Friday Night Lights - Humble Pie

This third to last episode of the season opens with Smash (Gaius Charles) being arrested at home for the scuffle at the movie theater the previous week. This hits Mama Smash from out of the blue since neither Smash or his sister told her anything about it. Mama Smash calls Coach and he meets them down at the station. Their lawyer convinces Smash to make a public apology to "make this go away". Smash is hesitant at first, but Mama and Coach convince him it's for the best.


Meanwhile, we learn that FNL has found a way to bring Jason (Scott Porter) back when he needs some costly work done on his truck. He vents to Buddy that he needs his truck to keep his independence. Buddy suggests Jason try his hand at selling cars. Jason agrees and tackles this job, as we would expect, full force. The other salesmen and women aren't very welcoming to the new kid in a wheelchair. Jason stumbles a bit at first, but after a pep talk from Buddy, sells a car to the local tire kicker. Jason shows Buddy, the other salespeople, and himself that a winning attitude can accomplish anything.


At the Taylor's we discover that Coach (Kyle Chandler) , as athletic director, has been saddled with finding a replacement volleyball coach for the women's 0-7 team. He steamrolls Tami (Connie Britton) into taking one for the team "did you not just say to me you wanted more exercise?". Apparently Tami played some varsity volleyball back in her day. After a frustrating practice, Tyras height catches Tami's eye while she's over visiting Julie (Aimee Teegarden). Tami uses Coach's tactics to convince Tyra (Adrianne Palicki) to take one for the team, "it would be good for you". Tami convinces Trya to channel some energy into her game by thinking of the volleyball as someone she is frustrated with. While Riggins continues to fulfill his duties helping coach with the other sports, Tyra sees Tim as fulfilling that role, leading the team to their first victory of the season. Imagine what she could do if she vented towards Landry's new "girlfriend"!


Speaking of Landry (Jesse Plemons), he's found a new admirer-er in his Physics partner, Jean. Tyra is not too happy finding these two spending a lot of time together. "God's gift to Landry" his teammates call the freshman, when she delivers Landry a CD of metal music for him to listen to in his car, his bed, WHATEVER. Is that steam coming out of Tyra's ears?? Hmmm...Landry may have finally found the way to her heart.


Tim (Taylor Kisch) has a run in with "Meth Man" at the convenience store leaving him with some bruises and a threat to return the $3000 by the end of the week. Seeing his life flash before his eyes, Tim makes a final play for Lyla (Minka Kelly). He had candles and made chicken for heavens sake! But, in the end (of that story line - thankfully), Lyla tells Tim to "move on". Somehow she also came up with $3000 to bail Tim out, because she doesn't want to see him get beaten up anymore.


Things continue to heat up between Lyla and her new beau Chris, especially after the whole Tim thing. She confesses to him about her history with Tim, and it seems to bring them closer together. "Say something!", Lyla says, "I am thinking how hard it must have been for you to tell me that". Awwww. Maybe Chris gave her the money?


Unfortunately for Smash things aren't going as well. After Smash sees his sister is receiving harassing phone calls, he catches the white boy from the theater telling the press he doesn't accept Smash's apology, prompting Smash to sound off to a reporter about the truth. The "truth" gets Smash in some deep doodoo, causing the court to suspend him for the next 3 games. "That's the whole season!", says Smash. "how are we going to get to state?". Watch for this story line to unfold over the final two episodes.

I guess we will find out next week. Can we have some football next week FNL? Please! All in all a good episode, setting things up for the final two of the season.