I have been a huge fan of ...
Question: I have been a huge fan of
Friday Night Lights since you introduced me to it. It is absolutely the best show out there right now, and I loved the season premiere. All my favorite characters were back with their original depth and authenticity. I am interested to see where the new storylines go, especially with Tyra and Landry. But I did have to remind myself that this is dramatic television and not real life after that scene (you know the one), because it provoked some anxiety for me. Being a person of strong Christian faith myself, I am always glad to see a character on TV embracing faith, and they are very few and far between. One of the reasons I loved
Studio 60 was
Sarah Paulson's portrayal of an intelligent, down-to-earth Christian woman, even though she had to endure much ridicule from other characters. My fear is that Lila's conversion will be written as the pathetic attempt by a desperate girl to make up for past mistakes and deal with disappointment in her own family. Will the message be that faith is just a fantasy that doesn't hold any real answers or solutions? I am anxious to see where the story goes; my hope is that the writers will allow Lila to have a meaningful faith but still be a "real" teenager dealing honestly with the people and issues in her life.
Answer: I'm reasonably sure you'll get your wish. Lila's embrace of faith does seem to have come from a place of personal crisis, but that's hardly unheard of, at least from what I witnessed in my own small-town upbringing. (
Possible spoiler alert) In upcoming episodes, she reaches out to the equally troubled Tim Riggins (
Taylor Kitsch) with her "message" and the way he responds, by showing up at her mega-church, is very interesting and compelling — and, as noted, it's something we rarely get to see given credence in prime-time drama. Which is even more reason to treasure this show. I can't imagine the writers cheapening her character or this subject matter by making her faith appear ultimately hollow. But that doesn't mean she won't face more emotional setbacks or challenges along the way. This is TV we're talking about, after all.
