FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
I KNEW YOU WHEN
10-01-08 on DirecTV
01-16-09 on NBC
9pm

NBC SEASON PREMIERE—A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY—Brian “Smash” Williams (Gaius Charles) has graduated and the start of the new school year has Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) uncertain about the strength of his team. Matt Saracen’s (Zach Gilford) position as QB1 is in danger when a new freshman star player J.D. McCoy (guest star Jeremy Sumpter) arrives on the scene. Smash continues to deal with his own demons after a season-ending injury causes him to lose his college scholarship. Meanwhile, Tami (Connie Britton) faces stressful challenges as the new principal of Dillon High School. Elsewhere, Tyra (Adrianne Palicki) is encouraged to make a run for student body president.

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Friday Night Lights Is On! (And Taylor's Shirt Is Off)

Taylor Kitsch fans, you're dreams are coming true!"They write a shirtless scene for me in every episode," Friday Night Lights' resident bad boy tells me. "And I fight them on every episode. Sometimes I win. Sometimes they win."

The good news? Taylor is losing more than he's winning this season, thanks to a long-awaited romance—and that is only one of a slew of solid reasons you will want to watch this kickass show when it premieres tonight on DirecTV's 101 Network at 9 p.m.

I hit the FNL set in Austin, Texas, for exclusive scoop on the third season that you do not want to miss if you are a fan...

Finally! Tim (Kitsch) and Lyla (Minka Kelly) are totally together when the new season launches, and Taylor brings the sexy back by showing his clothes-free back...and chest...and more. Honestly, there are at least two Tim-Lyla moments in the premiere that will make you giddy and gaspy. I squealed. So is there long-term hope? "Sure, why not? Taylor tells me. "If she goes from Jesus to him, she must be into him."

Saracen's Spot as First-String QB Is in Danger: D.W. Moffett joins the cast as Joe McCoy, the aggressive, wily father of a freshman quarterback phenom named J.D. (Jeremy Sumpter), who is billed as the second coming of Jason Street (Scott Porter). And that does not bode well for the on-field future of our boy Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford), who has the heart—but not necessarily the throwing arm—of a champion. Gilford tells me, "Everyone thinks [J.D.'s] really good, but come on, he's no Matt Saracen." Damn straight.

Our Favorite Underdog Twosome Are in Trouble: Tyra (Adrianne Palicki) and Landry (Jesse Plemons) are on a break. And since we've all seen every episode of Friends, we know that means they are totally destined to be together forever. Still, in the midst of this breakup, Tyra's going to be getting with a new guy named Cash (Zach Roerig), and that is rough on poor Landry, which is in turn rough on Adrienne. She told me, "Poor guy can't catch a break! That was the first thing I asked our boss, Jason Katims, when I talked to him during the summer: What happens with Tyra and Landry? I don't feel like it's over, I don't feel like we're done, but poor Landry." Indeed.

The Big Game This Year May Be off the Field: Dillon football kingpin Buddy Garrity (Brad Leland) has a new nemesis, and her name is Tami Taylor (Connie Britton). Yep, Tami's been promoted to school principal, and she's finally getting her chance to take on the devil town's obsession with football and redirect that energy (and those school funds) to actual...education.

The Star Is Falling: Smash (Gaius Charles) has graduated, but he's still in Dillon, not up at college. Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) is working to save Smash and get him back in the game, but when the season begins, things look pretty dim as far as Smash's future is concerned...

Someone Proposes Marriage! There's going to be a wedding before the season is out.

It truly is a fantastic premiere. The Panthers are back on track.

Be sure to tune in tonight on DirecTV channel 101 at 9 p.m. (if you don't have DirecTV, find someone who does!), and then come back here to discuss the happy return of one of TV's best. In the meantime, post your fan love below...

Link

Yes, a touchdown tonight in many ways! I'm one of the lucky ones to have DTV, and the premiere tonight was well worth the wait. Thanks to everyone who worked to keep this show on the air. I read the great book long before it became a movie, and well, the TV show has not lost a step. One of the top 5 shows on TV right now, great writing and great acting. I know that NBC will have it on free air in January, but thank you for the early look. How long has it been since Season Two ended?

Thanks to everyone for bringing this show back. I don't have to "take to the bed" all of my wishes came true. It was great!

great start. wheres street? i love the fact that on directv there are no commercials! a full hour. already better than season 2. last season it seems they got away from football to much.

This was terrible...When did Smash hurt his knee? How can Tim, Tyra, and Lyla be seniors? When did Tammy become the principle?

The football scenes were terrible. The writing was terrible. The acting was terrible. The camera angles are different. This is very disappointing. I've watched the first 2 seasons twice in the past month getting ready for the new season and this is what we get.

It looks like a show that suffered severe budget cuts.

Don't worry you didn't miss a good show. This was very dissapointing to watch!!!

Hello jjooza, you know they only have 13 episodes and being realistic there isn't enough time to finish the entire 2nd season. I think they were trying to give us exposition. There is a scene where Tim tells Billy that he and Lyla have been together for over 6 months. I think that is how they told us about the summer and the things that we didn't see. The characters just talked about things that happened over the summer.

I beg to differ. I thought S3 had a great opener. It had an S1 feel to it and more. Scenes were not wasted. Episode one had a lot of "explaining" to do in a short time and I think they did a good job. I don't know what you've been watching the past month but I thought they played the camera angle the way they always did.
The only reason one will hate the newest episode is if one is a Tim/Tyra fan because at this point, that's not happening. The latest Tim/Lyla kiss (with Tim CUPPING Lyla's face- for you, Teach) sealed the deal.
Best scenes for me were Billy and Tim at the landing strip discussing Lyla and Billy expressing his love to Mindy while she did a lap dance for a trucker, all the Tim and Lyla scenes, of course and Billy with the Colettes at the Seven Senorita Cantina. As far as acting goes, if the major actors did anymore than what we saw, it would have bordered on "Captain Kirk" territory. Kudos to Adrianne Palicki's acting ability. This girl can act, IMO.
Best lines for me: Billy to Tim on Lyla:"She went to bed with Jesus and woke up with you. You're a rebound from Jesus." Coach Taylor to his team during practice:"Anybody here thinks he deserves a
smoothie?" And just because I love them so much: Tim to Lyla: " Thank you for kinda kicking my ass in gear tonight cause I needed it."

The football game scenes did look a little off (I agree with jjooaz on that), but the other football practice scenes were fine and otherwise I thought it was overall a strong opening episode. I don't think Season 1, episode 1 was one of the best episodes but it was a table-setter for what was to come. I think last night was kind of the same, setting things back in the right direction (more football, more direct relevance to the town, the high school and the football team, less peripheral stuff, guest stars, etc.) and getting things set up for what looks like will be a good Season 3.

The reviews were pretty accurate. It definitely seemed very intended to get back to what worked in Season 1.

The Smash injury angle was more realistic than it sounded in the previews. Pro football players commonly talk about it being 2 full years until they are truly 100% back to their old selves after having a serious knee injury in terms of having the same speed and burst. Smash is fine in terms of being healthy for everyday life but he's "not quite the same" as a football player and that is realistic less than a year after a serious knee injury. If you are a fan of the FNL book, the Smash story this season is definitely a different take on the Boobie Miles player in the book who had the serious knee injury which ended his football career and changed his life forever.

What happened. How did i miss all this stuff. when did they lose. I never saw Smash get hurt. Where is the christian boy friend ????

I disagree. Great season three premiere. Love the Smash story and I have a feeling he will have a great send off.

You didn't miss it. All of the relationships changed, the Christian guy went away, thank goodness, and the team lost in the playoffs. I think we all knew that they would not pick up with season 2. They had to tell us what happened via dialog. Remember they only have 13 episodes so they had to cover the changes via the give and take between the characters. It was simply great.

I don't know what some people were looking for in this first episode but I think everything was covered and we are caught up on the lives of the characters we love.

I also thought the new season opener was excellent. Although it's a little hard to believe that Tim, Tyra, & Lyla are Seniors this year I just went with the flow, they're the main characters afterall. Also, Matt being pushed for QB1 by a Freshman is pushing it but I've never really been a big fan of Matt, too much of a wuss for me. I sure hope Coach Taylor can get Smash the break he deserves, a full ride to a D1 school. I give Tim 2 episodes before he gets drunk and cheats on Lyla. Anybody catch the look on Buddy's face when he saw them sucking face? Classic!

I saw the look on Buddy's face and it was priceless! As far as the age thing with Tim, Lyla and Tyra, their stories were not finished and they had to be finished. I don't even concern myslef with their ages anymore. I would have had a fit if they had left them out this season.
I do have a question to ask. Did anyone notice that the show seemed brighter? I am talking about the "look" of the show. I don't know what you call it but I know that NBC shows have a different look from the other networks and this episode didn't look that way.
I found this episode to be a very interesting and expository episode. I was really more than pleased.

You really think so?? After pursuing her for so long and now their relationship is in the open, he'll just waste it all away over alcohol and a ... I don't know, I think Riggins values their relationship enough not to do that. After all, Lyla is and always be number one, the best he's ever had. Although...he was flirty with the other girls in the last episode. I'm not sure if that's because Lyla will not admit to their relationship and he's lashing back or maybe you're right, he's a low life.


You're right, that was classic. Wonder if he ever gave Jason that look? Wonder if that look will change to one of approval when Tim gets his football college scholarship?? Tim and Lyla better watch out...he'll probably be checking her bathroom from now on!! Wht do you think Tim can do to win his approval?

Teach, it's called HD!! LOL. Pictures comes out crisper and more detailed. I have another explanation, however, it just seems like the show is more "hopeful," not as dreary as S2. I guess that's what happens when you give a deserving show another chance at existence.

I am sure that Tim and Lyla will have their share of ups and down, but I really doubt that Tim will cheat on Lyla. I think he truly cares about her and is happy for the first time in years.
Maybe that is just my wishful thinking.

I just watched the show on the Friday re-play, and I loved it. Having no commercials was great. Now I wish I could watch it again to notice details that I missed the first time around. My heart just broke when I saw Smash in his manager's uniform? He's a good kid, and I just know that they are going to send him off in great fashion. I also noticed that it was almost the end of the show before we got a good look at J.D.'s face. That look on Buddy's face was classic!

Oh, I know it is HDTV but the lighting seemed different. I just have to get used to seeing it that way.
I don't think Tim will cheat on Lyla. He was acting like the usual Tim with those girls because he knew it was a secret and he couldn't act like he and Lyla were together. I am so glad that Buddy had a big role in the episode. The Jumbo Tron is a great story. How can you explain a Jumbo Tron for the football team and no money for teachers and supplies? Well, you look at like this, a Jumbo Tron would put the Panthers on top in their district. All of the teams would come to play them and feel second rate. Passing test and getting better test scores is not going to put the Panthers on top. Remember, in Buddy's mind and in the minds of the entire town, the Jumbo Tron means that Dillon is on top and the Panthers are the best! Most of all, it is FOOTBALL!(LOL)
I am so glad to see nthehuddle back. I missed your posts!

You're right, that was classic. Wonder if he ever gave Jason that look? Wonder if that look will change to one of approval when Tim gets his football college scholarship?? Tim and Lyla better watch out...he'll probably be checking her bathroom from now on!! Wht do you think Tim can do to win his approval?

"Jason isn't quite the womanizer Tim is nor does he drink like Tim does. I think Buddy apporved of Jason & Lyla right up until he was paralyzed from the waist down. Tim can win Buddy's approval by continuing to perform on the field, curb his drinking not to mention womanizing, and getting a full ride to TMU or a D-1 school."

I don't think you are doing wishful thinking. Tim was even willing to keep their relationship secret if it made Lyla happy. When he looks at her you can tell he is so in love with her. I think he feels that she can walk on water. I remember the scene in the Alamo Freeze with Smash and Smash told him he could have the ice cream for free if he would just cut the talk about Lyla. That was interesting because Tim was the great lover and Tim had all of the girls. Yet, there he was, talking and talking about Lyla as if the world centered on her. He was smiling and yet you could tell he was really worried about their relationship. I think we will see both of them in a different light. I think we are going to really love them as a couple.

"
Good Lord I hope you're wrong! I'm still recuperating from S2 back and forth between these two not to mention the the agony of not knowing if the show will come back. I still say Tim will stay good and faithful. He's sacrificed so much for this relationship including his equally important friendship with Jason. I reiterate that when Tim was womanizing, both in S2 and the current one, it was to get Lyla's attention.

Great point, Teach! It just seemed liked Tim was talking about Lyla to anyone that would listen to him- willing(Billy) and unwilling(Smash). It also bothered him that Lyla might not be that into him- as Billy was saying- that he might just be a "summer fling." These are the actions of a man deeply in love, IMO.


I predict that this is exactly what he'll do. By the end of this season, Tim will have achieved all these.

where can i watch the episodes online?

You can't.

Unless you want to see Seasons 1 & 2, then you can watch on NBC Rewind.

A reminder to others - This is a discussion about the whole of Episode 1, not about Tim and Lyla.

Well obviously Tim & Lyla have our attention.....right Maya? BTW, nice avatar!

One last comment about the 1st episode is that I like Tami, I really do and I'm glad she's the new principal. But she may have made a huge mistake not using Buddy's money for the jumbo tron. I understand the school needs money for new books, teachers salaries, supplies, etc etc. But do you really want to make an enemy of it's number 1 booster? Not to mention Eric? Buddy would've thought of something to get the money she needed for the school. Can't wait for episode 2 tomorrow night.

Tammi is going to be very interesting this season. She is really placing herself between and rock and a hard place. That Jumbo-Tron is something that represents a better time for the people of Dillon...when times are hard and people can't do the things that make them happy on a personal basis, they have to have something that makes them feel good about themselves as a group. The Jumbo-Tron is just that something that the people of Dillon need. Tammi is in the middle of this. She should not have stepped up to the plate with, academics vs. athlethics. She had not been in the office a good week before she put herself on the hot seat. Now, I love Tammi and I love the coach but this is a bit much for her to do and she is going to pull the coach into her problem too!
In the first place she needed to tell the school board about the donation. She really had no authority to change the use of the money. I know, some of you will say that they needed supplies and they needed teachers. Of course they do, but I'll bet when this is taken to the school board she is going to find out the hard way that FOOTBALL is king and in a town like Dillon, there is no way football is going to come up short.
Then again, I have noticed that Dillon does not seem to have the standard set up for school systems. The boosters have way too much influence when it comes to who works in the athlethic department. I don't think I have never seen or heard anything about the school board or any type of head of the school system. So, maybe she will get away with it.

When Coach told Smash that he was suspended for 3 games, didn't he say that the board had decided to suspend him? I say that when Tami threatens to pull the Jumbo-Tron, the board or district will magically come up with the money the school needs to keep the flashy Jumbo-Tron to flaunt in the face of the other schools. It happens every day in our towns--classes are crammed in every corner of a school, new schools can't be built, but a brand new, high fallutin' gymnasium can be. That's something most of us know about.

I missed most of the clip of Riggins and Smash in the Alamo, and I so wish I could have heard Tim fretting over his girl! I have an all new energy on Wednesdays now! When will that DTV installer get here? !?! By the way, I heard someone on this board talk about getting a sweet deal b/c she had AT&T, and I was able to get $10 off per month b/c we have it, too. So, this board saved me that money. Thanks for that!!

You're so right. I really am trying to calm down but my efforts are futile. Sorry Sharnina.

Thanks!! She truly is a beautiful girl.

Regarding the jumbotron vs. academics: I think it's impressive that Tami is trying to establish herself but I agree with you all that the main casualty here will be Coach Taylor. The look he gave her when she told him about her plan last week says it all...poor guy!!

I don't think this "tron" deal is going to go well for Tami. The reason is simple. Football pays for all of the atheltic programs in most high schools. When you have a winning team, people will come. It doesn't matter if the team is full of guys who spend the weekend drunk and in jail, the town comes to see the team play. That is where the money comes from. That is why the volley ball team does not have new uniforms. That is why the tennis team does not have new rackets, I think they buy their own. At any rate, Tami, bless her heart, has to learn how to tip around football people. They won't have it. That deal with the "tron" and her deciding not to buy it can keep her from getting some of the things she needs and it could help to ease her out of her new position.
Now, as far as the teachers are concerned, the shortage of teachers comes from the state. The state decides how many teachers they will fund from the number of students attending a school. Of course, with the economy in such a poor state, they could require school systems to operate with fewer teachers.
This would really make it seem as if the only area with money is the athletic department. That money is money from the gate. Then they have the help of the football boosters to keep them "in the state of the art" supplies they need. You don't have science class boosters!(LOL)! I do think that it looks like it is all about the books and the ball but that isn't true. If that school were in that much need, books, chalk , etc. something was wrong. It was wrong from way back. States determine when books are purchased for each area, math, science, etc. So they should have money for books. There is something wrong with this picture and I hope they tell us. Perhaps it has to do with how and why Tami got that job in the first place.

When I first heard about Tami being the principal, if seemed a little bit contrived and I wondered if it was a good plot idea. But thus far it looks like it was a good plot device to create some tension between her and Coach, her and Buddy and her and the Mayor (former allies). The athletics vs. academics is a good theme for this show; right at the heart of what the book and movie were about but covered in alot more detail. Should be fun to see this play out.

Moving and bumping this topic for discussion in January.

I am getting very excited about the 3rd season coming to NBC. I am praying that it finally gets the viewer support it deserves.

The reference to the Mitsubishi Jumbotron in tonights episode is incorrect. Sony made the Jumbotron and Mitsubishi made the DiamondVision.

Okay, I guess I've lost my mind, but I thought Lyla already graduated. I thought that she was a senior during season 1! I'm very confused! Am I the only one? I also thought that Riggins was the same age as Smash and that he graduated with Smash last season! Can someone enlighten me? Thanks in advance!

Bump

soccermom, you usually only bump a topic if it's moved down the page and needs a "bump" up.

Sharnina, you're right! Sorry!

Wow, like water after time in the desert....

Most of the changes made sense and followed logically from Season 3, but Smash should still have had his scholarship, since he did sign with that school whose coach told him, "The scholarship is here for you either way, and if you want to play football with our team, that would be fine."

Had Smash still been going to TMU or another big time program, his scholarship being lost to injury would make sense; but that coach was a friend of Coach Taylor's and, heck, was playing at a level where a slower Smash would probably still have been good enough to contribute some.

Also, Tami's suddenly the principal? In my head I can only justify it by the town's preoccupation with football being so great that they'd hire the coach's wife as principal, even though her experience as an educator was only two years as a counselor.

But, the rest worked, and they're getting back to what worked for FNL in its first season, not trying to downplay the football to the point it's hardly noticed. I'm glad for that, and the feel of the show worked. I didn't want the episode to end.

yea i saw 2nite's episode n i liked it buhh im more excited 4 da next 1 cuz it looks more juicer n intense buhh im very thankful dat dere is a season 3 n hopefully we all can receive another 1 so evry1 keep watchin cuz we all luv FNL

I thought that the episode shown on Friday January 16, 2009 was starting a new season. I have seen all of these in the 101. Do they get to show Friday Night Lights before NBC? Was it just a mistake?

I do not have direct tv so I'm confused about how season 2 ended. When did smash hurt his knee? When did Tyra and Landry take a break? What happend to Jason and the girl that was pregnant? and When did Lyla give up Chris? I didn't catch anything in the Season 3 opener that explained mosTIt last night! Is there any way to watch those lost episodes FNL for non direct tv people? Help!

No mistakes. It's been widely reported from the beginning that Season 3 episodes would air on DirecTV first starting in the fall and then on NBC in January or February.

It'll Be Back! FNL has NOT been cancelled!

I do not want to give any of it away, I can not remember the sequence of events, and am afraid that i will tell you more of what happened then I should. NBC.com has a full episode library, I am pretty sure that you can find out there.

Thank You, I did not know that, where have I been? I was carrying a full load at school last semester and happened to stumble on it after my Wednesday night class. Season 3 is great and I cannot wait for Season 4!

I enjoyed the episode in some ways, but found it disappointing in others. I like that Tami is now the principal, and will be going head to head with Buddy over funding. I like seeing Smash and Coach working together. I think it's a bit contrived, but I guess they did what they had to do to keep him in the storyline. I'm glad Tyra is still trying to grow and be responsible for her future.

Now for the negatives. I wanted to see Tim and Lyla together, but not like this. The first scene we get of them is after they've obviously spent the night together. They really tried to sell her as a Christian last season, and I (somewhat niavely I suppose) bought it. I thought, finally, we're going to see a main character on a major network be portrayed as a true Christian with values and not in a derogatory manner. Well, I guess I gave them too much credit. It appears Lyla was just going through a "Jesus" phase. What a cop-out. I wanted to see Lyla stay true to her faith, and see Tim struggle to become the kind of guy she could be happy with. But instead of Tim changing, apparently Lyla did. She told him during the episode that in order for her to take him seriously, he needed to take himself seriously. Then, apparently, playing well in a football game just makes him Mr. Responsible, and suddenly she's not ashamed of their relationship. Riiiiight.

Anywho, aside from the Lyla turnaround, I enjoyed the episode. It would have been nice if she could have remained true to her faith AND found a way to be with Tim. But it looks like sex/lust wins out over faith and spirituality, and least in this instance.

Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised by the next episodes. Here's hoping....

Does anyone know what happened between Matt and Tim? Or is that something that will show up later?

Personally I liked the episode, the ending scene was great, Coach and Smash playing racquetball that was well put together and I thought that no matter what anyone says Smash'll go for the scholarship

Not sure what you mean? Maybe I missed something.

alias07, I think the point is that sex/lust and faith/spirituality are NOT mutually exclusive. Why can't Lyla be sexual? You have to be prude/celibate all. the. time. to be a true Christian? Lyla is a young woman, a teenager, with a SUPER hot boyfriend and she has needs and she clearly struggled with that in her relationship with Chris toward the end of last season (when she wanted to sleep together at his parents house and he didn't) and I don't think she should ignore that part of herself just to be a "good" Christian.

She's young and she's in love and she wants to have sex. I don't think its that big of a deal, personally.

God will understand. He'll forgive you.

Honestly, I believe that celibacy for a lot of teenagers just isn't realistic. Its a nice idea and great for some, but not everyone can do it and I don't think its terrible as long as they are safe and smart about it. But that's a different topic for a different day.