Paramount is WACO

Article first published as TV Review: WACO on Seat42F.

You likely haven’t heard of the Paramount Network. After all, that network name has only been on air for about ten days. The channel formerly known as Spike TV, and before that, as TNN, has changed names once again. And with that change comes a new direction for the network, as evidenced by their miniseries WACO, which premiered this past week. I can’t imagine WACO airing under their past network names.

WACO tells the story of the FBI and ATF seizing the Waco, Texas ranch of cult leader David Koresch back in the spring of 1993. The six episodes cover the lead up to the 51-day stand-off, through the event itself. The story as portrayed here is based on two biographies, one from each side of the conflict. The first was penned by David Thibodeau, a survivor who joined the commune about nine months before the famous proceedings. The other is from the perspective of hostage negotiator Gary Noesner. Both play significant roles in the miniseries, and it provides some balance to get the law enforcement and a commune member’s point-of-view.

At the center of the cult is charming, relatable, earnest David Koresh (Taylor Kitsch, Friday Night Lights), a man who claims to have biblical visions. He has surrounded himself by many followers who buy into his words. Some, like Steve Schneider (Paul Sparks, House of Cards), are educated, and some, like Thibodeau (Rory Culkin, Signs) are not. WACO explores some of the mentality of a person who would follow Koresh, and how that can span across different demographics.

Tension within the commune starts well before the feds arrive. David has made everyone swear themselves to celibacy, except himself and the women he chooses to lay with. He calls it a sacrifice, but his best friend Steve doesn’t appreciate it when his wife, Judy (Andrea Riseborough, Bloodline), becomes pregnant. Nor does David’s main squeeze, Rachel (Melissa Benoist, Supergirl), seem all that happy about her man fathering a child by someone else. So it is clear there are issues long before things get violent.

At the same time, Gary (Michael Shannon, Boardwalk Empire) provides a look at how the FBI and ATF don’t exactly have it together, either. There is a culture that demands results and covers up mistakes. Funding is at stake, and not everyone seems determined to do the right thing to keep the money flowing. Gary is seen as the stereotypical hero, a man who will stick to his personal moral compass no matter what. Yet, Gary isn’t the one in charge. With all of the disagreements and political motivation shown, it’s no wonder that things don’t go smoothly when they’re asked to take down the ranch.

WACO is an entertaining and compelling miniseries. A top-notch cast ensures that it flows and the characters are understandably complex. At the same time, the various elements thrown together here provide a pretty detailed, comprehensive picture of the situation. They foreshadow the things that go wrong by showing us how the event didn’t unfold in a vacuum, and neither side was perfect. I don’t seek to excuse a cult leader, and I don’t think WACO does, either. But it does try to be fair in its storytelling, and I think it succeeds pretty well at that.

I liked the first episode of WACO a lot, and hope to catch the other five hours. If this smart, enjoyable, well-made series is the type of thing viewers should expect from the Paramount network, I think it will do its movie namesake proud and Paramount could become a cable player. Though it has awhile to go before we can call that for sure.

WACO airs Wednesday evenings on the Paramount network through February.

TRUE DETECTIVE Still True

Article originally written for Seat42F.

HBO’s TRUE DETECTIVE wowed audiences in its inaugural season last year, so as season two premieres this week with a different cast and story, it has a lot to live up to, and will surely evoke comparisons (as happens in this article). In order to do the title proud, the new run doesn’t seek to copy its predecessor, but instead uses a different structure and approach, while keeping the same dark, gritty, authentic, complex types of characters. Even early in the premiere, “The Western Book of the Dead,” I feel that it is succeeding.

In “The Western Book of the Dead,” we are introduced to three officials in law enforcement. Detective Ray Velcoro (Colin Farrell, Total Recall) went off the rails after the rape of his wife, and now is a dirty cop who gets violent to protect the son (Trevor Larcom, Fresh Off the Boat) he raised but may not have fathered, biologically speaking. Knife-wielding Ani Bezzerides (Rachel McAdams, Midnight in Paris) is a cop who doesn’t agree with the lifestyle choices of her family, sister, Athena (Leven Rambin, Grey’s Anatomy), being a solo porn actor, and her father (Treme’s David Morse) being a free-spirited hippie lecturer. Paul Woodrugh (Taylor Kitsch, Friday Night Lights) loves riding his motorcycle with a death wish, and is unhappy to be suspended (with pay) after an improper behavior accusation is lobbied against him.

None of these are heroes, at least not yet. Like last year’s Rust, they are deeply flawed. Except, unlike last year’s Rust, there’s no Marty to balance them out. Sure, Ani has a partner, Elvis (Michael Irby, Almost Human), but the scenes we see of the trio in the premiere are focused on showing us their bad behavior and it doesn’t look like any of them have anyone in their lives to pull them back from the brinks they are all rocketing towards.

In fact, the most stable character in this year’s TRUE DETECTIVE is not a cop, but a criminal, Frank Semyon (Vince Vaughn, The Internship), who, along with his wife, Jordan (Kelly Reilly, Black Box), join the three above in the main cast. Frank is trying to go legit, having found a scheme that will make him lots of money above-board. Unlike the other leads, Frank seems to behave logically, not emotionally, and is trying to better himself, not self-destruct. Ironic, no?

Of course, there is a story that brings all five of these people (Jordan to a lesser extent, but definitely the other four) together. This isn’t done at the start of the hour, as happened last year, but is the ending climax of “The Western Book of the Dead,” and will surely lead to a lot more interaction, of which there is barely any between the leads here, over the next seven weeks (this season being another eight-installment run).

I like this delayed beginning, though. Because there are more characters, it takes a little longer to get to know them. Without the partner dynamic, it’s not as easy for TRUE DETECTIVE to let viewers be introduced through a single relationship. Since the entire make up has more complexity, meaning more moving parts, taking time with each individually in “The Western Book of the Dead” does much to prepare us for the rest of the season.

I really enjoyed this premiere. Is it as good as season one? I think it’s too early to make that call, as season one was a twisty, slow burn that started great and continued to be so week after week. This first episode back seems to have the same qualities as its predecessor, and it is easy to be fully engaged in this new story with these new characters, which is a hopeful sign. The next couple of months will show us whether that can be maintained or not.

TRUE DETECTIVE airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

THE NORMAL HEART Beats Strong

Article first published as THE NORMAL HEART Review on Seat42F.

HBO’s THE NORMAL HEART is not only a great TV movie, one of the best the pay-cable network has made in years, and that’s a high bar, it’s also an important story that everyone should know about. This moving, frustrating, beautiful film tells the based-on-truth tale of gay rights activists in the 1980s fighting an epidemic that the government doesn’t want to acknowledge or investigate. It’s a dark chapter in our history, and only by remembering it can we try to prevent such a thing from happening again.

The picture of the gay community in New York City at the time is an interesting one, certainly something I never learned about growing up, and sex means something different to them than to most people. They fought hard for the right to love whoever they want, even if they don’t have legal protections that straight people do, and they see giving up this right as taking a step backward. Even when it becomes likely the virus is spread through sexual contact, many wonder if that’s a lie spread to tear them down. These are people who won a war but still justifiably feel persecuted, and can’t bear the thought that they might be pushed back into the past.

Because of this, they work against their own interests. As Dr. Emma Brookner (Julia Roberts, August: Osage County) pleads with them to stop screwing, many use the meetings to raise awareness as hookup spots. It’s a very slow crawl to even convince those affected that they must do something, let alone the powers in charge. If the gays won’t help themselves, what chance do they have of anyone else helping them?

The main character is Ned Weeks (Mark Ruffalo, The Avengers), an asshole writer who can’t keep his big mouth shut. He has earned the ire of many of his fellow homosexuals by complaining about how their rampant sexual activity prevents them from finding love, the one thing he desperately wants. But he also has friends, and once they begin falling ill to the mysterious “gay cancer,” he is convinced something must be done and begins a crusade to do so.

Along the way, Ned meets and falls in love with a New York Times reporter named Felix Turner (Matt Bomer, White Collar). Felix is supportive, but not part of the campaign, giving Ned a much-needed life apart from his work. As Ned’s colleagues, including good-looking, amiable Bruce Niles (Taylor Kitsch, Friday Night Lights), abrasive and inquisitive Tommy Boatwright (Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory, reprising his role from the stage production), and government employee who doesn’t want to make waves Mickey Marcus (Joe Mantello, who played Ned on Broadway), grow exhausted with Ned’s public rants, Felix is the only chance Ned has to calm down.

Which is why it probably won’t surprise you when Felix catches the disease.

THE NORMAL HEART, based on the Tony-winning play by Larry Kramer and directed by American Horror Story’s Ryan Murphy, is a very personal telling of the crisis. Through Ned, we see loved ones hurt and dying, feel the fear that overtakes him, and the desperation that he has to stop the virus. We experience his pain when his brother, Ben (Alfred Molina, Spider-Man 2), tries to help, but just can’t accept Ned as his equal. We connect with the horror and compassion, loving Ned even through his abrasiveness. Anyone not emotionally affected lacks a soul.

The sprawling cast, which also includes Jonathan Groff (Looking), Denis O’Hare (True Blood), Corey Stoll (House of Cards), Stephen Spinella (Milk), BD Wong (Law & Order: SVU), Finn Wittrock (Masters of Sex), Adam B. Shapiro, Danielle Ferland, and more, shows us many different individuals, and how each copes in a different way with the events. Some have small roles, but Murphy deftly lets the actors shine through, each conveying a lot in a limited amount of time, showing us many varying individuals. Not everyone agrees, but the variety of opinions and personalities are why THE NORMAL HEART feels so authentic.

I do think the opening of THE NORMAL HEART may hurt the film’s impact, immediately turning off conservatives by the open displays of gay love and promiscuity. These are the people who most need to watch, to begin to see the humanity and suffering they’ve ignored or ignorantly been disgusted by. But it also succeeds in dropping us into a world and mood that is merely the starting point of the story, giving the script a foundation to start from before it turns dark. Stick with the movie for ten minutes, and you’ll start to have your eyes opened.

THE NORMAL HEART is a moving masterpiece, a triumph for HBO and all involved, and one that will not soon be forgotten by any who witness it. 

If you missed last night’s premiere, please make sure to catch a rerun, as the network should be playing it often for some time to come.

"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.

    If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Please click here to buy the book, movie, TV DVDs, or streaming episodes of Friday Night Lights.

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

Friday Night Lights is no "Texas Whatever"

     NBC's Friday Night Lights ends for good next week. Which means this week's episode, "Texas Whatever," provides some closure and sets up the final plots for the series. The Lions campaign hard to keep their team, but despite their best efforts, it is decided the Dillon Panthers will be the only high school football in town next year. The Panthers move quickly, recruiting Buddy (Brad Leland), hoping he will coax Vince (Michael B. Jordan) and Eric (Kyle Chandler) to get on board. Eric ponders it, infuriating Tami (Connie Britton), as her husband isn't seriously considering moving north for an exciting job she is offered. Tim (Taylor Kitsch) gets some advice from Tyra (Adrianne Palicki), and gives some in return to Luke (Matt Lauria).

     Tami rightly points out that she has put her life on hold for Eric's career for many years. While she does pursue jobs in the field she loves, serving as principal and guidance counselor during Friday Night Lights's run, these are supplementary to her role as coach's wife. Their marriage hinges on what Eric does professionally, and despite being a pretty decent husband most of the time, in this instance, Eric dismisses her far too quickly. He doesn't even seem to consider the move. Oftentimes, when Tami disagrees with Eric, she swallows it because she is happy enough. This time, her displeasure is obvious and ongoing. Which will hopefully jolt Eric awake to his error.

     Despite this recent anti-feminist attitude, Eric and Tami have one of the best, most solid, most realistic marriages on television. There is much give and take and compromise over the run of the show, and in "Texas Whatever," they are merely going through a rough patch. Seeing their love and dedication to each other spurs confidence that the issue will be worked out in a satisfactory manner. It also telegraphs what has to happen, because only one decision will end the fight. Should Eric continue to deny Tami the opportunity of a lifetime, one she is recruited for because of her high skill level, he will be saying he does not have that same level of faith and pride in her that she does in him, as well as telling her she is not as important in the marriage. This would run contrary to the give and take shown over the past five years. Eric will make the right choice.

     Buddy switching sides may seem out of character at first, but it's really not. The loveable business owner is nothing if not loyal. He switches his allegiance to the Lions when Eric is treated unfairly, and seeing an opportunity to return Eric to what Buddy considers his proper position, and knowing the battle to save the Lions is lost, he makes the best of a bad situation. He truly wants to do right by those he cares about, and in this case, that means brokering peace between his closest friend and the people who ousted him.

     Watching Jess (Jurnee Smollett) and Vince pull together to try to save the Lions is incredibly touching. The two have had their share of problems, but they bond over Dillon football. Because of what Eric puts into the program, the team is more than just guys playing sports. It's a community that inspires and teaches the students to grow as people, not just athletes. Only Eric's version of football can mend relationships and lead his players to greatness. All this is demonstrated brilliantly in the scene where the former couple go before the school board president to beg for the Lions' survival. Even their failure takes nothing away from that moment.

      Besides the Taylor family, no character is in as many episodes, or means as much to Friday Night Lights fans, as Tim Riggins. As such, it is wholly depressing to watch the young man spend most of the final season behind bars, a sacrifice he makes to keep his brother, Billy (Derek Phillips), out and taking care of his family. It's a noble deed, but Tim's behavior after release sinks many a hope that he will make something of himself. In "Texas Whatever," little of the Tim viewers have grown to love is left, as he considers moving to Alaska, giving up his beloved Texas home.

      That's why it is highly gratifying for Tyra to come back into the picture and set him straight. Many people have been able to reach Tim in various situations, but none as effectively as the woman Tim loves. Any other girls he dates will always be measured up against Tyra, and she is the one who completes him. Only Tyra can talk sense into Tim, helping him mend the fences with his brother, rather than take off from his problems. She has only a small role in the final season, but it's one every bit as important as anything else.

     Tyra frees Tim up to be the best man he can be, which he needs in advising Luke. The two guys are similar in some ways, though vastly different in others. But they have enough in common for Tim to be able to help Luke see that playing football will probably not be his life, and if Luke really wants Becky (Madison Burge), he should go for it without worrying about anyone else. Luke suspects Tim may have a thing for Becky, but Tim dismisses that, and he's telling the truth. In this case, Tim is in a paternal role, and it is a testament to Luke's character that he can seriously consider the wisdom Tim imparts, despite his misgivings.

     Depressing this entire hour, though, is the Lions being abandoned as a team. For three years Friday Night Lights motivated its fans to cheer for the Panthers, but two years ago, the show made the beloved team the enemy. Going back now is impossible, with the same crooked men still running the show. For the Lions to face extinction is nothing but sad, and wholly unfair. But life is unfair, and without the disbanding of the Lions, several characters, including Eric, would never be able to move on as they need to. The team means so much to so many, in spite of its brief existence, and once the magnetic pull stops, it won't take long for the magic to be over. Everything must come to an end, and not everything turns out the way one wants. It's how one moves forward that is important.


     The hour and a half series finale of Friday Night Lights will air next Friday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Please click here to buy the book, movie, TV DVDs, or streaming episodes of Friday Night Lights.

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

Friday Night Lights kicks off new season

    This isn't such big news for those of you with DirecTV, because you've already had the opportunity to watch the entire fourth season on Friday Night Lights, but for the rest of us, the show premiered last night on NBC with an episode entitled "East of Dillon".

     Much has changed, now that Dillon has split into two high schools.  Mrs. Tami Taylor (Connie Britton) remains at the now renamed West Dillon High School as principal.  Many people in the town are furious to be forced into the new, lesser school, though Mrs. Taylor admirably tried to convince them that both high schools were on equal footing.  Her daughter, Julie (Aimee Teegarden) also goes to West, but misses her friends, and isn't helping the controversy much, so she decides on her own that she'll go to the wrong side of town.

     Landry (Jesse Plemons) is at West, now assigned to a terrible football team.  He is joined by Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and new kid Vince (Michael B. Jordan), who is on the football team to avoid legal trouble, but seems to have a lot of heart.  The team is so bad their first time out that they forfeit at half time.  They all certainly have their work cut out for them.

     The only other original cast member to return full time this year is Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch), though he is past high school, and now a college drop out with no place to go, as he is no longer welcome at home.  We got a glimpse of Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford), taking art classes at the local school, instead of in Chicago, as he had dreamed, but he was listed only as a guest star, and won't be sticking around the entire season.

     Friday Night Lights airs Friday nights at 9pm on NBC.

Friday Night Lights to go dark

     The drama Friday Night Lights has confirmed that it is currently working on it’s fifth and final season, as evidenced by this Entertainment Weekly article.  “What is that show?  Is it still on?”, you may ask, and millions of fans would like to slug you after you pose such queries.  Though loved by critics, the show was on shaky grounds when it premiered on NBC, and was thought to be done after it’s second season, cut to 15 episodes because of the Writer’s Strike.  However, a deal with DirecTV to share production costs kept it going, and subsequent 13 episode seasons aired on the satellite carrier first, then later on NBC.  Last year, that meant cable watchers had to wait until winter to watch.  This year, the season four premiere date is not until April 30th, pushing much of the season into the summer.  That would point to bad news for the series, if it hadn’t already announced an end date.  The show will stop filming by the middle of the summer, but it will likely by 2011 before NBC airs the final batch.

     Headlined by the amazing Connie Britton (24, Spin City) and Kyle Chandler (Grey’s Anatomy, Early Edition) as Tami and Eric Taylor, the show centered on the Dylan Panthers football team, and was based on the book and movie of the same name.  Tami eventually became principal of the school, and when the high school split in two at the end of the third season, Eric was forced to go to the other side of town and coach at the new school.

     A number of students were also part of the cast, mostly football players, and have rotated through the show’s five seasons.  Most notably were the Taylor’s daughter, Julie (Aimee Teegarden), bad boy who wants to be good Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), quarterback and grandmother caretaker Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford), religious cheerleader Lyla Garrity (Minka Kelly, Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue), struggling-to-make-something-of-herself-and-not-stay-stuck-in-Dylan girl Tyra (Adrianne Palicki), and the guy that is in love with her, Landry Clarke (Jesse Plemons).  They, along with others, finished their high school days on the show, but returned at least part time for arcs to finish their stories.

     That was what was important about the show: stories, not football.  Be sure to watch it when it returns to NBC at the end of April.