Aged AQUARIUS

Article originally published as AQUARIUS Review on Seat42F.

NBC’s new drama, AQUARIUS, premieres tonight. Set in the 1960s, it is inspired by the real-life story of cult leader Charles Manson, who manipulated women into sex and murder in Los Angeles. Because this is modern American broadcast network television, the show also stars the officers of the law who are tasked with taking Manson down. As if we need another cop show, even one that is, admittedly, a little different than most.

The first thing that strikes me about AQUARIUS is that, in structure, it is virtually identical to FOX’s The Following. Both series feature a cop with a younger sidekick who share the screen with a dangerous man who is seducing and influencing weak-willed followers into doing his dirty work for him. There are differences between the two programs, but they are almost all superficial, boiling down to the same base.

The problem with drawing this comparison is, AQUARIUS is inferior in virtually every way.

Mistake number one is the setting. It is extremely easy to fall into cliché when depicting the 1960s, and AQUARIUS does this a lot. The costumes and dialogue reflect cheesiness, much more so than is believable. When our leading man, Sam Hodiak (David Duchovny, Californication, The X-Files), is schooled by his partner, Brian Shafe (Grey Damon, Friday Night Lights), on the new Miranda rights, it feels like a heavy-handed attempt to remind us of where we are, and all the hippie clothing and pot smoke is nothing better than cartoonish.

But AQUARIUS doesn’t even commit to a full-fledged 60s stereotype, instead overlaying it with a very dark noir, the messed up detectives getting seedy in order to catch the crooks. This is especially evident with officer Tully (Claire Holt, The Vampire Diaries), her role being the epitome of a put-upon woman, and her actions reflecting that she sees herself as the second-class citizen that the men do.

I’m not complaining that AQUARIUS takes place in the 1960s; that would be foolish given that it is based on true events, and it would be worse to rewrite the tale with a modern take. What I’m complaining about is the design and approach the production takes towards this era. The setting is more than a time and a place, and the way this show tackles it is bad.

Overall, the cast is solid. Duchovny, in particular, is immensely watchable, no matter how poorly constructed his part is. Damon, Holt, Emma Dumont (Bunheads) as the main girl, Emma, that we see fall into Manson’s trap, and Brian F. O’Byrne (Flashforward) as her father, are all serviceable. A step below them is Michaela McManus (Law & Order: SVU) as Emma’s mother and Beau Mirchoff (Awkward.) as Emma’s boyfriend at the start, but they still do a decent job, too. I’ve seen them all in other projects, though, and they’re usually much more compelling than they are here, which I’m assuming is because of the material.

Manson himself is played by Game of Thrones’ Gethin Anthony, and again, while I like the actor, I’m not sold on the part. I can see how this Manson lures the girls in, but am less convinced of the threat he poses. Anthony doesn’t play Manson as scary, and I feel like AQUARIUS needs that element of horror in order to drive story tension. Without it, the plot sort of plods along with little urgency or direction.

I think NBC knows this one isn’t destined to be a hit. They’re dumping the entire thirteen-episode run on their website after tonight’s premiere, available for all to binge watch at their leisure (or at least for the next four weeks). That may be a gamble to drive word of mouth, but more likely, they don’t expect anything out of AQUARIUS and it’s an easy way to get rid of the product in short order, whether they end up airing the whole thing or not.

AQUARIUS airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, and is available at NBC.com.

STAR-CROSSED Not Worth Crossing Over To

Article first published as STAR-CROSSED Review on Seat42F.

The CW’s STAR-CROSSED is designed as a modern day Romeo & Juliet, especially evident by the tragedy at the end of the first hour, as well as the lead couple. Aliens known as Atrians crash land on Earth. Although the Atrians are peaceful, mankind doesn’t give them a chance and immediately slaughters or captures the survivors. One young Atrian boy escapes and hides in a shed where he meets a human girl. Ten years later, the two encounter each other once more when the Artian is integrated into the girl’s high school.

Poor Aimee Teegarden. After graduating high school after five seasons on Friday Night Lights, she’s now sent back at age twenty-five to repeat it, playing Emery Whitehill, the human lead in STAR-CROSSED. She passes for a teenager, I guess, but were there no talented fifteen-year olds around to handle the part? And why cast the adorable Maggie Elizabeth Jones (Ben and Kate, We Bought a Zoo) as Emery if they were just going to age the character early in the “Pilot,” ditching her red hair in the process?

Believe it or not, that’s just the least of STAR-CROSSED’s problems. The show gets the high school setting completely wrong. Most public institutions will be lucky to have today’s best technology in ten years’ time, let alone automated cafeterias, fully electronic lockers, and holo-projectors. Not to mention, the cell phones the kids use are thick and don’t roll or fold up at all. I suppose some of this could be explained in that there’s an alien ship in town, and so maybe this particular town has benefited in advancements from off world, but there’s certainly no indication in this pilot that that is the case.

The premise of the society portrayed also is beyond weak. We’re supposed to believe the aliens rolled over when humans slaughtered them, then gleefully learned English and our pop culture in only a decade? While, meanwhile, Americans brought back every bit of their racism in the way they treat the new residents of Earth? It’s District 9 on steroids, but without a full thinking through of the set up or players.

Worse still, when Roman (Matt Lanter, 90210), the lead alien, and his friends are brought to school, in a clear parallel to our history in the American south, armed guards are allowed to patrol the hallways, but don’t actually keep an eye on the extraterrestrial attendees. Setting aside the big guns that should not be in a place of education, humans are permitted to bully the aliens without repercussion, and the authorities offer no assistance when the aliens are harassed?

Basically, so much about the structure and execution of this world just plain sucks.

The question is, will the target audience of the CW be able to look past all of that and just enjoy the teen drama? Because in that, STAR-CROSSED delivers a pretty typical batch of characters with standard screen tropes. The popular girls are represented, and there’s the jock, Grayson (Grey Damon, also from Friday Night Lights), who is interested in Emery before she chooses Roman over him. There’s even a Twilight-vibe going on as Emery, who is an outsider that the cool kids are accepting of at first, meets Roman and his friends, who are the stranger loners segregated from everyone else. So there may be appeal here for a certain audience segment.

Plus, there are the “mysteries” designed to hook the viewer. One involves Emery’s terminally ill friend Julia (Malese Jow, The Vampire Diaries). I won’t spoil what happens for those who do want to check out this pilot, but suffice it to say, while the occurrence late in the hour does draw intrigue, it doesn’t make sense that it’s been kept a hidden secret so long, especially by those who want peace between the species.

The CW certainly knows its target audience, and STAR-CROSSED seems designed to grab both segments of the network’s viewers. Most of their series are either centered on angsty young people more concerned with romance than real problems, and a lot of the others are science fiction and super natural leaning, often with younger protagonists. STAR-CROSSED is combining both of those types of shows in what they surely hope is a perfect storm.

The thing is, even though I’m a thirty-year old man, I still like a lot of the CW’s stuff, from Arrow to The Vampire Diaries, and mourn the loss of Gossip Girl. However, STAR-CROSSED just has too many logistics issues to get past for it to join my season pass list. I’ll watch at least one more hour to see if it improves, but so much of the story is so unrealistic that it’s hard to be drawn in. Maybe next time they can do better.

STAR-CROSSED airs Monday at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

The Nine Lives of Chloe King longs for a "Beautiful Day"

     The first season of ABC Family's The Nine Lives of Chloe King draws to a close with "Beautiful Day." Chloe (Skyler Samuels) goes with Brian (Grey Damon) to reconnect with his long-lost grandmother, Olivia. While they are gone, Simone (Jolene Andersen) begins her plan to wipe out Chloe's support system with the help of Jasmine's (Alyssa Diaz) new boyfriend (Daniel Sharman). Chloe unknowingly returns to town as the plan is carried out, and she goes to meet her father. But he's not there, and Chloe is killed by Simone. Jasmine's boyfriend takes out Jasmine and her mother, Valentina (Alicia Coppola). Chloe awakes at Brian's kiss, resulting in his apparent death.

     Needless to say, there's a lot of death going on in "Beautiful Day." Brian is likely the most significant, and it's hard not to wonder if it will stick. After all, Brian's family is heavily connected into the organization that seeks to destroy Chloe. Many of Brian's questions about his family remain unanswered, such as the circumstances surrounding his mother's death, and how Olivia ends up with Chloe's father's book. While Brian's father, Whitley (David S. Lee), or grandmother, Olivia, may be the outlet the series can use to explore those things, it would be more effective to keep Brian around. Maybe he's not quite human and can survive a Mai kiss?

     Also up in the air is Jasime. Valentina is probably dead because she is poisoned, and The Nine Lives of Chloe King's story has more of an impact if the heroic young people can defeat evil themselves, without a helpful parent leading them. As such, she seems both the most expendable, and the most likely to die. Jasmine could go either way. There shouldn't be too much death in a single episode, and since Jasmine is stabbed, her injuries may not be fatal. If I were a betting man, I would wager she will likely return for season two. Likely, but not certain.

     Chloe's death means the least for the simple fact that she has nine lives. That is not to take away from the significance of losing two of those nine in a single span of ten episodes. It makes Chloe's lifespan, and that of the series, seem fairly finite, despite her gifts. But she is far from done with her purpose, which has barely begun to be explored. There isn't any real emotional impact to her being shot, and the bad guys only do it to find out for sure if she is who they think she is.

     Perhaps the character facing the most upheaval in "Beautiful Day," though, is Alek (Benjamin Stone). Not only does he overhear Chloe admit to her mother, Meredith (Amy Pietz), that Chloe's heart belong to Brian, not him, but Alek also learns that Jasmine's assassin boyfriend is his own brother. Alek's heart is broken, and he is tied to dastardly deeds all in one day. His world is turned upside down and rocked drastically, as he faces the prospect of losing loves ones both physically and emotionally. Which means Alek will get some really interesting story in season two.

     The Nine Lives of Chloe King is turning out to be quite the exciting series. With echoes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season one, though not quite at that level, it is must-see television. Hopefully, it will get a second season. It definitely deserves it.

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Article first published as TV Review: The Nine Lives of Chloe King - "Beautiful Day" on Blogcritics.

"Always" Friday Night Lights

     It may be July in the real world, but it's Christmas time in Dillon, Texas on Friday Night Lights, as the five-year series comes to a permanent end with "Always." Knowing the Lions will soon be no more, the team still faces one final game - the state championship. Eric (Kyle Chandler) is pressured to sign a contract to coach the Panthers "super team" next year before leaving for the game, but wife Tami (Connie Britton) goes cold every time he brings it up. Matt (Zach Gilford) finds it easy enough to propose to Julie (Aimee Teegarden), however, getting a blessing from her parents proves far more tricky. Tim (Taylor Kitsch) ponders his future. And eight months later, life goes on.


     Friday Night Lights spends most of the series only covering football seasons, so it is not unusual for fans to have to imagine what happens during huge gaps in the characters' lives. Yet, the final scenes, set eight months later, or what would have been the beginning of a sixth season, should there have been one, are the last glimpses viewers will ever get. It's bittersweet, seeing how things continue, but already missing those people so many have grown to love. Even with only a few brief cameos by some long departed series stars, seeing the current crop's stories come to an end, along with the Taylors', is a moving finish.

     The transition is brilliant. Just before the skip ahead, the Lions are playing in their final game. Little ambient sound is heard, but a series of plays are shown over trademark music. The faces of the Lions' fans as they cheer are panned over. In stereotypical sports drama fashion, the favorite team is down by a touchdown, and there is only one play left to win the game. But between the musical strains and the camera constantly switching perspectives, the minutes spent on the field are anything but typical. Even more surprising, as the final pass goes for the player's hands, no resolution is shown. Sure, soon enough there are indicators that the Lions won, seeing the championship rings on their hands in the future. But choosing not to air the game winning catch is a bold choice that really pays off.

     Happy endings do come true. The interesting thing about Friday Night Lights is that the happy ending is merely a temporarily stop as lives continue on. Only five brief seasons play out, and despite learning all of the characters' back stories, little of their futures are shown. Many of the principal players are just graduating high school, or early into college. There is no completion. The only thing that ends is the Lions football team, and the Taylor's residence in Texas. So to sum up the entire show, Friday Night Lights, it's about when the Taylors briefly move to Texas and change many kids' paths for the better.

     And they really do. Whatever else can be said about Eric and Tami, they help children. None of Tami's connections are shown in "Always," though there are many. But Eric gets a scene each with Jess (Jurnee Smollett) and Vince (Michael B. Jordan), letting his two latest projects know that he loves and respects them, and will do anything for them, anytime they need it. He leaves them both in great places, much better than when he met them. Jess moves to Dallas and helps coach a high school football team, and Vince switches to the Panthers. But both owe much of their future careers and accomplishments to Eric Taylor. Vince also owes Eric for helping begin a healing between him and his father (Cress Williams).

    Besides mentorship, the most important element of Friday Night Lights is the marriage between Eric and Tami Taylor. It has been discussed at length in many a review, but never has their bond been tested like it is in "Always" and the episodes leading up to the finale. Tami is offered a huge career opportunity, and after following Eric around for years, thinks she deserves the chance to have a turn dictating the family's living situation. Eric likes things as they are, and has trouble seeing any future but the one he leads in building. The couple's give and take virtually disappears over this argument, and things between them take a very dark turn, even as their love is still evident.


     It's not the problems that arise that define a marriage, but how bride and groom deal with them. The climax of this arc comes as Eric lectures Matt and Julie on successful marriage. Tami is shocked at the hypocrisy in Eric's words, and Eric realizes, for the first time, how deeply it hurts Tami that he's ignoring her career. Soon after, she gives in, not seeing a way out of the argument if Eric persists on being stubborn. Even through her grief, she chooses her man. But she shouldn't have to choose, and eventually, Eric makes the right decision, telling Tami it is her turn.

     Eric's sacrifice comes late in the game, almost too late. There is plenty of reason to be angry with him for not capitulating sooner. It isn't fair how he treats Tami. But his apology, asking her so politely to take him with her as she accepts this great honor she has worked so hard to earn, makes up for it, somehow. Maybe it's the sincerity, or the knowledge that Eric knows he screwed up royally. Still, fans are just as apt as Tami to quickly forgive Eric. He has already won the battle, but forfeits anyway, because some things are far more important than getting your way. Tami's happiness is one of them to Eric.

     It's not hard to see how Julie and Matt may end up being a similar couple to Eric and Tami. The personalities in the four do differ, but facing trials and finding undying devotion is present in both instances. Eric and Tami are better people than Julie, but she is still a kid in many ways, and still has a lot to learn. Not the best written character on the series, it's still gratifying to see the Taylor daughter find such a romantic notion as the series comes to a close. And Matt does deserve her. In time, Eric will appreciate his son-in-law in time, whom he already cares for, but stumbles upon the shifting roles.

     Besides the Taylor family, many other characters come through Friday Night Lights over the years. Most get satisfying endings, whether they happen in earlier seasons, or in "Always." Landry (Jesse Plemons) and Grandma Saracen (Louanne Stephens) are two characters that are brought back, but do not get focus, in the final episode. Both are shown in brief scenes, typical for their characters, but not particularly special. Which is OK. As mentioned above, the show only covers a period in the lives of the characters. It isn't time for something large to happen to either of them, so the writers don't force it. But they are involved with characters who do need them, so they are present. Buddy (Brad Leland) is along those same lines, but with a bit extra screen time.

      Hastings (Grey Damon) alone gets no closure. Perhaps he has the unfortunate luck of joining the cast too late in the game, and disappears into the background almost as soon as he appears on the show. It seems likely, had the series not been ending, Hastings would get more to do. With other loose ends to tie up, he gets the short end of the stick.

      The final season of Friday Night Lights develops Mindy (Stacey Oristano) far better than any previous year. Her relationship with Becky (Madison Burge) is sweet and lasting. Even though Becky's mom (Alicia Witt) returns in "Always," and Becky moves home, Mindy and Becky's relationship cannot suffer. They are family, as sure as any blood relation. Thank goodness, for Mindy's sake, the young woman comes along, so that a long-time supporting player finally gets her due.

     Luke (Matt Lauria) gets the only confusing ending. He is shown, eight months later, leaving for the army. As Friday Night Lights winds down, Luke is trying to decide between football and farming, leaning heavily towards the latter. Military service comes out of nowhere. It's a believable path for him, but one that needs some sort of set up that never happens.

     Finally, there's Tim. More than any other character, Tim has to fight to overcome who he is. For nearly four years, Tim struggles with this, and then makes a heroic sacrifice. But after that act, Friday Night Lights still follows the young man, as he tries to figure out where to go from there. Seeing Tim sit on a hill with brother Billy (Derek Phillips), sharing a beer while they build Tim's dream house, is an absolutely average life, and a huge step forward from where Tim begins. While Tim has no romantic resolution with Tyra (Adrianne Palicki), there is hope there, too. His future is so much brighter than his past, it's astonishing. Guess who Tim should be thanking, besides himself, of course? Yep. Eric Taylor.


     Friday Night Lights has come to an end, but it will be sorely missed. Words cannot express the gratitude owed to everyone involved in the production of one of the most memorable, highest quality television series of all time. Thank you.

     Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose.

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Article first published as TV Review: Friday Night Lights - "Always" on Blogcritics.

The Nine Lives of Chloe King - "Pilot"

     ABC Family's The Nine Lives of Chloe King premiered this week. Sort of a cross between Kyle XY, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and literal cats, the titular character (Skyler Samuels, The Gates) discovers she is part of an ancient race that has been hunted down by humans for a very long time. With retractable claws and super agility, the Mai, as they're called, seem to be part feline. But Chloe has something none of the others do - nine lives, of which one is snuffed out in "Pilot." Yet, she has eight more, and the other Mai are convinced she is the one who will save their race. Which just makes the anti-Mai guys more determined to murder her eight more times.


     Chloe is not pleased with this discovery, and would like to escape her destiny. Who can blame her? The assassin sent to kill her is scary, and even kidnaps her friend Paul (Ki Hong Lee) to lure her into a trap. Luckily, a couple of classmates, Alek (Benjamin Stone) and his cousin Jasmine (Alyssa Diaz, As the World Turns), are also Mai, and are ready to help her. Jasmine even takes a throwing star to the back to protect Chloe. While they only have one life a piece, they are prepared to give it up to help this very special girl.

     As the "Pilot" of The Nine Lives of Chloe King progresses, many people around Chloe are surprised by her new, more aggressive personality. It's too bad the series didn't give viewers a few minutes of the old Chloe for comparison. By the time the character first shows up on screen, she is already becoming something much more than human. Not there's anything inherently wrong with that, as it makes for some wicked pacing, but a little exposition would be nice.

     Samuels plays Chloe with toughness, enthusiasm, and vulnerability. There is no doubt that the girl can kick butt and do whatever is called on her to do, but it's also clear she has no desire to get involved. She is not used to getting attention, and certainly does not seek it out. It will be interesting to see how the character grows into the superhero she is sure to be, a la Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) on the aforementioned show, who has to be ready to save the world multiple times. Chloe does not have to fight vampires, and her combat skills are inherited, rather than trained, so she will likely have a more accelerated arc.

     Mentioned above is Kyle XY, another ABC Family show. Canceled after only three seasons, and ending with a cliffhanger, The Nine Lives of Chloe King is the closest thing the network has delivered to a replacement. With a female-skewing audience, this one may prove to be more popular than its predecessor since it features a girl, rather than a boy. It's nice to see the station go back to a more adventurous formula.

     Chloe's understanding of events is complicated by a reticent adopted mother, Meredith (Amy Pietz, The Office, Rodney). Meredith admits that she and Chloe's adopted father, who has been missing for ten years, bribed officials to get Chloe out of the Ukraine, but gives few other details to her daughter about Chloe's young life. Meredith also has a box of Chloe's baby things that she does not tell Chloe about. Did she lie about Chloe being adopted? Or perhaps Meredith knows all about Chloe's calling, and is assigned to protect her? Either way, wouldn't it be easier for all involved, and safer for Chloe, to give her as much information as possible?

     MIA dad will also be a component of the mystery in The Nine Lives of Chloe King. He breaks a decade long silence in "Pilot" to send Chloe an e-mail warning her not to trust anyone. Does this extend to Meredith? What about Alek and Jasmine? Surely, there will be some unexpected twists and betrayals. And where has he been? Fighting the bad guys who would like to kill Chloe? Or getting ready for whatever is coming?

     Being ABC Family, there is some teen romance tossed in for good measure. Chloe's best friends, Paul and Amy (Grace Phipps), are a couple by mid-episode, leaving Chloe as the third wheel. Which is fine, because Chloe has plenty of other things to worry about. Will their romance make things more dangerous for both of them, being friends of a marked girl, and worrying about each other? Can they find a way to contribute to Chloe's mission? It's too early to tell whether they are comic relief or a grounding element, or if they, too, may add something to the fight. If they will be sticking around, hopefully it will be the latter.

     Chloe's own love interests are far more dark. She finds two in "Pilot." In a very sinsiter turn for the network, Chloe belatedly learns that her kiss can kill a human, and she inadvertently murders the first guy she locks lips with. There's a second boy, Brian (Grey Damon, Friday Night Lights), who she will have to keep her distance from. Or maybe not. After all, his father (David S. Lee, Blood Diamond, Get Smart) is the one who is trying to kill Chloe, so there is no telling what Brian's involvement is, or what he might be.


     Pretty exciting, mysterious, and action packed for ABC Family! It is not their normal series. Be sure to check out The Nine Lives of Chloe King Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.

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     Please click here to purchase the books upon which The Nine Lives of Chloe King is based.

Article first published as TV Review: The Nine Lives of Chloe King - "Pilot" on Blogcritics.

Friday Night Lights lives up to "Expectations"

     One of the best shows on television began its final season last night on NBC. For those lucky viewers with DirecTV, it already aired and came to an end in February. It is also already out on DVD, so there is no need to hold off twelve weeks for the finale if you're so inclined. However, for those waiting for the NBC broadcasts, the countdown to the end has begun. This refers, of course, to Friday Night Lights.

     Tami Taylor (Connie Britton) begins her job as guidance counselor at East Dillon High School. She is quickly in over her head, realizing just how bad the students on the poor end of town have it. Her first thought it to set up meetings with parents of high-risk kids, but while many agree to the meetings, almost none actually show up. Tami gets a rude awakening, and realizes she may have taken on the toughest challenge of her life.

     But she is willing to step up and do what it takes to help anyone she can. Tami is one of the most compassionate fictional characters ever, in any format of story. She really goes that extra mile to make sure she can help those kids get what they need. She isn't a pushover. She has a steely toughness that, when mixed with her big heart, gives her the tools she needs to be effective. Whatever challenges the job holds, there is no doubt that Tami will get through them and change at least a couple of the students' lives this season.

     Which is what the Taylors are all about. Tami and her husband, Eric (Kyle Chandler), are the surrogate parents for all of the needy children in Dillon, Texas. While not all the adults in town realize this, the younger generation surely does. Everyone knows these are the people to go to when you need help, and they have already made lives better for many kids over four seasons. They demand and command respect, and don't just give out charity. They help guide the kids to succeed on their own. While the students on the series come and go as the years pass, the Taylors have been the one constant, and really are the amazing story of Friday Night Lights.

     That's why Billy Riggins (Derek Phillips) now works as an assistant coach for Eric. Billy saw the kind of man that his younger brother Tim (Taylor Kitsch) grew into with Eric's help. Tim is currently sitting in jail, taking the fall for Billy so that Billy can be there for his family, including a young infant. Billy wants to give back, and is inspired by the kind of loyalty that Tim shows. While Billy is older than most of the Taylors' projects, he will be changed by them, as most are. And what's more he knows it, and is actively seeking.

     Now, the Taylors are not some kind of deities, or perfect people, despite what it may sound like in the proceeding paragraphs. They are constantly challenged, and do get discouraged, like anyone else. They have fights, with others and with each other. They are painted as complicated, realistic people, which is the show's biggest strength. Eric is made to quit coaching at the 'good' school and transfer to the bad end of town. Tami is forced out of her job as principal of the same 'good' school. It's their determination and pluck that keep them going, no matter what obstacles are stacked against them.

     This attitude inspires those around them. Vince (Michael B. Jordan) is one step away from a long prison sentence when Eric takes him under his wing. Last night, Vince sat down and had a talk about responsibility with Jess's (Jurnee Smollett) younger brother, who is acting up because their father is out of town. Without the influence Eric has had on Vince, he would never have been in a position to mentor anyone else. Now, jail is the last thing in Vince's bright future.

     Jess is not the only one struggling with an unusual family situation. Becky's (Madison Burge) mother has left her in the care of her father, who in turn dumps Becky on her stepmother, who doesn't want her. Becky's best friend, Tim, is in jail, and she has no one to turn to. Except, Tim promises Becky that she is family, so she goes to Billy. Billy's wife isn't happy about it, but Billy allows her to stay. While the Taylors are not personally involved in this particular save, it is connected to them, like an inspirational game of Six Degrees.

     As with many beginnings of seasons on this show, it is time for some long-running characters to move to the next phase in their lives. Landry (Jesse Plemons) is preparing to leave for Rice University. Landry has been with the show from the beginning, so his exit is sad. Unfortunately, he only gets a couple of scenes to explore it, having a last gig with his band, and saying goodbye to Grandma Saracen (Louanne Stephens). With his best friend already gone, it is up to Julie (Aimee Teegarden) to make Landry's last night in Dillon memorable. So she takes him to a strip club, though she leaves him there by himself. Probably not what her parents would have done, but still helpful.

     Julie is Eric and Tami's daughter, and she is leaving, too, though only Dillon, not the cast. It's interesting that the show will follow Julie to college, as it doesn't usually continue with the main characters once they leave Dillon. There have been small exceptions, and Jason Street (Scott Porter) has a huge arc post-high school, but it's not the norm. Best guess is that because Julie is a Taylor, she will get a special pass. While the Taylors are far from the only characters featured, they do seem to be the most important.

     As Julie packs up to head off to college, it really effects the stoic Eric. She skips out early on a dinner with her parents, and when he waits up for her to come home, she wants to go straight to bed. But he will have none of it, making her play ping pong with him and reliving old memories.

     Eric isn't the most emotionally expressive person, and the series is careful to keep him in character. He does tell Julie he loves her and will miss her, but almost all of his best acting his done in his eyes, not verbally. It's a testament to Chandler that Eric is able to be so loving without having to be explicit about it. Chandler is one of the few actors that can communicate so much while doing so little. As this series comes to an end, he will not be out of work long.

     It should say something that in a show titled Friday Night Lights, there is so much to review that does not concern football. That's because the series is not about football. For TV fans who avoid sports shows, this is not one of them. Although, it's so easy to care about the various people the show does follow, that when some of them inevitably make it on the field, whether or not you like football, it is still plenty exciting.

     Coach Taylor loves football, and that is probably the best thing the sport has going for it, as Coach Taylor is character to love. He insists that the game is about teamwork, not violence, and that is the attitude he brings to it. It's why his team follows him so readily. It's also the one he uses to steal newcomer Hastings Ruckle (Grey Damon) from the basketball team over to Taylor's East Dillon Lions.

     The Lions have a losing record last season, going 2-8. They win one really important game, but lose most of the others. It is, after all, the team's first year playing together. With Friday Night Lights completing its run this season, it is likely that the Lion's will have a much better record thisseason, and Ruckle, as well as Vince and Luke (Matt Lauria), will be the primary reasons for that. Vince and Luke were new last season, and with Ruckle, the three of them are sure to be Eric's next, possibly biggest, triumph.

     But Ruckle's story will surely go beyond football, as everyone on the show does. It is just unknown at this time what Ruckle's story will be.

     Luke's arc seems set to be a doozy, as he injures a player on the field in this week's game. This will combine his football story with the rest of his screen time. The look on Luke's face while realizing he has hurt another human being lends to the theory that the action will come back to haunt him. Luke has a genuine kind heart, and he will not be able to go on happily living his life if he causes serious harm to another. It will likely make for hesitation on the field, and a challenge the Lions must overcome. It may also affect Luke's future as he consider what his post-high school plans should be.


     Friday Night Lights continues its thirteen episode final season every Friday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Article first published as TV Review: Friday Night Lights - "Expectations" on Blogcritics.