Friday Night Lights

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
8.1
S1
S2
S3
S4
E1
E2
E3
8.4
7.5
8.0
9.0
7.7
8.0
8.0
9.0
7.8
8.0
8.0
9.0

Filter By Season5

  1. 9.7/10(3 votes)

    #1 - Always

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    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. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Hello, Goodbye

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
  3. 9.0/10(1 votes)

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

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    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.

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    Writer:N/A
  4. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - New York, New York

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  5. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - The Giving Tree

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  6. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall

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    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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    Director:N/A
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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Friday Night Lights

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  8. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - Underdogs

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  9. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - Tomorrow Blues

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
  10. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - East of Dillon

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    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."

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    Director:Peter Berg
  11. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - After the Fall

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  12. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - In the Skin of a Lion

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    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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  13. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - A Sort of Homecoming

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
  14. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - The Son

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
  15. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - Stay

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    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.

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    Writer:N/A
  16. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - In the Bag

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  17. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - I Can't

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    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.

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    Writer:N/A
  18. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - Laboring

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    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.

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    Director:Adam Davidson
  19. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - Thanksgiving

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
  20. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - The Right Hand of the Father

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    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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    Director:N/A
  21. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - Keep Looking

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:Peter Berg
  22. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - Kingdom

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    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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  23. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - Perfect Record

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    S5:E7

    Rivalry week stirs up controversy. Vince is caught in the middle between Coach and Ornette. Billy takes Luke under his wing.

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    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:Peter Berg
  24. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #23 - Don't Go

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:Peter Berg
  25. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - Texas Whatever

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    S5:E12

    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.

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    Director:Kyle Chandler
  26. 8.9/10(868 votes)

    #25 - State

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    S1:E22

    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.

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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, "Hello, Goodbye".