'Friday Night Lights' Finale Airs on NBC

The Friday Night Lights finale was already unveiled months ago. As such, many of those who saw the finale on NBC Friday night probably had the episode memorized by then. Either they had DirecTV and could see it in its first premiere, or they had purchased the Season 5 DVD and cried over the series ending all over again. However, for those who had actually stayed unspoiled before Season 5's NBC run, they were the last to morn Friday Night Lights' final whistle.

Now that the last Season 5 episode has aired on NBC, the series' long and complicated TV run is finally over. After limping through low ratings on NBC for three years, and getting saved by DirecTV in its last two seasons, one of the most acclaimed shows of the last decade is finally taking its victory lap.

This is quite an ironic time for the series to have its last sendoff. After all, the finale had its NBC premiere on the same day that the Harry Potter franchise had its massive ending in theaters. Of course, the end of Harry Potter was a far bigger story around the world, while a much smaller audience mourned the ending of this show.

But that audience was just as emotional about Eric and Tami Taylor, Tim Riggins and Matt Saracen than the Potter fans were about Harry, Ron, Hermione and company. In another twist of irony, the series finale was called "Always" which was also an important line uttered by Potter's Professor Snape in Deathly Hallows Part 2.

The last episode also happened to air after the series got some long overdue Emmy nominations as well. Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton were recognized for the second straight year, although many are still upset that they weren't recognized for the past three, and are unlikely to actually win any Emmys. But the show itself got its first Best Drama nomination for Season 5, although it is a long shot compared to Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire.

The Emmys will still be the official final sendoff for Friday Night Lights- unless executive producer Peter Berg revives it on the big screen. According to TV Line, Berg and Jason Katims want to make a feature movie that follows the series finale, although it is still in the planning stage.

This franchise started with Buzz Bissinger's best-selling book, then was turned into a movie in 2004, before becoming a TV series. Now it could be a movie all over again, although it would be the first with the TV characters.

It is quite clear that the Friday Night Lights brand just won't die, whether it goes from the big to little screen, and whether it has to change networks. But those who watched and worshipped all five seasons- except perhaps for Season 2- wouldn't have it any other way.

Sources

Cinemablend- "Friday Night Lights Series Finale Watch: Always"

TV Line- "Exclusive Details: Friday Night Lights May Continue -- .On the Big Screen"