March 28, 2007: This is Ours, Baby
"Welcome to the most talked about football game in the State of Texas." It should go without saying that most sports commentators - and most network promo people - are prone to hyperbole, but I don't think that this particular commentator was exaggerating, nor do I think that last week's preview of this episode, touting it as, "one of the most inspirational," was off the mark.
It seems that we so rarely get to see the Panthers actually compete, but those games really serve to anchor their respective episodes. In the past they've embodied our characters' feelings of suspense and disappointment, but this week it was all about control.
Lyla told Jason what no one else was willing to tell him, which was that despite this terrible thing that happened to him, he doesn't get a free pass in and that perhaps it was time for him to start getting a handle on his life. And he did. He took control during the settlement talks, finally getting his parents to listen to him. His coaching Matt certainly went along with this, and when, at the end, Coach asked him, "You ever think about coaching?" it was the first time since playing quad rugby that Jason actually looked happy.
Likewise, Smash dealt with Waverly by telling her that she couldn't just ignore her bi-polar disorder in the hopes that it would go away, and it was wonderful of him to suggest talking to his mother. He pointed out, validly, that she was a nurse, and she cared about Waverly, so that there was no harm in starting there.
Of course, it can't end well for everyone, and unfortunately, Tyra - who has gone from my least favorite character to one of those that I feel for in my heart - was violated in the most unspeakable way. I can't blame Landry for not being there with his dead car, and I can't blame everyone in town for being at the game. But not being able to blame anyone makes it that much more terrible for her. If anyone's situation could be symbolized by the mud on that field, it was hers. It was a loss of control so complete and so without need that it's going to be wrenching to watch her deal with it.
And then there are our intrepid Taylors. It was wonderful to watch Coach take himself out of the increasing technology of the game and insist that they use the cow field, in lieu of the Panthers' now unusable stadium. His moment with Tami on the field - "Where would they pee?" "They could use cups for all I care!" - as well as his semi-serious show down with the opposing coach - "Butch up, Sally, 'cause you've got a game!" "Thanks, Coach." - just made me swell with pride. It's clear that here is someone who just wants to
play football, and forgets the politics involved (unless they're about his home field advantage). It's just one more reason to love Eric Taylor.
I find it very interesting that Buddy Garrity wouldn't deny leaving the $200 in Matt's locker. What is so maddening about Buddy is that though he always pays the price for his mistakes, he never seems to learn not to commit them in the first place. We'll have to see how that plays out, but I will encourage you to check out the cover article of the March 5 issue of
Sports Illustrated (full disclosure time: my father works for
SI) which discusses OSU's sports program as a whole, and in doing so profiles an influential booster who was accused of doing the same thing to a player.
So the good news is that we're going to State! Feel free to do your happy dance. The bad news is that there are only two more episodes left in the season. But who cares? Let's just enjoy it while it's here.
