9.6/101,086 votesLoading...#1 - The Son
Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 12/2/2009
Julie, Landry, Coach, and Tami rally around Matt in a time of crisis; Vince endangers his rising star as a football player by engaging in criminal activity in order to support his family; Becky and Tim grow closer.
Director: N/A
Writer: Rolin Jones
9.6/101,281 votesLoading...#2 - Always
Season 5 Episode 13 - Aired 2/9/2011
While the Lions prepare for the state championship game, the Taylors face several decisions that could change their lives forever.
Director: Michael Waxman
Writer: Jason Katims
9.1/10588 votesLoading...#3 - Underdogs
Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 1/7/2009
J.D.'s dad has to deal with child protective services after his fight with J.D. Tyra realizes that life isn't fair and that she needs to do whatever is necessary to get in to college. Matt and Tim prepare for the last game of their high school career: The Texas State Championship.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
9.1/10585 votesLoading...#4 - Thanksgiving
Season 4 Episode 13 - Aired 2/10/2010
The Taylors host Thanksgiving dinner; Coach tells Vince he has to be more selfish; Tami must make an apology; Julie and Landry are surprised by a visitor from their past; Tim makes a difficult decision; East Dillon rallies around the Lions.
Director: N/A
Writer: Jason Katims
9.0/10518 votesLoading...#5 - Texas Whatever
Season 5 Episode 12 - Aired 2/2/2011
Coach Taylor is offered a deal he can’t refuse; Tim assesses his future plans when an old flame returns to Dillon; The fate of East Dillon’s football program is decided.
Director: Kyle Chandler
Writer: Kerry Ehrin
8.9/10851 votesLoading...#6 - State
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 4/11/2007
The rumors about Coach Taylor leaving the team at the end of the season get a boost when an inside source decides to speak up. Meanwhile, the Panthers are preparing themselves for the state championship.
Director: N/A
Writer: Jason Katims, Patrick Massett, John Zinman
8.9/10538 votesLoading...#7 - Tomorrow Blues
Season 3 Episode 13 - Aired 1/14/2009
Five months later, Coach Taylor's contract is up for review on Billy and Mindy's wedding day. Tyra grows anxious about her waitlist status. Matt leaves Grandma Saracen and Julie behind to attend college. Tim and Lyla question their future together.
Director: N/A
Writer: Jason Katims
8.8/10865 votesLoading...#8 - Mud Bowl
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 3/28/2007
An chemical spill near Dillon High School forces Coach Taylor and the Panthers to seek another facility in which to play the crucial State Semi-Final game.
Director: N/A
Writer: David Hudgins
8.8/10568 votesLoading...#9 - Hello, Goodbye
Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 10/22/2008
Tami embarrasses herself with the superintendent. Tyra breaks with Landry to take up with Cash, the new bad boy in town. Julie advises Matt who is upset with his mother who has come to help with grandma. Smash has an emotional goodbye with Coach.
Director: N/A
Writer: David Hudgins
8.7/10471 votesLoading...#10 - Laboring
Season 4 Episode 12 - Aired 2/3/2010
Tensions in town run high as the Panthers/Lions game approaches; Coach tells Luke he won't be playing; Tami attempts to placate her detractors; developments both good and bad shake up the Riggins boys; Vince teams up with Kennard to seek revenge.
Director: Adam Davidson
Writer: Rolin Jones
8.7/10466 votesLoading...#11 - Kingdom
Season 5 Episode 5 - Aired 12/1/2010
Coach discusses recruitment regulations. The Lions take a road trip. East Dillon's four stars make a pact. Julie's relationship becomes more complicated.
Director: Patrick R. Norris
Writer: Peter Berg
8.6/10442 votesLoading...#12 - Don't Go
Season 5 Episode 10 - Aired 1/19/2011
An elite college football program attempts to lure Coach away from East Dillon. Vince vows to earn his spot back. Friends and family speak at Tim's parole hearing. East Dillon holds a Fall Sports Banquet.
Director: N/A
Writer: Peter Berg
8.6/10447 votesLoading...#13 - The March
Season 5 Episode 11 - Aired 1/26/2011
Coach Taylor feels threatened as East Dillon faces serious budget cuts; Tami is flown to Pennsylvania for the opportunity of a lifetime; The Lions begin their quest for state; Vince becomes the man of the house again.
Director: Jason Katims
Writer: Peter Berg
8.5/10508 votesLoading...#14 - New York, New York
Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 11/19/2008
Tim is worried when Jason talks about leaving Dillon. Money troubles cause a riff between Tami and Eric. Tyra leans on Cash when things get tough, while Julie talks to her dad about Matt's idea.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.5/10541 votesLoading...#15 - East of Dillon
Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 10/28/2009
Coach Taylor wonders how low his fortunes can sink as he struggles to pull the East Dillon Lions together while Tami navigates the new politics at West Dillon. Meanwhile, Matt gets a taste of life as a townie and Tim is inspired by a college lecture on "the hero's journey."
Director: Peter Berg
Writer: Jason Katims
8.5/10475 votesLoading...#16 - A Sort of Homecoming
Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 11/18/2009
Homecoming at the newly-reopened school prompts Coach to investigate East Dillon's history. Tami feels the wrath of the boosters. Landry and Vince both like Jess. Julie accompanies Devin to a gay bar. Matt and Tim go hunting.
Director: N/A
Writer: Etan Frankel
8.4/101,473 votesLoading...#17 - Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/3/2006
A newcomer coach Eric Taylor finds himself helming a promising high school football team, the Dillon Panthers, that has a real chance to make it to the top.
Director: Peter Berg
Writer: Peter Berg
8.4/10791 votesLoading...#18 - Black Eyes & Broken Hearts
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 2/14/2007
Due to racial comments from Coach Mac, the black players on the team refuse to play unless he is sacked.Julie is sucked deeper into the vortex as her friendship with Tyra develops. Matt tries to win Julie back.
Director: N/A
Writer: Patrick Massett, John Zinman
8.4/10554 votesLoading...#19 - Leave No One Behind
Season 2 Episode 14 - Aired 2/1/2008
Matt Saracen reaches at his lowest point. Meanwhile, Tami Taylor’s relationship continues to blossom with Tyra. Julie becomes envious. Landry has an admirer. Elsewhere, Smash seeks advice from Coach Taylor.
Director: Dean White
Writer: N/A
8.4/10484 votesLoading...#20 - Stay
Season 4 Episode 6 - Aired 12/9/2009
Coach searches for a strategy to shut down their toughest opponent yet. Tim reconnects with Lyla. Vince discovers he has a gift for car theft. Julie and Matt attend a concert in Austin and reach a critical juncture in their relationship.
Director: Patrick R. Norris
Writer: N/A
8.4/10425 votesLoading...#21 - Perfect Record
Season 5 Episode 7 - Aired 12/15/2010
Rivalry week stirs up controversy. Vince is caught in the middle between Coach and Ornette. Billy takes Luke under his wing.
Director: Adam Davidson
Writer: Peter Berg
8.4/10422 votesLoading...#22 - Gut Check
Season 5 Episode 9 - Aired 1/12/2011
Coach threatens to suspend Vince. Luke faces pressure. Billy learns some surprising news from Mindy. Becky starts a surprising new job.
Director: Chris Eyre
Writer: Peter Berg
8.3/10565 votesLoading...#23 - There Goes the Neighborhood
Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 1/4/2008
Dillon County is hit by a tornado with Laribee High School affected by the damage forcing both rivals to share Dillon's resources. Julie and Tami adjust to Tim Riggins' living in their house, and tension builds between Landry and Tyra.
Director: N/A
Writer: David Hudgins
8.3/10457 votesLoading...#24 - The Giving Tree
Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 12/10/2008
It becomes clear JD has no interest in his father's advice regarding Madison. Lyla turns to Riggins when Buddy reveals a secret. Coach is emotionally challenged both on and off the field. Tyra has a plan to repair her relationship with Landry.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.3/10469 votesLoading...#25 - A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 12/17/2008
Tyra is desperate and once again turns to Landry. Coach and Tami learn of a change that could dismantle the Panthers team. Tim sees another side of Lyla. Matt flips out when Grandma suffers an accident. Tensions escalate between JD and Joe.
Director: N/A
Writer: Patrick Massett, John Zinman
The Best Episodes of Friday Night Lights
Every episode of Friday Night Lights ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Friday Night Lights!
The trials and triumphs of life in the small town of Dillon, Texas, where high school football is everything.
Genre:Drama
Best Episodes Summary
"The Son" is the best rated episode of "Friday Night Lights". It scored 9.6/10 based on 1086 votes. Directed by N/A and written by Rolin Jones, it aired on 12/2/2009. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Always".