Friday Night Lights: Episode 4-10, “I Can’t”
Just when you figure things couldn’t get worse in East Dillon, they do.
Luke Cafferty’s life has certainly become complicated since his transfer, between Becky’s pregnancy and his lingering injury.
Then we have Vince, whose mother suffers a relapse – forcing him into a bad decision in order to pay for an expensive rehab clinic.
Jess’s father, Virgil – continues to crawl inch-by-inch from under the rock he’s been living. He’s playing a major role in Vince’s life (much to Jess’s dismay), as well as showing a renewed interest in the Lions. I’m betting he’s an assistant coach before it’s all said and done.
The main focus of the hour is Becky, who finally shares the news of her pregnancy with her mother at Tami’s request. I kinda get the feeling that Eric sometimes wishes she wasn’t always there for people. Tami just can’t say no. That said, the scenes with Tami and Becky were strong.
Many teenage dramas place the parents firmly in the background, with minimal influence over the show. Friday Night Lights is not one of those dramas. Fathers, mothers and even grandmothers have played a big part in shaping Dillon’s world. Whether it be the Taylor’s, the many single parents or the departed ones: every adult character matters.
So are the Riggins boys going to get out of the chop-shop business before it’s too late? How far is Vince going to fall? And speaking of parents, it’s hard not to notice the increasing presence of Luke’s.
“I Can’t” was as heavy an episode as Friday Night Lights has delivered to date. Now that’s saying something.
