A few weeks ago, I wrote about loving Friday Night Lights because all the characters are so nice, normal, and likeable. Now we’re three episodes into Season Two, and I want to slap at least half of them.

In Julie’s case, Tami thoughtfully did it for me last week. Julie seems to be having some sort of 1/6-life-crisis, breaking up with Matt for no good reason, and distancing herself from her parents, who she’s always had a pretty good relationship with. The Julie of Season One would have helped with the new baby. Furthermore, what’s with Tami not asking for the help she needs? I can understand why she doesn’t want to let Eric in on what a hard time she’s having, but she’s not doing her family any favors by trying to stick it out on her own.

I still am disappointed in the over-dramatized storyline with Landry and Tyra. It’s clear that the writers were looking for some sort of catalyst to bring them together, but I wish they’d come up with something a little less soapy. With Julie and Matt broken up, Lyla gone all Jesus-y, and Tim gone all mopey, the show needs at least one good couple. I loved the scene between Tyra and Landry’s dad (24’s Glen Morshower).

I also want to give Smash a good smack. What happened to that talented, decent but occasionally misguided kid who wanted to buy his mom a house and be supportive of his bipolar girlfriend? Come to think of it, what happened to the bipolar girlfriend? Did Waverly just fall of the face of Texas? Is she hospitalized again? If she were around, I don’t think she’d be letting Smash get away with the selfish/cocky act.

Fortunately, it looks like Coach Taylor will be on his way back to Dillon before long. If what we’ve seen this week is any indication, he’s needed both at home and in the stadium. Although it looks from the previews like Buddy Garrity doesn’t nave quite as many strings to pull as he thinks.

Also this week, Riggins and Street will be road tripping to Mexico. This whole “miracle surgery”/Mexican jail business is also a bit soapy for me. It would really be better if this whole trip turns out to consist of more buddy bonding than melodrama.

Although Friday Night Lights isn’t suffering from the same extreme sophomore slump as Heroes, I’m a bit disappointed in Season Two. Here’s hoping that with Eric’s return to Dillon things will be looking up for the characters as well as for the show.

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Amy Kane spends as much quality time with her television as possible, when she's not busy at her day job as a cube dweller.

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