Ted Lasso: Do the Right-est Thing
August 6, 2021 12:04 PM - Season 2, Episode 3 - Subscribe
Rebecca has a special visitor shadow her at work. A player's return is not welcomed by the team. Sam makes a stand, but not alone.
Terrific episode, it seemed to have steadied the course from the first two episodes, somehow--and then I saw this Twitter thread from Brendan Hunt:
posted by LooseFilter at 1:08 PM on August 6, 2021 [10 favorites]
Ohh, that's interesting, LooseFilter. I've been watching them weekly and haven't been as enraptured as I was last year. But I have a friend who has been waiting for a good number to drop so they can binge. Will be interested to see if the first three episodes work better in that format!
posted by merriment at 1:12 PM on August 6, 2021
posted by merriment at 1:12 PM on August 6, 2021
I’m digging the sort of bait-and-switch they did with the trailer I saw, that implied that the main conflict of the season would be between Ted and the sports therapist, so the “principles versus money” angle kind of came out of nowhere to me.
Suddenly struck by the realization that even if Led Tasso didn’t do the trick, the sponsor protest may well have served as the mutual enemy the team needed for a sense of unity. Absolutely loved loved loved the “we broke the tie streak” at the end, too.
Man, what a heck of a show this is. Funny, perceptive, deeply human. Already can’t wait for next week’s.
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:39 PM on August 6, 2021 [4 favorites]
Suddenly struck by the realization that even if Led Tasso didn’t do the trick, the sponsor protest may well have served as the mutual enemy the team needed for a sense of unity. Absolutely loved loved loved the “we broke the tie streak” at the end, too.
Man, what a heck of a show this is. Funny, perceptive, deeply human. Already can’t wait for next week’s.
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:39 PM on August 6, 2021 [4 favorites]
A completely anonymous dating app being downloaded by all the single people in the club! What could possibly go wrong? DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNNN
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:40 AM on August 7, 2021 [10 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:40 AM on August 7, 2021 [10 favorites]
Dating app - I’m terrified Ted will match with his boss and if that’s the case they jump the shark.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:55 AM on August 7, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:55 AM on August 7, 2021 [3 favorites]
Also, re: the Cerithium (which is a kind of sea snail i.e. shell...) storyline:
Today's ep of #TedLasso was based actual environmental & human rights offences that oil companies like @Shell & @eni are perpetrating in #Nigeria. Cheers to the writers & @Toheeb_Jimoh1 for spreading awareness. For more info, click here #NigerDeltaposted by misskaz at 11:14 AM on August 7, 2021 [8 favorites]
- @rensaviour
Roy Kent is more and more perfect, which can't be an accident. Will he ascend to heaven and become the new godhead, move to Delphi to be the new Oracle, will something dire happen, or will it be something wildly unexpected? Oi!
Did not expect the political action, delighted by it and looking forward to seeing how it plays out.
posted by theora55 at 1:09 PM on August 7, 2021 [4 favorites]
Did not expect the political action, delighted by it and looking forward to seeing how it plays out.
posted by theora55 at 1:09 PM on August 7, 2021 [4 favorites]
Dating app - I’m terrified Ted will match with his boss and if that’s the case they jump the shark.
The show is definitely going somewhere with that dating app. But they made a point when Rebecca talked to Sassy that Ted Lasso *always* talks in his folksy way. It is unbelievable that someone would text chat to Ted and not realize it's him.
posted by Gary at 1:40 PM on August 7, 2021 [3 favorites]
The show is definitely going somewhere with that dating app. But they made a point when Rebecca talked to Sassy that Ted Lasso *always* talks in his folksy way. It is unbelievable that someone would text chat to Ted and not realize it's him.
posted by Gary at 1:40 PM on August 7, 2021 [3 favorites]
I believe that Roy's perpetual grumpiness is just identified as a persona by the viewer, whereas we recognize his secret weekly meeting with the yoga ladies (plus the time he spends with niece) as his actual self?
But there is definitely an interior struggle with what it means to be masculine. While his actual anger seems quite focused and never physical (please correct me if I am forgetting something, not counting the bench!), he also seems to only be learning how to express his feelings, or rather that it's perfectly okay to be insightful, feeling, vulnerable. In that context, lacing his words with profanity feels just like another persona to (unconsciously) distance himself from that.
It's definitely an interesting question, Sokka. Because it's not that difficult to imagine a morose man like Roy Kent snapping at some point. Plus, setting the bar at 'no physical violence' is incredible generous (on my part): verbal attacks evoke a physical reaction, as well. I wouldn't wanna be shouted at by (a real-life) Roy.
posted by bigendian at 3:51 PM on August 7, 2021 [5 favorites]
But there is definitely an interior struggle with what it means to be masculine. While his actual anger seems quite focused and never physical (please correct me if I am forgetting something, not counting the bench!), he also seems to only be learning how to express his feelings, or rather that it's perfectly okay to be insightful, feeling, vulnerable. In that context, lacing his words with profanity feels just like another persona to (unconsciously) distance himself from that.
It's definitely an interesting question, Sokka. Because it's not that difficult to imagine a morose man like Roy Kent snapping at some point. Plus, setting the bar at 'no physical violence' is incredible generous (on my part): verbal attacks evoke a physical reaction, as well. I wouldn't wanna be shouted at by (a real-life) Roy.
posted by bigendian at 3:51 PM on August 7, 2021 [5 favorites]
Oh yeah and the episode itself? Pretty great! It makes sense to see/watch the three episodes as a narrative unit.
posted by bigendian at 3:52 PM on August 7, 2021
posted by bigendian at 3:52 PM on August 7, 2021
In S1 there's the segment where the Diamond Dogs give Roy relationship advice, but right before that Ted's trying to guess what Roy's problem is and he says "you just realized your dad might be a little racist" and Roy replies "he's in his sixties and he's from south London, of course he's a little racist." Then the Diamond Dogs advise him to "get over it," it being his knee-jerk anger about Keeley's having slept with Jamie.
Like his dad, he has an obvious, even predictable, problem: he's expected to perform masculinity by acting hard and angry and so on (and surely that probably serves him well on the pitch), but really what he wants to do hang out with the women in his yoga group, so now in S2 we see him starting to reckon with those two sides of himself. He's coaching his niece's football team, and giving heartfelt retirement speeches, and giving in to pressure from Keeley to explore commentating, so we see steps in that direction. I don't want him to face consequences (that framing seems strangely punitive to me) so much as I think where they'll go is to resolve the conflict between those two aspects of his nature.
posted by axiom at 6:20 PM on August 7, 2021 [10 favorites]
Like his dad, he has an obvious, even predictable, problem: he's expected to perform masculinity by acting hard and angry and so on (and surely that probably serves him well on the pitch), but really what he wants to do hang out with the women in his yoga group, so now in S2 we see him starting to reckon with those two sides of himself. He's coaching his niece's football team, and giving heartfelt retirement speeches, and giving in to pressure from Keeley to explore commentating, so we see steps in that direction. I don't want him to face consequences (that framing seems strangely punitive to me) so much as I think where they'll go is to resolve the conflict between those two aspects of his nature.
posted by axiom at 6:20 PM on August 7, 2021 [10 favorites]
"Pass the tape, bruv."
SOLIDARITY IS ALWAYS GOING TO GET ME CHOKED UP.
posted by brainwane at 10:49 PM on August 7, 2021 [17 favorites]
SOLIDARITY IS ALWAYS GOING TO GET ME CHOKED UP.
posted by brainwane at 10:49 PM on August 7, 2021 [17 favorites]
I just looked it up: the beautiful song that plays in the final moments and closing credits of this episode is Khala My Friend, by 1970s Zambian rock group Amanaz. According to their Wikipedia page, the band's name is the acronym of "Ask Me About Nice Artistes In Zambia".
posted by trotzdem_kunst at 3:44 AM on August 8, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by trotzdem_kunst at 3:44 AM on August 8, 2021 [3 favorites]
Roy's line just comes across as mean and toxic, not funny haha Roy being Roy. But the show seems to think that the line is played for laughs, and the audience is supposed to enjoy it.
I'm glad there is discussion about Roy in this thread because his characterization has been taking me out of the show, too. Specifically his coaching of the little girls - he's ferocious, critical, bordering on verbal abuse. The girls just giggle in response (showing the audience that it's not "hurting" them) and I can totally see that being hilarious on another show, but it's confusing because in the Ted Lasso universe, what you say to people matters; you build people up; and you reward pro-social, team-building behaviors.
So in one scene we're supposed to laugh at an adult man bellowing angrily at small children, but then in all the other scenes we're supposed to root for another adult man who is using kindness and integrity in his personal interactions, and watch other adults show sensitivity and be impacted by the words of those around them? It feels like two different shows to me.
posted by rogerroger at 9:03 AM on August 8, 2021 [7 favorites]
I'm glad there is discussion about Roy in this thread because his characterization has been taking me out of the show, too. Specifically his coaching of the little girls - he's ferocious, critical, bordering on verbal abuse. The girls just giggle in response (showing the audience that it's not "hurting" them) and I can totally see that being hilarious on another show, but it's confusing because in the Ted Lasso universe, what you say to people matters; you build people up; and you reward pro-social, team-building behaviors.
So in one scene we're supposed to laugh at an adult man bellowing angrily at small children, but then in all the other scenes we're supposed to root for another adult man who is using kindness and integrity in his personal interactions, and watch other adults show sensitivity and be impacted by the words of those around them? It feels like two different shows to me.
posted by rogerroger at 9:03 AM on August 8, 2021 [7 favorites]
Brett Goldstein who plays Roy Kent is one of the writers of the show as well as Soulmates so I'm fairly trusting that their take on masculinity won't be as toxic as it appears.
I see Roy as the masculine analogue to Keeley. The Hard Man with a soft centre trope is almost as common as the Superficial Model with Hidden Intellect so seeing these writers' take on masculinity without the toxicity will be interesting.
posted by fullerine at 9:21 AM on August 8, 2021 [4 favorites]
I see Roy as the masculine analogue to Keeley. The Hard Man with a soft centre trope is almost as common as the Superficial Model with Hidden Intellect so seeing these writers' take on masculinity without the toxicity will be interesting.
posted by fullerine at 9:21 AM on August 8, 2021 [4 favorites]
fullerine, I had just learned yesterday about Brett Goldstein starting out as a writer for the show and then wanting to be Roy! That's such a delightful, Ted Lasso-y story and it made me feel warm fuzzies all over again for the show.
posted by rogerroger at 10:57 AM on August 8, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by rogerroger at 10:57 AM on August 8, 2021 [1 favorite]
SOLIDARITY IS ALWAYS GOING TO GET ME CHOKED UP.
Same. I don't like this show very much but I'm such a sucker for these moments.
posted by fleacircus at 4:24 PM on August 8, 2021 [1 favorite]
Same. I don't like this show very much but I'm such a sucker for these moments.
posted by fleacircus at 4:24 PM on August 8, 2021 [1 favorite]
Linda Holmes on NPR does recaps. I like them.
Everybody says Led Tasso is a way of having the team unite against a common enemy, and they're not wrong, but it could also be an indication that Ted has an actual inner Led Tasso, who is not so benign.
posted by theora55 at 12:47 PM on August 10, 2021 [6 favorites]
Everybody says Led Tasso is a way of having the team unite against a common enemy, and they're not wrong, but it could also be an indication that Ted has an actual inner Led Tasso, who is not so benign.
posted by theora55 at 12:47 PM on August 10, 2021 [6 favorites]
The Hard Man with a soft centre trope is almost as common as the Superficial Model with Hidden Intellect so seeing these writers' take on masculinity without the toxicity will be interesting.
Except Keely never tries to hide her intellect or savvy.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 3:47 PM on August 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
Except Keely never tries to hide her intellect or savvy.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 3:47 PM on August 10, 2021 [5 favorites]
I feel like this season is going to solve the big question I had from season 1 which was "why on earth would his wife want a divorce from such beam of light kind of guy?" and I have to say the way the writers have made Ted like 10% folksier than even his usual high level, and the way he scoffs at the therapist, and the awkward conversation with sassy and his boss about periods and sexual exploits, I feel like the second season is making me understand how someone would be annoyed with him. Instead of being a saint like in season one, he's a tad annoying and he's avoiding confrontations left and right with dumb folksy catchphrases and they're getting old.
I feel like by episode 6 or so there's gonna be a big Sharon the therapist vs. Ted stand off and she's going to read him up and down instantly like she does and tell him to stop relying on folksy bullshit to avoid tough conversations and decisions, and hopefully by the end of the season, he'll come out of it a more authentic person/character.
posted by mathowie at 11:31 AM on August 11, 2021 [16 favorites]
I feel like by episode 6 or so there's gonna be a big Sharon the therapist vs. Ted stand off and she's going to read him up and down instantly like she does and tell him to stop relying on folksy bullshit to avoid tough conversations and decisions, and hopefully by the end of the season, he'll come out of it a more authentic person/character.
posted by mathowie at 11:31 AM on August 11, 2021 [16 favorites]
I only started watching recently and am still catching up, so I'm a few weeks behind and just saw this episode last night.
I'm glad there is discussion about Roy in this thread because his characterization has been taking me out of the show, too. Specifically his coaching of the little girls - he's ferocious, critical, bordering on verbal abuse. The girls just giggle in response (showing the audience that it's not "hurting" them) and I can totally see that being hilarious on another show, but it's confusing because in the Ted Lasso universe, what you say to people matters; you build people up; and you reward pro-social, team-building behaviors.
I think Roy has been portrayed as toxic masculinity after it is drained of power. Roy was probably feared and respected in his Chelsea days, but his prime is well behind him and his outbursts in S1 were largely ignored by the rest of the team. The girls he coaches view him as Harmless Uncle Roy, so the cursing and abuse is amusing to them rather than scary. Even the other commentators on the sports show view him as an odd curmudgeon rather than someone to be taken seriously.
Roy still goes through the motions of how he has interacted with the world for his entire life, but he is coming to terms with the fact that the world is interacting with him differently than it used to. I don't know if this means that his behavior will change, but that's how I view it.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 12:05 PM on August 31, 2021 [3 favorites]
I'm glad there is discussion about Roy in this thread because his characterization has been taking me out of the show, too. Specifically his coaching of the little girls - he's ferocious, critical, bordering on verbal abuse. The girls just giggle in response (showing the audience that it's not "hurting" them) and I can totally see that being hilarious on another show, but it's confusing because in the Ted Lasso universe, what you say to people matters; you build people up; and you reward pro-social, team-building behaviors.
I think Roy has been portrayed as toxic masculinity after it is drained of power. Roy was probably feared and respected in his Chelsea days, but his prime is well behind him and his outbursts in S1 were largely ignored by the rest of the team. The girls he coaches view him as Harmless Uncle Roy, so the cursing and abuse is amusing to them rather than scary. Even the other commentators on the sports show view him as an odd curmudgeon rather than someone to be taken seriously.
Roy still goes through the motions of how he has interacted with the world for his entire life, but he is coming to terms with the fact that the world is interacting with him differently than it used to. I don't know if this means that his behavior will change, but that's how I view it.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 12:05 PM on August 31, 2021 [3 favorites]
Was the inspirational music as overt in S1? This time around m it feels a little more manipulative, making some of these moments feel unearned.
Many parts of this episode felt like they should have been better-developed multi-episode arcs - Led Tasso, Jamie’s first game, the evil sponsor, and losing the first match all felt like they were rushed.
If the writers were instructed to make the episodes stand alone (as was implied upthread), it feels like the show is suffering for it. A show like this one depends on long arcs that develop the characters, and I’m not feeling like we’re seeing that yet.
posted by schmod at 3:26 PM on September 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
Many parts of this episode felt like they should have been better-developed multi-episode arcs - Led Tasso, Jamie’s first game, the evil sponsor, and losing the first match all felt like they were rushed.
If the writers were instructed to make the episodes stand alone (as was implied upthread), it feels like the show is suffering for it. A show like this one depends on long arcs that develop the characters, and I’m not feeling like we’re seeing that yet.
posted by schmod at 3:26 PM on September 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
I get here very late and there's no commentary about the awesomeness of Nora??! I love how they write women on this show so much. She's also the embodiment of last season's joke Ted made about maybe some girl will be inspired to run a sports club.
Hahahah, there's a British version of American Girl dolls. For real?!
I LOL'ed back in the day about Ted wondering if he should tell Rebecca he slept with Sassy, I was thinking "Dude, she's already told her." Sure 'nuff.
I was very touched that the entire team taped up in solidarity with Sam. Though now I'm afraid the whole club will be brokeass after that.
As for Roy's anger: Well....with some people you know if they mean the anger AT YOU and some you don't. Clearly Roy's niece and the girls' soccer team know that Roy's grumpy but aren't fazed by it, presumably because they can tell he doesn't really want to rip them all new arseholes, somehow. I think the show is about Roy mellowing out from being Anger Man to actually maintaining an honest relationship with Keeley and the yoga moms. Maybe that'll translate into his relationships with dudes later. Anyway, I can't stand angry men and he doesn't faze ME too much, so there's that.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:28 PM on January 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Hahahah, there's a British version of American Girl dolls. For real?!
I LOL'ed back in the day about Ted wondering if he should tell Rebecca he slept with Sassy, I was thinking "Dude, she's already told her." Sure 'nuff.
I was very touched that the entire team taped up in solidarity with Sam. Though now I'm afraid the whole club will be brokeass after that.
As for Roy's anger: Well....with some people you know if they mean the anger AT YOU and some you don't. Clearly Roy's niece and the girls' soccer team know that Roy's grumpy but aren't fazed by it, presumably because they can tell he doesn't really want to rip them all new arseholes, somehow. I think the show is about Roy mellowing out from being Anger Man to actually maintaining an honest relationship with Keeley and the yoga moms. Maybe that'll translate into his relationships with dudes later. Anyway, I can't stand angry men and he doesn't faze ME too much, so there's that.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:28 PM on January 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
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