I Can't (Friday Night Lights)
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Episode 10
| "I Can't" | |
|---|---|
| Friday Night Lights episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 10 |
| Directed by | Ami Canaan Mann |
| Written by | Bridget Carpenter |
| Cinematography by | Todd McMullen |
| Editing by | Mark Conte |
| Original release dates | January 20, 2010 (DirecTV) July 9, 2010 (NBC) |
| Running time | 43 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"I Can't" is the tenth episode of the fourth season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 60th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Bridget Carpenter, and directed by Ami Canaan Mann. It originally aired on DirecTV's 101 Network on January 20, 2010, before airing on NBC on July 9, 2010.[1]
The series is set in the fictional town of Dillon, a small, close-knit community in rural West Texas. It follows a high school football team, the Dillon Panthers. It features a set of characters, primarily connected to Coach Eric Taylor, his wife Tami, and their daughter Julie. In the episode, Becky and Luke debate over the pregnancy, while Vince finds that his mother has overdosed.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 3.65 million household viewers and gained a 1.0/5 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the episode's handling of abortion and drug addiction.
Tim (Taylor Kitsch) delivers a stolen car to a scrapyard, but the owner tells him that he won't accept any more cars as he does not want to get involved in any possible theft. When Becky (Madison Burge) continues expressing fear over the pregnancy, Tim visits Tami (Connie Britton) for help. Becky states that she wants an abortion, and Tami agrees to help her.
Vince (Michael B. Jordan) comes home and finds his mother has fallen unconscious due to an overdose, prompting him to call an ambulance. At the hospital, Vince confronts his mother over her drug addiction, asking her if she really wants him to be all alone. Outside the room, he approaches a nurse to enroll his mother in rehab. Virgil (Steve Harris) starts spending more time with Vince to support him through his family crisis, although he is confronted by Jess (Jurnee Smollett), as she feels he is prioritizing Vince over his own family.
Becky comes clean to Cheryl (Alicia Witt) about her pregnancy, shocking her. They attend a clinic, where they get into an argument over Cheryl's pregnancy and her inner struggle with Becky herself. Luke (Matt Lauria) is also debating over the situation, asking his parents for help. Tim informs Billy (Derek Phillips) about the new problem with the cars. Billy resorts to having to dispose of the stolen cars in holes outside the city, with Tim forced to join him. When they get into an argument, Tim declares he is done with the business and asks Billy to also stop getting involved for the sake of his family.
Virgil finally visits one of his son's games, impressing Jess. Vince gets his mother into rehab, saying she can go through it. However, the rehabilitation's bills prove to be very expensive, so Vince is forced to go back to his gang. Luke calls Becky, telling her he will be there for her in anything. Becky then reveals that she already had the abortion, and Luke claims she supports him, although he is still shaken by the news.
Production
Development
The episode was written by co-executive producer Bridget Carpenter, and directed by Ami Canaan Mann. This was Carpenter's eighth writing credit, and Mann's first directing credit.[2]
