Because “Friday Night Lights” has one of those confusing TV schedulesplaying on satellite ahead of broadcast — the small-town drama may have slipped off your radar.
Because NBC has already fumbled the fact that it will ditch the series after next season, you may believe the show is not worth your time.
Those would both be mistakes.
When the fourth season debuts on NBC tonight (7 on Channel 9), it will be clear that the most endearing intergenerational, cross-cultural drama on television has regained its footing. The hours artfully distill a vision of Texas life, high school’s microcosm, young love and lust, racial tensions and the power of American dreams.
Let’s agree that the second season was a bust. In fact, I gave up when Landry and Tyra were sneaking around, trying to dispose of a body in what became a ridiculous subplot better suited to “Murder, She Wrote.” After a sensational first season, the story took that unforgivable melodramatic turn and I confess to tuning out while the action unfolded on DirecTV.
Now, however, the taut writing and great characters are back on track as the drama undergoes a reset. I’ve seen most of the coming episodes, and I’m once again hooked.
As the season opens, Dillon is a town divided. Thanks to redistricting, students are split between the east-side high school, a rundown and neglected home to many minority students, and the more affluent west-side high school. Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler), who lost his job at West Dillon, is now working with meager facilities and unpromising players at East Dillon.
Coach Taylor must whip the East Dillon Lions into shape, with no support from the school, the parents or the community, while his wife Tammy (Connie Britton) remains the principal at his old school, home of the Panthers and the good-old boy network that backs them. Is he up to it? Is there explosive chemistry between Chandler and Britton?
When a new student, Vince (Michael B. Jordan) is brought in by the cops, given the chance to play football as an alternative to jail time, the coach takes him on. This tough guy with an addict mom will be fully fleshed out with a compelling back story in upcoming episodes.
Meanwhile, the battle between self-destruction and redemption that is the chronic plight of Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) ramps up a notch. The differences between the Riggins brothers will multiply.
Landry (Jesse Plemons) is still riveting as the hapless teen with flickers of maturity behind his quest for a date.
The artistic aspirations of Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) complicate his relationship with the coach’s daughter Julie (Aimee Teegarden).
And J.D. McCoy (Jeremy Sumpter) is the cocky, entitled brat determined to come between Matt and Julie while stirring trouble within the ranks of the coach’s team.
The writers are due credit for the thoughtful and surprising turns that see characters evolve on a show that manages to be at once traditional and edgy, clear-eyed and romantic.
Public affairs debut
“Need to Know,” at 9 p.m. on KRMA-Channel 6, takes over the time slot formerly occupied by “Bill Moyers’ Journal.” Moyers, 75, said he needs time to think, but may return to broadcasting in the future. For now, this weekly public- affairs show from WNET aims to incorporate input from viewers via the Web.
“Lost” finale expanded
The May 23 “Lost” finale will run an extra half-hour, 8-10:30 p.m., pushing back local news and “Jimmy Kimmel Live: Aloha to Lost.”
They could add another couple of hours and never unravel all of the mysteries, biblical and philosophical references and metaphysical questions they’ve posed.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
