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The Best Episodes of Friday Night Lights

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Every episode of Friday Night Lights ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Friday Night Lights!

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.

Seasons5

  1. Background image for Always
    9.7/10(3 votes)

    #1 - Always

    S5:E13

    While the Lions prepare for the state championship game, the Taylors face several decisions that could change their lives forever.

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  2. Background image for Pilot
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #2 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    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
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  3. Background image for Homecoming
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - Homecoming

    S1:E7

    As the Panthers get ready to face the dominating Laribee Lions, the 2000 State Champ quarterback, Lucas Mize is set to join the team.Smash catches his chance to convince a college scout of his talents. A focused Tim quits drinking. Jason's suspicions of Lyla and Tim's affair grow. Tyra and Billy set up an after game homecoming party.

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  4. Background image for Hello, Goodbye
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - Hello, Goodbye

    S3:E4

    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:Unknown
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  5. Background image for It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy

    S3:E6

    Coach is furious with Tim and the team for a freshman hazing. J.D. wins the respect of the town and team. A late night swim at the lake turns into more for Julie and Matt. Tyra is shocked when a woman shows up claiming Cash owes her child support.

    Writer:Unknown
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  6. Background image for New York, New York
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - New York, New York

    S3:E8

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Friday Night Lights

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  8. Background image for The Giving Tree
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - The Giving Tree

    S3:E10

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  9. Background image for A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall

    S3:E11

    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.

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  10. Background image for Underdogs
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - Underdogs

    S3:E12

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  11. Background image for Tomorrow Blues
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - Tomorrow Blues

    S3:E13

    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:Unknown
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  12. Background image for East of Dillon
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - East of Dillon

    S4:E1

    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
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  13. Background image for After the Fall
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - After the Fall

    S4:E2

    A controversy at West Dillon puts star player Luke Cafferty on the Lions' roster. Elsewhere, Coach tries to reenergize his demoralized team and Tami takes an unpopular stand. Meanwhile, Matt meets an uncouth local artist and Tim finds a new living situation in an unexpected place.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  14. Background image for In the Skin of a Lion
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - In the Skin of a Lion

    S4:E3

    Coach betrays Tami's trust over a financial decision. tensions between Vince and Luke threaten the team's chances on the field. Tim helps Coach condition his players. Julie doesn't want to go to church.

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  15. Background image for A Sort of Homecoming
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - A Sort of Homecoming

    S4:E4

    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:Unknown
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  16. Background image for The Son
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - The Son

    S4:E5

    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:Unknown
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  17. Background image for Stay
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Stay

    S4:E6

    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.

    Writer:Unknown
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  18. Background image for In the Bag
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - In the Bag

    S4:E7

    Despite some doubt, Coach makes Vince quarterback. Tami struggles to comfort Julie who's grieving over Matt's sudden departure. Tim has a confrontation with Becky's dad. Luke is badly injured. Landry makes a play for Jess.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  19. Background image for I Can't
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - I Can't

    S4:E10

    Riggins puts Tami in a tough spot; Julie asks a friend to dinner; Vince’s mom has a health crisis; Luke’s parents look for ways to help him; and Eric is urged to change his coaching style.

    Writer:Unknown
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  20. Background image for Laboring
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - Laboring

    S4:E12

    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
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  21. Background image for Thanksgiving
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - Thanksgiving

    S4:E13

    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:Unknown
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  22. Background image for The Right Hand of the Father
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - The Right Hand of the Father

    S5:E3

    Someone from Vince's past resurfaces. Julie connects with a faculty member. Eric tries to instill discipline in the team. Buddy is troubled after learning something about his son.

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  23. Background image for Keep Looking
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - Keep Looking

    S5:E4

    Coach is forced to play mediator as tensions erupt in the locker room. Luke gets recruited. Buddy deals with the trials and tribulations of fatherhood. Tami deals with a troubled student. The Lions welcome a new player.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Peter Berg
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  24. Background image for Kingdom
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #23 - Kingdom

    S5:E5

    Coach discusses recruitment regulations. The Lions take a road trip. East Dillon's four stars make a pact. Julie's relationship becomes more complicated.

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  25. Background image for Perfect Record
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - Perfect Record

    S5:E7

    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
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  26. Background image for Don't Go
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - Don't Go

    S5:E10

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Peter Berg
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Best Episodes Summary

"Always" is the best rated episode of "Friday Night Lights". It scored 9.7/10 based on 3 votes. Directed by Michael Waxman and written by Jason Katims, it aired on 2/9/2011. This episode scored 0.7 points higher than the second highest rated, "Pilot".