"clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

Photo from tvshowsondvd.com

It's true what the Dillon Panthers say, if you have clear eyes and a full heart, you really can't lose.

Friday Night Lights ...What an amazing show. Three days in and I've just finished the first season. I had heard some great things about this show for the past 3 years but was never really able to get into it for some reason. Lack of time, overlap with other shows, poor scheduling on NBC's part, I'm not really sure....but I've had it on the 'to do' list of TV Shows I need to watch for a while so here I am. Most of what I've heard about this show from TV Bloggers and critics alike was about the amazing quality of the acting and writing on the show, specifically the acting of Kyle Chandler and Connie Briton who play Coach and Tami Taylor, respectively. So when both were finally nominated for an Emmy this year, I decided I had to start watching. Lucky for me Netflix has the first 3 seasons on demand!

Although the first season has been littered with some typical teen drama cliche's (cheating with your boyfriend's best friend, the quarterback dating the coach's daughter, etc.), the show also tackled some major issues this season in very smart and sensitive ways. Among these issues were steroid use, race relations, mental health disorders, rape, and war. The writers did an excellent job of inter mingling these while showing the importance of football to this team and Texas. I'm not sure if they continue to do this through out the rest of the seasons but if they do, I can't wait. To me, it must definitely be part of the reason this show has been the critical darling (without the Emmy love) that it has been since 2006.  It's pretty real and you feel for these characters as they go through these issues. It makes you feel like you're in it to experience it with them.

So let's get to it, shall we? Here are some of my favorite and least favorite moments from season 1. Oh and obviously there will be some SPOILERS here if you've haven't seen the show before...and if you haven't seen the show before get to Netflix and start watching!

Favorite Episode: "Mud Bowl" and "State"
    Towards the end of the season this show really hooked me. I LOVED the "Mud Bowl" episode. I think one of my favorite scenes of the whole season was when Street started coaching Saracen while they were drinking on the field with Riggens and Smash. It was really about friends and passion for their sport and it was just excellent to watch. I also really loved that the team built their own field for the semi-finals. Another scene which stood out to me was in the season finale when the Panthers are walking into Dallas Stadium. These boys really looked like football players there, that look of amazement and wonder as they walked onto the field was perfect.

Favorite Characters: Coach and Tami Taylor
    I mean seriously, I love my folks but can the Taylors just adopt me? They're imperfect in an absolutely perfect way. And I might be in the right career if Tami Taylor had been my guidance counselor.

Most awkward moment: Julie telling Matt they should have sex.
    Ha ha this was hilarious. Julie and Matt are so flipping adorable. They make me feel like I'm in high school all over again. They're so awkward and cute and all those things that first loves are. I hope they stay together through I'm sure the adversity that's coming their way.

Most shocking moment: Tyra being almost raped
    Hands were over my mouth and I was gasping as this happened. It was completely unexpected and not welcomed. I'm glad Landry reported it and brought Mrs. Taylor in. It'll be interesting to see how both her and Landry's relationships develop with Tyra as they bond over this in the next season. (Let's hear it for a Landry/Tyra hookup!)

Lamest storyline: Lyla and Riggens' affair
     All the cheating in this season was pretty stupid. It seemed highly unrealistic to me that Tim and Lyla would cheat with each other when Jason was in the hospital. It made me angry and had me thinking who the hell would do that? (I did feel horrible for her though when the people at school were treating her like dirt [high school girls are bitches]). Then to have her dad be cheating on her mom (which was obviously going to happen upon the Buddy and Angela meeting).  Even later, she ended up catching Jason kissing Susie. It was just too much and I think a little bit overacted. Hopefully her storyline progresses into something better next season and no more cheating!

Cutest little kid: BO, otherwise know as SJ in 'The Blindside.'
     This kid's hilarious. I heart him and want his mom to stick around. Who cares if she's a cougar? Her and Riggens are cute together.

I guess it's on to Season 2 tomorrow.....Here's hoping Kyle Chandler and Connie Briton get the Emmys they deserve on Sunday!