Friday Night Lights #111: "Nevermind"

How exciting to start a fresh year off with an all-new "Friday Night Lights"? The telenovela of Jason and Layla takes an unexpected turn from the get-go, Matt's dad returns as a fallen idol and in an unlikely pairing - Tim and Landry ponder "The Scarlet Letter".

I really did not see this one coming. At least not so soon. Battling his raging hormones and wishing to teach his unfaithful girlfriend a lesson, Jason Street accelerated the entire forgiveness process only to face the ultimate male fear.

And in a "did-I-really-hear-that" moment of the week, Jason makes a joke that will make Clay Aiken fans throw a fit. Good for them.

Herc, being the jackass we have come to adore, pointed out that Jason's "ding-dong went soft because he was trying to protect him".

Luckily, Mrs. Taylor did what she does best, giving Jason wise advice that "there is no weakness in forgiveness". Now if only Layla's hilarious "porn-tape" could help.

The show then threatened to take our beloved quarterback Zach Gilford's Matt away, as Matt's dad returned from Iraq only to find a disappointed but loving son who questioned the sense of his presence in Iraq and treatment of his beloved grandma.

Kudos to writers for painting the "war hero" in not so flattering, yet vivid colors. And don't you dare send Matt off to Oklahoma.

Tim and Landry attempted to do the impossible, that is to teach that greasy dog Riggins a thing or two about expressing himself.

The storyline scores on all counts, especially by giving the exceptional Taylor Kitsch much more to tackle than being a drunken disaster and bedding taken cheerleaders.

And who would have thought Landry had such a bizarre taste in music?

Finally, Smash was suspiciously gone for most of this great episode only to reappear for a brief second, during the adrenalin-filled game, all jazzed up, reminding us of his drug-taking storyline, which is about to take an ugly turn.

And it's those little details that great writing is all about.

"Friday Night Lights" returns next Wednesday at 8/7c on NBC. Did you miss last night's episode? Catch it on NBC.com.

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