"Friday Night Lights" was one of the most underrated dramas on television, but it is becoming more popular now that it is off the air. The show has always been praised by critics, but it never had a large audience while airing. Then, it was put on Netflix, and it has been spreading like wildfire. And I couldn't be happier.
"Friday Night Lights" takes place in the small town of Dillon, Texas, where the tight-knit community prides itself on its high school's football team, primarily focusing on Coach Taylor and his family. Throughout the duration of the show, it addresses numerous issues that America faces today: family values, racism, drugs, abortion, education and a lack of economic opportunity.
What makes "Friday Night Lights" so special, though, is the unwavering authenticity that draws its viewers into being a part of the town and its people in it. There are numerous reasons for why it has become so popular lately, and here are 7 specifically:
1. The football
Whether it be Coach Taylor's motivational speeches before the game or the great football scenes, the sport is a common theme throughout the whole series. But this show is much more than guys smacking into each other and throwing a football around. The show is about the community's division and unity in the small football driven town.
2. Coach Taylor and Tami Taylor
In a country where the divorce rate has been high recently, this show focuses on a couple that would not let that happen. They were the epitome of what a marriage should be like. They respected and loved each other unconditionally, and their support for one another was inspiring, which was definitely put to the test in the last season. All of this doesn't mean that the married couple didn't have their fair share of fights, because they did, but that is what added to the realism of this show.
3. The men
I think every female who watched this show developed a crush on almost, if not every, main male character. They all had their special charm and a story that made your heart melt. Between Matt Saracen singing his grandma to sleep, Jason Street losing the capability to play the game he loved and Coach Taylor making your expectations even higher for your future husband, the writers knew exactly how to stir up your feelings for them.
But there is one male character in particular who is a sole reason to watch the show.
4. #33
The man, the myth, the legend. Tim Riggins. The girls love him, and the men envy him. Not only will his super good looks catch your eye, but his story will catch your heart. There is a lot more to Tim Riggins than meets the eye.
5. The women
The female characters in this show were all exceptionally strong in their own way. Each of them found their own self-worth throughout the series, showing the viewers that hard work does pay off. Tyra, specifically, is a great example of a strong, independent woman. When the odds seemed to be against her, she ended up beating them.
6. The music
Every single time I hear the opening notes to this show, my heart stops. The whole intro makes me so happy because I love it and the show so much. Also, Landry's fictional Christian garage metal band, Crucifictorious, is a total plus.
7. The famous mantra
While most famous television dramas focus on the darker side of America, this show tends to be on the more optimistic side. They show us that even when everything seems to go wrong, there is still hope. Hope is what keeps every single one of us going, and this is what made me love the show so much. The beauty of "Friday Night Lights" is its deep belief in the goodness of humanity.
It is hard to find the right words to express my appreciation for this show. All I can say suggest is watching it for yourself to see just how great of a show it is.
