The essential episodes of Friday Night Lights

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Friday Night Lights — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · October 3, 2006 · 1h

   Pilot9.7

   Football is life in the town of Dillon, Texas. No one knows that better than new Head Coach Eric Taylor and his team of Dillon Panthers, but no one is prepared for the ways they will all be tested in the days and weeks to come.

2. 02

   S01E16 · Top rated · February 14, 2007 · 1h

   Black Eyes and Broken Hearts9.6

   While Smash spearheads the protest, Coach Taylor deliberates over firing one of his best coaches; Julie's friendship with Tyra grows more destructive; Jason makes a life-changing decision; and Matt does whatever he can to win Julie back.

3. 03

   S01E21 · Top rated · April 4, 2007 · 1h

   Best Laid Plans9.7

   Coach Taylor makes a rash decision that disrupts his future in Dillon and upsets his family; Tim deals with his new, inappropriate relationship with the single mother next door; and Landry finally reveals Tyra's horrible secret.

4. 04

   S01E22 · Top rated · April 11, 2007 · 1h

   State9.7

   In the season finale, the Panthers gear up for the state championship as everyone speculates about whether or not Coach Taylor will leave Dillon for a dream job at TMU, and Tami receives some surprising news of her own.

5. 05

   S02E03 · Season 2 peak · October 19, 2007 · 1h

   Are You Ready for Friday Night?9.3

   The first Friday night of the season holds surprises for the Panthers; Smash and Saracen's problems get the best of them; Eric returns to see his old team in shambles; Riggins faces a scary situation.

6. 06

   S03E04 · Top rated · October 22, 2008 · 1h

   Hello, Goodbye9.8

   The new bad boy in town woos Tyra; Saracen's mother tries to re-enter his life; Smash leaves Dillon for the first time.

7. 07

   S03E06 · Top rated · November 5, 2008 · 1h

   It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy9.7

   The new quarterback, J.D. McCoy, becomes a victim of hazing; Matt and Julie get closer after spending some time together at the lake; a woman claims that Cash owes her child support.

8. 08

   S03E09 · Top rated · December 3, 2008 · 1h

   Game of the Week9.7

   Dillon is in the spotlight when the Panthers' game is selected as the nationally televised game of the week; Riggins decides whether to meet with a college coach; Tyra sees the truth about Cash and finds herself in a desperate situation.

9. 09

   S03E10 · Top rated · December 10, 2008 · 1h

   The Giving Tree9.8

   Buddy Garrity is forced to tell Lyla about his financial troubles; when J.D. meets a girl at school, his father worries he is losing his focus on football.

10. 10

    S03E12 · Season 3 peak · January 7, 2009 · 1h

    Underdogs9.9

    The McCoys' and Taylors' friendship is on thin ice after Joe and J.D.'s scuffle; Buddy tries to make amends with Lyla; Tyra and Landry try to rekindle their romance.

11. 11

    S03E13 · Top rated · January 14, 2009 · 1h

    Tomorrow Blues9.7

    Matt prepares for college; Lyla's dreams are in the hands of an estranged uncle; coach Taylor feels uncertain about the future.

12. 12

    S04E13 · Season 4 peak · February 10, 2010 · 1h

    Thanksgiving9.6

    The Taylors host Thanksgiving dinner; Julie and Landry receive an interesting proposition; Tim makes a difficult decision; East Dillon rallies around the Lions.

13. 13

    S05E10 · Season 5 peak · January 19, 2011 · 1h

    Don't Go9.8

    An elite college program courts Coach Taylor; Vince works to earn his starting spot back; friends and family speak at Tim's parole hearing.

14. 14

    S05E12 · Top rated · February 2, 2011 · 1h

    Texas Whatever (aka Small Town)9.7

    Coach Taylor receives an offer he can't refuse; Tim reassesses his future plans when an old flame returns to Dillon; the fate of East Dillon's football program is decided.

15. 15

    S05E13 · Series finale · February 9, 2011 · 1h

    Always9.3

    The Taylors face several decisions that could permanently change their lives; Julie's plans for the future surprise Coach and Tami; the Lions go to State.