This season of Friday Night Lights has been tough to judge. On the one hand, I’m such a huge fan that it’s almost impossible for me to dislike an episode. I mean, I didn’t even get that angry over the whole Landry-kills-a-dude thing back in the day. But this season has focused a lot more on new characters than the fourth season did, and I’m missing my old favorites.

Last season, the transition was easy. We still had Tim Riggins, which counts for a lot. We had Julie and Landry, and Matt some of the time. They eased the shock of having so many new characters. And I like some of those characters. Becky is my Tyra 2.0, and I really enjoy her storylines. But without my old favorites to tie things all together, I’m finding it a little more difficult to give a crap about Luke or Jess or Vince. 

First of all, Julie needs to talk to her parents more. Her college storyline just feels disjointed. I’d love to see her go to her mom for advice on the affair she’s having with her married TA. Second of all, I’d like to see Coach or Mrs. Coach get more involved in Vince’s life. The kid has a lot on his plate. His ex-con dad is back in the picture, he’s got a problem with Jess working as the equipment manager and he’s got a chance to go to college if he doesn’t screw it up. Someone needs to talk to him about all that, be it Eric or Tami or Billy Riggins. Whoever. 

OK, I do like the storyline about Becky living with Mindy and Billy. Mindy has finally become a compassionate character, and since Becky is so much like Tyra, I can actually understand why Mindy is warming up to her. I just wish they’d show more of Tim. I mean, one shot of a photo of him in his football gear? Come on! Tell me how he’s doing in jail! Let Becky go visit him or something!

I also like Buddy’s storyline. I’ve never been able to decide how I feel about Buddy, but now that he’s down and out it’s a lot easier to like him. He’s trying. And how he’s got this loser kid to deal with (come on, you know the kid sucks) and it’s becoming very interesting. Will Buddy Jr. be a success on the football field? 

I like how Jess has been dealing with her new job as equipment manager, and I especially like seeing Eric having to cope with the relationship drama that came with it. My only problem is that I don’t feel much of a spark between Vince and Jess. I like them both, I just don’t like them together. What do you think? Are they meant to be or should they break up?

I’m still not feeling this whole Epyck thing. Yes, that’s how her name is spelled. And yes, Coach was right – it sounds like something someone made up while drunk. I do like watching Tami struggle to keep the homework club going and keep her spirits up as funds get cut. Tami has always been one of my favorite characters, and her presence is one of the things that grounds the show while it’s focusing on all these new characters. 

Although this wasn’t my favorite episode and I’m still struggling to care about some of the new characters, I have high hopes for the season. Vince’s relationship with his parents is complex and interesting, and I’m really into Becky’s plot. I also have high hopes for some appearances from beloved past characters later in the season, so I’m certainly not giving up on FNL. A decent episode of Friday Night Lights is still better than the best episode of a lot of other shows. How have you been feeling about this season so far?