A show that takes faith seriously, yet refuses to pander to false hope or saccharine characters. Friday Night Lights sounds like a show that's too good for you to be good enough to enjoy, which may be why this gem is this year's Best Show You're Not Watching. This quietly affecting, reliably tear-jerking drama is a show to root for.

I decided to make a post dedicated to the absolutely wonderful show called Friday Night Lights because you, yes, I'm talking about YOU, should be watching it. So go do it, you'll thank me later.

If you're still not sure if you want to do it, read this post. This show, it's like nothing I have seen on tv before. I have to say, I was hesitant to watch it. I thought I had too many shows to watch and I didn't know or care about american football anyway...but this show, it's so much more.

It's smart, it's moving and it's realistic. It's addictive. It's not about rich kids spending their money, it's not about careless High School kids who only care about clothes and parties. It's about a small town in Texas, where football means everything. It's about a High School football team, it's about teenagers who are the town heroes. Who are loved when they win and who are hated when they lose. They're worshiped, they're popular. They love what they do. They have their hopes, dreams and fears. But they're just teenagers, will they be able to handle so much pressure? Find out for yourself.




.The Pretty


.The Story::

This poignant series centers on the small rural town of Dillon, Texas, where the coveted state football championship rings are held in the highest regard. Dillon's promising high school team, its star quarterback Jason Street, and newly appointed head coach Eric Taylor, feel the mounting pressure of the town's pride and honor riding on their shoulders as a new football season kicks off.

So welcome to Dillon, Texas, a small town with one thing on its mind: football. As the best HS teem in Texas prepares for their next match, we slowly get to know the town and people living in it. We meet the football players, their families and friends, we see their hopes and imperfections.

It's the big day. People close their shops and leave houses to watch the game. Everything looks great until the worst possible thing happens - the leader of the team gets seriously injured.

.The Characters::

Coach Eric Taylor and his wife Tami


They're probably my fav married couple on tv...ever. Their chemistry is great and it's not even that they look pretty together, they respect each other and they are always there for each other. Of course they are not perfect and I don't say they are but there is something about them, the way they look at each other, I don't know, this something makes you fall in love with them. They complete each other and you can see it but it's not forced on us, it's shown in a very natural and delicate way.

Jason Street and Lyla Garrity


Jason is the leader of the team, the guy everybody likes and respects. He has a loving girlfriend Lyla, who is a cheerleader and who planned the whole future for both of them. Their life changes when Jason gets injured and has to learn to function in a whole new universe which he sees from his wheelchair.

Yes, Jason is a typical golden boy, a (fallen) star of the team. But he's a truly good guy whose expectations and hopes die one day and he has to learn to live without them. He's not the type of guy who gives up and you keep your fingers crossed for him, even if you don't fully realize that.

Matt Saracen


Oh, Matt. He's the best thing on that show, if you ask me. My Matt love equals my Jim love and that? Says a lot, people.
He's wonderful. He's a shy, modest and hard-working guy not used to the attention, a guy who takes care of his grandma while his dad is in Iraq and who suddenly has to become a leader and face a completely new situation, with people recognizing him everywhere he goes and with coaches expecting him to lead the team.

Really, it's hard to describe him but you'll love him from the first moment you see him. He is just so quiet and he seems just average and almost everything he says or does is awkward but it's so amazing how he accepts his life without complaining, how he has SO much shit to deal with, yet he never breaks down. He's a truly great character who literally breaks my heart with his cuteness. Especially when he is around Julie. If you want me to give you one, just one reason to watch this show, I'll say it's Matt/Julie. Trust me.

Julie Taylor


Julie is gorgeous. She is so pretty and smart and it's so much fun to see how similar to her mother (Tami) she is. She stays out of the whole football fever but she still can support her dad when he needs it. I love her relationship with Coach and Tami, their scenes are always so wonderfully written and acted, they're the perfect family.
And there is this one more reason why I love her so much but I'm not gonna spoil you, you have to see it for yourself. Let me tell you just one word - Matt. YES.

Tim Riggins


Tim is a quiet, talented and a very self-destructive guy, a VERY PRETTY self-destructive guy with a deep, sexy voice. From the moment you see him, you can't stop yourself from wondering what his story is, how it happened, why he wants to destroy every good thing that happens to him.

Smash Williams


Smash is funny, unbelievably cocky and irresistible. He's also very talented and his talent is his passport to a better life. He's aware of that and he does whatever he needs to get his chance.

Landry Clarke


Landry is super hilarious, I love this kid to pieces. He's Matt's best friend, a geeky sidekick who always says or does the wrong things. Of course, he always says something to say, even if it doesn't make ANY sense. He always brings a smile to my face and believe me, he's good at it.

Tyra Colette


She's the town bad girl who dies to run away and start a new life, far away from that small Texas town and these small people with their small lives and small problems. She's tough, she's trouble. She's also Tim's girlfriend.

.In Conclusion::

This show will make you laugh and it most certainly will make you cry. It's true, it's touching and it's wise. It's about imperfect people and their imperfect lives but it shows all of it, these imperfect people trying their best to achieve something, in a very subtle and moving way. It's simply a damn good tv. And I'm sure you'll be hooked as soon as you watch the pilot. There is no other option, the show is simply way too brilliant not to love it.

.I want to watch it! What now?

Well, I'm glad you are wise enough to give this show a chance. If you want to watch it, let me know and I'll try to help you. Actually, I know I will be able to help you :)

The show airs on Wednesdays at 8pm on NBC, so all you need to do is to catch up on these wonderful 16 episodes that were already aired and then you can watch next eps on NBC.

.Sites::
- the official FNL site <- pics, videos, bios, they have everything there. Try this link too, if you're from the US you can watch a few eps here.
- fnl-online
- fnlfans
- fnlonline
- fridaynight_tv
- matt_julie



Really, guys. This is one of the best shows I have seen in a long time. And if you know me, you KNOW I'm always right. Or almost always...but certainly in this case.
Its ratings aren't disastrous but they could be much, much better. This is why we don't know if there will be another season and you can help by watching it. Such an amazing show deserves more love.

So please, at least give it a chance and pimp this post if you can. Also, feel free to comment, I'd love to meet more FNL fans and discuss the episodes/characters.

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And to people who are watching the show already - I saw a Julie/Tami scene from the next ep on Yahoo...and man, it's intense. Tami is so damn great, I seriously want to be like her when I grow up. Uh, what? No, I'm not a grown-up yet, I'm not even 22 yet! Oh, you ;)

eta: If you're from the US you can watch ALL the eps on NBC site!!!