In a hurry? Read the recaplet for a nutshell description! Finished? Click here to close.
Coach Taylor goes looking for Tinker who hasn't been coming to practice and is directed to go check out Carroll Park, which he promptly sets out for, but instead ends up taking a wrong turn onto the set of The Blind Side. Okay, okay, this opening scene is not quite as blatantly racist as The Blind Side, but it comes close to being a misstep. I guess the main thing that I object to is that literally within two minutes of being at the SCARY park looking for Tinker, a twelve-year-old kid gets shot in the shoulder. Come now. But I guess we needed some deux ex machina for Coach to latch onto the idea that if the LIGHTS got turned on in the park, then everyone over there would clean up their acts. Someone who is skeptical of this plan is D'Angelo Freaking Barksdale, who tells Coach and Buddy that if they really want to make a difference for the kids living in the rough part of town, that they need to be more than outsiders, more than Great White Hopes. So they decide to set up a football game on Saturday night between the Lions and a pick-up team from the 'hood. Kids and folks turn out and everyone's heart is warmed.
Still walking the line between one side of town and the other is Vince, who is trying to keep his record clean but is entertaining a fair amount of "you with us or them?" bullshit from his neighborhood friends. Vince seeks out a job to make some cash and stay out of trouble, and Coach finds him one: at Ray's B-B-Q where he has to work alongside Jess, who is maddened by this turn of events. Whatever happened between Jess and Vince remains unclear to us, but Jess's father Virgil (or Big Meri as folks start to call him in this episode) is coming around to Vince (as a favor to Coach) faster than she is. Meanwhile, Jess is moving forward in her relationship with Landry. I don't know about you, but there is something really wrong about their make-out sessions. They don't seem right together, and Jess is clearly trying to force herself to feel something for Landry that she doesn't completely feel.
Julie's spending a couple of days working on a house for Habitat for Humanity, at first bratting about it, but then turning the brat way down once she sees that a tall, blonde drink of sincerity is working the house, too. He tries to ask her out to dinner, she replies with a bunch of verbal vomit about how she just got out of a serious relationship, but then suggests that they forget dinner and just make out instead. Julie Taylor!
The Taylor women are make-out queens, we know. Unfortunately, now Coach also knows because Glenn (I mean, really, Glenn) approaches Coach and thanks the man for not punching him after he kissed Tami. Coach is like "Wha, wha?" and the whole thing is played pretty hilariously. The Taylors try to arrange a date night since they've been spending so much time, respectively, on drunk karaoke and Oscar-bait movie sets. But their date night falls through, so they settle for taking a quick drive and gaze at the lake on the shores of which they first dated dated, you know wink wink?
Wishing she'd never winked back at Luke Cafferty is Becky, who finds out that winking sometimes leads to pregnancy. She decides to get an abortion and asks Luke for money, and he is the perfect combination of sympathetic, supportive, and confused. He thinks she should do what she thinks is right, but he doesn't know what is right himself. Becky's resolve is shaken a bit and she finally breaks down and tells Tim Riggins, who hugs her and tells her everything will be alright. Oh Tim Riggins, this Becky person is turning you into a treacly country music song.
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Want more? The full recap starts right below!Coach knocks on a door, and a young African-American girl answers. Coach is looking for Dallas (Tinker, that is), and wonders if the girl, his sister, knows where he is. She doesn't but she tells Coach to check out Carroll Park, "he hangs there all the time."
Vince is in a shirt and tie filling out an application form at a diner. He gets to the "Have you ever been arrested?" question, leans back for a moment, and then screws up his mouth and checks "Yes."
Becky, voice shaking, is on the phone in a pink, pink bathroom. She says she's sure they get this a lot, but she's wondering how accurate their tests really are, "like they can be wrong, right?" Cut down to her hand gripping a pregnancy test. The customer service person apparently just tells her to take the test again, but then we cut to the counter where there are four other tests, all showing a positive "+" sign. Something about Becky using the 800 number they provide really makes me sad; like she's reaching out to whatever kind of authority she can, hoping someone more powerful than her will undo this.
Back at the diner, Vince gets the brush-off from the manager. She tells him that they're not ready to make a decision and will keep his application on file. Vince reminds her that she told him they'd have an interview, but she says there's nothing open right now, and she'll call him if something opens up. His face is hardened and he turns on his heel and leaves, obviously realizing why her attitude has changed.
Coach pulls up to Carroll Park at night. Rap plays (African-American Sonic Forcefield is in effect), the park is full of black kids hanging out, smoking, leaning, holding paper-bagged forties, playing dice. Coach goes up to three guys who look at him somewhat angrily and asks them if they might know where Dallas Tinker is. One of the guys busts out laughing, "Tinkerwho? Tinkerbell?!" Coach asks them to tell Tinker that his coach is looking for him, and one of the other guys looks Coach up and down, "What do we look like some damn messenger to you, Coach?" Before Coach gets a chance to answer, shots ring out and kids go running and screaming away. A cop car (apparently activated by the mere sound of gunshots) instantaneously comes siren-ing up to the scene, the policemen going over to a young kid lying on the asphalt holding his shoulder and grimacing. Coach watches. And, just, sigh. What to do about these kinds of scenes? I mentioned in the recaplet that Coach takes a wrong turn into The Blind Side, but this scene isn't nearly as egregious as that film is. It's just that it's unfortunate that popular media has to bring the viewer to these "ooo scary" places full of "oooo scary" black kids via a "universal" figure like Coach Taylor in order to open our eyes to injustice and all that jazz. I guess what I'm saying is that sometimes the worst racism is full of good intentions. Like, go ask Harriet Beecher Stowe about that.
Credits. Morning, Taylor house. Julie's at the table, Tami walks in wearing a smokin' hot wrap dress. They say good morning and Julie asks where her dad is. He's down at the police station, Tami tells her, because of the shooting that happened the night before. Julie sets up a storyline by telling her mom that she feels like her mom and dad are never in the same place at the same time anymore. Tami sighs and agrees. Then Tami sets up the storyline, asking Julie if she's excited about Habitat for Humanity today. Julie says she's getting there, and then teases her mom about forcing her to do it. They spar for a bit about whose idea it was, the consensus being that it's for her college applications, anyhow.
Coach, at the police station. The kid is going to be okay. The policeman asks Coach what he was doing down at Carroll Park anyway. Coach wonders if it's always that dangerous in the park, and the policeman gets defensive, saying they can't man it 24-7. Coach isn't asking that, it's just that he has a lot of players that live in the area and he's wondering about one extra policeman and maybe having the lights turned on. The policeman says he's been to the mayor himself, and she can't do anything about the lights, there's scarce resources. Coach sighs and says "It's always all about the money, iddin-it."
Becky slumps through the house and runs into shirtless, fresh-outta-the-shower Tim Riggins. He sort of excuses himself, saying he was "due for a rinse." Becky barely acknowledges him and goes into her room. Tim calls after her, asking if she's okay, and she pops her head back out and frowns "Yeah, fine." Tim mutters "good times" and shuffles off to his Trailer of Love and Puppy Interviews.
At school, Glenn accosts Coach Taylor in the cafeteria. Coach is surprised and seems pleased to see him, shaking his hand: "How's everything on the West side?" Glenn apologizes for dropping in on him like this. Coach is confused. Glenn then launches into the most ill-advised verbal vomit apology ever: he tells Coach that he appreciates Coach taking the high road, and he's a science teacher and he knows how these things work -- adrenaline and hormones and all that -- and by all accounts Coach should just deck him. It is at this point that Coach finally interrupts and is like "What the hell are you talking about?" Glenn realizes what's going on, and now this apology has gone from ill-advised to BP as he asks Coach, "Tami didn't tell you what happened the other night?" Coach says no, and Glenn kind of mutters "Oh, no, okay, uh..." and then finally just comes out with it, "I kissed your wife." During the confession, the camera films from behind Glenn's left shoulder so we get a framed shot of Coach's eyes full of disbelief and confusion and "ewwww." Glenn continues to explain -- come on now, Glenn-- about how they were at karaoke and he was excitable and "thing I know my lips are on her lips and I thought 'wow, my mouth is on Tami Taylor's mouth' and she pushed me back and told me that can't ever happen again, and I had to get it off my chest, Coach." So now that Glenn has ceased the flow of nonsense out of his lips, it's Coach's turn to respond. But first? He has to consult his hair. He kind of grab-scratches at his cap as if to ask the hair underneath, "What now?" Coach nods, his mouth tight and he just sort of says "Okay!" and Glenn is like "Okay?" and Coach breaks into this awesome semi-hysterical type of chuckle as he keeps nodding and tilting his head and says "Hahaha I don't know what else to say, okay!!!" Glenn backs out of the doorway and tells Coach that he'll see him around the game or something and then Coach snaps a bit, "Oh you'll see me sooner than that." Glenn continues slinking out, now apologizing and bowing and apologizing. What a wonderously horrible scene!
Tami's office. She tells Joe McCoy that she appreciates him coming in today; she needs to talk to him because they're having trouble with J.D., who called his math teacher a bitch and was disrespectful to Tami and so will be in detention for the week, missing practice. Joe just sort of shakes his head and says that he thinks this is for the best. Tami is surprised at Joe's reaction, and he continues, saying that J.D. has been a handful, he won't listen, and that Joe believes J.D. cannot go around treating people like crap. Tami, still surprised, finds herself agreeing, in a slightly overdetermined way: "That's right. There need to be consequences." Joe says that J.D.'s acted out a lot since the split, whereupon Tami interjects, "Excuse me, the split? You don't mean you and Katie?" and Joe confirms it. Tami brings her perfectly empathetic hand to her mouth and says she's so sorry, she didn't know. Joe seems down and broken as he looks at her and says "It happens. I guess it can happen to anybody." Tami: "Yes it can."
Lions practice. Buddy hangs to Coach who asks him if he's seen Mayor Rodell lately. Buddy says no, she's mad at him since the mailbox incident. Coach tells Buddy about how a 12-year-old kid got shot at Carroll Park and he wants to turn the lights on. Buddy is immediately psyched about this idea, "Take back the park, I love that!" Coach quickly says he's not trying to take anything back, he just wants to clean it up a bit. Buddy says he'll talk to the mayor and see if they can raise some money or something; Coach wonders how, since Buddy just said she's mad at him. Buddy: "Well, you know we go back. We have a little history. Before she started playing for the other team? You know what I mean?" Together with Buddy's flashing recently-whitened teeth, that is some imagery I would like to have cleaned up a bit out of my brain.
Julie is laying tile. An extremely douchey "looker" comes over and Dutch-blondes to her that her work is good. She is pleased, "It's Ryan, isn't it?" They make conversation about how hard the work is, until he leisurely crouches down and says that he hates to tell her this but she's tiling the closet when she was supposed to tile the kitchen. And then he points his thumb back over his shoulder and makes a terrible "ccchhk" sound with his mouth. Hate. Julie is semi-embarrassed, she apologizes for not focusing better, there's just so many things going on in her life! He blabs about building and meditation and keeping your brain in the moment and I just want Julie to mount this kid already, since he's clearly the hump (har har) she needs to get over to get over Matt.
Vince knocks on Coach's office door. He sits down and tells Coach that he is in need of cash, and has been trying to find work but there's not a lot of jobs that are cool with him having a record. Can Coach help? Coach wonders if Vince is asking him to look around for him; Vince says, sure, and that also he wonders if he can put Coach's name down as a reference, so when they call he can just say that Vince plays football for him and is doing good and stuff. So sweet. Coach tells him to go ahead and do that, and he'll look around for him. Vince is surprised and delighted -- too heartbreakingly surprised, as if no one has ever done anything for him in his entire life.
Becky waits for Luke outside of school. She pulls him aside, he's excited to talk to her, but she interrupts and blurts out that she has bad news: "I'm pregnant and it's yours and I need an abortion." It's really expensive-- $300-- and she doesn't have all the money but she can come up with half if he can come up with the other half. Luke is completely left behind here, at least ten paces back from where Becky is. He's like "Okay" but then wonders if she's talked to her mom. Becky declares that she's doing this and he doesn't need to be involved but she needs help with the money. Luke, still confused just says "Okay. Yes." She walks away and leaves him there struggling to catch up.
Commercials. Eric and Tami lay in bed in the morning. Coach mentions that Glenn stopped by East Dillon yesterday. Tami: "Uh oh. What did he have to say?" Coach tells his wife that Glenn just wanted to share a little experience he had over at the karaoke bar. Tami wants to know what he said, but Coach suggests that she tell him what went on that night, and Tami just sort of groans, "Oh, he was sooo drunk" and starts babbling about how she wanted to tell him but they've been so busy. And Coach just starts to lament, "You kissed Glenn!!!!" Tami asks whether he hit Glenn, and Coach says no but what is she so worried about him for? Tami keeps babbling on her side, while Coach babbles on his: "You just happen to get kissed by so many people over at school now, you forget to even talk about it?" Hee. Tami tells her husband to stop blaming the victim, "You're blaming the victim!" Coach screws up his face and moans, "Do you realize that by proxy now I've kissed Glenn?" Tami busts out laughing at how awful that is. Then she changes the subject-- because these people are adults and are in a loving and steadfast relationship and this Glenn thing is NOTHING to them. She asks Coach if he heard that Joe and Katie McCoy are getting a divorce. He hadn't heard. Then Tami rolls on her side and props her head in her hand and tells Coach that she thinks they need a date. Coach says he'll go on a date with her, "post-baby-down date!" Some nice wine, check what year it is, they just sort of mumble and joke as they lean in and get smoochy-huggy on each other. So, see, the thing that Joe McCoy just said: "It could happen to anybody." Well, I guess, technically, sure. But it won't happen to Eric and Tami, because they take care of their relationship. So, really it doesn't just happen, people kind of let it happen.
Buddy walks into Ray's BBQ and spars a bit with Virgil Merriweather. Buddy pretends to not know what he wants to eat, Virgil: "baby back ribs, side of collards, you get it every damn time." Virgil notices Buddy's suit and remarks on it; Buddy tells him that he just went to see Mayor Rodell, trying to get the lights turned on in Carroll Park, see if we can't get it cleaned up a bit. Virgil: "Is that right? You an idiot, Buddy." Virgil tells him that he's an idiot to think his white ass can fix things. Buddy tells him that they're trying to organize, and "maybe you could help us out a little bit instead of criticizin'." Virgil tells Buddy that he's going to get his ass kicked. Buddy takes his food and goes to sit down, asks for some water, "please." Virgil comes around and sits down with Buddy, tells him that they're going to need someone to talk to the kids, and he knows a guy who's an ex-minister community organizer. Quick change of heart, sets Buddy on the right track.
Ew. Landry and Jess are making out in his car and it's kind of gross. Jess has to go to work, Landry wants to see her again, Jess works every night. Landry wonders whether this is the first step toward them breaking up, Jess jokingly agrees with him, but then suggests that he come by after closing tomorrow, he can help her clean up. "What does that mean?" Landry wonders. "Use your imagination" Jess replies. Oh, dear. I'm too grossed out by these two right now.
Habitat. Julie and Ryan hang around in hoodies and flannel and other emo heartbreak clothing. They make conversation about Habitat and how it's more than just resumé-padding. Ryan says he's about to go grab some food and he wonders whether Julie wants to come. Julie pauses and "ums" for a minute before going into some Glenn-style word vomit: "Look, you're really nice and cute but I got out of a really long, really serious relationship and I'm... still broken." Ryan switches panty tactics and says that he totally gets it, he's been there himself. Then he goes to pack up his circle saw. Which apparently makes Julie rethink a few things; she wonders whether they should just skip lunch and act spontaneously: let's just kiss, no strings attached. Ryan is pleased and suddenly slightly less Evangelical-seeming. He comes over and they make out big time.
Taylors. Tami has just finished putting Gracie to bed and comes out to whisper excitedly to her husband about how much she needs a drink of the wine they've got there. But Coach tells her that he has to take a rain check: Buddy just called, Virgil's gotten them in touch about meeting with a guy who can help with the kids down in the park, and the meeting has to be tonight. Tami just shrugs and says "alright," and as Coach leaves she deadpans that she'll just call Glenn. Coach dishes it right back, "Makes sure he doesn't drink all my scotch" but Tami gets the last word: "I'm not making any guarantees about what Glenn's gonna do or not gonna do."
Eric, Buddy and Virgil knock on a door that is answered by... D'Angelo Barksdale! How exciting! Except this time, he's a tsk tsk, mmn hmmh kind of dude, wearing reading glasses with an eyeglass chain. Also, according to the establishing shot, he lives in the apartment door to Vince's. Okay, whatever. Buddy compliments the apartment and D'Angelo says that he's lived there since he got out of jail. Oooh, no-nonsense AND an ex-con? This guy is going to tsk tsk us right into some volunteer work. Buddy explains that "we're trying to clean up Carroll Park, take it back." D'Angelo is like "take it back from who?" and Coach realizes the vocabulary misstep Buddy's made. He says they're not trying to take anything back, just trying to get the lights turned on. Coach says he wants somewhere safe for his players to be at night. D'Angelo doesn't want to offend Eric, and he's sure he's a great football mind just like everyone says, but there's a lot more problems in Carroll Park than the lights. "So my question to you is, do you really want to make a difference, or are you just feeling sad cuz you saw a boy got shot?" Coach thinks a moment and answers: "Both." Which is really an honest answer. It acknowledges the white bubble he lives in, the kind that unfortunately only gets pierced once in a while by something like the shooting; it acknowledges that, as unfortunate as it may be, it usually does take something close to home to incite someone to try to make a change. D'Angelo goes into planning mode: they need money for programs, they need local businesses to send money and not just this week because there's a boy in the hospital. And as far as "the Great White Hope coming in to save the day"-- the boys can't see Coach as an outsider. (Begging the question: what about the girls?) Coach needs to give the kids a reason to believe in "this thing, whatever this thing is." Buddy declares he's got an idea: a football game! Between the Lions versus the kids at the park. Coach resists, but Virgil thinks it's a good idea. Buddy puts it to D'Angelo, who nods and says the kids do love football. Buddy: "Everyone loves football!"
Commercials. Lions field. Coach is telling the kids, kneeling in a half circle around him, that this whole thing is a voluntary, and its okay if they don't want to participate. But if they do want to play the game against the park kids, there's going to be rules, this isn't going to be a street brawl. He sends the kids into practice, but pulls Vince aside for a moment. He's talked to Big Merri (what everyone starts calling Virgil Merriweather this episode) and he's got need of some help. Vince tries to protest-- "that's not, that's not what I was expecting." Coach doesn't have time for his drama, though, and says it's a job, that's what Vince wants, and Vince better not let him down, "I stuck my neck out for you."
Cut over to Ray's BBQ where Virgil lectures Vince on the rules. Be there on time, no flirting with the girls, no "jaw jacking" with the guys. Now I've got my new favorite phrase: "jaw jacking." He starts at minimum wage, it won't be a lot, he won't get rich there. Vince is on his best behavior, telling Virgil that with all due respect he just wants a job to keep him out of trouble, put some food on the table. Virgil leans in a bit and says "Last thing: Stay away from my daughter. She don't want it, I don't neither." Vince says he's crystal clear, and Virgil tells him to go get an apron. Vince tries to have a heartfelt moment with the cranky old dad, saying "Thank you" in a meaningful tone, but Virgil just repeats himself: "Go on back and get you an apron."
Tami stops by to check on Julie at her Habitat house. Julie's out at the end of the driveway working at some sawhorses, safety glasses perched cutely on top of her head. Tami rocks some slacks. God, the woman can do anything, even turning mom slacks into something hot. They chat for a while, Julie saying she's having a really good time, and then getting teased by her mom that "some smart person told you to do this." Ryan calls to her from the porch and Julie goes up to get some instruction. He pats her on the back and then she gives him an extremely dorky punch on the arm and extremely dorkily tells him that he's such a dork for asking her whether she can handle the instructions. She trots back to her mom who's witnessed the awkward exchange and asks if there's anything Julie wants to tell her. Julie, pixie-like, smiles a small smile and says "Hmmm, no." Her mom accepts that, but then Julie offers that she does feel a lot better. Tami tells her that she's glad, she really is. And as always, with Tami Taylor, you can really tell.
Ray's BBQ. Vince cleans the toilet, and Jess gives him instruction. He says he can handle it, she complains she just doesn't want to clean up after him, she's seen her little brothers clean toilets. Vince, standing up: "Well I'm not your little brother." Holy hell is that true. There is some serious chemistry here that is lacking between Jess and Landry. Jess goes outside, where Virgil sits at one of the picnic tables. She complains about her father hiring him, he explains he's doing a favor. She wonders whether he can do a favor for her and tell him to go home. Jess just can't believe this after all the grief her dad gave her for spending time with Vince. Virgil tells her that he trusts in her to make good decisions now. She looks at him laconically and says she appreciates the trust.
Tim knocks on Becky's bedroom door. He tries to coax her out, saying Skeeter is upset and needs her. Then he just starts knocking repeatedly, saying "All day. All day. Don't care." She finally opens the door with a furious "WHAT?" Tim wants to get things out in the open. Since the kiss, she's been awkward and avoiding him and he doesn't like it, so he just wants to apologize, it won't happen again. Becky's face goes from not being able to believe that he's talking about that stupid little kiss, to being hurt about his take on the kiss. He asks if they're cool and she snarks, "Yeah, we're cool. Thanks. So much" and slams the door. Tim: "Okay, see, somehow I don't think we're cool." She yells at him to go away.
Ray's. After closing. Vince comes back and finds Jess there stacking chairs, he's left his jacket. He goes to grab it, walks past her and pauses, "Good night." She follows him for a minute, but it's only, we see, to close the door behind him. As he walks away, Landry drives up and greets Vince with willful ignorance. Vince watches as Landry knocks on the door; Landry mutters about having some homework, as if that's why he's there to see Jess. Jess opens the door, which runs into Landry a bit, she chuckles and invites him in, then catches Vince's gaze as he watches from the shadows.
Commercials. Luke and Becky are having an important conversation, she's sitting on the hood of his truck. Dillon, Texas provides a lot of beautiful scenery against which to have important conversations. So Luke tells her he doesn't want to get in her business but he wants to say something. He wants to know if she's thought through everything. She says that she's 16, and by 17 will be a single parent, just like her mom. That's not what she wants. She thinks he's resisting because of the money, but he says he's got the money. She wonders what the problem is and he says "It's just, I'm worried, alright?" He tells her that he's worried about her, and that he feels responsible. She says it's a two-way street. He tells her that she's going to have to live with whatever decision she makes for the rest of her life; he's going to have to live with it, too. And, it's not like he wants to be a dad, "but there's something about not being one, about you not being a mom, just because we decide to make the baby go away, that makes me feel really, really uncomfortable." I really appreciate this scene's depiction of the teen male experience of this decision, and Luke Cafferty continues to be the most likable boy on television since, well, okay since Matt Saracen. But, son, she is like four weeks pregnant. It is tissue. It is pure, wonderful potential, but right now it is tissue, not a baby. Becky listens to everything Luke has to say and looks confused; she asks him to just take her home.
Ray's BBQ. Vince cleans up outside when Calvin and a car full of up-to-no-goods get out of a car. Calvin jokes about how hungry he is, they all greet one another and Calvin gives Vince a hard time for having to sweep. Vince asks what they need, and one of the guys says they want him to bring them something to eat, some ribs and collard greens. Vince tells them to go inside and order at the counter. The no-name kid starts to get pissed, he asked Vince to bring him some damn food. Vince just holds his ground and tells them to go inside like everybody else and order at the counter. No-name kid keeps bitching and Vince asks Cal who this dude even is. No-name starts to get in Vince's face, Virgil hears the impending ruckus and comes outside to break it up. He tells them all to leave, Calvin rounds his boys up, but No-Name keeps staring Vince down for a bit. As Calvin drives away, he exchanges a look with Vince. Once they're gone, Virgil tells Vince that the job isn't fun but it'll keep him out of the joint. Then: "You're better than them." Vince says "No, I'm not" but Virgil asks: "You're here, aren't you?" and it seems like Vince maybe believes it for a minute. Virgil says they've got to close up and get over to the park.
So to the park we go! African-American Sonic Forcefield; rap plays as we see people feed into the park, which is still unlit. Coach is pacing around on his cell phone. Buddy and Tami tell him what he already knows, that the lights aren't on. In the meantime tricked-out cars pull up, full of these now infamous park kids. Tami sees a group of particularly tough guys coming over and goes wide-eyed, "Eric, we might have a problem!" Coach doesn't have time for this shit, he glances over and is like "That's just the other team" and goes back to his phone call. Tami greets them all (heh) as they file past her. Coach pulls D'Angelo aside and says the lights aren't coming on. He's like "Well, you gotta get to the switch box over there." And Coach asks him whether he might just have some knowledge about how to get past the padlock on the switchbox. D'Angelo just raises his brows and flashes a sideways smirk. Over at the switch box, Coach climbs over a rickety metal fence. Virgil laughs at his ungraceful form. D'Angelo wields a big huge wire cutter thingy.
Cut over to the Lions, in jerseys and sweats, stretching before the game. Landry moseys over to Vince and greets him with the dorkiest "Hey Vince!" Vince is silent. Landry launches into it, saying that he's not sure whether there's something Vince feels he needs to say or do, and he realizes Vince and Jess have some sort of history (aside: why won't they tell us what it is?!), but Landry really likes her, so if Vince wants to hit him or whatever, Landry would like to just get past it. Cut over to Coach cutting through the padlock and then giving the job to D'Angelo: "Your honor." He flips the switch and the lights go on. Everyone around the field claps and whoops. Vince looks up briefly, and just gives Landry a tapping fist to the shoulder. Landry: "What does that mean?" Well, Landry, it means a little bit of light -- you know, physical light, or transcendence, or knowledge or whatever -- on a situation can make it look better and can make people act better. Vince might have punched you in the dark, but in the light he's giving you your own fair chance. Or, you know, maybe he's planning on just trying to catch you in an alleyway later once these damned lights stop blaring in his face.
Commercials. Lions and Park Kids lined up, getting the lecture from D'Angelo about how this is going to be a clean game, no crap. D'Angelo wins the toss for his Park Kids and the game starts. Lions get a nice run, everyone lines up and the Park Kids are giving Vince shit for being on the wrong side. Vince just grins and tells them they'll see, but he gets sacked on this snap. Coach grimaces. D'Angelo wonders if he should say something to his guys, but Coach says, nah, they're alright. In the huddle, Vince tells the Lions that he knows these players, to beat them, they can't give up and they can't back down. Vince gets a good run, gets pushed out of bounds where he's caught by Virgil in a semi-fatherly way. snap, Vince tosses the ball to Landry, who pulls back and launches the ball waaaay down the field-- Coach is like "Whaaa?" as the ball goes flying"-- straight into Vince's hands in the endzone. The boys celebrate in a fun boy way and Coach smiles. He loves nothing more than some kids truly loving the game. snap, Street Kids launch a ball way down field for a touchdown. They all celebrate, and you guys, THEY TOO LOVE THE GAME!!! snap goes to a little Street Kid who runs the ball real quick. Coach asks D'Angelo for the kid's name -- it's Maurice -- and Coach calls him over. He asks how old he is, and where he goes to school. Maurice answers and just generally looks precious. Coach asks if he wants to play some football year when he gets to high school, and Maurice says of course. Coach tells Maurice to come find him year, and he says "Yes, sir." Maurice runs back to the field with a "Thanks, Coach!" and Coach turns to D'Angelo and tells him to make sure Maurice comes and sees him. So the goal here is to slowly drain the Park Kids team into the Lions team. I mean, I get it, but it's still kind of sad, right?
morning, a pair of shoes hang suspended from the electrical wire. The park is empty in the daylight. Coach and Tami drive down the road. Coach knows that he owes her a date. Coach says that he knows they aren't the McCoys but he also realizes that "our relationship needs nurturing." Tami giggles. He said "nurturing!" He protests that he was being serious, and Tami says she loves him to pieces for that. She suddenly tells him to turn left. They arrive at the banks of a pretty lake. Tami remarks on how beautiful it is there. "Does it ring any bells for you, hun?" He doesn't get it at first, so she prompts him: "Remember -- alright, not our first date, but our first date?" He clarifies, "That would be our first date or our first date?" C'mon you guys nobody (except a few million people) is listening -- you can say "where we first had sex"! Coach says that he vaguely remembers. She leans over to kiss him and mumbles about what a long time it's been. They hold each other's faces (in the way that normal people never do-- am I right? Do you spend time gripping the sides of your partner's face while kissing? Am I missing out on not making a habit of this?) and Coach whispers, "Damn, I love you" and Tami replies, "Damn, I love you, too, babe." Another big round of applause for the Taylors, everyone!
Pretty establishing shot of Tim Riggin's Trailer of Love and Puppy Interviews. Becky knocks on the door, Tim comes out. She asks, with teary eyes, if they can talk. She says she wants to talk about a few things. First, it hurt her that he said that kissing her was a mistake, because it meant something to her. Tim, confused, tells her that he doesn't ever mean to hurt her, and it was just that since the kiss she's seemed different, she seems lost. Oh, because she seemed like she was on the right track before? Tim Riggins, not the best judge of character in town. Becky finally blurts it out, "Tim, I'm pregnant." She says it again, and she tells him that she doesn't know what she's going to do, and she is so scared. He brings her in for a bear hug and tells the snuffling teen that she's going to be fine, she'll be fine. Tim Riggins: faking it 'til he makes it.
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