I just...you know, Matt is really my heart on FNL. And I hesitate to say that because the show has SO MUCH heart and does such a great job at serving a very large cast of characters (and it's not always perfect, but God, they do it so well overall). It's the one thing this season that felt like it fell short...Matt drives away and then he eventually reappears and we didn't really get the in-between. I'm not complaining, really, because the stuff with his dad's death was so potent and amazing and how could you ask for more? But I want a Matt Saracen Show, I guess :-)
I appreciate FNL really going out on a limb this season and going to uncomfortable places where even the Really Solid People, like Tami and Eric, were totally out of their element(s). It was brave and they didn't provide many easy moments of victory for anyone and in the end, they built a new framework for the show. Like you said, now those Lions uniforms have *meaning*. And it was earned.
Yes, I thought I was prepared for Matt leaving but I wasn't. I really wasn't. It definitely helped to watch the latter half of the season all in one go so that it felt like there was SOME Matt (never enough!), but yeah I could have happily followed Matt wherever he went. I know that wouldn't have been fair--we didn't follow Jason or Smash--but I will always miss him. I'm still grateful for the glorious episode about his father's death that they gave us.
Yes, I definitely admire the show reinventing itself and pushing Tami and Coach out of their element. That made it engaging for me in a new way, and that's not easy to pull off in a fourth season.
God I felt *exactly* the same as you about Matt leaving. I haven't cried that much at television since Prison Break killed off Michael. And I too was not prepared for it - this is one instance where perhaps being spoiled might have made it easier. Although, again, like you, when he reappeared towards the end of the season I was so, so happy.
The abortion storyline pleased me, simply because it's American television and they allowed a character to *actually have an abortion*. Which is just. Unheard of.
It was devastating! I was so shocked. I agree--if I'd known he was only in half of this season I think I would have been a little more prepared, but wow. The shock actually made me want to go back and watch the earlier seasons just for him because I hadn't realised how attached I was!
Oh, yes, good point! She had the abortion! Yeah, actually the story makes much more sense when you realise that it's playing to an audience that expects the girl to eventually decide to have the baby... that moment when Becky said 'I can't look after the baby' was really moving because it was her own conclusion.
Yeah, that's it... FNL has given me many characters to love, but it's Matt who'll stay under my skin. And I am so psyched for a rewatch now. At least I can do that calmly now, knowing he ends up in a good place!
I absolutely loved this season. I thought they did a gorgeous job of articulating some of the racial and class tensions between the two schools, and I wound up really loving Vince and Jess (and to a lesser extent Becky -- like you, I found her pretty frustrating and found her mother incredibly frustrating!)
I thought they did a nice job of giving Matt a proper send-off -- and yes, I love knowing that the bonds of friendship forged in Dillon will endure even once some people leave.
It was surreal to be cheering so hard for the guys beating the blue team but those red Lions outfits do feel like they mean something now.
Yes, Vince and Jess were wonderful--I was surprised how attached I became to them, and I'm glad the show dived a bit further into racial and class issues.
Your icon is so gorgeous! I definitely need a Tami/Coach OTP icon. ;)
From the very first episode, Matt has defined FNL for me. I just fell in love with him, I think, and watching the struggles he went through over the years, his triumphs, his mistakes, and his impossible, devastating challenges, is what gave this show a permanent place in my heart. At the end of last season, I braced myself for his departure, and when he stayed, I rejoiced. But then I felt guilty for doing so, because it was so obvious he needed to escape, and find the life he is meant to live far from Dillon. So I think I've been waiting for him to go all season, although it didn't make the shock of him actually driving out of town any easier to bear. *cries
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I felt guilty for doing so, because it was so obvious he needed to escape I know! I remained in a selfish bubble but I felt that too, and I definitely felt guilty about wanting him to stick around.
couldn't agree more that his child would be better off being raised by Tim while Billy went to jail. Grrr.I'm glad someone agrees with me on that one! ;) I know Mindy would be devastated and times would be tough at first. But I also know Tim would do 150% for that child, especially as he'd also be doing it for his brother. Whereas I fully expect Billy to feel bad for a bit, then go on a drinking spree, stay out late, leave Mindy at home with a screaming bub, get into trouble again, etc. etc
( ... )
Billy is a totally normal human being, yes. I do dislike him but I know that's got to do with my own frustrations with rather-hopeless men, and it's not very compassionate of me. In the end, I'm left feeling that Billy is ordinary but Tim extraordinary, and in the end the extraordinary people in this world get screwed over.
Hee! I'm glad to know you recovered from Tyra so well. I think I *thought* my heart was in Tyra when she left, but apparently not. ;)
Tami's line did feel honest, yes absolutely.
we never got another conversation between Tami and Becky either during or after the witch hunt. Seriously?Yeah... actually that and the fact Eric never found out it was Luke who was involved and Luke's mum who was pursuing Tami, that we never got fallout about that, were two areas where I felt like the shortened season really showed. I am sure if we'd had more time we would have explored more angles of the story
( ... )
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I appreciate FNL really going out on a limb this season and going to uncomfortable places where even the Really Solid People, like Tami and Eric, were totally out of their element(s). It was brave and they didn't provide many easy moments of victory for anyone and in the end, they built a new framework for the show. Like you said, now those Lions uniforms have *meaning*. And it was earned.
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Yes, I definitely admire the show reinventing itself and pushing Tami and Coach out of their element. That made it engaging for me in a new way, and that's not easy to pull off in a fourth season.
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The abortion storyline pleased me, simply because it's American television and they allowed a character to *actually have an abortion*. Which is just. Unheard of.
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Oh, yes, good point! She had the abortion! Yeah, actually the story makes much more sense when you realise that it's playing to an audience that expects the girl to eventually decide to have the baby... that moment when Becky said 'I can't look after the baby' was really moving because it was her own conclusion.
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I thought they did a nice job of giving Matt a proper send-off -- and yes, I love knowing that the bonds of friendship forged in Dillon will endure even once some people leave.
It was surreal to be cheering so hard for the guys beating the blue team but those red Lions outfits do feel like they mean something now.
Yes. Yes. So much.
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Your icon is so gorgeous! I definitely need a Tami/Coach OTP icon. ;)
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I know! I remained in a selfish bubble but I felt that too, and I definitely felt guilty about wanting him to stick around.
couldn't agree more that his child would be better off being raised by Tim while Billy went to jail. Grrr.I'm glad someone agrees with me on that one! ;) I know Mindy would be devastated and times would be tough at first. But I also know Tim would do 150% for that child, especially as he'd also be doing it for his brother. Whereas I fully expect Billy to feel bad for a bit, then go on a drinking spree, stay out late, leave Mindy at home with a screaming bub, get into trouble again, etc. etc ( ... )
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(The comment has been removed)
Hee! I'm glad to know you recovered from Tyra so well. I think I *thought* my heart was in Tyra when she left, but apparently not. ;)
Tami's line did feel honest, yes absolutely.
we never got another conversation between Tami and Becky either during or after the witch hunt. Seriously?Yeah... actually that and the fact Eric never found out it was Luke who was involved and Luke's mum who was pursuing Tami, that we never got fallout about that, were two areas where I felt like the shortened season really showed. I am sure if we'd had more time we would have explored more angles of the story ( ... )
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