Friday Night Lights

Paully D · 21-11-2011 7:46pm

Right, I've just watched the final episode.

One word to sum up the whole show is - wow! I don't care what anyone says, but this is the best TV show ever made (there, I've said it!) and I've watched shows such as The Wire and The Sopranos to name but two. It might not be as popular as them, but like I've seen mentioned on here before, there's no other show that gets you so emotionally attached to virtually every character.

A few of my own thoughts:

I felt the ending

was perfect

.

I was over the moon to see Matt and Julie living together (this was the main thing I wanted to see as Matt is a character I got very attached to during the show), to see Coach show once again how much of a good man he was by moving with the wife, to see Riggins building his dream house alongside Billy and to see Vince being the Panther's new QB sporting his state win after throwing that 65 yard TD pass.

, etc. Basically, the ending was

absolutely spot on and I don't think it could have been any better.

.

I'd like to complment the writers to, not only for the whole thing but for leaving it where it finished. I'm sure we all know how easy it would have been to get another series or two out of that with

Coach managing the new team in Philly, etc

but fair play to them for not going down the road which left a bitter taste from so many other good shows.

As for the talk of the film, personally I'm caught in two minds.

On one hand I'd love it, hopefully to see Matt and Julie getting married, Vince making it to college, Smash in the NFL, Coach getting a proper head coach job at a college, Riggins living in his new house with Tyra, Landry with the girl of his dreams,

etc but on the other hand it could go the other way and leave me disappointed. However, it seems that Berg (the creator) has said the script is all done and there will be a film, the date potentially being sometime in 2012.

Do any of you have any thoughts on how you think the characters would have developed in the future? Do you share my positivity?

Thanks to you all for recommending the show to me, I'm delighted I've watched it it was well worth it. Anyone thinking about watching it I can't recommend it highly enough. The only downside is I went through it so fast but that just shows how good it was. Like 'baz2009', the show has made me want to go to America straight away and it's definitely something I'll look into, even if it's just for a quick holiday.

One final thing, I will find the actress who plays Julie Taylor (Aimee Teegarden) and marry her, that's a promise :pac:

Clear eyes. Full hearts. CAN'T LOSE!

Paully D · 22-11-2011 11:24pm

Have any of you heard the ''hidden'' speech that Coach Taylor was going to say during the final scene, but the producer decided it worked better without the speech?

Here it is for those interested:

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/08/12/friday-night-lights-farewell-speech/

Very powerful and moving stuff, but I'm glad they didn't put it in as it seems a little bit cheesy and out of character for Coach.

jimjimjimmy · 23-11-2011 9:01am

Wow, powerful stuff. But glad they omitted it.

Just started watching it again, for the 3rd time, its one of the few shows that I can watch over and over again and still enjoy.

Paully D · 25-11-2011 3:57am

jimjimjimmy wrote: »

Wow, powerful stuff. But glad they omitted it.

Just started watching it again, for the 3rd time, its one of the few shows that I can watch over and over again and still enjoy.

I've never really been able to watch TV shows again, but I have a feeling that this is the one show that breaks that mould for me, but because I flew through the whole show I'll leave it for a few months before I go for it again.

Paully D · 14-12-2011 12:54am

Bumping this as I've just this minute watched the film.

I don't know whether or not it was because I watched the TV show first, but I just couldn't get into it at all.

The characters just weren't the same. The likes of Saracen, Coach Taylor, Riggins etc are on another level compared to the film equivalents. I know that it's best not to compare them, especially as you have 70 + episodes to become attached to them, relate to them, etc compared to 120 minutes, but I couldn't help it.

Good to see Buddy Geraghty and Mrs. Coach being played by the same characters though. Is there any more that I have missed out on? I wonder why it was only those (if I haven't missed any) that were used for both film and show.

Amazingly, I didn't even realise the whole Friday Night Lights story was based on a true story. I must do some further research into it all over Christmas.

What did you think of the comparison between the show and film? In an ideal world I know there shouldn't really be one at all, but there always will be IMO.

tallaghtoutlaws · 14-12-2011 1:27am

Paully D wrote: »

Bumping this as I've just this minute watched the film.

I don't know whether or not it was because I watched the TV show first, but I just couldn't get into it at all.

The characters just weren't the same. The likes of Saracen, Coach Taylor, Riggins etc are on another level compared to the film equivalents. I know that it's best not to compare them, especially as you have 70 + episodes to become attached to them, relate to them, etc compared to 120 minutes, but I couldn't help it.

Good to see Buddy Geraghty and Mrs. Coach being played by the same characters though. Is there any more that I have missed out on? I wonder why it was only those (if I haven't missed any) that were used for both film and show.

Amazingly, I didn't even realise the whole Friday Night Lights story was based on a true story. I must do some further research into it all over Christmas.

What did you think of the comparison between the show and film? In an ideal world I know there shouldn't really be one at all, but there always will be IMO.

I posted this a while back to say dont compare the film/book to the TV show.:

tallaghtoutlaws wrote: »

Don't compare it to the Book and Movie as they are completely different. Book/Movie were loosely based on real life and the TV show is all made up just for TV. So many have compared it to the Book/Movie and disliked it due to it. The different or made up school name and totally different characters turn them off it.

They are 2 different entities the book/film being more to real life and the TV show just using the name or franchise if you will.

Paully D · 14-12-2011 2:10am

tallaghtoutlaws wrote: »

I posted this a while back to say dont compare the film/book to the TV show.:

They are 2 different entities the book/film being more to real life and the TV show just using the name or franchise if you will.

Good point, you're right. Now that I've had a bit of time to reflect I can see what you mean.

I like the way the film is more to real life actually. Interesting to note that Gary Gaines (the coach) is now back coaching Permian after stints at places such as Texas Tech.

Do you happen to now of any further reading that gives an insight into the whole event, apart from the Friday Night Lights book? It would be great to find out more about what happened to the players etc after the event.

deisedude · 21-12-2011 11:16pm

Hardly watching it a week and i'm already a few episodes into season 2. So good!

johnmcdnl · 21-12-2011 11:32pm

Went and bought the book for myself from the Eason's website just there as a nice wee Christmas present for myself... gonna read the book before watching the series...

anyone else read the book yet??

tallaghtoutlaws · 21-12-2011 11:46pm

johnmcdnl wrote: »

Went and bought the book for myself from the Eason's website just there as a nice wee Christmas present for myself... gonna read the book before watching the series...

anyone else read the book yet??

Yup book is excellent but the book and TV Series have no relation. There is a movie based on the book.

Paully D · 21-12-2011 11:48pm

deisedude wrote: »

Hardly watching it a week and i'm already a few episodes into season 2. So good!

Season 2 is probably the worst of the lot IMO, but stick with it even if it does seem to be dragging on as it picks up massively.

Definitely my favourite TV show of all time :cool:

UnitedIrishman · 22-12-2011 1:19am

Paully D wrote: »

Season 2 is probably the worst of the lot IMO, but stick with it even if it does seem to be dragging on as it picks up massively.

Definitely my favourite TV show of all time :cool:

Very true.

Into the start of season 5 now.

I'd love to punch either of the McCoys!

:pac:

Paully D · 22-12-2011 1:39am

I actually love Julie Taylor.

Torlac · 22-12-2011 9:15am

i love her mom !!!

deisedude · 22-12-2011 10:47am

Paully D wrote: »

I actually love Julie Taylor.

but she broke up with Matt for the Swede :mad:

me-skywalker · 22-12-2011 12:36pm

Kyle Chandler is a great actor. Loved Early Edition when I was growing up, he was great in Super 8 even thoguht I wasnt a big fan of the film.

Paully D is that sidereel link you have still active?

Paully D · 22-12-2011 12:40pm

Paully D wrote: »

If you want to watch it for free then there's every episode available online here:

http://www.sidereel.com/Friday_Night_Lights

Hosted on Megavideo, Video BB, etc.

me-skywalker wrote: »

Kyle Chandler is a great actor. Loved Early Edition when I was growing up, he was great in Super 8 even thoguht I wasnt a big fan of the film.

Paully D is that sidereel link you have still active?

Yes mate, all still working AFAIK. I've quoted the post with the link in it above for you.

Hulk Hands · 22-12-2011 4:49pm

Girlfriend got me the book last night as part of my xmas present. Can't wait to read it now, going on the reviews ive read online and here. Hopefully I can do the natural progression and go from book to movie to TV series

Peyton Manning · 22-12-2011 4:51pm

me-skywalker wrote: »

Kyle Chandler is a great actor. Loved Early Edition when I was growing up, he was great in Super 8 even thoguht I wasnt a big fan of the film.

Paully D is that sidereel link you have still active?

Early Edition was amazing, thanks for reminding me of it! Gonna look for the box set if available for Christmas!

skeleton_boy · 22-12-2011 4:58pm

Paully D wrote: »

I actually love Julie Taylor.

The scene at the end of last episode where she and Matt are in the apartment. She looks absolutely stunning

Paully D · 22-12-2011 5:09pm

skeleton_boy wrote: »

The scene at the end of last episode where she and Matt are in the apartment. She looks absolutely stunning

I was

over the moon that they got back together. That was the main thing I wanted to happen. I hope that any upcoming film will still have them that way.

tallaghtoutlaws · 22-12-2011 5:54pm

Peyton Manning wrote: »

Early Edition was amazing, thanks for reminding me of it! Gonna look for the box set if available for Christmas!

Fooking awesome show loved it.

me-skywalker · 22-12-2011 6:20pm

haha well there you go Kyle Chandler back in fashion!

deisedude · 28-12-2011 3:38pm

Midway through season 3 and while i love the show certain parts of it annoy me. Particularly inbetween seasons where certain characters are forgotten about because there has been a few months between where one season ends and another begins.

What happened to Smash's girlfriend from season 1 or Lyla's christian boyfriend from season 2.

They developed storylines around these characters and then just abandoned it in between the seasons which i found frustrating

johnmcdnl · 28-12-2011 5:05pm

2 days

18th episode

very very easy to roll through the episodes when ya want to

I love holidays.. :pac: :cool:

currently waiting for Eason's to post me the book as well - was supposed to arrive on the 27th but the post isn't running because of the holidays so hoping I'll have it tomorrow when the post is back to normal...

can't wait because I loved the film, loving the series and can't wait to get into the book now

Smurf1971 · 05-01-2012 1:01pm

Just a head up for anyone that didnt know. Sky Atlantic are showing the first 2 seasons of the show, starting from mid to late Feb. Was announced on their website and facebook page.

Brilliant series.

me-skywalker · 05-01-2012 1:22pm

Smurf1971 wrote: »

Just a head up for anyone that didnt know. Sky Atlantic are showing the first 2 seasons of the show, starting from mid to late Feb. Was announced on their website and facebook page.

Brilliant series.

Great news don't have to worry about low quality streams!

UnitedIrishman · 05-01-2012 2:36pm

Finished watching the series there last week, brilliant stuff although its depressing to think its all finished.

Did Julie Taylor start to annoy anyone towards the end?

Best character was definitely Riggins but its a pity for that actor that he'll always just be remembered as that character. But he was brilliant throughout. As was Billy.

Like mentioned here before, would be brilliant if they had another series where coach went on to college and brought a few of the players with him but doubt that's ever likely to happen.

adrian522 · 05-01-2012 2:46pm

Guys. can you use spoiler tags where appropriate some of us are still watching the series,

Thanks.

UnitedIrishman · 05-01-2012 2:49pm

adrian522 wrote: »

Guys. can you use spoiler tags where appropriate some of us are still watching the series,

Thanks.

Apologies, removed the only spoiler I had cos I'm posting from phone.

adrian522 · 05-01-2012 4:04pm

No worries

deisedude · 05-01-2012 10:27pm

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

Finished watching the series there last week, brilliant stuff although its depressing to think its all finished.

Did Julie Taylor start to annoy anyone towards the end?

Best character was definitely Riggins but its a pity for that actor that he'll always just be remembered as that character. But he was brilliant throughout. As was Billy.

Like mentioned here before, would be brilliant if they had another series where coach went on to college and brought a few of the players with him but doubt that's ever likely to happen.

Ya, she was very whiny towards the end.

Regarding Taylor Kitsch (Tim), he has a lead role in upcoming film John Carter so i dont think he will be remembered just as Tim

Paully D · 05-01-2012 11:55pm

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

Did Julie Taylor start to annoy anyone towards the end?

Don't ever talk about my girlfriend like that again :pac:

UnitedIrishman · 06-01-2012 12:46am

Paully D wrote: »

Don't ever talk about my girlfriend like that again :pac:

Sorry Seven. :pac:

skeleton_boy · 10-01-2012 7:50pm

Bought the book today in town. Was shocked but delighted to see they had it

UCD AFC · 04-02-2012 6:33pm

Any shows I can watch now I'm finished with this

Conor108 · 04-02-2012 7:01pm

Saw this trailer today and it really reminded me of FNL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUt349BSxZk

walt colman · 05-02-2012 6:33am

Don't know what the story is with Netflick in Ireland, but Netflick over here (USA) has the whole series. Great stuff if you have never seen it, or indeed if you have no interest in American Football it is still great (I would imagine)

3hn2givr7mx1sc · 14-02-2012 9:07pm

First episode just started on Sky Atlantic now.

theoneeyedman · 14-02-2012 9:13pm

walt colman wrote: »

Don't know what the story is with Netflick in Ireland, but Netflick over here (USA) has the whole series. Great stuff if you have never seen it, or indeed if you have no interest in American Football it is still great (I would imagine)

If Sky atlantic have it you can kiss goodbye to it being on Netflix or any FTA for the forseeable future I'd say....

davetherave · 14-02-2012 9:34pm

TEXAS FOREVER

eagle eye · 15-02-2012 12:17pm

I can't wait for the new movie. Hopefully it does very well and leads to another tv show.

Benny Cake · 16-02-2012 8:20pm

eagle eye wrote: »

I can't wait for the new movie. Hopefully it does very well and leads to another tv show.

Has a new movie been confirmed? Sweet!

deisedude · 16-02-2012 8:40pm

Benny Cake wrote: »

Has a new movie been confirmed? Sweet!

They have kind of all said there will be but nothing concrete and its not in production as far as i know

kryogen · 17-02-2012 12:14am

Not exactly sure how a sequel to the film will work out tbh.

Hope they can get it right, worst thing that could happen is for them to make a balls of it.

deisedude · 17-02-2012 12:21am

kryogen wrote: »

Not exactly sure how a sequel to the film will work out tbh.

Hope they can get it right, worst thing that could happen is for them to make a balls of it.

Well it wouldn't really be a sequel to the original film. It would be an extension of the tv show

mayordenis · 23-02-2012 2:34pm

I love you Riggins.

kryogen · 24-02-2012 1:34pm

deisedude wrote: »

Well it wouldn't really be a sequel to the original film. It would be an extension of the tv show

Yeah I guess, but it will still be associated with the original film, what will they call it like?

There will also be people out there who will not have watched the series and will view the film as a sequel.

I only let myself watch the series about a year ago out of fear of it taking away from the film!

davetherave · 24-02-2012 3:52pm

kryogen wrote: »

deisedude wrote: »

Well it wouldn't really be a sequel to the original film. It would be an extension of the tv show

Yeah I guess, but it will still be associated with the original film, what will they call it like?

There will also be people out there who will not have watched the series and will view the film as a sequel.

I only let myself watch the series about a year ago out of fear of it taking away from the film!

I'm the opposite, haven't watched the film or read the book incase it ruins the series for me.

Syferus · 25-02-2012 2:12pm

davetherave wrote: »

I'm the opposite, haven't watched the film or read the book incase it ruins the series for me.

The only thing the film and tv show share are an outline - a small town in Texas consumed by high school football. The film mostly is true to the non-fiction book, whereas the tv show invents a fictional town so it isn't trapped into repeating the same stories.

You can watch the film or read the book safe in the knowledge they'll have no effect on watching the tv show.

Friday Night Lights

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