teaser:
2) The Taylors. The central characters are hardly perfect, but they wear and bear their imperfections with a gracious faithfulness unknown in TV-land. They have managed to find that difficult equilibrium of respect, candor, and love, all while dealing with the practical realities of raising children and seeking excellence in their work.
3) The plot. There are no islands, no vampires, and–best of all–no time travel. There’s only that guy from down the street. You know, the guy who cares a bit too much about his football because he doesn’t have any other life. And the guy who thinks football is a waste of time because he wants his son to get an education. And the capable-but-underachieving girl who only wants to get away from her broken life, but has no way of doing it. And the talented kid whose mom is too drugged out to raise him. And the kid who doesn’t much like white people.
You know: the stuff of real life. The best part of Friday Night Lights is that it manages to take life in a small Texas town (which is not so different from the small Washington town I grew up in) and draw us in to the powerful narratives and dynamics that are always present, but that we might miss in our own lives.
There is more to be said but for now check out the first three episodes, and let me know what you think.
May 26th, 2010 | 9:22 am
“The important question … is what we’re going to watch now that Lost has left our lives for good.”
How about… nothing? Does our nature truly abhor a televiewing vacuum so much that we have to fill it with the latest (hopefully least mindless) candidate thrown up on the screen?
May 26th, 2010 | 9:49 am
For those who are wondering, that music in the background is Explosions in the Sky.
May 26th, 2010 | 10:47 am
If you ignore that misguided second season, Friday Night Lights would be in contention for being the best dramatic series of all time. Unabashedly sentimental but never mushy, it’s the only show that breaks your heart and mends it.
May 26th, 2010 | 11:47 am
Brian,
Yes, I was tempted to play the curmudgeon and suggest that we all sit around and read a book instead. But there’s another side of it: a lot of folks have (for better or worse) built a habit of watching a certain amount of TV over the last six years. Those are the folks I’m aiming at.
Also, that line was meant to be mildly amusing, and not taken quite as seriously as you seem to be taking it.
John,
I completely agree with you about the second season. They got away from the stuff of “real life” and it hurt them a lot. I thought that season got considerably better, though, about half way through. The first half was the only black-mark, though.
Matt
May 26th, 2010 | 12:03 pm
I love this show. The realism (as much as tv can do this) is something that sets it apart. The Taylors live in a small and realistic home, they have real fights and really make up afterwards after reaching a resolution including forgiveness and repentance, and they struggle to raise their daughters. A truly great show, and unlike most tv, it is worth watching.
May 26th, 2010 | 3:56 pm
One of my favorite scenes ever – of this show or any – is when Tami told Eric she was pregnant. (I forget what season it was…must be 2?) The look on his face, the love in their shared embrace…no freaking out, no mentioning of abortion, no blaming of anything…just awe and thanksgiving. What a change for a television portrayal of a pregnancy
May 26th, 2010 | 3:59 pm
Here, here. Glad to see someone blogging about this show.
Agreed about the second season. The present 4th season is phenomenal and has an equally phenomenal finale.
May 26th, 2010 | 4:11 pm
Trish One of my favorite scenes ever – of this show or any – is when Tami told Eric she was pregnant.
Here is that scene.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/1722/friday-night-lights-tami-tells-eric-shes-pregnant
I started to use it in my post instead of the fight clip.
May 26th, 2010 | 5:19 pm
Matt and Joe: Isn’t the all-important this: what are we going to watch now that “24″ has left our lives for good? Why isn’t anyone talking about “24,” one of the best television programs for its (1) high-production values, (2) gripping narrative, and (3) existentially urgent questions after 9/11?
I only saw one episode of “Lost” and found it rather boring. So, I’ll take the recommendation to follow “Friday Night Lights,” even though football is as foreign to me as the gamelan dance.
May 26th, 2010 | 5:20 pm
Please use this version (the original version contained an error).
Matt and Joe: Isn’t the all-important question this: what are we going to watch now that “24″ has left our lives for good? Why isn’t anyone talking about “24,” one of the best television programs for its (1) high-production values, (2) gripping narrative, and (3) existentially urgent questions after 9/11?
I only saw one episode of “Lost” and found it rather boring. So, I’ll take the recommendation to follow “Friday Night Lights,” even though football is as foreign to me as the gamelan dance.
May 26th, 2010 | 5:41 pm
Matt – well said! I love this show (and only part of that is because I’m from Austin and miss it very, very much!). It’s a real cinematic experiment – applying improv, collaborative theatre principles to a popular weekly drama series. I think it’s a rousing success.
Brian, if you want to read a book, you could always read the book it’s based on (same title). It’s an account of the real team the film and tv series are based on. It’s fascinating stuff!
May 27th, 2010 | 10:11 am
I’m addicted to this show and despaite the fact i live neither in texas or in america (australia) this show seems to be able to connect with just about everyone. As many others have said season 2 or the first half anyway was poor at best. Favourite scene though has to be season 3 when coach gets up at the meeting about his future with the panthers and pleads, almost for his job. Great show can’t believe it’s the final season this year
May 27th, 2010 | 10:51 pm
Thanks Joe! I always love the interactions between Tami and Eric. The one that had me chuckling this year was when she said (paraphrase), “they booed me! Well, at least I have white wine.”
I find myself using FNL lines in my life – either the motivational ones or just the plain ole funny: “now honey, don’t get mad at me because I didn’t invent the world? But [and then whatever is going to maybe make you mad]” LOL
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