isamurai
01-28-2010, 07:55 AM
Beware : Epic Read
So after watching the "Raddies" episode of TRS, and seeing Jeff and Dan reiterate their love of Friday Night Lights so much, I decided I couldn't ignore it any longer. Especially since the first 3 seasons are all on Netflix Watch Instantly.
After watching the pilot, I instantly fell in love, and the rest of Season 1 didn't disappoint. It was a terrific drama that defied the standards of high-school dramas (I'm thinking of shows like The O.C., etc.) and felt extremely grounded. It was shot wonderfully as well, which kind of reinforced the small-town feel of the show. The football games helped resolve story-lines and generally everything in the show had something important to say about real-life issues. To say I was completely engulfed in the show is an understatement.
So, I went on to Season 2. I read a few reviews on the Netflix site, and half of them were "season 2 falls short, and turns into a primetime soap opera", the other half were "don't listen to them, this show is still great". I was hesitant to say the least, and asked Jeff and Dan via twitter what they thought. They both expressed that something "weird" happens and to stick with it. I happily obliged, given the reinforcement from Jeff and Dan.
After the first few episodes, I was already disenchanted. It seemed that the "soap opera" reviews had been correct, but I stuck with it due to Jeff and Dan's previous recommendations. I have just finished Season 2 and I must admit, it didn't really improve from the first few episodes. I'm not sure if some of it had to do with the shorter season (10 eps less) or the creative team just running out of ideas, or what. The realistic story-lines in the first season are gone. Now almost every subplot seems extremely contrived. Some of them are semi-resolved only to completely disappear. When they do reappear every now and then they seem forced. The scenarios come and go way to quick, you never have time to be comfortable with a situation before the carpet's ripped up from under it. Some of the casting choices for new characters are just ridiculously bad in my opinion, completely taking me out of it. The football takes a huge backseat, and only a few times actually contribute to the story-lines like it did in the first. In short, the show had lost its way.
Even with all that though, I'm optimistic about Season 3. Netflix reviews are again split down the middle, and I'm still a bit hesitant because of the stain Season 2 left on the first season. The optimism and love from Dan and Jeff has kept my hopes up though.
TL;DR : Season 1 is AMAZING, Season 2 a let-down
I'd love to hear thoughts from others who've watched this show, and if anyone would like to discuss spoiler-ific details via PM or something, let me know, there's a lot I have to say. And if anyone hasn't seen this show, do yourself a favor and watch the first season at the very least, it's on Netflix Watch Instantly.
So after watching the "Raddies" episode of TRS, and seeing Jeff and Dan reiterate their love of Friday Night Lights so much, I decided I couldn't ignore it any longer. Especially since the first 3 seasons are all on Netflix Watch Instantly.
After watching the pilot, I instantly fell in love, and the rest of Season 1 didn't disappoint. It was a terrific drama that defied the standards of high-school dramas (I'm thinking of shows like The O.C., etc.) and felt extremely grounded. It was shot wonderfully as well, which kind of reinforced the small-town feel of the show. The football games helped resolve story-lines and generally everything in the show had something important to say about real-life issues. To say I was completely engulfed in the show is an understatement.
So, I went on to Season 2. I read a few reviews on the Netflix site, and half of them were "season 2 falls short, and turns into a primetime soap opera", the other half were "don't listen to them, this show is still great". I was hesitant to say the least, and asked Jeff and Dan via twitter what they thought. They both expressed that something "weird" happens and to stick with it. I happily obliged, given the reinforcement from Jeff and Dan.
After the first few episodes, I was already disenchanted. It seemed that the "soap opera" reviews had been correct, but I stuck with it due to Jeff and Dan's previous recommendations. I have just finished Season 2 and I must admit, it didn't really improve from the first few episodes. I'm not sure if some of it had to do with the shorter season (10 eps less) or the creative team just running out of ideas, or what. The realistic story-lines in the first season are gone. Now almost every subplot seems extremely contrived. Some of them are semi-resolved only to completely disappear. When they do reappear every now and then they seem forced. The scenarios come and go way to quick, you never have time to be comfortable with a situation before the carpet's ripped up from under it. Some of the casting choices for new characters are just ridiculously bad in my opinion, completely taking me out of it. The football takes a huge backseat, and only a few times actually contribute to the story-lines like it did in the first. In short, the show had lost its way.
Even with all that though, I'm optimistic about Season 3. Netflix reviews are again split down the middle, and I'm still a bit hesitant because of the stain Season 2 left on the first season. The optimism and love from Dan and Jeff has kept my hopes up though.
TL;DR : Season 1 is AMAZING, Season 2 a let-down
I'd love to hear thoughts from others who've watched this show, and if anyone would like to discuss spoiler-ific details via PM or something, let me know, there's a lot I have to say. And if anyone hasn't seen this show, do yourself a favor and watch the first season at the very least, it's on Netflix Watch Instantly.