The curious case of Friday Night Lights’ Vince Howard

I’m not sure that network television (or satellite network, depending on how you look at it) has ever seen a better molder of men than Eric Taylor. He always knows exactly what to say to his players to get what he wants out of them, and tonight was a perfect example of that talent.

In just a quick week, Vince went from walking on air to having his magic carpet pulled out from under him. From recruitment letters, to his father returning, you can only imagine the whirlwind he’s experiencing. I doubt there is a right answer for how to handle a homecoming like we saw this week, but I do know that neither Vince nor his father handled things in the beginning the way that they should have.

I really wasn’t a fan of his bailing on the “community outreach” the way he did. He was a leader of this team last year, and to abandon that responsibility that he’s shown in the past just seemed like a cop out, reacting to his real drama with fabricated anger.

It did lead, though, to an incredible series of moments; first in Coach’s office, and later on the field. Last week, I mentioned how much I loved a particular Smash/Coach moment the third season, but this week’s conversation between Vince and Coach was right up there. The “Character is in the trying” speech was almost as good as anything Sam Seaborn ever stole wrote for Jed Bartlett, and those of you who know what kind of West Wing fan I am know how high of praise that is coming from me.

Vince’s “trying” wasn’t enough for him to get past his problems with his father enough to get him to stay, but you could see on his face the turmoil he faced, and the gesture as he was walking away was enough to know that this man is on the right track.

Notes & Quotes

• I may have been unintentionally obtuse last week … I’m only trying to not put spoilers in the title, picture, or excerpt … Once you click in, its all fair game.
• Yeah, Julie was in this episode … that’s all I have to say about that.
• Buddy Garitty, he of getting arrested at the Landing Strip, opens his own honky tonk? Seriously?
• How was this video never a problem at Dillon?
• “Have you ever been to a party?” – Maura
  “I sure have … I usually try to stay awake. It’s a lot more fun that way.” – Tami
• Did anyone else think the alcohol awareness teacher sounded like Mr. Garrison from South Park?
• I love the way Coach asks “Is everybody alright with that?” like there is any answer that could change his opinion.
• “Let me just give you a little perspective about something: You were in a supply closet. That’s where they keep mops, and brooms, and computer paper…  And there’s some rats in there.” – Tami to Maura after finding her hooking up
• “Listen to me. I said you needed to strive to be better than everyone else. I didn’t say you needed to be better than everyone else. But you gotta try. That’s what character is. It’s in the trying.” – Coach to Vince
• On another Vince note, I guess I am coming around to him and Jess, even if I still can’t forgive her for Landry.

Clacked by Ivey West
on Nov 11, 2010 @ 09:30 EST5EDT