Friday Night Lights Episode 1.12 What to Do While You're Waiting

The Panther's have a grueling work out even though they don't have a game on Friday night. This Friday, their fate rests in the hands of two other teams. If underdog Buckley defeats powerhouse Arnett Mead, then the Panthers will be in the playoffs.

Tyra's mom Angela is surprised by a visit from a tearful Bob who promises that he'll change if she takes him back. Angela can't resist and welcomes him back with open arms. Meanwhile, Matt's father Henry tells his son that he's decided to stay home rather than return to the war in Iraq.

When he arrives home, Coach Taylor is served with papers from Jason Street's family. The news of the lawsuit hits the local papers and Jason gets the cold shoulder from local businesses. Jason is furious and thinks that everyone is going to hate him for going against the Panthers.

The Panthers aren't happy when Coach Taylor tells them they have to attend the Annual Women's League Rodeo Fundraiser, which occurs during the big Arnett Mead/Buckley game. Later, Matt asks Buddy Garrity if he can help find his father a job.

Smash is angry pissed at Waverly for walking out on him at the diner the other day. Waverly admits that she likes him but worries that they have nothing in common. Smash points out that Julie and Matt don't have much in common but they make it work, and he invites her to the Rodeo. "All right, we'll give the 'Waverlash' one more try," she says.

Henry Saracen struggles with his new job at Garrity Motors and Buddy has to step in and teach him some lessons in automobile salesmanship, which includes wearing an American flag pin to show that he served his country for over 20 years.

After seeing how Matt has to handle everything at home, Julie Taylor tells her parents how much she loves them and that they're the greatest parents in the world. Tami goes to see what's wrong, and Julie tells her that there's no adult looking after Matt - he does everything himself, even though his dad has been home for weeks. Tami thinks she might be able to help.

Tyra listens to Bob and her mom screaming at each other. When he smacks her across the face, Tyra gets up and chases him out of the house with a fireplace poker. Angela yells out for Bob to wait, but he doesn't. In the morning, Tyra finds her mom crying in bed, and reassures her that she will never be alone, even without a man in the house.

Jason tells Lyla that his parents are fighting and his dad is sleeping on the couch. She asks him if he thinks the lawsuit is a good idea. He tries to defend it, but he seems unsure.

At the rodeo, Smash tells Matt that he's confused about Waverly: he knows she likes him but she won't pay attention to him. It doesn't help when she traps him in a series of lies he told her about attending cultural events with Matt and Julie. When Smash wins an arm wrestling match, he turns around to find that Waverly isn't there.

By the games area, Tyra and her mom have a heart-to-heart that's interrupted by Bob's presence. Bob goes away and Angela tells Tyra that "people fight." Tyra won't accept Bob coming back into their house and threatens to move out if he does. "It's him or me... choose."

Jason and Coach Taylor eye each other from across the carnival rides. Jason breaks the stare and rolls away as Buckley's win over Arnett Mead is announced over the PA system.

The following day, Jason finds Coach Taylor on the practice field to tell him that no matter what anyone says, or what happens, he was against the lawsuit and it's out of his hands, "and you'll always be my coach." Jason offers his hand and Taylor takes it in a meaningful handshake.

At Garrity Motors, Matt tells his unhappy father that he can go back to Iraq and he'll look after his grandmother again. Henry knows he's a better soldier than car salesman and agrees with his son that this the only plan of action.

While Tyra packs her things, her mom tells her that she let Bob go. Later, Smash apologizes to Waverly for having Matt and Julie lie on his behalf. He also tells her that she has to like him for who he is, ego and all, and if she can't accept that he's "the Smash," then there's nothing there for them. "I'll see you around, Smash," she tells him as she walks away.