Don't Go (Friday Night Lights)
Eric considers a Florida offer; Tim awaits parole.
"Don't Go" marks the tenth episode of Friday Night Lights' fifth season, penned by co-executive producer Bridget Carpenter and helmed by producer Michael Waxman. It debuted on DirecTV's 101 Network on January 19, 2011, later airing on NBC on June 24, 2011. In this installment, the Lions try to keep Coach Taylor from leaving for Florida, Tim gears up for a parole hearing, and Vince works to regain Eric's trust. The episode earned critical praise for its direction, writing, and acting.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Friday Night Lights
- Released
- 19 January 2011 (DirecTV); 24 June 2011 (NBC)
- Length
- 43 minutes
- Director
- Michael Waxman
- Writer
- Bridget Carpenter
- Photographer
- Todd McMullen
- Editor
- Stephen Michael
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Eric meets with a Shane State representative, who makes him an offer after the staff was impressed with his leadership with the Lions. Billy learns that Tim is eligible for parole and that he can get people to testify on his behalf. Luke tells Becky that he did not receive any scholarship, so he must plan a different future; Becky consoles him and says she has his back. Luke then seeks advice from Tami, who reassures him there are plenty of opportunities. Vince and Ornette are informed that Oklahoma Tech passed on Vince, angering Ornette. Vince realizes his selfishness has cost him opportunities and decides to make amends with Eric, hoping to earn back his trust. Ornette wants to meet with potential colleges, but Vince asks him to leave it aside; when Ornette continues pushing, Vince admonishes him while Vince's mother asks Ornette to think about his son, causing Ornette to storm off. Tami leaves for a conference at Lubbock, hoping to get more people to apply for college studies. Discovering that Shane State has approached Eric, Buddy starts planning a way to persuade him to stay. Buddy convinces the principal to arrange the Fall Sports Banquet as a tribute to Eric, asking players to speak kindly of him. Vince is unsure if he can speak at the event, feeling he has not earned Eric's trust. Eric, Billy, and Buddy attend Tim's parole hearing, where Billy struggles with his statement. Eric and Buddy speak fondly of Tim, deeming him a good person who deserves another chance. Eric has a small talk with Tim before he is taken back to prison, with the verdict pending. The following day, Tim is paroled and returns home with Billy, Mindy, and Becky.
Reception
In its original American broadcast on NBC, "Don't Go" was seen by an estimated 2.82 million household viewers with a 0.8/3 in the 18–49 demographics, meaning 0.8 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode and 3 percent of all those watching television at the time of the broadcast watched it. This was a 9% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by an estimated 3.07 million household viewers with a 0.9/4 in the 18–49 demographics. The episode received critical acclaim. Keith Phipps of The A.V. Club gave the episode an "A" grade and wrote that the episode leaves viewers to wonder about the future as the final season nears its end, expressing confidence that the winding down will live up to what has come before. Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote that if this is what the show does with three more episodes to go, he is not sure he can handle what else the writers have up their sleeves. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly wrote that Coach may have decided to resist the Florida house and the pool, but viewers do not want Friday Night Lights itself to go, and that knowing it has to end leaves one more nervous about the future of quality TV on Friday nights than Billy Riggins at a parole hearing. Andy Greenwald of Vulture wrote that the town has become the star of the show and that it is a tribute to the writers, cast, and crew that a fictional place seems so fixed and real, and that much of the episode seemed concerned with a future viewers will never see but that is comforting to imagine. Jen Chaney of The Washington Post wrote that the home stretch means it is time for plotlines to tug at heart strings and make loyal viewers emotional as they prepare for the end. Leigh Raines of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4 star out of 5 rating and wrote that with the final season in its home stretch, every episode gets her misty eyed, and that adding Tim Riggins' parole hearing made her tear ducts a lost cause. Television Without Pity wrote that they would not end their recap by pointing out that they find the way the decision got made rather irritating, as if Tami Taylor waits around for her husband to make choices so that she can just accept them, and then ended with exclamations about Coach Taylor and Tami Taylor.
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