Friday Night Lights (season 3)

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Friday Night Lights
Season 3
FNL S3 DVD.jpg
Season 3 DVD cover
No. of episodes13
Release
Original network The 101 Network (first run)
NBC (network)
Original releaseOctober 1, 2008 (2008-10-01) –
January 14, 2009 (2009-01-14)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 2
Next →
Season 4
List of episodes

The third season of the American serial drama television series Friday Night Lights began airing in the United States and Canada on October 1, 2008. It was the first season to be aired on DirecTV's The 101 Network. The 13-episode season concluded on The 101 Network on January 14, 2009, and then began its run on NBC two nights later, on January 16, 2009, and concluded its NBC run on April 10, 2009. The show was renewed for two more seasons in March 2009, with both seasons airing in the same format as season 3, containing 13 episodes each. [1] The third season was released on DVD in region 1 on May 19, 2009. [2]

Contents

The season continues to focus around the Dillon Panthers and the pressures faced on and off the field. This season also has four main characters leave the show by season's end.

Cast

Unlike the previous two seasons, only eight of ten major roles received star billing in the opening credits: Kyle Chandler portrayed Eric Taylor, head coach of the Dillon Panthers. Connie Britton played Tami Taylor, wife of Eric and new principal of Dillon High School; Zach Gilford played quarterback Matt Saracen. Minka Kelly played Lyla Garrity, now girlfriend of Tim Riggins, fullback and resident bad boy, portrayed by Taylor Kitsch. Adrianne Palicki played Tyra Collette. Jesse Plemons played Landry Clarke, Tyra's not-quite boyfriend and Saracen's best friend. Aimee Teegarden played Julie Taylor, Eric and Tami's daughter.

Supporting characters include: Brad Leland as Buddy Garrity, Lyla's father and head of the Dillon Panthers Booster Club; Derek Phillips as Billy Riggins, Tim's brother; Louanne Stephens as Lorraine Saracen, Matt Saracen's grandmother; Liz Mikel as Corrina Williams, Smash's mother; Dana Wheeler-Nicholson as Angela Collette, Tyra's mother; Stacey Oristano as Mindy Collette, Tyra's sister and Billy Riggins' fiancée; and Kevin Rankin as Herc.

Gaius Charles and Scott Porter were billed as guest stars during their four-episode run as Brian "Smash" Williams, who left for college, and Jason Street, who left to become a sports agent in New York, so he could be near his baby, Noah, and Noah's mother.

The new characters first introduced this season include: The McCoy Family (D.W. Moffett as father Joe, Janine Turner as mother Katie, and Jeremy Sumpter as son J.D., a quarterback for the Panthers) and Shelby Garrett (Kim Dickens), Matt Saracen's estranged mother.

Season synopsis

The season begins with Coach Taylor's having failed to lead the Panthers to another State championship the year before, creating new pressure for him. Quarterback Matt Saracen's position is threatened by the arrival of freshman J.D. McCoy, an amazing natural talent who comes from a rich family with an overbearing father, Joe. Matt eventually moves to wide receiver after Taylor names J.D. McCoy the starting quarterback, but Matt is pushed back into his former role in the playoffs. Matt and Julie Taylor reconcile, and rekindle their romance.

Smash Williams, who had injured his knee during the previous year's playoffs, rediscovers his love for the game, gets a tryout with a college, and succeeds in winning a spot on their team.

Tyra Collette starts dating a cowboy named Cash, leading to complications in her relationship with Landry and her academics. Tim Riggins and Lyla Garrity start dating, and Tim pursues a college football scholarship. Billy Riggins gets engaged to Tyra's older sister Mindy Collette. He, Tim, Herc, and Jason Street decide to flip Buddy Garrity's house for a profit. Jason eventually finds a job at a sports agency in New York City and moves to the northeast, to be close to his girlfriend and newborn baby. Tami Taylor becomes the principal of cash-strapped Dillon High School and fights with Buddy Garrity about the allocation of funds toward a Jumbotron.

While Eric Taylor and Buddy Garrity are visiting a possible recruit who just moved into town, the coach learns of a plot to have him replaced as head coach of the Dillon Panthers; Joe McCoy wants Taylor replaced with Wade Aikmen, J.D.'s personal coach. After the school board meets to decide who gets the coaching job, Aikmen is offered the job at Dillon High School, while Taylor is offered the job of coaching the Lions of East Dillon High, which is reopening after years of being closed.

Continuity

With the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike cutting the second season in half, [3] there is a longer story gap between the end of season 2 and the beginning of season 3 than occurred between the other seasons of Friday Night Lights. Some plots are quickly summarized, while others are never again mentioned in season 3. One example of the latter is Santiago, the street kid Buddy Garrity took in, who in season 3 is evidently no longer living there and is not seen or mentioned again. Another is Lyla's relationship with Chris and her devout Christianity. Lyla is now living with her father and in a relationship with Tim Riggins. Landry and Tyra have dated and are now broken up. Smash Williams was seriously injured in a playoff game the preceding season and, consequently, has lost his college football scholarship; he is now a manager at the Alamo Freeze fast food restaurant. Playing without him, the Dillon football team fell apart and failed to win the state championship. Jason Street was last seen in season 2 trying to convince Erin, a waitress with whom he had had a one-night stand, not to get an abortion; in season 3 we see that Erin has had the child, but the couple is not living together. Tami Taylor is now the Dillon High School principal.

Fictional game results

Fictional game results
OpponentResultScoreRecordEpisode #Episode
Regular season [a]
South Pines TigersWin44–131–01"I Knew You When"
Laribee LionsWin49–62–02"Tami Knows Best"
Arnett Mead TigersLoss17–212–13"How the Other Half Lives"
McNulty MavericksWin42–393–15"Every Rose Has Its Thorn"
Westerby ChapsWin31–174–16"It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy"
Fort Hood CougarsWin15–145–17"Keeping Up Appearances"
Regional playoffs [b]
Arnett Mead TigersWin10–76–19"Game of the Week"
State quarter-finals
Buckley BisonsWin16–137–110"The Giving Tree"
State semi-finals
West Cambria MustangsWin15–148–111"A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"
State championship
South Texas TitansLoss28–308–212"Underdogs"
a While Friday Night Lights is presented as a serialized show with seemingly no gaps between episodes, public high schools in Texas typically play a ten game regular season.
b While the playoff bracket only consisted of one regional playoff game, two games are played before moving on to the quarter-finals (as seen during the first season).

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
381"I Knew You When" Jeffrey Reiner Jason Katims October 1, 2008 (2008-10-01)(DirectTV)
January 16, 2009 (2009-01-16)(NBC)		4.54 [4]
In the third-season opener, Eric fights to keep his job and helps Smash rebound. Elsewhere, Tami faces new challenges as principal, Tyra frets over college, Billy proposes, and tension escalates between Lyla and Riggins.
392"Tami Knows Best"Jeffrey Reiner Elizabeth Heldens October 8, 2008 (2008-10-08)(DirectTV)
January 23, 2009 (2009-01-23)(NBC)		3.96 [5]
Coach supports Smash's struggle to get a college tryout. Tyra's tactics disappoint Tami. Matt considers emancipation in an effort to protect his grandma, and in the process meets with his estranged mother (Kim Dickens). Tensions escalate with Lyla.
403"How the Other Half Lives" Dean White Patrick Massett & John Zinman October 15, 2008 (2008-10-15)(DirectTV)
January 30, 2009 (2009-01-30)(NBC)		4.00 [6]
Eric frets over his job security, Tami befriends newcomer Katie McCoy (Janine Turner), Matt reconnects with Julie, and Lyla worries about Riggins, who's being roped into a moneymaking scheme by Billy.
414"Hello, Goodbye" Michael Waxman David Hudgins October 22, 2008 (2008-10-22)(DirectTV)
February 6, 2009 (2009-02-06)(NBC)		4.21 [7]
Smash is given the scholarship by Texas A&M and bids farewell. Julie supports Matt during his struggles with his mom and grandmother. Tami embarrasses herself with the superintendent. Tyra dates a new guy (Zach Roerig).
425"Every Rose Has Its Thorn"Jason Katims Kerry Ehrin October 29, 2008 (2008-10-29)(DirectTV)
February 13, 2009 (2009-02-13)(NBC)		3.50 [8]
Matt grapples with his mother, his emotions, and Coach Taylor as J.D. garners more attention. Elsewhere, Tyra sees a new side of Cash, and Jason is disappointed by Erin's decision.
436"It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy" Patrick Norris Bridget Carpenter November 5, 2008 (2008-11-05)(DirectTV)
February 20, 2009 (2009-02-20)(NBC)		3.93 [9]
Coach is furious with Tim and the team for a freshman hazing. J.D. wins the respect of the town and team. A late night swim at the lake turns into more for Julie and Matt. Tyra is shocked when a woman shows up claiming Cash owes her child support.
447"Keeping Up Appearances" Chris Eyre Brent Fletcher November 12, 2008 (2008-11-12)(DirectTV)
February 27, 2009 (2009-02-27)(NBC)		4.22 [10]
Eric and Tami try to calm Jamarcus' angry parents; Billy helps Tim pursue a scholarship; and Jason, Herc, and the Riggins brothers receive good news.
458"New York, New York"Jeffrey ReinerKerry EhrinNovember 19, 2008 (2008-11-19)(DirectTV)
March 6, 2009 (2009-03-06)(NBC)		3.80 [11]
Jason's plan to leave Dillon worries Tim, Tami and Eric butt heads over financial matters, Julie champions Matt's idea to her dad, and Tyra turns to Cash during a difficult time.
469"Game of the Week"Michael WaxmanDavid HudginsDecember 3, 2008 (2008-12-03)(DirectTV)
March 13, 2009 (2009-03-13)(NBC)		4.40 [12]
Surprises await Tim when he returns to Dillon, Tami helps Tyra deal with a problem, Matt clashes with his mom, and Lyla and Mindy work together.
4710"The Giving Tree" David Boyd Elizabeth HeldensDecember 10, 2008 (2008-12-10)(DirectTV)
March 20, 2009 (2009-03-20)(NBC)		3.84 [13]
Coach is emotionally challenged both on and off the field, Lyla turns to Riggins when Buddy reveals a secret, Tyra has a plan to repair her relationship with Landry, and J.D. has no interest in his father's advice.
4811"A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"Michael WaxmanBridget Carpenter & Patrick Massett & John ZinmanDecember 17, 2008 (2008-12-17)(DirectTV)
March 27, 2009 (2009-03-27)(NBC)		3.95 [14]
Coach and Tami learn of a change that could dismantle the Panthers team, Matt flips out when Grandma suffers an accident, Tim sees another side of Lyla, Tyra is desperate and once again turns to Landry, and tensions escalate between J.D. and his father.
4912"Underdogs"Jeffrey ReinerElizabeth HeldensJanuary 7, 2009 (2009-01-07)(DirectTV)
April 3, 2009 (2009-04-03)(NBC)		3.61 [15]
As the team prepares for the state championship game against the undefeated South Texas Titans, the Taylors make a decision that could shatter what is already a fragile friendship with the McCoys, Landry helps Tyra with her college essay, and Matt frets over telling his grandmother about his college plans.
5013"Tomorrow Blues"Jeffrey ReinerJason KatimsJanuary 14, 2009 (2009-01-14)(DirectTV)
April 10, 2009 (2009-04-10)(NBC)		4.36 [16]
Eric's contract is reviewed, Billy and Mindy's wedding day arrives, Tyra awaits word on her college wait-list status, Matt prepares to leave for college, and Tim and Lyla consider their future.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an approval rating of 100% with an average score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 18 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Fueled by realistic depictions of everyday issues and elevated by an outstanding young cast, the third season of Friday Night Lights finds the series continuing to shine." [17] On the review aggregator website Metacritic, the third season scored 83 out of 100, based on 15 reviews, indicating "Universal acclaim". [18]

Related Research Articles

<i>Friday Night Lights</i> (season 1) Season of television series

The first season of the American serial drama television series Friday Night Lights commenced airing in the United States and Canada on October 3, 2006, and concluded its 22-episode season on April 11, 2007, on NBC. The series revolves around the Dillon Panthers and their new head coach Eric Taylor as they deal with the pressure of high school football in Texas and everything that comes with it, on and off the field.

<i>Friday Night Lights</i> (season 2) Season of television series

The second season of the American serial drama television series Friday Night Lights commenced airing in the United States and Canada on October 5, 2007, and concluded its 15-episode season on February 8, 2008, on NBC. While initially renewed for a 22-episode full season, the show ended production for the season after filming the 15th episode, due to the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike. The series' future was once again placed in doubt as it did not return to production once the strike ended, and it continued to suffer from low ratings in its new Friday at 9:00 pm time slot. However, NBC announced in April 2008 that the show would return for a third season, with first-run broadcasts airing on DirecTV's The 101 Network. The second season was released on DVD in region 1 on April 22, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Riggins</span> Fictional character from Friday Night Lights

Timothy "Tim" Riggins is a character in sports drama Friday Night Lights, portrayed by actor Taylor Kitsch. Tim Riggins is the fullback/running back of the Dillon Panthers in the television series. His character is similar to Don Billingsley from the original book and 2004 film Friday Night Lights.

<i>Friday Night Lights</i> (season 4) Season of television series

The fourth season of the American serial drama television series Friday Night Lights commenced airing in the United States and Canada on October 28, 2009. It was the second season to be aired on DirecTV's The 101 Network. The 13-episode season concluded on The 101 Network on February 10, 2010, and then began its run on NBC on May 7, 2010, which concluded on August 6, 2010. The fourth season was released on DVD in region 1 on August 10, 2010.

"Pilot" is the first episode of the sports drama television series Friday Night Lights. The episode premiered on the NBC network on October 3, 2006. It introduces the men and women involved with the Dillon Panthers, a Texas high school football team. In the pilot episode, the team is preparing for the first game of the season, which will be the first game under new head coach Eric Taylor.

<i>Friday Night Lights</i> (season 5) Season of television series

The fifth and final season of the American serial drama television series Friday Night Lights commenced airing in the United States on October 27, 2010. It is the third season to be aired on DirecTV's The 101 Network. The 13-episode season concluded on The 101 Network on February 9, 2011. The fifth season began airing on NBC on April 15, 2011, and concluded on July 15, 2011. The fifth season was released on DVD in region 1 on April 5, 2011.

Tyra Collette is a character in the NBC/DirecTV drama Friday Night Lights, portrayed by actress Adrianne Palicki.

"Extended Families" is the eighteenth episode of the first season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. The episode was written by consulting producer Kerry Ehrin and directed by Charles Stone. It originally aired on NBC on February 28, 2007.

"Humble Pie" is the thirteenth episode of the second season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 35th overall episode of the series and was written by supervising producer Carter Harris, and directed by executive producer Jeffrey Reiner. It originally aired on NBC on January 25, 2008.

"I Knew You When" is the first episode of the third season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 38th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Jason Katims, and directed by executive producer Jeffrey Reiner. It originally aired on DirecTV's 101 Network on October 1, 2008, before airing on NBC on January 16, 2009.

"Tami Knows Best" is the second episode of the third season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 39th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Elizabeth Heldens, and directed by executive producer Jeffrey Reiner. It originally aired on DirecTV's 101 Network on October 8, 2008, before airing on NBC on January 23, 2009.

"Hello, Goodbye" is the fourth episode of the third season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 41st overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer David Hudgins, and directed by co-producer Michael Waxman. It originally aired on DirecTV's 101 Network on October 22, 2008, before airing on NBC on February 6, 2009.

"Every Rose Has Its Thorn" is the fifth episode of the third season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 42nd overall episode of the series and was written by consulting producer Kerry Ehrin, and directed by executive producer Jason Katims. It originally aired on DirecTV's 101 Network on October 29, 2008, before airing on NBC on February 13, 2009.

"Keeping Up Appearances" is the seventh episode of the third season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 44th overall episode of the series and was written by Brent Fletcher, and directed by Chris Eyre. It originally aired on DirecTV's 101 Network on November 12, 2008, before airing on NBC on February 27, 2009.

"Game of the Week" is the ninth episode of the third season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 46th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer David Hudgins, and directed by co-producer Michael Waxman. It originally aired on DirecTV's 101 Network on December 3, 2008, before airing on NBC on March 13, 2009.

"The Giving Tree" is the tenth episode of the third season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 47th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Elizabeth Heldens, and directed by David Boyd. It originally aired on DirecTV's 101 Network on December 10, 2008, before airing on NBC on March 20, 2009.

"A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" is the eleventh episode of the third season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 48th overall episode of the series and was written by supervising producer Bridget Carpenter and co-executive producers Patrick Massett and John Zinman, and directed by co-producer Michael Waxman. It originally aired on DirecTV's 101 Network on December 17, 2008, before airing on NBC on March 27, 2009.

"Underdogs" is the twelfth episode of the third season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 49th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Elizabeth Heldens, and directed by executive producer Jeffrey Reiner. It originally aired on DirecTV's 101 Network on January 7, 2009, before airing on NBC on April 3, 2009.

"Tomorrow Blues" is the thirteenth episode and season finale of the third season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 50th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Jason Katims, and directed by executive producer Jeffrey Reiner. It originally aired on DirecTV's 101 Network on January 14, 2009, before airing on NBC on April 10, 2009.

References

  1. ↑ Elber, Lynn (March 31, 2009). "NBC renews 'Friday Night Lights' through 2011". USA Today. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Friday Night Lights: The Third Season (2009)". Amazon. May 19, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  3. ↑ Ryan, Maureen (February 8, 2008). "'Friday Night Lights' - is it game over, or will the Panthers play again?". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  4. ↑ Seidman, Robert (January 17, 2009). "Nielsen Overnight Friday Ratings: Flashpoint > Friday Night Lights". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 20, 2009. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  5. ↑ Seidman, Robert (January 24, 2009). "Friday Ratings: critics love Friday Night Lights, viewers love Ghost Whisperer". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  6. ↑ Seidman, Robert (January 31, 2009). "Friday Ratings: even with reruns, CBS still wins". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 31, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  7. ↑ Seidman, Robert (February 7, 2009). "Friday Ratings: Ghost Whisperer towers above the competition". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  8. ↑ Seidman, Robert (February 14, 2009). "Updated: Friday Ratings: How Did Dollhouse and Terminator do?". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  9. ↑ Seidman, Robert (February 21, 2009). "Friday Ratings: Dollhouse downer, Terminator not uplifting". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  10. ↑ Seidman, Robert (February 28, 2009). "Friday Ratings: Ghost Whisperer dominates, TSCC and Dollhouse continue to slide". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  11. ↑ Seidman, Robert (March 7, 2009). "Updated Friday Ratings: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles crashes down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  12. ↑ Seidman, Robert (March 14, 2009). "Updated Friday Ratings: Ghost Whisperer wins, TSCC and Dollhouse higher". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 16, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  13. ↑ Seidman, Robert (March 21, 2009). "Updated Friday Ratings: Dollhouse foundation holds up against NCAAs". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 24, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  14. ↑ Seidman, Robert (March 28, 2009). "Friday Ratings: NCAA cruises to victory, Dollhouse drops". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  15. ↑ Seidman, Robert (April 4, 2009). "Friday Ratings: CBS wins with mostly repeats, Dollhouse looks done". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 23, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  16. ↑ Seidman, Robert (April 11, 2009). "Updated Friday Ratings: Terminator: TSCC goes out with a whimper". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Friday Night Lights: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Critic Reviews for Friday Night Lights Season 3". Metacritic. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
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