629:
596:
330:) 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 (
391:
In its original
American broadcast on NBC, "I Can't" was seen by an estimated 3.65 million household viewers with a 1.0/4 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 1 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 4 percent of all of those watching television at the time of the
356:
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.
468:
wrote, "'I Can't' was the second-strongest hour of the season thus far, trailing only 'The Son,' the epic, Saracen-farewell ep. The focus here was parenting in its various forms: the need we all have for a shoulder to cry on, an arm to lean on, a brain to pick, a hand to hold." Matt
Richenthal of
353:) 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.
410:
tackled a very tricky, and ever-controversial subject this week: abortion. But I think the series pulled it off with class, not politicizing the decision the characters made, but rather getting to the human emotions at the core of the situation – just as this series always does."
420:
gave the episode an "A–" grade and wrote, "She weighed the options and made the choice not to have a child, as more women do than generally gets depicted in films or on television. This episode showed the difficulty involved in that choice in its fullness."
473:
gave the episode a 4.4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Granted, it's a delicate, controversial subject. But it's also legal and common and supported by approximately half the population. Therefore, I can't help but give credit to this week's episode of
296:, 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.
441:
wrote, "We're not going to talk about whether we agree with her decision, but 'I Can't' effectively showed how she came to it, even as it showed her unsure even afterwards that it was the right one." Allison
Waldman of
452:, especially among the younger set. And if you think life is just peachy keen for kids in high school, they aren't the ones attending East Dillon High. If you prefer the lighter, sweeter side of
392:
broadcast watched it. This was a 5% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by an estimated 3.46 million household viewers with a 1.1/5 in the 18–49 demographics.
496:
884:
311:) 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 (
345:) 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 (
703:
852:
762:
435:
gave us one of its finest hours ever. Abortion, addiction, and the way parents raise their children were central to this episode, entitled 'I Can’t.'"
1705:
1215:
1048:
1668:
1229:
247:
1485:
1298:
1284:
948:
1312:
1710:
1641:
1388:
1700:
1395:
289:, and their daughter Julie. In the episode, Becky and Luke debate over the pregnancy, while Vince finds that his mother has overdosed.
1201:
1152:
1006:
1319:
1187:
1180:
1104:
1034:
357:
Becky then reveals that she already had the abortion, and Luke claims she supports him, although he is still shaken by the news.
1577:
1326:
1636:
1333:
1270:
1222:
1125:
281:. It follows a high school football team, the Dillon Panthers. It features a set of characters, primarily connected to Coach
1381:
1354:
1291:
1208:
992:
967:
892:
220:
1478:
1458:
1062:
1020:
456:, this wasn't your night. Sadness was at every turn, none moreso that Becky and Vince and their very tough decisions."
1585:
1541:
1444:
1423:
1305:
941:
282:
198:
736:
334:) starts spending more time with Vince to support him through his family crisis, although he is confronted by Jess (
1416:
1236:
1166:
1027:
1548:
1534:
1347:
1159:
1055:
958:
242:
32:
713:
1527:
1451:
1173:
1118:
1083:
233:
210:
1506:
1402:
1069:
862:
609:
576:
554:
772:
643:
1562:
1513:
1492:
1469:
1365:
1261:
1143:
1090:
976:
934:
1340:
1132:
985:
1662:
1646:
1430:
1409:
1097:
827:
500:
186:
795:
545:
857:
480:
671:
350:
293:
267:
1250:
708:
492:
427:
331:
137:
277:
The series is set in the fictional town of Dillon, a small, close-knit community in rural
8:
1243:
1111:
520:
254:. It is the 60th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer
349:) is also debating over the situation, asking his parents for help. Tim informs Billy (
767:
628:
595:
478:
for actually going there. It takes a brave, confident, well-written series to do so."
444:
237:
921:
888:
804:
464:
371:
327:
255:
67:
323:) for help. Becky states that she wants an abortion, and Tami agrees to help her.
1277:
1076:
378:. This was Carpenter's eighth writing credit, and Mann's first directing credit.
375:
335:
259:
57:
1600:
1555:
1520:
1374:
1013:
459:
438:
320:
251:
1694:
1620:
704:"'Friday Night Lights' recap: New, Emmy-nominated, and more mature than ever"
680:
416:
312:
308:
161:
1674:
1615:
1595:
1590:
1499:
999:
1679:
1610:
1605:
1194:
1041:
346:
342:
316:
304:
286:
143:
917:
422:
278:
155:
926:
149:
263:
448:
wrote, "There were some major developments in this episode of
338:), as she feels he is prioritizing Vince over his own family.
577:"Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending July 11, 2010"
315:) continues expressing fear over the pregnancy, Tim visits
885:"Official 2010 EMMYS Entrants for Guest Actor and Actress"
610:"Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending July 4, 2010"
648:
402:
271:
406:
gave the episode a "great" 8.8 out of 10 and wrote, "
400:"I Can't" received critical acclaim. Eric Goldman of
16:
10th episode of the 4th season of Friday Night Lights
737:"Friday Night Lights, "I Can't": Indecision 2010"
370:The episode was written by co-executive producer
1692:
1669:Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream
942:
853:"Friday Night Lights: "I Can't" – Decisions"
495:submitted the episode for consideration for
949:
935:
825:
793:
734:
497:Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
1706:Friday Night Lights (TV series) episodes
956:
828:"Friday Night Lights Review: "I Can't""
763:"Review: Friday Night Lights - I Can't"
760:
644:"Friday Night Lights: "I Can't" Review"
641:
1693:
701:
669:
270:on January 20, 2010, before airing on
930:
761:Waldman, Allison (January 21, 2010).
521:"(#410) "I CAN'T (NETWORK PREMIERE)""
794:Greenwald, Andy (January 21, 2010).
735:Sepinwall, Alan (January 20, 2010).
395:
13:
1711:Television episodes about abortion
14:
1722:
1701:2010 American television episodes
911:
826:Richenthal, Matt (July 9, 2010).
627:
594:
1167:Are You Ready for Friday Night?
1063:What to Do While You're Waiting
877:
861:. July 10, 2010. Archived from
845:
819:
787:
484:gave the episode an "A" grade.
1647:Television soundtrack (Vol. 2)
1642:Television soundtrack (Vol. 1)
1306:It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy
754:
728:
695:
670:Phipps, Keith (July 9, 2010).
663:
642:Goldman, Eric (July 9, 2010).
635:
602:
569:
538:
513:
365:
232:" is the tenth episode of the
42:
1:
1070:Little Girl I Wanna Marry You
555:Writers Guild of America West
506:
360:
341:Becky comes clean to Cheryl (
1493:The Right Hand of the Father
1091:Black Eyes and Broken Hearts
702:Tucker, Ken (July 9, 2010).
624:– via ratingsryan.com.
591:– via ratingsryan.com.
487:
381:
7:
1216:There Goes the Neighborhood
10:
1727:
1431:The Lights in Carroll Park
1098:I Think We Should Have Sex
501:62nd Primetime Emmy Awards
386:
187:The Lights in Carroll Park
93:January 20, 2010
1655:
1629:
1576:
1486:On the Outside Looking In
1468:
1364:
1260:
1230:Who Do You Think You Are?
1142:
975:
966:
262:. It originally aired on
219:
209:
175:
170:
134:
127:
119:
89:
81:
73:
63:
53:
40:
30:
21:
1341:A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
1299:Every Rose Has Its Thorn
1285:How the Other Half Lives
1049:It's Different for Girls
858:Television Without Pity
481:Television Without Pity
299:
1313:Keeping Up Appearances
887:. The Envelope Forum,
800:: Adult Entertainment"
294:Nielsen Media Research
140:as Virgil Merriweather
105:July 9, 2010
90:Original release dates
1389:In the Skin of a Lion
741:What's Alan Watching?
1396:A Sort of Homecoming
1251:May the Best Man Win
775:on December 19, 2010
709:Entertainment Weekly
431:wrote, "This week's
428:Entertainment Weekly
248:1990 nonfiction book
212:Friday Night Lights
1244:Leave No One Behind
1202:Seeing Other People
1153:Last Days of Summer
1112:Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
959:Friday Night Lights
798:Friday Night Lights
674:Friday Night Lights
583:. February 12, 2022
548:Friday Night Lights
476:Friday Night Lights
454:Friday Night Lights
450:Friday Night Lights
433:Friday Night Lights
408:Friday Night Lights
243:Friday Night Lights
33:Friday Night Lights
1320:New York, New York
1188:How Did I Get Here
616:. February 6, 2022
374:, and directed by
258:, and directed by
246:, inspired by the
240:television series
171:Episode chronology
1688:
1687:
1572:
1571:
1105:Extended Families
1035:Crossing the Line
889:Los Angeles Times
372:Bridget Carpenter
328:Michael B. Jordan
274:on July 9, 2010.
256:Bridget Carpenter
226:
225:
205:
204:
146:as Cheryl Sproles
129:Guest appearances
74:Cinematography by
68:Bridget Carpenter
1718:
1327:Game of the Week
1007:Who's Your Daddy
973:
972:
951:
944:
937:
928:
927:
905:
904:
902:
900:
895:on July 13, 2011
891:. Archived from
881:
875:
874:
872:
870:
865:on July 22, 2010
849:
843:
842:
840:
838:
823:
817:
816:
814:
812:
791:
785:
784:
782:
780:
771:. Archived from
758:
752:
751:
749:
747:
732:
726:
725:
723:
721:
712:. Archived from
699:
693:
692:
690:
688:
667:
661:
660:
658:
656:
639:
633:
632:
631:
625:
623:
621:
606:
600:
599:
598:
592:
590:
588:
573:
567:
566:
564:
562:
550:– WGA Directory"
542:
536:
535:
533:
531:
525:The Futon Critic
517:
414:Keith Phipps of
396:Critical reviews
236:of the American
221:List of episodes
177:
176:
164:as Becky Sproles
130:
115:
112:
110:
103:
100:
98:
44:
19:
18:
1726:
1725:
1721:
1720:
1719:
1717:
1716:
1715:
1691:
1690:
1689:
1684:
1651:
1637:Film soundtrack
1625:
1568:
1464:
1360:
1334:The Giving Tree
1278:Tami Knows Best
1271:I Knew You When
1256:
1223:Jumping the Gun
1181:Let's Get It On
1138:
1126:Best Laid Plans
1077:Upping the Ante
962:
955:
914:
909:
908:
898:
896:
883:
882:
878:
868:
866:
851:
850:
846:
836:
834:
824:
820:
810:
808:
792:
788:
778:
776:
759:
755:
745:
743:
733:
729:
719:
717:
700:
696:
686:
684:
668:
664:
654:
652:
640:
636:
626:
619:
617:
608:
607:
603:
593:
586:
584:
575:
574:
570:
560:
558:
544:
543:
539:
529:
527:
519:
518:
514:
509:
490:
398:
389:
384:
376:Ami Canaan Mann
368:
363:
336:Jurnee Smollett
302:
260:Ami Canaan Mann
252:H. G. Bissinger
196:
184:
158:as Tom Cafferty
128:
113:
108:
106:
104:
101:
96:
94:
58:Ami Canaan Mann
48:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1724:
1714:
1713:
1708:
1703:
1686:
1685:
1683:
1682:
1677:
1672:
1665:
1659:
1657:
1653:
1652:
1650:
1649:
1644:
1639:
1633:
1631:
1627:
1626:
1624:
1623:
1618:
1613:
1608:
1603:
1601:Smash Williams
1598:
1593:
1588:
1582:
1580:
1574:
1573:
1570:
1569:
1567:
1566:
1559:
1556:Texas Whatever
1552:
1545:
1538:
1531:
1524:
1521:Perfect Record
1517:
1510:
1503:
1496:
1489:
1482:
1474:
1472:
1466:
1465:
1463:
1462:
1455:
1448:
1441:
1434:
1427:
1420:
1413:
1406:
1399:
1392:
1385:
1382:After the Fall
1378:
1375:East of Dillon
1370:
1368:
1362:
1361:
1359:
1358:
1355:Tomorrow Blues
1351:
1344:
1337:
1330:
1323:
1316:
1309:
1302:
1295:
1292:Hello, Goodbye
1288:
1281:
1274:
1266:
1264:
1258:
1257:
1255:
1254:
1247:
1240:
1233:
1226:
1219:
1212:
1209:The Confession
1205:
1198:
1191:
1184:
1177:
1170:
1163:
1156:
1148:
1146:
1140:
1139:
1137:
1136:
1129:
1122:
1115:
1108:
1101:
1094:
1087:
1080:
1073:
1066:
1059:
1052:
1045:
1038:
1031:
1024:
1017:
1010:
1003:
996:
993:Eyes Wide Open
989:
981:
979:
970:
964:
963:
954:
953:
946:
939:
931:
925:
924:
913:
912:External links
910:
907:
906:
876:
844:
818:
786:
753:
727:
716:on May 4, 2011
694:
662:
634:
601:
568:
537:
511:
510:
508:
505:
489:
486:
460:Andy Greenwald
439:Alan Sepinwall
397:
394:
388:
385:
383:
380:
367:
364:
362:
359:
351:Derek Phillips
321:Connie Britton
301:
298:
224:
223:
217:
216:
207:
206:
203:
202:
190:
173:
172:
168:
167:
166:
165:
159:
153:
147:
141:
132:
131:
125:
124:
121:
117:
116:
91:
87:
86:
83:
79:
78:
75:
71:
70:
65:
61:
60:
55:
51:
50:
45:
38:
37:
28:
27:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1723:
1712:
1709:
1707:
1704:
1702:
1699:
1698:
1696:
1681:
1678:
1676:
1673:
1671:
1670:
1666:
1664:
1661:
1660:
1658:
1654:
1648:
1645:
1643:
1640:
1638:
1635:
1634:
1632:
1628:
1622:
1621:Tyra Collette
1619:
1617:
1614:
1612:
1609:
1607:
1604:
1602:
1599:
1597:
1594:
1592:
1589:
1587:
1584:
1583:
1581:
1579:
1575:
1564:
1560:
1557:
1553:
1550:
1546:
1543:
1539:
1536:
1532:
1529:
1525:
1522:
1518:
1515:
1511:
1508:
1504:
1501:
1497:
1494:
1490:
1487:
1483:
1480:
1476:
1475:
1473:
1471:
1467:
1460:
1456:
1453:
1449:
1446:
1442:
1439:
1435:
1432:
1428:
1425:
1421:
1418:
1414:
1411:
1407:
1404:
1400:
1397:
1393:
1390:
1386:
1383:
1379:
1376:
1372:
1371:
1369:
1367:
1363:
1356:
1352:
1349:
1345:
1342:
1338:
1335:
1331:
1328:
1324:
1321:
1317:
1314:
1310:
1307:
1303:
1300:
1296:
1293:
1289:
1286:
1282:
1279:
1275:
1272:
1268:
1267:
1265:
1263:
1259:
1252:
1248:
1245:
1241:
1238:
1234:
1231:
1227:
1224:
1220:
1217:
1213:
1210:
1206:
1203:
1199:
1196:
1192:
1189:
1185:
1182:
1178:
1175:
1171:
1168:
1164:
1161:
1157:
1154:
1150:
1149:
1147:
1145:
1141:
1134:
1130:
1127:
1123:
1120:
1116:
1113:
1109:
1106:
1102:
1099:
1095:
1092:
1088:
1085:
1081:
1078:
1074:
1071:
1067:
1064:
1060:
1057:
1053:
1050:
1046:
1043:
1039:
1036:
1032:
1029:
1025:
1022:
1018:
1015:
1011:
1008:
1004:
1001:
997:
994:
990:
987:
983:
982:
980:
978:
974:
971:
969:
965:
961:
960:
952:
947:
945:
940:
938:
933:
932:
929:
923:
919:
916:
915:
894:
890:
886:
880:
864:
860:
859:
854:
848:
833:
829:
822:
807:
806:
801:
799:
790:
774:
770:
769:
764:
757:
742:
738:
731:
715:
711:
710:
705:
698:
683:
682:
681:The A.V. Club
677:
675:
666:
651:
650:
645:
638:
630:
615:
611:
605:
597:
582:
578:
572:
557:
556:
551:
549:
541:
526:
522:
516:
512:
504:
502:
498:
494:
485:
483:
482:
477:
472:
467:
466:
461:
457:
455:
451:
447:
446:
440:
436:
434:
430:
429:
424:
419:
418:
417:The A.V. Club
412:
409:
405:
404:
393:
379:
377:
373:
358:
354:
352:
348:
344:
339:
337:
333:
329:
324:
322:
318:
314:
313:Madison Burge
310:
309:Taylor Kitsch
306:
297:
295:
292:According to
290:
288:
284:
280:
275:
273:
269:
265:
261:
257:
253:
249:
245:
244:
239:
235:
234:fourth season
231:
222:
218:
215:
213:
208:
200:
194:
191:
188:
183:
179:
178:
174:
169:
163:
162:Madison Burge
160:
157:
154:
152:as Ryan Lowry
151:
148:
145:
142:
139:
136:
135:
133:
126:
122:
118:
92:
88:
84:
80:
77:Todd McMullen
76:
72:
69:
66:
62:
59:
56:
52:
47:Season 4
46:
39:
35:
34:
29:
25:
20:
1675:Boobie Miles
1667:
1616:Lyla Garrity
1596:Jason Street
1591:Matt Saracen
1500:Keep Looking
1479:Expectations
1459:Thanksgiving
1437:
1021:El Accidente
1000:Wind Sprints
957:
897:. Retrieved
893:the original
879:
867:. Retrieved
863:the original
856:
847:
835:. Retrieved
831:
821:
809:. Retrieved
803:
797:
789:
777:. Retrieved
773:the original
766:
756:
744:. Retrieved
740:
730:
718:. Retrieved
714:the original
707:
697:
685:. Retrieved
679:
676:: "I Can't""
673:
665:
653:. Retrieved
647:
637:
618:. Retrieved
614:Ratings Ryan
613:
604:
585:. Retrieved
581:Ratings Ryan
580:
571:
559:. Retrieved
553:
547:
540:
528:. Retrieved
524:
515:
493:Steve Harris
491:
479:
475:
470:
463:
458:
453:
449:
443:
437:
432:
426:
415:
413:
407:
401:
399:
390:
369:
355:
340:
332:Steve Harris
325:
303:
291:
276:
241:
238:sports drama
229:
227:
211:
192:
181:
138:Steve Harris
120:Running time
31:
23:
1680:Gary Gaines
1630:Soundtracks
1611:Tami Taylor
1606:Tim Riggins
1586:Eric Taylor
1445:Injury List
1424:Toilet Bowl
1195:Pantherama!
1042:Full Hearts
1014:Git'er Done
899:December 4,
869:December 4,
837:December 4,
811:December 4,
779:December 4,
746:December 4,
720:December 4,
687:December 4,
655:December 4,
620:November 3,
587:December 4,
561:December 4,
530:December 4,
366:Development
347:Matt Lauria
343:Alicia Witt
285:, his wife
283:Eric Taylor
268:101 Network
199:Injury List
144:Alicia Witt
54:Directed by
1695:Categories
1578:Characters
1417:In the Bag
1237:Humble Pie
1028:Homecoming
832:TV Fanatic
507:References
471:TV Fanatic
423:Ken Tucker
361:Production
279:West Texas
214:(season 4)
156:Barry Tubb
123:43 minutes
109:2010-07-09
97:2010-01-20
85:Mark Conte
82:Editing by
64:Written by
49:Episode 10
1549:The March
1535:Gut Check
1348:Underdogs
1160:Bad Ideas
1056:Nevermind
918:"I Can't"
488:Accolades
382:Reception
150:Matt Barr
102:(DirecTV)
1542:Don't Go
1528:Fracture
1470:Season 5
1452:Laboring
1366:Season 4
1262:Season 3
1174:Backfire
1144:Season 2
1119:Mud Bowl
1084:Blinders
977:Season 1
968:Episodes
768:TV Squad
445:TV Squad
182:Previous
41:Episode
1656:Related
1507:Kingdom
1438:I Can't
1403:The Son
805:Vulture
499:at the
465:Vulture
387:Viewers
326:Vince (
264:DirecTV
230:I Can't
195: →
180:←
107: (
95: (
36:episode
24:I Can't
1563:Always
1514:Swerve
1133:State
986:Pilot
114:(NBC)
1663:Film
1410:Stay
922:IMDb
901:2023
871:2023
839:2023
813:2023
781:2023
748:2023
722:2023
689:2023
657:2023
622:2023
589:2023
563:2023
532:2023
317:Tami
300:Plot
287:Tami
193:Next
920:at
649:IGN
462:of
425:of
403:IGN
305:Tim
272:NBC
266:'s
250:by
43:no.
1697::
855:.
830:.
802:.
765:.
739:.
706:.
678:.
646:.
612:.
579:.
552:.
523:.
503:.
201:"
189:"
1565:"
1561:"
1558:"
1554:"
1551:"
1547:"
1544:"
1540:"
1537:"
1533:"
1530:"
1526:"
1523:"
1519:"
1516:"
1512:"
1509:"
1505:"
1502:"
1498:"
1495:"
1491:"
1488:"
1484:"
1481:"
1477:"
1461:"
1457:"
1454:"
1450:"
1447:"
1443:"
1440:"
1436:"
1433:"
1429:"
1426:"
1422:"
1419:"
1415:"
1412:"
1408:"
1405:"
1401:"
1398:"
1394:"
1391:"
1387:"
1384:"
1380:"
1377:"
1373:"
1357:"
1353:"
1350:"
1346:"
1343:"
1339:"
1336:"
1332:"
1329:"
1325:"
1322:"
1318:"
1315:"
1311:"
1308:"
1304:"
1301:"
1297:"
1294:"
1290:"
1287:"
1283:"
1280:"
1276:"
1273:"
1269:"
1253:"
1249:"
1246:"
1242:"
1239:"
1235:"
1232:"
1228:"
1225:"
1221:"
1218:"
1214:"
1211:"
1207:"
1204:"
1200:"
1197:"
1193:"
1190:"
1186:"
1183:"
1179:"
1176:"
1172:"
1169:"
1165:"
1162:"
1158:"
1155:"
1151:"
1135:"
1131:"
1128:"
1124:"
1121:"
1117:"
1114:"
1110:"
1107:"
1103:"
1100:"
1096:"
1093:"
1089:"
1086:"
1082:"
1079:"
1075:"
1072:"
1068:"
1065:"
1061:"
1058:"
1054:"
1051:"
1047:"
1044:"
1040:"
1037:"
1033:"
1030:"
1026:"
1023:"
1019:"
1016:"
1012:"
1009:"
1005:"
1002:"
998:"
995:"
991:"
988:"
984:"
950:e
943:t
936:v
903:.
873:.
841:.
815:.
796:"
783:.
750:.
724:.
691:.
672:"
659:.
565:.
546:"
534:.
319:(
307:(
228:"
197:"
185:"
111:)
99:)
26:"
22:"
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.