The Night the Lights Went Out in Texas
By Keith Cronin | December 13, 2011 |
Late at night is when the pain is the worst. The aching void. The silence. The knowledge that what once was is now gone.
Forever.
It’s not like we didn’t know it was going to happen. This was a love affair that we knew would end. We both knew this going in, but I don’t think we realized how deeply we could fall in love in such a short time. So we underestimated the emotional risk, and let ourselves be carried away by the sheer momentum of our growing passion.
Sometimes we’d go at it for three or four hours at a time. Knowing how tired we would be the next day from lack of sleep. Knowing that each hour that we surrendered ourselves to our hunger was bringing us one hour closer to this love affair’s inevitable ending.
We weren’t always in synch. Sometimes I’d want to wait, to hold back, to try to stretch our time together. To savor the moment, and make it last. But her needs were more urgent, and I could not help but succumb to her desires. As we neared the end, her appetite became insatiable, prompting marathon sessions in that darkened room, stopping only when neither of us could keep our eyes open.
And that’s how my fiancée and I burned through all five seasons of Friday Night Lights in just two months.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Not since The West Wing have I been so captivated by a TV series. Okay, let’s call a spade a spade – I wasn’t captivated; I was freaking addicted. And now I’m in withdrawal – hell, we both are.
So what does this have to do with writing?
Everything.
I had heard about Friday Night Lights through some rave reviews from several writers I really respect, but I resisted watching it for a long time. After all, it’s a show about high school football. To me that was a recipe for changing the channel.
For one thing, I hate sports. Seriously. I am missing whatever chromosome makes a man care about sports, but it goes beyond that. Over the years my distaste for the exaggerated emphasis that society places on professional athletes has led me to go beyond not caring about sports, to the point where I flat-out dislike them. Oh, and I also hated high school. I couldn’t wait for that awful part of my life to be over, and I have never attended a reunion or felt at all “defined” by my high school experience.
So here’s a show that is ostensibly about not one but two things I actively dislike. Yet I fell in love with Friday Night Lights, within the first couple of episodes.
That’s good writing. So let’s take a deeper look.
If you’ve read Donald Maass’s books or attended one of his mind-blowing workshops, you’ll find the writing in FNL (that’s what all the hip people call Friday Night Lights) seems to follow many of his guiding principles: There’s conflict on every page (or, as the case may be, in every shot and scene); there’s serious microtension, as the day-to-day struggles of everyday life coincide with and/or amplify the Much Bigger Conflict that is at the heart of every FNL episode.
The show explores large, extremely powerful themes like racism, monogamy, poverty, premarital sex, alcohol and drug abuse, obsession with sports and the moral and financial corruption it can generate, family dysfunction (in a big way), and more – you name it, and FNL’s got it.
And the stakes are always high, and the good guy (or girl) doesn’t always win. (In fact, he or she almost never does.) FNL is a show that’s more than willing to ask the question “What’s the worst that could happen?” – and then promptly show us the answer, while we cringe, clench our fists, or choke back the tears.
But it really comes down to the people. (I look at the sentence I just typed, and realize I instinctively chose the right word with “people.” It’s hard for me to even refer to them as mere “characters” – that’s how real they’ve become to me.)
And again, those characters – those people – are developed in a way that aligns with many of the methodologies that Donald advocates. The ostensibly “good” characters – the heroes – have flaws. They make bad decisions. They give in to temptation. They do things that make us shake our heads and groan, “what are you thinking?” Yet their actions are entirely believable. And the “bad” characters? They carry in them the hint of something heroic, a potential to be much better people than they currently are. They make us root for them, hoping they’ll dare to reach higher, dig deeper, and realize that they do have the opportunity to change. But the majority of the characters are not painted as simply being good or bad. They are a mixture of both. Just like real people.
Brief reality check: the fact that some of the actors playing these characters are absolutely smokin’ hot probably doesn’t hurt. But that’s really the show’s only major concession to Hollywood values, and to be fair, some of its main characters are also not smokin’ hot. But as for the ones who are – well, what can I say? FNL is not a show that’s hard on the eyes.
You could argue that FNL resonates so powerfully because it’s about something true and well-documented: the astonishing level of importance many Texans place on high school football. But ask any fan of the show, or watch any interviews with the cast and crew, and they’ll tell you the same thing: this show is NOT about football. Even the show’s creator Peter Berg has gone on record saying that the football component of the show is the least interesting part to him. And FNL is not just a “teen” show about high school, because the problems these characters face go far beyond the scope of mere teen melodrama, and involve multiple generations of people driven by goals, problems and desires that collide more often than they align.
It’s not about football. It’s not about high school. It’s a show about people, whose trials and tribulations somehow start to matter to us, despite the fact that these people are fictional characters. To be sure, the acting and the innovative camera work do a lot to help make this happen. But it still comes back to the writing. Peter Berg and his team of writers have fleshed out a group of people who seem incredibly real, as do the challenges they face, and the stories that spring from their intertwined lives.
And now that they’re gone, I miss those people terribly. Damn, that’s good writing.
How about you? Is anybody else grieving over the demise of FNL? What are some other books (or TV shows or film series) that have left you feeling an actual void upon finishing them? I ask this hoping that I’m not the only one who sits at home, staring at a darkened TV screen, pining for a chance to tip a beer with Tim Riggins and hear him wistfully say, “Texas forever.”
Photo courtesy Flickr’s orangeacid
Author of the novels Me Again (originally published by Five Star/Gale), and Tony Partly Cloudy (published under his pen name Nick Rollins), Keith Cronin (he/him) is a corporate speechwriter and professional rock drummer who has performed and recorded with artists including Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, and Pat Travers. Keith’s fiction has appeared in Carve Magazine, Amarillo Bay, The Scruffy Dog Review, Zinos, and a University of Phoenix management course. A native of South Florida, Keith spends his free time serenading local ducks and alligators with his ukulele.
I relate. Part of the initial bonding my wife and I found during the getting-to-know-you phase of our courtship was our ‘West Wing’ fascination. We lived far enough apart that we could not be together every night but Wednesday was West Wing night. Since it was mostly an INT, talking heads drama, it was definitely the writing and character development that snared us. And, yes, we grieved when Jimmy Schmidts was inaugurated and Allison Janney cleaned out her office. You’ll have to excuse me now. I seem to have something in my eye….
A) FINE. You’ve convinced me at long last. I need to watch this show.
B) YOU need to check out Battlestar Galactica next (the new version, not the 70s one). Everything you wrote up there? Ditto BSG. (Just take out references to football and Texas and put in survival and outer space.)
I watched a few seasons of BSG, and I agree, it’s terrific. I tend to only watch TV late at night, and the violence, brutality and overall grimness of the situation got to be a bit much – not exactly the stuff that promotes sweet dreams. ;)
And I got sick of that British guy – the doctor? – having absolutely zero morality or backbone. I wanted him to either have a comeuppance or have some transformation, and it never seemed to happen. But maybe I bailed out too early…
I’ve heard nothing but raves about this show from fellow writers. I’ve resisted watching because I haven’t had the time to get sucked in, BUT I’m nearly finished with my revisions so maybe this will make it onto my fun list.
Have to ask: Did you watch LOST?
Therese, I watched about 4 seasons of LOST, and was very caught up in it. But as the show shifted from its original mystery/adventure/supernatural vibe to focus more on one group of people manipulating and controlling another group, I got turned off by the darkness and inhumanity. But I’m still curious, and need to watch the remainder of the series.
Yeah, there were periods when the writers veered away from what made LOST great, but ultimately–at least imo–they rectified that. I thought the show was stuffed with writerly lessons, and wrote about it here last year.
For me, it was The Wire. If you can look beyond the violence of the show (and boy howdy, is there violence!) the characters and the writing are BRILLLLLLLLLIANT.
I’d be sitting on the couch with my husband, yelling at the Good Guys and feeling heartbroken for the Bad Guys. That’s good writing, when I can feel heartbroken for a drug dealing, murdering gangster who’s just shot up a convenience store.
After we slurped up the entire series, my husband and I found there was nothing to do, no reason to live. In the evenings, we sat around and just stared at each other, so despondent. UNTIL WE FOUND A NEW LOVER. Lovers, actually. Mad Men and The Tudors. Both shows were good rebound relationships.
Another FAB post, Keith!
Keith, thanks for this post. I couldn’t agree more. I loved FNL. It was the most realistic show on TV, along with The Office. You felt as though you knew these people. And I like your use of people as opposed to characters. Brilliant post, Keith.
Great article…made me delve into SNL on Netflix. I’m new to the commitment of writing and need all the help I can get! Thanks for the lead on SNL. My husband and I got hooked on Prison Break for a while. I’m gonna introduce him to SNL tonight!
Okay, my wife and I both love football, but hate the glitz, overpaid athletes, and the overemphasis on winning that comes with it. I was leary because I feared (based on the movie of the same name) that the show would glorify what I disliked about football. We watched right out of the gate, found what you did: the show is NOT about football, and did as you did: fell in love… and became addicted!
Also a Lost fan (stayed with it even when it changed gears), and BSG. But I will miss FNL most of all. Such great lessons there for us as writers. Thanks for sharing the FNL love on the WU stage, Keith!
You’ve convinced me enough that a set of the first season may find its way under the tree this year.
I feel that way about almost every series Joss Whedon has ever written, particularly the Firefly series. The writing, the characters, the dialogue — it is a series that ended far before its time.
Ah, so glad you brought up Joss Whedon! I feel the same, particularly about Firefly. I’d LOVE to see that show come back!
I’m so glad you mentioned Firefly.
A friend loaned me his Firefly DVDs a few years ago. I put the first disc on and went almost non-stop. It has all the Maass elements–conflict, big issues, etc.–plus great wit. I’m watching the whole series again for the 3rd time.
Oh, and has anyone watched ‘Luther?’ on BBC America. Creepy and violent, but the lead is great.
Oh, how I miss Friday Night Lights. :( I still think about those characters on a daily basis. IA about how real they are (see how easily I slip into the present tense with them?). It might be time for a re-viewing soon.
Other shows that hooked me hard were the Sopranos and The Wire, although both lost me a bit in later seasons because of the overwhelming darkness.
Great post. Texas forever.
I don’t watch too many dramas. I prefer comedies. I’m completely hooked on Modern Family, Last Man Standing, and Man Up. I have my fingers crossed that the writing stays good and they remain on air for a long, long time.
Being a Texan and with roots in Odessa (whose PHS obsessive cuture was the basis for FNL) – I admit I’ve avoided it. Like you, I HATE football. But now you’ve made me wonder… so I might have to update my netflix list. Side note – as sad as I was to see Firefly go (I own the series :)), it has obtained a fantastic and devoted following because of it’s premature exit. I miss it, yes, but there is a certain sweetness to it being preserved while it was still an awesome show unlike one that lingers far too long (like LOST.). That being said, :), I would so watch every second of it if it came back! LOL!
I’m not a football fan, so I avoided this show. You’ve given me a reason to take a look and hope I’m not addicted to it.
Great post! I haven’t watched Friday Night Lights, but it seems it probably encapsulates the Vonnegut-ism, “Make every character want something, even if it’s just a glass of water”, but on a bigger scale, because every scene pushes the story forward instead of just padding it. That’s what’s needed to keep a story going and readers hooked.
I see that Battlestar Galactica was mentioned, but I’ll second it. That show was not just about robots or space wars. It was about that, but more importantly, the characters on each side, and life as a whole, from the mundane things to the university-shattering ones. I felt OK that it ended where it did, though. Firefly was doing that as well, before its untimely demise, and Lost was a huge part of my life for that reason, too, so much so that I blogged about it and writing, too, when it went off the air. (Ugh, you can tell I don’t watch much TV, since I keep listing the expected shows.)
The Good Wife is superbly and intelligently written. You’ve got to pay attention though because it moves really fast. The characters are easy to bond with. Hubby and I also like Brothers & Sisters. We’re watching it on Netflix. It has many of the same elements you describe–characters that you fall in love with despite their flaws. Never did watch FNL though. Sounds like it was a great show.
Grace, I’m glad you said that. Just today I ran into a mention of The Good Wife, in one of those Amazon “if you liked this, you might like THAT” campaigns, and I saw the huge number of positive ratings the show has accumulated. I’m definitley putting that in my Netflix queue – thanks!
Oh I’m glad to hear you’re interested in The Good Wife. I’ll be interested to hear your take on it.
Glad someone mentioned Modern Family. They have some great writing, though some of the plotlines are not as good as others.
I really miss Mad Men. When I saw the first show I hated it. It almost made me ill to watch it. But i got hooked and the reason is just as you describe, Keith. The characters are real people. Despite bad behavior…you just know Don Draper could be great if his better qualities won out. Since i started watching Mad Men i analyzed it to figure out how it pulled me in. I get so mad and swear I wouldn’t watch the next episode, but there I’d be.
My name is Julie, and I’m a FNL-aholic.
Was so sad to see the end, but it was also perfect timing and I think it might have not gone out in a blaze of glory–it might have fizzled, instead.
My husband and I LOVED season one of Justified. You should check this one out. Similar in ways and so, so different in others. Characters make the show. We haven’t been quite as sold on season 2, and are watching it slowly as a result, but not ready to give up on it. But s1 was amazing.
My 15 yo daughter is a ginormous fan of FNL. GI-NORMOUS. I’m a Mad Men nut, I’ve never watched a show with such incredible storytelling. We’re also hooked on Hell On Wheels, the new post Civil War drama on AMC. I agree, it’s the characters that keep you coming back for more. Thank god for Netflix and Hulu, right?
Oh, Keith…I got goosebumps when I read “Texas Forever” at the end of this post.
I don’t think I’ve EVER been as affected by a show as I was by FNL. And I know that sounds crazy to people who’ve never watched it…until they watch it.
This, coming from a big TV fan girl. I have tons of favorite shows I’ve become addicted to over the years (Buffy, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Modern Family come to mind), but I’ve never experienced such an emotional attachment as I did when I watched FNL (like you, I went through all the season on NetFlix in about 2 months). And for anyone who knows me, saying that I was more attached to a show than I was to Buffy…well, that’s saying a lot.
When it ended I was truly sad, and I still think about the people we got to know sometimes, much in the same way a good book will linger with you for years. Whoever says there’s nothing good on TV, or that TV is a waste of time, needs to experience storytelling like that on FNL.
Nip/Tuck. Anytime I HATE HATE HATE a character (Christian) but find myself hoping things work out for him anyway, I know that’s got to be good writing! I miss you, my deliciously corrupt doctors!
Wow. I want you to write a blurb for my book! (First I need to finish it, publish it and get you interested in Middle Grade fiction.)
Anyway, you made me absolutely committed to check this out. Magical review. Thanks.
Claudine
It took me a little longer than two months, but only because I burned through the first three seasons in two WEEKS and had to wait for the rest. I. Love. This. Show. Insane. And not only for Tim Riggins (but if there’s a better example of a bad boy trying to make good, I’ve never seen him) but for every single person I fell in love with along the way.
There’s nothing I can say to add anything to your tribute, so I’ll leave it at that.
I still miss everybody. Wish I could just drop into Dillon for a day or two and hang out.
PS I am currently snared by Felicity. Three season in. Netflix addicted. It’s also great characters, but a lot more soapish. I think I’m interested because of the setting and the main character.
And, well, Ben. Lots of depth.
First of all, I’m a native Texan. I enjoy football … but I don’t obsess over it. I’ve yet to attend my daughter’s high school team’s football games.
Second, gotta love DVD rentals. Where else can you zip through a show in a couple of months? Exactly what I’m doing with “House,” which has spectacular writing, conflicts, everything described here. I’m on the last season (before the current one, and supposedly last one) and I’m already having withdrawal symptoms. Been slowing down my watching of the final season on DVD.
Third, Keith — great opening. I thought I walked into an R-rated scene! Clever. I’m stealing that. Well, maybe. I could never pull it off like you did.
I don’t have much to add to the other comments, but I too am a serious FNL addict. I have never been so moved or in love with any TV show. The Wire and The Sopranos were fantastic, but Friday Night Lights was just so special that the last episode made me cry. Not because it was sappy, but because it was over. Season one was by far the best though. It is so tightly pulled together that it can be watched as a really long mini-series.
I’m going to have to check out the West Wing after reading all these comments.
Darn you, Keith. I just got sucked into a Netflix addiction to Friday Night Lights. Great characters. You were right.
That show is absolutely amazing! I was so sad when I went through the whole series in like a month. I am going to give it a couple months of a break and then watch it again.
[…] we get started, though, I want to point you to another excellent blog post, titled The Night the Lights Went Out in Texas, by Keith Cronin, on Writer Unboxed. This paragraph sums up so much about the enterprise of […]