FNL recap-4.5, The Son
Matt's big episode in the aftermath of his dad's death in Iraq. Can't imagine even his farewell will match up to this tour de force. How Zach's stoic face still conveys all the anger, confusion, hatred, resentment on the part of his gram and mom, until he finally breaks down at the Taylors, who once again find themselves as de facto parents, and Eric walks Matt home, which is just the right thing to do. Tami takes charge when she goes with Matt to the funeral home. As Julie puts it, she loves a crisis. Matt gathers the strength to speak kindly of his dad in his eulogy, despite all the venom he has stored for his dad, how he directed all his hatred at him so he could be a better person for his grandma and Julie. The most powerful scene in perhaps the history of the series-Matt grabs the shovel from the gravedigger to finish burying his dad himself. *heart hurt*
Before that though, is the wake, where he looks totally disembodied, the way you really might feel. Strangers paying respects, telling you about a father you never knew, or knew differently, as an abandoned child burdened with all the father's responsibilities, and not a funny, reliable soldier. (And one delightful scene where he slams the door in JD and Joe's faces.) We've known all along what a crushing weight Matt bears, but it's never felt heavier. Zach nails every moment of this emotional seesaw, his deepset eyes alternately scorn-filled and child-like. Then a fun night out with the Riggins brothers and Landry, on the field, the field of dreams where everything is right, even if fleetingly. (The Riggins boys, who clearly MUST nickname everyone, call Matt "May Day" and "Cobra." LOL.) Even so, Matt has no peace until they break into the funeral home to see his dad's body. The guys' reactions to Matt's quavering mouth says it all. And the mouse quiet "Seven", signalling Tim's ever-present support.
Tim goes to the pageant where Becky could only pine for her awol father. (Gee, any trends here?) This time it's not Eric as the supportive male, but Tim, as he has been all season for her, sitting beside her mom, his one night stand, who turns out to be a bit psycho, all fake protective of her daughter, whom she's constantly ditching. (Tim's freaked-out face during another contestant's xylophone number is classic Riggs.) But Becky digs her claws in deeper, calling Tim at the Saracens' during the wake to "thank him," which even Tim finds incredibly inappropriate. And yet he realizes he's supporting her emotionally, so he's kind. But later that night, after the funeral home visit, Tim's lying on a lawn chair drinking beer, like the days of yore, only without any friends. Enter Becky, who tells him to shut his eyes. She kisses him, and amazingly, the stud resists. (Although it must be said that even as Tim is pushing her away, their kiss is ridiculously hot.) He walks away, saying he can't do this. Yeah, Riggs! She's just Trouble, and not the Tyra kind.
JD had potential to be a good kid, but now he's seriously an Asshole. He shoots Luke in the chest with a paintball-last straw. Luke's at the Kwikimart, shirtless (heh), and who should he meet but Becky, trying to drown her sorrows in gummi bears and beer she can't buy. Just the white knight she needs to buy her liquor and drive her through the carwash, and hopefully undo her claws from Riggs' throat.
Vince had a great game, taking over the play calling, allowing the Lions to score. He and Luke are working together now, which is key. He's chosen one of Dillon's players of the week alongside JD; they speak to a group of little kids, and JD gives the boilerplate inspirational crap, while Vince cuts to the chase: Don't panic, stay cool, get paid. Just like the guy who shows him how to boost cars. Hey, whatever works. But that scene, and one where he picks up his passed-out mother on their porch to take her inside, remind us of how far he has to go. But he's on his way, hopefully.
Some asides: Lyla shows up for the funeral, exchanging meaningful but complicated looks with Tim, who stands like a tree-a sultry tree-the whole service. Previews show them rolling in the hay in his Airstream, with Becky barging in on them. Coach called Landry Lance, which was perversely comforting. When will Mindy have the baby? Isn't it like the 10th month of pregnancy by now? Why has Matt's mom turned into such a saint, and has Lorraine forgiven her completely?
Oh show. You made my eyes puffy and my heart ache. Which rocks.
Before that though, is the wake, where he looks totally disembodied, the way you really might feel. Strangers paying respects, telling you about a father you never knew, or knew differently, as an abandoned child burdened with all the father's responsibilities, and not a funny, reliable soldier. (And one delightful scene where he slams the door in JD and Joe's faces.) We've known all along what a crushing weight Matt bears, but it's never felt heavier. Zach nails every moment of this emotional seesaw, his deepset eyes alternately scorn-filled and child-like. Then a fun night out with the Riggins brothers and Landry, on the field, the field of dreams where everything is right, even if fleetingly. (The Riggins boys, who clearly MUST nickname everyone, call Matt "May Day" and "Cobra." LOL.) Even so, Matt has no peace until they break into the funeral home to see his dad's body. The guys' reactions to Matt's quavering mouth says it all. And the mouse quiet "Seven", signalling Tim's ever-present support.
Tim goes to the pageant where Becky could only pine for her awol father. (Gee, any trends here?) This time it's not Eric as the supportive male, but Tim, as he has been all season for her, sitting beside her mom, his one night stand, who turns out to be a bit psycho, all fake protective of her daughter, whom she's constantly ditching. (Tim's freaked-out face during another contestant's xylophone number is classic Riggs.) But Becky digs her claws in deeper, calling Tim at the Saracens' during the wake to "thank him," which even Tim finds incredibly inappropriate. And yet he realizes he's supporting her emotionally, so he's kind. But later that night, after the funeral home visit, Tim's lying on a lawn chair drinking beer, like the days of yore, only without any friends. Enter Becky, who tells him to shut his eyes. She kisses him, and amazingly, the stud resists. (Although it must be said that even as Tim is pushing her away, their kiss is ridiculously hot.) He walks away, saying he can't do this. Yeah, Riggs! She's just Trouble, and not the Tyra kind.
JD had potential to be a good kid, but now he's seriously an Asshole. He shoots Luke in the chest with a paintball-last straw. Luke's at the Kwikimart, shirtless (heh), and who should he meet but Becky, trying to drown her sorrows in gummi bears and beer she can't buy. Just the white knight she needs to buy her liquor and drive her through the carwash, and hopefully undo her claws from Riggs' throat.
Vince had a great game, taking over the play calling, allowing the Lions to score. He and Luke are working together now, which is key. He's chosen one of Dillon's players of the week alongside JD; they speak to a group of little kids, and JD gives the boilerplate inspirational crap, while Vince cuts to the chase: Don't panic, stay cool, get paid. Just like the guy who shows him how to boost cars. Hey, whatever works. But that scene, and one where he picks up his passed-out mother on their porch to take her inside, remind us of how far he has to go. But he's on his way, hopefully.
Some asides: Lyla shows up for the funeral, exchanging meaningful but complicated looks with Tim, who stands like a tree-a sultry tree-the whole service. Previews show them rolling in the hay in his Airstream, with Becky barging in on them. Coach called Landry Lance, which was perversely comforting. When will Mindy have the baby? Isn't it like the 10th month of pregnancy by now? Why has Matt's mom turned into such a saint, and has Lorraine forgiven her completely?
Oh show. You made my eyes puffy and my heart ache. Which rocks.