TV critic Mike Hughes offers his tips on tonight's viewing options.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Friday Night Lights" season finale, 8 p.m., NBC

One of the great TV series captures rich layers of emotional depth in small-town Texas.

The football season is over now -- the Dillon Panthers fell just short of the state title -- and we jump ahead five months. Suddenly, Coach Taylor's job is in jeopardy; more interesting are the decisions of the high school seniors, facing the limited expectations of their tough, blue-collar world.

Lyla Garrity was going to Vanderbilt until her dad blew the college fund. Will she and Tim Riggins now head to San Antonio State, where he has a scholarship? Will Matt Saracen leave his grandmother (in early stages of Alzheimer's disease) and girlfriend (the coach's daughter) behind? And what of the romance between Landry Clarke, the brainy benchwarmer, and Tyra Collette, former bad girl trying to get into the University of Texas?

The Saracen story is perplexing, but the Landry-Tyra one is fascinating. Two deceptively superb actors (Jesse Plemons and Adrianne Palicki) show us how good a TV drama can be.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" season finale, 7 p.m., Fox.

Here's another well-made show that has been under-noticed on Fridays.

Tonight, Sarah and John finally meet the villainous Catherine Weaver. The show promises a confrontation that jolts John, the teen destined to be a hero.