89. Watch a television series from start to finish :: Friday Night Lights

 Friday Night Lights. I'm not sure why I didn't watch this show while it was on - ok, I do. I was on the truck and couldn't watch any show with real consistency. But FNL is possibly my favorite television series. Ever. The characters were so real to me, the storylines actually believable. And the football? Well, I stood up and cheered while watching...

Why? Let's start with the characters! 
Eric and Tami Taylor? (Kyle Chandler & Connie Britton) I challenge you to watch this show and NOT fall in love with them as a couple and as people. I could gush on and on about them as characters. They were real, raw and completely relatable.

Tim Riggins? (Taylor Kitsch) **SWOON** He is rugged and he is loyal and he is realistic. Besides, I always cheer for the underdog. And that's Riggins, if I ever saw one. One last thought on Tim? Texas Forever! (And I dislike Texas, so that's huge.)

Matt Saracen? (Zach Gilford) Early in the series? I fall in love with Matt. Later? My  heart breaks for him as he figures out where his life is going and tragedy strikes. The poor kid is watching over his Grandmother who has Alzheimer's and dealing with his absent mom, who left when he was young and his dad, who is in Iraq. Watching him grow up in this series was fabulous.

Julie Taylor? (Aimee Teegarden) I loved Julie, I loved watching her struggle with the normal teenage girl things. I loved her relationship with her parents, dealing with a new baby sister as a high school student and her relationship with hot shot Quarterback Matt Saracen, mixed with the fact that her dad was his coach.

There are others - many many others. All whom I loved, but those are the main ones. The characters that touched my heart and are there to stay.

The Plot?

Where do I start? Small town Texas, High school football. What's not to love? (And yes, for the record, if you're curious? There are places where people place that much importance on football. That aspect is VERY real.)

I was attached to these characters, cheered for their teams, hoped their lives turned out the way they wanted. I just fell in love with this series and watched it in quick succession.

The series starts off quickly grabbing your attention - in the opening game the team's quarterback, Jason Street, is hit and paralyzed. The first season is his friends dealing with the consequences of his injury. You fall in love with them then, with his best friend Tim Riggins who has a very natural response. His girlfriend Lyla Garrity who gives up everything to stay by his side. Matt Saracen who steps in to take his place as the quarterback on the football team.

It just unfolds from there, all these kids and their hard times. And the football? Oh the football. I cheered as they scored, yelled at the refs when there were bad calls. I was into it, to say the least.

I will leave you with one final thought. Clear eyes, Full hearts, Can't lose.