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The Best Episodes of Friday Night Lights

Genre:Drama
Networks:NBCThe 101

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.
Episodes
76
Avg. Rating
8.2
S1
S2
S3
S4
E1
E2
E3
8.4
7.6
8.1
8.5
7.7
7.5
7.8
8.2
7.8
7.7
8.1
8.0

Filter By Season (5)

  • The Son
    9.6/10(1,107)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Always
    9.6/10(1,303)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Underdogs
    9.1/10(600)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Thanksgiving
    9.1/10(596)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Texas Whatever
    9.0/10(528)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • State
    8.9/10(866)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
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  • Tomorrow Blues
    8.9/10(547)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Mud Bowl
    8.8/10(878)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Hello, Goodbye
    8.8/10(582)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Laboring
    8.7/10(482)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Kingdom
    8.7/10(476)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • New York, New York
    8.6/10(519)
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    #12 - 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

    Comments

    0
  • Don't Go
    8.6/10(451)
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    #13 - 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

    Comments

    0
  • The March
    8.6/10(456)
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    #14 - 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

    Comments

    0
  • East of Dillon
    8.5/10(551)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • A Sort of Homecoming
    8.5/10(485)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Pilot
    8.4/10(1,492)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Black Eyes & Broken Hearts
    8.4/10(803)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Leave No One Behind
    8.4/10(565)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Stay
    8.4/10(494)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Perfect Record
    8.4/10(434)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • Gut Check
    8.4/10(431)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • There Goes the Neighborhood
    8.3/10(574)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • The Giving Tree
    8.3/10(468)
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    #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

    Comments

    0
  • A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
    8.3/10(479)
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    #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

    Comments

    0

Best Episodes Summary

"The Son" is the best rated episode of "Friday Night Lights". It scored 9.6/10 based on 1107 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".