Ranking The Seasons 5. Season 2
Season two certainly had more ups than downs which is why this falls as the worst season of this terrific series. The fact that Tyra and Landry even had a romantic relationship was unrealistic. Landry was still an outcast at that point and Tyra was at the pinnacle of her popularity status at Dillon. The murder itself wasn't a bad idea, but it just dragged on for way too long. Saracen dating Carlota, the house nannie, was a little over the top as well. I understand that Matt was vulnerable after his breakup with Julie, but it only made things around the Saracen residence even more awkward. The upside of this season was that we saw the return of Coach Taylor from TMU. I really don't think anybody liked the new coach (except for Smash) so it was good to see that weirdo go. Some of the more memorable moments of the season were; Saracen going on a bender with Riggins, Coach Taylor sticking up for Rigs when he got in the scuffle with that douche from Larabee, and Smash punching that white boy in the movie theatre. Despite the fact that this was the worst season of the series it still had enough moments to keep the series alive.
4. Season 4
In season four we saw a completely different team and a brand new set of characters. Coach Taylor was basically at rock bottom to start the season. His players wouldn't respond to him and the schools low budget took a toll on their equipment. This season we were introduced to three new characters. Vince Howard, who was one step towards Juvenile Hall. Luke Cafferety, a former West Dillon stud who was forced to go to East Dillon, and Becky Sproles, the daughter of the women who Riggins slept with. I was a little skeptical about this season because I couldn't see Coach Taylor in another color besides blue and yellow. Some of the major moments of the season were; Matt Saracen's father dying, East Dillon beating West Dillon, and how could we forget, Tim Riggins taking the fault for the chop shop. Even though this season is towards the bottom of the list, there were enough storylines to keep everybody interested.
3. Season 3
In season three we saw the emergence of the McCoy family which only added more drama to the town of Dillon. Coach Taylor received immense pressure from the boosters to start freshmen J.D. McCoy even if it wasn't the right decision. Even with the quarterback drama going on, Dillon still had the tools to be a title contender. Riggins was back and better than ever, and some of the new players, like Landry Clarke, made some huge strides. Some of the more memorable moments of season three were; Brian 'Smash' Williams trying out for Texas A&M, J.D. getting beat up by his father, Joe, Riggins getting into college, and who could forget, Dillon losing in the state title game on a game winning field goal. With the power of the arrogant Joe McCoy, Coach Taylor lost his job as the coach of the West Dillon Panthers, but he was offered a job as the head coach to the rough East Dillon school. This season had some great moments, which is why it deserves the number three spot.
2. Season 5
Friday Night Lights went out with a bang with season five. Coach Taylor and the East Dillon Lions went out with style as they won the state title. For Coach Taylor, it was his second title in only five years of coaching. This season we saw the emergence of quarterback Vince Howard, but with his status growing the extra baggage started to take a toll on East Dillon during the middle of the season. This season was the first time we got to see Vince's dad Ornette who, at first, seemed like a father who was just trying to reconnect with his son, but eventually it got to the point where he almost ruined his sons college future. Some of the more memorable moments of this season were; Julie sleeping with her R.A., Riggins getting out of prison, East Dillon beating the crap out of West Dillon, and of course Eric and Tami moving to Philadelphia at the end. It was a very fitting way to end the series, but I know that we are all sad to see it end.
1. Season 1
This was really no contest. Season one of Friday Night Lights is arguably the greatest season in TV history. The stories were pure gold, and it kept you on your toes until the nailbiting end. Did I cry when Jason Street got paralyzed? Of course. And did I stand up and cheer when Dillon won the state championship? You bet. Usually there are a few bad episodes a season with a television show, but in season one there were absolutley no bad episodes. The concepts these writers had were completely brilliant from Voodoo getting kicked off the team, to Riggins sleeping with Lyla Garrity. I can not emphasize enough how great this show is.
Ranking The Episodes20. Jumping The Gun Season 2
19. Backfire Season 2
18. There Goes The Neighborhood Season 2
17. It Aint Easy Being JD McCoy Season 3
16. Thanksgiving Season 4
'Thanksgiving' is probably the second best episode of season four which is why it gets a spot in the top twenty. Billy Riggins pouring his heart out at the Taylors during Thanksgiving dinner was tear jerking and Tim taking the blame for the chop shop put me over the edge. In this episode we saw the East Dillon Lions take down the playoff hungry West Dillon Panthers behind Landry's (Lance)game winning field goal. As unrealistic as that ending was, it was still fun to see.
15. Perfect Record Season 5
14. A Hard Rains Gonna Fall Season 3
13. The Son Season 4
In this episode we heard the unfortunate news that Matt Saracen's father had been killed in Iraq which staged one of Zach Gilford's best performances to date. When he admitted to hating his father at the Taylor's I compltely lost it and his speech at the funeral has been one of the better speeches we have heard since Shawn Hunter's graduation speech in Boy Meets World. Gilford's performance in this episode earned him an Emmy nomination.
12. The March Season 5
11. The Right Hand of The Father Season 5
9. Underdogs Season 3
8. Black Eyes and Broken Hearts Season 1
7. Hello, Goodbye Season 3
Jason Street went out with a bang in this episode as he decided to follow his girlfriend to New York and get a job. As we saw Jason start a new life with his girlfriend and baby, we also saw the end of one of the greatest friendships of all time. It was great to see Riggins go with Street to the big city, and when Riggins started crying when he dropped off Street, I have to admit, I was crying with him.
6. Wind Sprints Season 1
5. Eyes Wide Open Season 1
If you do not get chills in this episode then I can pretty much assume that you have no soul. Coach Taylor bringing Saracen down to the field the night before the game, and then Coach asking Saracen if his eyes were open when he threw the hailmary pass at the end of the first game. Both of those moments will go down as some of the top ones in FNL history.
4. Texas Whatever Season 5
3. State Season 1
2. Always Season 5
If you do not cry during this episode, then I truly question your passion for this amazing show. The last episode of Friday Night Lights might be the most satisfying ending in any TV series. Coach Taylor's decision to follow Tami to Philadelphia was the right one. It would have been weird if he had gone back to West Dillon to coach once again. It was nice to see the Riggins boys finally resolve their issues and make up, and that last shot of them building their house and drinking beers is pure gold.
1. Pilot Season 1
The one that started it all. This episode may go down as one of the greatest of all time. You have to admire the gutsiness of these writers. First by having the Golden Boy, Jason Street get paralyzed in the first game, and secondly by having the entire team hit Tim Riggins as hard as they possibly could, three days before the first game of the season. In the first episode we see a football driven town expecting greatness from the Dillon Panthers which puts immense pressure on Coach Taylor. One thing that I didn't get about this episode is that Riggins is clearly suppose to be in the same grade as Street, but he is still in school in the third season whcih makes him the most developed, and best looking sophomore I have ever seen. Aside from the little continuities that this show has had, it should rank as one of the greatest shows of all time.
