Ryan D - Week One
Last Chance U (season one)
available on Netflix
When Ryan sent me his assignment he told me to choose from a list of some of his recent favorite shows and movies. I had seen most of the list but there were two shows, in particular, that caught my eye. The first was Godless, a western series created by one of my favorite screenwriters and something I had been looking forward to for sometime. The second was a tv show called Last Chance U.
To call this a tv show would be an insult. At first I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Based solely on the photograph of a college football player I figured I was in for a Friday Night Lights situation. You know, a fictional town with a fictional team and a spirited coach who was hated and adored and of course, players with chips on their shoulders. Turns out I was half right. But this ain't fiction...
For starters, I had no idea that Junior Colleges had football teams let alone good ones. I am not a college football enthusiast by any stretch. My college football experience begins and ends with Vince Young at UT and every year I'll catch the national championship game but that's about it. This shouldn't be something that appeals to me...
But, good lord, it does.
I'm going to try and not spoil this one for a few a reasons: The first is, anybody reading this should really watch this show. It is a roller coaster of emotions and you have no idea what's around the corner. The second reason is, these are just beginnings of larger stories that need to be seen and followed. Every episode is as compelling and interesting as an entire film. Almost every episode sets up to a big game and then you get to see the highlights of the game and they are shot beautifully. Every direction the filmmakers go seems to be the right choice. Every overheard conversation actually moves the story forward. Every character has an arc.
The story takes place in Mississippi at the EMCC (East Mississippi Community College), a school that dominates the JUCO football league by recruiting great players from division I schools who have either failed out or had behavior issues. It's a brilliant tactic and one that I'm surprised more JUCO schools don't adhere to. Especially considering how dominate EMCC has become over the years.
And even though our first meeting with the coach and the team's track record makes it appear as if they have a well-oiled machine, when we get a peek behind the curtain we get to see the wizard... and it's not pretty.
Let's start with Buddy Stephens...
Buddy is probably the most cliched character in the story as he's a successful coach with a temper who will not hesitate to tell you to your face why you suck. He doesn't seem to care much for the athlete's well-being as much as winning (although there are some cracks in the facade when he's faced with decisions). The only likable thing about him is the fact that he's a father to three intelligent young women who seem to love him regardless of his flaws. But the man does know how to win. And he's a huge hypocrite. You'll have to watch to get that last part.
On the flip side of Buddy is this amazing human being...
Oops. This makes her look like a cheerleader...
That's more like it. Meet Brittany Wagner, EMCC's academic advisor. As you can see she's GORGEOUS but that's nothing compared to her compassion for these kids. She genuinely gets involved in every single player's life, inside and outside the classroom. It's not giving anything away to say that most of these kids wouldn't make it without her guidance. Seriously, you will fall in love with her.
There are a few more members of the coaching staff that make a difference but not really worth mentioning. So let's move on to a couple of the players from season one. Staring with...
#1: DJ Law (Running Back). Like many of these kids, D.J. had a rough childhood but he's gifted with looks and charm and he's a hell of an athlete. He's also very likable (unlike some of the other guys coming up). Brittany spends a considerable amount of time pushing him and gets some surprising results.
On the Defensive side of things...
Defensive Tackle Ronald Ollie. As you can see he loves Brittany and even though this looks creepy, his affection for her is genuine and heartwarming. Ronald has never had anyone care about him the way Brittany does and if you thought D.J.'s childhood was traumatic, oh man. And he's also really fucking good at football. He doesn't seem to care too much about it, though, or his school work for that matter. I won't say much else.
And finally, back to offense, one of the more interesting aspects of the show this season was that Buddy had, not one, but TWO talented Quarterbacks at his disposal this season. And they could not be more different:
These are two very capable QB's with two very distinct styles. Wyatt is ol' reliable and John is a wild card who can run the ball and throw deep passes. Both get their moment in the spotlight but I couldn't write this shit if I had to. You have to see it to believe it.
Overall this season is only 6 episodes long and every one is as gripping as the last. I can not recommend this show enough for anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the game. Because when it's all said and done, it's the character that matters. And speaking of character, there are many more behind the scenes that I simply don't have time to write about. But they are important. The students, the parents, the fans, the grounds crew, and even the town, itself. It's all a part of thing and that thing is wonderful. To watch. I mean, I wouldn't want to live there. But you know what I mean.
I would like to take a moment to address anyone reading and thinking that I have given up on my quest. I had some family issues and a few bumps in the road, drinking-wise, but I will not stop blogging until I've gone through everyone's list. Even if that means taking the rest of the year. Anyone who gives me a TV show will take a little longer since I have to watch the entire season (and in some cases, more than a season) to get a grasp of what to write. And this week is no exception:
I get to be reunited with my old pal, Scoot.
See you in a few days my friends.
available on Netflix
When Ryan sent me his assignment he told me to choose from a list of some of his recent favorite shows and movies. I had seen most of the list but there were two shows, in particular, that caught my eye. The first was Godless, a western series created by one of my favorite screenwriters and something I had been looking forward to for sometime. The second was a tv show called Last Chance U.
To call this a tv show would be an insult. At first I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Based solely on the photograph of a college football player I figured I was in for a Friday Night Lights situation. You know, a fictional town with a fictional team and a spirited coach who was hated and adored and of course, players with chips on their shoulders. Turns out I was half right. But this ain't fiction...
For starters, I had no idea that Junior Colleges had football teams let alone good ones. I am not a college football enthusiast by any stretch. My college football experience begins and ends with Vince Young at UT and every year I'll catch the national championship game but that's about it. This shouldn't be something that appeals to me...
But, good lord, it does.
I'm going to try and not spoil this one for a few a reasons: The first is, anybody reading this should really watch this show. It is a roller coaster of emotions and you have no idea what's around the corner. The second reason is, these are just beginnings of larger stories that need to be seen and followed. Every episode is as compelling and interesting as an entire film. Almost every episode sets up to a big game and then you get to see the highlights of the game and they are shot beautifully. Every direction the filmmakers go seems to be the right choice. Every overheard conversation actually moves the story forward. Every character has an arc.
The story takes place in Mississippi at the EMCC (East Mississippi Community College), a school that dominates the JUCO football league by recruiting great players from division I schools who have either failed out or had behavior issues. It's a brilliant tactic and one that I'm surprised more JUCO schools don't adhere to. Especially considering how dominate EMCC has become over the years.
And even though our first meeting with the coach and the team's track record makes it appear as if they have a well-oiled machine, when we get a peek behind the curtain we get to see the wizard... and it's not pretty.
Let's start with Buddy Stephens...
On the flip side of Buddy is this amazing human being...
There are a few more members of the coaching staff that make a difference but not really worth mentioning. So let's move on to a couple of the players from season one. Staring with...
On the Defensive side of things...
And finally, back to offense, one of the more interesting aspects of the show this season was that Buddy had, not one, but TWO talented Quarterbacks at his disposal this season. And they could not be more different:
Wyatt Roberts
John Franklin III
These are two very capable QB's with two very distinct styles. Wyatt is ol' reliable and John is a wild card who can run the ball and throw deep passes. Both get their moment in the spotlight but I couldn't write this shit if I had to. You have to see it to believe it.
Overall this season is only 6 episodes long and every one is as gripping as the last. I can not recommend this show enough for anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the game. Because when it's all said and done, it's the character that matters. And speaking of character, there are many more behind the scenes that I simply don't have time to write about. But they are important. The students, the parents, the fans, the grounds crew, and even the town, itself. It's all a part of thing and that thing is wonderful. To watch. I mean, I wouldn't want to live there. But you know what I mean.
I would like to take a moment to address anyone reading and thinking that I have given up on my quest. I had some family issues and a few bumps in the road, drinking-wise, but I will not stop blogging until I've gone through everyone's list. Even if that means taking the rest of the year. Anyone who gives me a TV show will take a little longer since I have to watch the entire season (and in some cases, more than a season) to get a grasp of what to write. And this week is no exception:
See you in a few days my friends.
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