The Televangelist: ‘Friday Night Lights’ Season 4 Finale

The Lions got what they deserved, and so did we as viewers.

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  • What a long, strange trip it’s been



Ever since David fought Goliath, there’s been a trope (nearly to the point of cliché) in sports films that the scrappy underdog will always find a way to win in the end. At some point, and I’m not exactly sure when, but in the not-so-distant film past where a focus on realism began to superseded sentiment, the trope became the opposite. The misfits might try really hard, but in the end they will not ultimately succeed. Better luck next year!

In a dark and occasionally difficult season of “Friday Night Lights,” any outcome was possible when East met West for the game of the year. So much hinged on this game emotionally. And when it finally played out, when Coach Taylor prepped his team for victory giving it everything he had (minus “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose”), the Lions got what they deserved. And so did we as viewers. The Lions were victorious, and thank God for it.

Unfortunately, not all this season’s storylines got a similarly proper treatment. After twelve episodes of growing affection and courtship, Jess leaves Landry cold for Vince. Really, Jess? First of all, Landry deserves better than that. Yes he kicked a 72 46-yard field goal, but is that supposed to make up for the fact that yet another girl, pardon ma Français, completely dicked him over? Jess might be the most disappointing character this season. And by the way, what ever happened to her father? Where did he disappear off to?