Friday Night Lights is on my mind…I’m not sure whether it’s the fact that the news came out that Tim Riggins, I mean Taylor Kitsch, is dating his latest co-star or that I learned that our nephew is #33 on the Saskatchewan Roughriders or that I finished all my binge-worthy shows on Netflix this week.
Let me be more specific. Tim Riggins is on my mind because Taylor Kitsch as Tim Riggins in Friday Night Lights changed my whole perspective on guys with long hair, small town U.S.A. and mostly, football.
I know, I can’t hardly believe it myself, but just look at him….. Riggins. He’s the bad boy with heart. The guy who loves hard but can’t keep it in his pants. He’s dirty, his hair is a mess and he never showers, but he’s been with all the girls (and cougars) in Dillon. (I’ll pause, while you admire the photo…..).
When did I fall in love with Tim and the show? It all happened during a deep conversation on Facebook after Parenthood ended on NBC. Loving that show, I was looking for the next big thing to fall in love with on the small screen. Some very cool chicks that I adore, convinced me to give Parenthood writer Jason Katim’s show Friday Night Lights a try on Netflix Canada and ever since, we have been talking about the impact that the show has had on us.
This is a show that will stay with you. From the first glimpse of Jason Street and Coach Taylor, I knew that I was hooked. Having always gone for the pretty boy, I thought Jason was the one I’d watch (boy was I wrong). The Taylors became the couple you wanted your marriage to be like. They talked about everything, always supported each other and even when they didn’t agree, it was so sweet! From her first, “y’all”, I also knew that I just wanted to go for a drink with Tami. I loved her no-nonsense and realistic approach to counselling the kids of Dillon and all their crazy problems. Tara, Lyla and even Julie explored all sides of my personality…playful and flirty, serious and loyal and lost and trying to find her way. I had BEEN all of these girls at various times in my teens and 20s.
And what about football? Why would I want to watch a show about football when I’ve never understood or liked it? Because it was the thread that kept the town together and I actually started to “get” it. The short Friday snips of the game actually HELPED me understand what football is about and of course, the “Clear Eyes, Full Heart, Can’t Lose” attitude is as relevant on the field as it is off.
Summer tv stinks, so start watching Friday Night Lights on Netflix and I promise some great eye candy, stories that touch your heart and characters who stay in your mind forever. Just writing this post makes me sad. I miss it. I miss the characters, the stories, the urgency to get the kids to bed so I could watch an episode and of course, I miss Tim.
Until I find my next binge (maybe Tami Taylor in Nashville?), I’ll be watching football, sharing Friday Night Lights memes and reminiscing with the other fans on Facebook.