First of all, thank you all so very much for all of your advice on yesterday’s post. I’m really excited for our trip now!
Because TC and I have been obsessively watching Friday Night Lights for the past few weeks, it’s kind of on our brain at all times. I think about the characters, the story lines, and when someone graduates or moves on, I can’t stop thinking about them and wishing they’d come home to Dillon.
If you don’t watch, you definitely should! We got a BlueRay player as a gift from my parents before Hayes was born and we’ve been streaming the episodes from Netflix Instant.
Friday Night Lights has the normal themes you’d expect: Small town folks always come home or never leave. Directness from the football coach gets through even the hardest head. High school sweethearts don’t always last past high school. Adversity can be resolved by the end of the week with a W on Friday night.
But in addition to these basic themes, there have been a few more subtle themes. I’ve learned a few lessons from Friday Night Lights and thought I’d share them with you.
Warning: there are some hints at spoilers
Lesson #1: Never talk to the cops. This leads to misunderstandings and t-r-o-u-b-l-e. You may think you’re being helpful, but all you’re really doing is helping the cops make their case against you! If some of those characters had paid a little closer attention in their Civics class and studied their Bill of Rights, so many mishaps could have been easily avoided.
Lesson #2: Never talk to the press. Under any circumstances. I cannot stress this enough. This may be even more important than Lesson #1. We learned this lesson from Smash, Mac, and the kid in one of the first episodes who beat up Matt Saracen’s friend.
Lesson #3: If you’re going to kill someone, make sure your dad is a cop. And don’t wear jewelry!
Lesson #4: Stand by your man. Tami Taylor is such a great, supportive wife and would definitely win the Tammy Wynette “Stand By Your Man” award if they gave it out in Dillon, Texas.
Lesson #5: If you’re going to hook up with your high school boyfriend, make sure your dad isn’t on his way to pick you up! And lock the front door. Julie Taylor, Julie Taylor, Julie Taylor. Where is your head?
TC and I may have to dress as Tami and Eric Taylor for Halloween. I have a major crush on Eric Taylor. I think Tami is the bee’s knees. Tim Riggins is the best bad boy ever. Tyra Collette is beautiful and misunderstood. And sweet Matt Saracen is every mother’s dream for her daughter.
And I know this is silly, but Tami and Coach are amazing parents. The show is so well-written and right in line with the way most parents would respond to their high school children’s antics. I am often choked up by just the parenting aspect of this show.
What lessons did Friday Night Lights teach you?
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
So glad you’ve finally been sucked in!!
Doesn’t this show have SO much heart? It’s unlike any other show on television. Where else do you see such a strong marriage like the Taylors? If only more shows had such real and raw characters. I love it!
I’m happy to see I’m not the only one who hadn’t followed the show all along and quickly got sucked in. What a wonderful show!
All of the characters are so well written, but Tammy has to be my favorite! What a wonderful mother, counselor, and all around person. I’m so sad it’s all over, have you seen the finale yet?
I need to work more “Hey y’all”s into my vocab. Love Tami & Eric!
I seriously don’t even know where to start!!! Everything about this show is just simply AMAZING!!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about it!!!! There is absolutely no other show like it on television. I seriously want to go to Dillon, TX and hug each and every one of these characters. Too bad it’s fictional. This show has so much heart and loved all the actors and characters. It’s so raw and relatable!!! I miss it so much!!!
My husband and I have been watching it on Netflix streaming as well. We are only on season 2. It is a great show and we both really love it. I love your points, I agree 100%, great show, great family
we are always eager to watch it!
I love Friday Night Lights now too!! I just started watching on Netflix instant as well and am on episode 12 or 13 of season 1. I can’t wait to see what happens as the show progresses.
LOVED that show from start to finish. When I grow up, I want to be Tami Taylor!
I couldn’t agree with this more- especially your paragraph about Coach, Tami, Tim, Tyra and Matt! I love Eric and Tami’s relationship and the way that they don’t make Eric out to be a weak man whose wife calls all the shots and talks down to him, which I feel like is often the case on TV. And their parenting seems so real as well! I’ve been watching the series on Netfilx and Hulu and only have 2 episodes left. I almost don’t want to watch them because I don’t want it to be over!
I could not agree more!!! FNL is one of those rare gems during this age of bad TV. My hubby and I were hooked from the very first season. We were SO sad when it ended. So well written & thought provoking. I always said that Coach Taylor was my “TV husband”!
Did you know that the actors who play Eric and Tami insisted that neither of their characters ever have an affair on the show? They thought it would destroy what they wanted the couple to be about.
We got sucked in from the beginning! It’s neat to see how other people feel about the show. Like you I was TOTALLY impressed with the Taylor’s parenting as well as there marriage. I found myself wanting to be Tami
Ha! This will go down as one of mine and Clay’s favorite shows. I hated to see it end and cried like a baby when it did. So glad I’m not the only wife/momma that is crazy over FNL 
Oh my gosh! We just watched the very last episode this weekend and I literally cried. I do not want this show to end. I agree with everything you said… we always say that we want to be just like coach and tami. Best show ever.
I just got in to this show at the beginning of the summer and it’s ALL I wanted to do! We would watch episodes, go to bed, go to work, and come home to watch more episodes! haha. My favorite of your advice? Lock the door Julie Taylor!
I kinda have a crush on Eric too, but you know the character that really tugged at my heart strings? Buddy G. He lived for football, but as a character, I think he developed the most. At the beginning you wanted to hate him, and by the end, you realized he had a good heart.
Yeah, over analyzing a show perhaps? ooops!
Ah, so glad you love this show! And just wait… many of the characters you mentioned aren’t even in seasons 4 and 5 and/or they come back and make special appearances. By the end of season 5, you’re watching an entirely new cast, other than the Taylors, of course. It’s seriously fabulous!
I think Chris and I might have to dress up as Eric and Tammy too… I love love love them!
I had to skim this post because we’re only at the end of season 1, but we are LOVING this show! Some of our good friends recommended we start watching about a year ago and the first thing they said was, “This show has the best example of parenting!” I love that you said the same thing! I do love the Taylors. They are delightful!
oh we LOVE FNL!!! so sad they’ve ended the show for good. why do they always have to cancel the wholesome TV shows?!!
You’re funny! Did you hear that Netflix streaming is going to go up $$$ soon or has it already? My mom told me, but I haven’t checked into it yet. It stinks because we just got BluRay, too.
I read your blog everyday, but rarely comment. I just can’t help myself today, bcs FNL is my all-time favorite show! I just read they are making a FNL movie! I love Coach Taylor and being an ex-football coaches wife myself, Tammi was much cooler and way more understanding than I was!
Rock your Cowgirl boots and Aviators like there’s no tomorrow!
I’ve never seen the show but after those life lessons how could I now pass it up?! I’ll be Netflixing it this weekend
after reading this post i immediately searched for the show on netflix and i’m about to watch all four seasons! you convinced me! now if only i could get my boyfriend to watch them too… doubtful! so it might be a while for me to watch every episode!!
Lord, I love that show. One of my all-time favorites. I’ve had a crush on Kyle Chandler since his Early Editions days, but that drawl and those speeches took it to a whole new level. DH and I (embarrassingly) use Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose as our rallying cry whenever we have to do something we’re dreading or that’s going to take some extra effort. Installing hardwood floors? Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose! A long weekend with irritating company? Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose!
I have a major obsession with Coach (and have since Early Edition when I was like, 15?). Which is why I let my husband convince me to see Super 8 this weekend. Just enough Coach to get me through – and then the movie ended being good!
You summed them all up perfectly, and I have to say, I almost lost my husband’s support for watching this show during the murder storyline. But now that the lead writer has said that it was his most regretable story line of the show, I feel much better!
If only everyone watched it from the beginning! We could still have it on TV, and I wouldn’t still be crying tears of sorrow. Although I did read that they’re writing a movie
!
We loved that show too – sad it’s over! I liked the lessons that you gleaned from it, and I agree that their parenting skills are impressive.
This has nothing to do with FNL (you are making me want to hop on the bandwagon, though!), but, how do you use the embed feature from pinterest? I see that you have gotten it to work on your blog & I can’t figure it out. It’s driving me crazy!!
Oh, I totally tell my husband all the time that if I wasn’t married to him, I’d be married to Coach Taylor…[sigh]. And I just love Tami. I kind of want to be her!
Crazy about this show too!! Cried so hard at the finale:P My husband is a high school coach and sometimes when he is talking about plays and stuff, I’ll say, wonder what Coach Taylor would do?
I loved the conversation between Tami and Julie about her and Matt. I thought that was brilliant about Tami requiring the conversation about it when Julie was just waiting for punishment. I could just overanalyze it all! ha! I love the characters and the show. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the rest of the show:) 
My husband and I did the exact same thing; we watched the whole series in one big lump sum. I, too, LOVE their parenting style. It was just SO real and relatable!
My husband and I really loved this show and were so sad when it ended. I came into the show around season 3 and we always watched it live together, but I may just have to go back and see some earlier episodes on Netflix. We love Coach Taylor & Tami together, and both of them – as well as all of the other actors/actresses – are so realistic and relatable. I have learned from this show that sometimes your family may not just always be those who share a bloodline with you!
My boyfriend and I are head over heels for this show! I grew up in Texas and went through all of the craziness that is small town Texas football, so I initially avoided watching because I felt like nothing could compare to REALLY living through. Well, then Coach Eric and Mrs Tami Taylor walked right on into our living room and changed my ways. We finished Season One in a week and start Season Two tonight. I pretty consistently shed a tear or two while watching, and am in love with the dynamic that Tami & Eric have! Plus Tami never fails to enjoy her glass of wine – my kind of girl. This show is just fabulous and I can’t believe I held out on watching for so long!!
This is my favorite show! I am obsessed with it. I have the last season on TiVo and haven’t watched it yet because I don’t want the show to be over:( The show is so well written and I feel that these characters exist in real life. Riggins is such a hottie! Tami is the best wife ever! I wish each actor much success with their future. I will miss them!
Posted this on twitter but don’t think you follow me. Thought of you when I saw this.
http://www.slashfilm.com/peter-berg-confirms-friday-night-lights-film-development/
Oh my gosh! Chris and I LOVE this show! And one of our favorite parts was Coach Taylor and Tami Taylor’s marriage and parenting style. So real and applicable.
And, oh, Tim Riggins. I miss him already…
I haven’t loved a tv show this much since Friends. Coming from a small town, I can instantly think of people I know who can relate to each of the characters. I cried like a baby when we finally brought ourselves to watch the finale!
I love Friday Night Lights so much! In fact, I love it so much that when I go to Austin this weekend for work I’m going to go on a little Friday Night Lights driving tour (created by me and my Googling skills) to some of the locations where they shot.
And I agree about Tami and Eric being great parents. And I agree about the crush on Eric
I love your blog but have never commented before. After reading your post at FNL I knew I had too!! I have just recently started watching and am obsessed with this show too. I work full time and find myself thinking about the characters, plot lines and the possibility of WHAT is going to happen next. Your post made me so happy, glad to know that I am not alone in this small obsession.
I have loved this show since Day One! I’m sort of jeaolous when I hear of people getting to watch it from the beginning because I was/am so obsessed with it and they get to experience all of the ups and downs and laughs and tears I did. Erin, my husband and I have often remarked at what incredible parents Eric and Tami are and we have said that we hope we’re still that much in love when our eight month old baby girl is Julie’s age – so don’t think you’re being corny. I also hope I have still have the legs to wear those awesome cowboy boots like Tami. Oh, and I might just have an unhealthy crush on Eric.
Seriously, enjoy every minute. I keep wathing the series finale over and over…
I agree that Tami and Eric Taylor are amazing characters. I so hope that both of them win Emmys! I hate that some terrible shows are still on the air, and this one isn’t still there!
Texas Forever.
Charles and I LOVED the show…. we would get so happy when the show would come on and now… so sad it is gone!!!
From being from a small town I would relate to the show sooo much!! I can see the stadium where I cheered for many Friday night games for the Red Foxes… when I drive into town across a corn field…. I am serious…
I think Coach and Tammy ROCK as parents!
This show reminded me how LUCKY I was to have grown up in a small town even if on Sunday morning everyone knew what you did that week… I was a wild child! There is something to be said for growing up in a small town named Hartsville where you learn that life can just be just that simple!
Charles grew up in Cola- not to put down a big city…. but he will never get that feeling of growing up in a small town…. I love going home and when I see that stadium- I think – dern I had some great times there and I wore a size 2… hha ha ha!!! Erin I am so glad you had a blog on this show…. sorry to go on and on….
My husband always jokes about Tami being hot… one night I said something about having a crush on Eric, and he said “Except you’re not joking, are you?”
haha… nope! Love me some Coach!
I love this show and can’t believe I didn’t start watching it until last week! Thank goodness for Netflix.
Words cannot express how much I love and adore Matt Saracen. He’s just too precious!
I LOVE this show too! I think Coach Taylor is a cutie and man’s man. I can’t help but have a bit of a crush on him too. And I kinda wanna be Tami. Great Great Great show! I have watched all the seasons. A-mazing.
dana
http://theabundantlifeblog.com
This is one of the few shows that my husband and I enjoy watching together. I LOVE the scene where Tami tells Eric she is pregnant. It is one of my absolute favorite scenes ever. I also really like how Tami handled it when Coach walked in on Julie and Matt. Can we please talk about the casting of Buddy Jr. He looks just like Buddy– best casting ever. I just wish all ya’ll would have watched it originally so it would still be on!
Hands down me and my husband’s favorite show ever! Nothing will compare. We’ve watching it from the beginning and been loyal followers and truly feel like we have relationships with the characters. One of my favorite statements from Coach in the final season (and this doesn’t give anything away): Vince is in his office going on and on about everyone wanting him to be the best and that he just cant do it. Coach just looks at him and tells him that he wants him to strive to be better than everyone else. I didn’t say you need to be better than everyone else. But you gotta try. That’s what character is. It’s in the try.
That quote right there gave me chills, b/c as a mom to two boys (almost 5 and almost 3) I totally get that! That is exactly what I want for my boys! That mentality of striving to be the best.
I so ignored all the hype about the show forever and about 1 month ago my husband and I started watching it through Netflix. We are just finishing up Season 2 (although I almost stopped watching through the whole annoying Landry nonsense) and we stay up way to late everynight. We just keep having to watch one more episode! The biggest thing I’ve learned is that there IS a show that both my husband and I like. The second thing I’ve learned is that I need to get involved with our local football team – ha! We just moved to Texas for my husband’s job, and I am determined to make my town into Dillon:)
My husband and I BOTH cried on the finale, we have DirectTV so we get to watch the seasons before they hit primetime…
Learned so much from those Panthers and the people of Dillon…family is first….
I LOVE THIS POST! I love this show. I would love to one day be a wife like Tami one day. It also teaches you what “clear eyes, full hearts” can bring to you. Also I have learned that I am a Texas Forever kind of girl. I think I am going to re watch the entire series!!
I am cracking up because you are more than welcome to come live my “FNL” REAL life! I can honestly say I have only seen a handful of episodes since it was on Friday nights and obviously I am a little busy that night
And while “Dillon TX” is actually in filmed in the Austin area but football is the same in TX whether it is small town or big “city”, Texans Loves Their High school Football! If you ever want some real life coaching families lesson I am more then happy to pass them along.
Just wanted to stop by and say THANK YOU. After seeing this post I insisted that we start watching FNL and we are obsessed! Unfortunately, my boy starts Kindergarten tomorrow so my nights of staying up (way too late) watching episode after episode with my hubby may have to be put on hiatus.
I’ve decided I would’ve definitely loved me some Riggins in high school but, and definitely married to a Coach Taylor type.