Editor’s Pick: ‘Friday Night Lights’

When it comes to film genres, the sports movie often feels like a necessary evil – riddled with clichés and weighed down by stock characters and situations audiences see a mile away. Perhaps that is why it is so remarkable that the critically acclaimed, but little-seen, television series  "Friday Night Lights" reinvigorated the sports drama, arguably on its way to becoming one of the defining shows of the last 10 years.

Adapted from the non-fiction book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream and the feature film it inspired, the Billy Bob Thornton vehicle "Friday Night Lights," the television series is set in fictional Dillon, Texas. The show opens as Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler, Super 8) begins his tenure as head coach of the Dillon Panthers varsity football team.

When the football team plays under the lights on Friday night, the small town of Dillon essentially shuts down. It is no exaggeration to say that life in this working-class community revolves around the Panthers. For many players on the team, including star quarterback Jason Street (Scott Porter, "Hart of Dixie"), football is a one-way ticket out of Dillon.

Of course, "Friday Night Lights" – or "FNL" as passionate fans affectionately refer to the show – would not be a sports drama if things went according to plan for Coach Taylor's Panthers. This, however, is where "FNL" succeeds, pushing its genre to new heights.

"FNL" is unique for a network drama (the series originally aired on NBC, before being relegated to DirecTV's 101 Network for its last three seasons due to low ratings) since it was shot on location outside of Austin, Texas, never relying on a soundstage, even for scenes set inside the characters' homes.

Scenes were also shot in single takes, with the camera crew trained to focus solely on the actors, no matter what improvisations they might make. Where sitcoms such as "The Office" and "Modern Family" use this documentary-style of shooting to add to a situation's hilarity, in "FNL" it serves to capture the emotional impact of nearly every line.

These stylistic decisions shape the show's portrayal of everyday life in Middle America. It is easy to relate to the characters – there is nothing glamorous about their somewhat mundane problems, but, more importantly, their lives feel real. The writers deserve credit here, because the majority of storylines develop organically, and the characters face actual consequences for their actions.

"Friday Night Lights" also deserves praise for tactfully dealing with complicated issues, including education, drug use, alcoholism, the wars in the Middle East, the floundering economy, abortion and sexual violence. In many shows, incorporating these hot button topics into a plotline may seem preachy or like a cheap ratings ploy. In "FNL," these subjects come across as a realistic progression of events.

In case it has not become clear, "Friday Night Lights" is so much more than a football drama. It is apparent in the bonds between characters, most especially in the relationship between Coach Taylor and his wife, Tami (Connie Britton, A Nightmare on Elm Street). Neglecting to mention their marriage would be a disservice, since it is the heart of the show.

The Taylors have one of the most realistic marriages seen on television, complete with two demanding jobs and an angsty teenaged daughter, Julie (Aimee Teegarden, Scream 4). Unlike other shows on television, with over-the-top drama always threatening a marriage, Eric and Tami deal with regular problems, like figuring out who will be cooking dinner or disciplining their daughter. It may sound ordinary, but once a viewer becomes emotionally invested in the couple, their talks and fights are engrossing. And in a series where characters and story arcs are always changing, it is comforting to have a love as enduring and genuine as Eric and Tami's.