Ted Lasso: The Signal
August 27, 2021 11:56 AM - Season 2, Episode 6 - Subscribe
Ted is fired up that the new team dynamic seems to be working. But will they have a chance in the semifinal?
Also some Bantr, mother-daughter conflict and being your true self.
Also some Bantr, mother-daughter conflict and being your true self.
AHHHHHHH
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:32 PM on August 27, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:32 PM on August 27, 2021 [4 favorites]
Other, more coherent thoughts:
• Laughed out loud, hard, at the Steve Wiebe vs. Billy Mitchell pull. Of COURSE Ted loves that particular underdog story.
• Obligated by username honor to note that Rebecca looked SICK AS HELL in that coat and hat
• Impressed by the way they made us, the audience, care about and enjoy Jamie Tartt having a triumphant moment on the field. Also rather enjoyed Roy’s criticism about playing in a way that is true to himself, making it clear that even though Roy does not like Jamie as a person, he does at least begrudgingly respect him as a player
• Ted’s finally going into therapy for the back half of the season, at last
• Honestly kind of a little weirded out by the way that the Qatar Air thing just kind of evaporated between episodes. It really feels like there should have been more significant consequences to that, but, well. I guess we still have half a dozen more episodes left.
• Curious what sudden fame does to/for Nate and his ego, with the potential danger of buying into the self-confident act a little too much and winding up in hell territory
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:48 PM on August 27, 2021 [4 favorites]
• Laughed out loud, hard, at the Steve Wiebe vs. Billy Mitchell pull. Of COURSE Ted loves that particular underdog story.
• Obligated by username honor to note that Rebecca looked SICK AS HELL in that coat and hat
• Impressed by the way they made us, the audience, care about and enjoy Jamie Tartt having a triumphant moment on the field. Also rather enjoyed Roy’s criticism about playing in a way that is true to himself, making it clear that even though Roy does not like Jamie as a person, he does at least begrudgingly respect him as a player
• Ted’s finally going into therapy for the back half of the season, at last
• Honestly kind of a little weirded out by the way that the Qatar Air thing just kind of evaporated between episodes. It really feels like there should have been more significant consequences to that, but, well. I guess we still have half a dozen more episodes left.
• Curious what sudden fame does to/for Nate and his ego, with the potential danger of buying into the self-confident act a little too much and winding up in hell territory
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:48 PM on August 27, 2021 [4 favorites]
Nate has been completely useless up until now; his only contribution has been to attempt to project authority by abusing the new water boy and calling players useless without giving them any feedback.
Whereas Roy insulted players and then provided them with actionable feedback - and they know the insults are not personal.
So it’s incredibly refreshing to see Nate a) be productive and b) recognise that respect is better earned than merely demanded.
He could probably do with some time with Doc Sharon.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:29 PM on August 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
Whereas Roy insulted players and then provided them with actionable feedback - and they know the insults are not personal.
So it’s incredibly refreshing to see Nate a) be productive and b) recognise that respect is better earned than merely demanded.
He could probably do with some time with Doc Sharon.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:29 PM on August 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
SAM! it's SAM! AHHHHHHH
AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA
posted by tzikeh at 6:15 PM on August 27, 2021 [4 favorites]
AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA
posted by tzikeh at 6:15 PM on August 27, 2021 [4 favorites]
Obligated by username honor to note that Rebecca looked SICK AS HELL in that coat and hat
My immediate thought upon seeing her in that getup
posted by tzikeh at 6:26 PM on August 27, 2021 [6 favorites]
My immediate thought upon seeing her in that getup
posted by tzikeh at 6:26 PM on August 27, 2021 [6 favorites]
Can you guys see the Bantr screen that Rebecca and Sam are looking at? I can't, and I'll go look for screenshots, but I don't know if we're legitimately supposed to be following along. I might just be due for an eye exam.
Nate is breaking my heart. I love him, but I fear for the road he's headed down. And I'm not really sure what's to be done about it. I also feel like it's all totally in keeping with his character, what massive insecurity and impostor syndrome can do to someone.
Also rather enjoyed Roy’s criticism about playing in a way that is true to himself, making it clear that even though Roy does not like Jamie as a person, he does at least begrudgingly respect him as a player
It so reminded me of Nate roasting Roy at the end of the first season, telling him that his anger was what made him great. Also, Phil Dunphy's pout that barely gets a shot in the edit when Roy tells him he can't be a prick all the time was beautiful.
If the next episode was a bottle episode with just Dr. Sharon and Ted in her office (poor Higgins), I'd be riveted. The show has withheld us watching Dr. Sharon work, and I can't wait to see what happens between them.
posted by gladly at 8:30 PM on August 27, 2021 [9 favorites]
Nate is breaking my heart. I love him, but I fear for the road he's headed down. And I'm not really sure what's to be done about it. I also feel like it's all totally in keeping with his character, what massive insecurity and impostor syndrome can do to someone.
Also rather enjoyed Roy’s criticism about playing in a way that is true to himself, making it clear that even though Roy does not like Jamie as a person, he does at least begrudgingly respect him as a player
It so reminded me of Nate roasting Roy at the end of the first season, telling him that his anger was what made him great. Also, Phil Dunphy's pout that barely gets a shot in the edit when Roy tells him he can't be a prick all the time was beautiful.
If the next episode was a bottle episode with just Dr. Sharon and Ted in her office (poor Higgins), I'd be riveted. The show has withheld us watching Dr. Sharon work, and I can't wait to see what happens between them.
posted by gladly at 8:30 PM on August 27, 2021 [9 favorites]
I am madly in love with all the hairbands Jamie Tartt wears.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:47 PM on August 27, 2021 [13 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:47 PM on August 27, 2021 [13 favorites]
That moment right before Ted runs off the field is...EXACTLY what anxiety feels like for me. Exactly. The way it connects Ted's physical symptoms of sensory overload with how - it's not about what's going on at that moment, it's how there's this whole web of narratives and emotional tensions (including, but not limited to: tensions between Jamie and Roy, tensions between Jamie and other members of the team, tensions between Nate's coaching style and Roy's coaching style), and pulling at the wrong strand at the wrong time makes that whole web unravel at once. It really impressed me to see that captured so sharply.
I've been suspending judgment on this season, mostly - the first half of the season put a lot of balls in the air and I've been waiting to see where they land. But that moment reassures me a bit that the show is holding conflicts in waiting rather than just papering over them.
I would be shipping Sam/Rebecca so hard right now if I were not pretty sure it's unethical to date someone who plays for a football team you own. I'm very glad it's not Ted she's texting - the Rilke quote last episode seemed very much like a Ted thing, but it's a neat bit of misdirection, because it also seems very in character for Sam.
Gladly: I think we are supposed to be reading the texts they're sending each other on Bantr, yeah.
posted by Jeanne at 9:21 PM on August 27, 2021 [18 favorites]
I've been suspending judgment on this season, mostly - the first half of the season put a lot of balls in the air and I've been waiting to see where they land. But that moment reassures me a bit that the show is holding conflicts in waiting rather than just papering over them.
I would be shipping Sam/Rebecca so hard right now if I were not pretty sure it's unethical to date someone who plays for a football team you own. I'm very glad it's not Ted she's texting - the Rilke quote last episode seemed very much like a Ted thing, but it's a neat bit of misdirection, because it also seems very in character for Sam.
Gladly: I think we are supposed to be reading the texts they're sending each other on Bantr, yeah.
posted by Jeanne at 9:21 PM on August 27, 2021 [18 favorites]
but it's a neat bit of misdirection, because it also seems very in character for Sam.
This week with the "you and breakfast are tied neck and neck" and the "what kind of a spy would I be if I told you that - oops!", they seemed to be leaning in to try and make it sound more like Ted.
Different colors for different text conversations is a good idea. I hope someone from Apple watches this show.
posted by Gary at 11:30 PM on August 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
This week with the "you and breakfast are tied neck and neck" and the "what kind of a spy would I be if I told you that - oops!", they seemed to be leaning in to try and make it sound more like Ted.
Different colors for different text conversations is a good idea. I hope someone from Apple watches this show.
posted by Gary at 11:30 PM on August 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
Jamie: I don't know how to talk to you.
Coach Beard: Then it's working.
Golden.
It's bothered me a bit how profiundly uncurios Ted has been about football. I wonder if that will factor in to his therapy with Dr. Fieldstone. Otherwise he's setting up a system that doesn't need him (which could be triggering him), although in a way that wood be a great success.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 7:19 AM on August 28, 2021 [4 favorites]
Coach Beard: Then it's working.
Golden.
It's bothered me a bit how profiundly uncurios Ted has been about football. I wonder if that will factor in to his therapy with Dr. Fieldstone. Otherwise he's setting up a system that doesn't need him (which could be triggering him), although in a way that wood be a great success.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 7:19 AM on August 28, 2021 [4 favorites]
I forgot one of my favorite parts: I would love to watch the Bake Off in that pub with songs.
posted by gladly at 7:38 AM on August 28, 2021 [12 favorites]
posted by gladly at 7:38 AM on August 28, 2021 [12 favorites]
I forgot to mention how much I enjoyed the C-plot about Higgins and Beard - Ted and Rebecca are quite correct that you don't get in the middle of this kind of thing and it usually does more harm than good, but sometimes you just have to - and even though Ted obviously cares a great deal about Beard, it says a lot that Higgins is the one who ultimately has the conviction and strength of character to say something.
posted by Jeanne at 7:47 AM on August 28, 2021 [12 favorites]
posted by Jeanne at 7:47 AM on August 28, 2021 [12 favorites]
It's interesting that they are using the same closeup of Ted's hands (and crotch, it's kind of a weird camera angle they keep going for where it's Ted Bulge in center frame even though the Information To Impart is that he is having sweaty tingly anxiety palms) from Season One when he's not having a panic attack but still needs reassurance from Beard (they're just kids).
Possibly keeping that camera angle as a leitmotif (which they LOVE to do with lines / jokes, repeating it twice or three times across many episodes as a callback) is supposed to convey that Ted's anxiety is much deeper and has roots much further back in life than the Conflict of the Day / Season that we are privy to.
posted by lazaruslong at 8:54 AM on August 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
Possibly keeping that camera angle as a leitmotif (which they LOVE to do with lines / jokes, repeating it twice or three times across many episodes as a callback) is supposed to convey that Ted's anxiety is much deeper and has roots much further back in life than the Conflict of the Day / Season that we are privy to.
posted by lazaruslong at 8:54 AM on August 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
That is, it's not all new anxiety produced by Plot Conflict but pre-existing stuff getting triggered.
posted by lazaruslong at 8:55 AM on August 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by lazaruslong at 8:55 AM on August 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
I was amazed at the Laughing Liam joke callback, such wonderful writing.
The last scene, with Ted in Dr. Sharon’s office, was a real gut punch. Sudeikis’ countenance sold the scene without needing to say anything, he just looked so deeply stricken and afraid.
Also, Rebecca and Sam: the power disparity is very concerning but they’d be a really cute couple, so….. (I’m just thankful it wasn’t Ted, I am not at all a shipper for Rebecca/Ted.)
Also, also: if Ted hasn’t been gigglingly texting with Rebecca, with whom is he actually texting? The misdirects showed him texting with someone.
posted by LooseFilter at 9:14 AM on August 28, 2021 [6 favorites]
The last scene, with Ted in Dr. Sharon’s office, was a real gut punch. Sudeikis’ countenance sold the scene without needing to say anything, he just looked so deeply stricken and afraid.
Also, Rebecca and Sam: the power disparity is very concerning but they’d be a really cute couple, so….. (I’m just thankful it wasn’t Ted, I am not at all a shipper for Rebecca/Ted.)
Also, also: if Ted hasn’t been gigglingly texting with Rebecca, with whom is he actually texting? The misdirects showed him texting with someone.
posted by LooseFilter at 9:14 AM on August 28, 2021 [6 favorites]
An additional thought, per the article linked above: having seen half of season 2 now, I think that Apple should not be releasing these episodes weekly. The article makes the excellent point that, by the numbers, most of us came to Ted Lasso S1 late, and thus watched the whole season as (more or less) one connected viewing experience. I expect that S2 will make a lot more sense, and the weak spots in each episode much milder, once we've seen the whole thing. They're approaching the serialized sitcom as a novel, and while I love it, I think the week-to-week perspective actually obscures some of the deeper strengths in the writing.
posted by LooseFilter at 9:31 AM on August 28, 2021 [9 favorites]
posted by LooseFilter at 9:31 AM on August 28, 2021 [9 favorites]
Roy's disdain for the Diamond Dogs amuses me to no end: "Stupid barking means it's over, right?"
posted by HillbillyInBC at 10:12 AM on August 28, 2021 [8 favorites]
posted by HillbillyInBC at 10:12 AM on August 28, 2021 [8 favorites]
One more thought, after re-watching earlier today: this is one of my favorite episodes of the show so far.
posted by LooseFilter at 3:39 PM on August 28, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by LooseFilter at 3:39 PM on August 28, 2021 [4 favorites]
it's not about what's going on at that moment, it's how there's this whole web of narratives and emotional tensions
He was reminded again that he's 4000 miles away from his kid, and can't be there for things big or small.
I was pretty sure he was either in the doc's office or had jumped a plane back to the States. Although if that incapacitated by a panic attack, he might not have been capable of the latter.
I was hoping Rebecca wasnt talking to Ted on bantr, but at the reveal they weren't, am now suddenly slightly shipping them. Even though I really can't see them as a couple. But I just love their chemistry.
Also, if she gets involved with Sam, that'll upend the crushing goddaughter a bit
(Is Rebecca and Sam a deep cut reference to Cheers? Especially since I was just reminded Sudeikis is related to "Norm.")
Finally, another possible rom-com reference. Sam's handle has152 in it, the same as Tom Hanks character in You've Got Mail.
I just got apple plus again, and binged both seasons plus Schmigadoon in a few days. So now back to that weekly wait for an episode.
posted by NorthernLite at 4:28 PM on August 28, 2021 [3 favorites]
He was reminded again that he's 4000 miles away from his kid, and can't be there for things big or small.
I was pretty sure he was either in the doc's office or had jumped a plane back to the States. Although if that incapacitated by a panic attack, he might not have been capable of the latter.
I was hoping Rebecca wasnt talking to Ted on bantr, but at the reveal they weren't, am now suddenly slightly shipping them. Even though I really can't see them as a couple. But I just love their chemistry.
Also, if she gets involved with Sam, that'll upend the crushing goddaughter a bit
(Is Rebecca and Sam a deep cut reference to Cheers? Especially since I was just reminded Sudeikis is related to "Norm.")
Finally, another possible rom-com reference. Sam's handle has152 in it, the same as Tom Hanks character in You've Got Mail.
I just got apple plus again, and binged both seasons plus Schmigadoon in a few days. So now back to that weekly wait for an episode.
posted by NorthernLite at 4:28 PM on August 28, 2021 [3 favorites]
That is, it's not all new anxiety produced by Plot Conflict but pre-existing stuff getting triggered.
Guy's dad died when he was 16. I expect we'll hear more.
I just got apple plus again, and binged both seasons plus Schmigadoon in a few days. So now back to that weekly wait for an episode.
Schmigadoon! was written specifically for me, how dare you watch it
posted by tzikeh at 5:07 PM on August 28, 2021 [8 favorites]
Guy's dad died when he was 16. I expect we'll hear more.
I just got apple plus again, and binged both seasons plus Schmigadoon in a few days. So now back to that weekly wait for an episode.
Schmigadoon! was written specifically for me, how dare you watch it
posted by tzikeh at 5:07 PM on August 28, 2021 [8 favorites]
I loved how Nate's insecurity about Roy played out across two episodes without a single word being spoken about it by any character.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 8:26 PM on August 28, 2021 [33 favorites]
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 8:26 PM on August 28, 2021 [33 favorites]
Clearly he is texting Trent Crimm of the Independent. That hair!
I am absolutely besotted by Sam/Rebecca because they would be a wonderful power couple.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 8:41 PM on August 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
I am absolutely besotted by Sam/Rebecca because they would be a wonderful power couple.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 8:41 PM on August 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
dorothyisunderwood: Clearly he is texting Trent Crimm of the Independent. That hair!
10 other people agreed with you enough that they wrote you some stories.
There's someone I follow on Tumblr who uses the tag "Ted Lasso/Trent Crimm: The Independent" which I think is very funny indeed, but someone else has written (not on AO3 that I can find) "Trent Crimm/The Independent" and I love fandom so much.
posted by tzikeh at 6:56 AM on August 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
10 other people agreed with you enough that they wrote you some stories.
There's someone I follow on Tumblr who uses the tag "Ted Lasso/Trent Crimm: The Independent" which I think is very funny indeed, but someone else has written (not on AO3 that I can find) "Trent Crimm/The Independent" and I love fandom so much.
posted by tzikeh at 6:56 AM on August 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
Guy's dad died when he was 16. I expect we'll hear more.
Hm. Somehow I don't get the impression that Ted's issues are with his Dad's death at a young age. He seems pretty well-adjusted to that, at least based on the vibe I get from the darts scene.
I suspect that Ted's issues are rooted more deeply in his adult phase of life, especially his divorce and the subsequent distrust of therapists. But we shall see!
posted by lazaruslong at 7:51 AM on August 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
Hm. Somehow I don't get the impression that Ted's issues are with his Dad's death at a young age. He seems pretty well-adjusted to that, at least based on the vibe I get from the darts scene.
I suspect that Ted's issues are rooted more deeply in his adult phase of life, especially his divorce and the subsequent distrust of therapists. But we shall see!
posted by lazaruslong at 7:51 AM on August 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
I really love this show but from my perspective it's best when the sport, the game and the training are in the distant background. Why? Well it's not that I know or care much about soccer/football rather it is that I do actually coach and work with coaches and athletes at a very high level. So two things:
posted by mce at 8:23 AM on August 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
- The basic premise (yokel knows nothing about anything but despite overwhelming fish-out-of-water'ness wins the day with charm, enthusiasm and strength of character) is so very very ridiculous that (most) of the time it's cloaked by a Somebody Else's Problem Field. I get that it's a sitcom setup just don't ask me to believe that this coaching staff is, y'know, coaching without doing the smallest thing to earn that expectation.
- That power disparity LooseFilter mentions is absolutely a goddamned showstopper. This is exactly the kind of thing that SafeSport movements across the world are trying to eliminate from sport at all levels. It's the kind of thing that strikes me to the core in the way this subplot might have in an alternate universe where Sam was the underaged phenom who was actually age appropriate for the goddaughter or if it steered into "haha she literally owns your black ass" territory. Fuck no.
posted by mce at 8:23 AM on August 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
Ted's issues are rooted more deeply in his adult phase of life
One of the triggers for his panic attack this episode was Rebecca's mom matter-of-factly pointing out to him that, while she left her husband, Ted was left by his wife. (The other was his son's minor emergency that he wasn't there for.) So yeah, I think he's mainly falling apart because his wife left him and he's thousands of miles away from his young son.
Also, w/r/t weekly episode release, this Twitter comment:
posted by LooseFilter at 8:40 AM on August 29, 2021 [9 favorites]
One of the triggers for his panic attack this episode was Rebecca's mom matter-of-factly pointing out to him that, while she left her husband, Ted was left by his wife. (The other was his son's minor emergency that he wasn't there for.) So yeah, I think he's mainly falling apart because his wife left him and he's thousands of miles away from his young son.
Also, w/r/t weekly episode release, this Twitter comment:
I think this week's #TedLasso proves - in the wake of the discourse of the last few weeks - that you'll probably enjoy TV more if you assume the people writing the show are smarter than you, as opposed to assuming they're idiots with no idea what they're doing(Edit just to say how excited I am to see a reference to the SEP field! I wish for a real-life version of that nearly weekly.)
posted by LooseFilter at 8:40 AM on August 29, 2021 [9 favorites]
"I think this week's #TedLasso proves - in the wake of the discourse of the last few weeks - that you'll probably enjoy TV more if you assume the people writing the show are smarter than you, as opposed to assuming they're idiots with no idea what they're doing"
This is so true. I read these threads to see if there was some interesting bit or reference I missed, but generally see a fair amount of complaining about how this season isn't as good as the first (it is), how the writers have made a massive mistake by having a character (generally Ted) act in a way that the commenter deems imperfect or counter to the premise of the show (without realizing that the show is not a children's show nor are the characters supposed to be "perfect"), or how it's unbelievable that some plot thread hasn't been followed through upon (which generally happens a couple of episodes later).
The first commenter in that twitter thread says that the reason for the complaining might be because people like her watched the first season all in one sitting (by choice) and she's watching the second season one week per episode (by choice), and the week in between episodes keeps her from being able to "follow the arcs all the way through". Evidently, people will complain about anything, even if the solution is in their control.
posted by jonathanhughes at 10:49 AM on August 29, 2021 [8 favorites]
This is so true. I read these threads to see if there was some interesting bit or reference I missed, but generally see a fair amount of complaining about how this season isn't as good as the first (it is), how the writers have made a massive mistake by having a character (generally Ted) act in a way that the commenter deems imperfect or counter to the premise of the show (without realizing that the show is not a children's show nor are the characters supposed to be "perfect"), or how it's unbelievable that some plot thread hasn't been followed through upon (which generally happens a couple of episodes later).
The first commenter in that twitter thread says that the reason for the complaining might be because people like her watched the first season all in one sitting (by choice) and she's watching the second season one week per episode (by choice), and the week in between episodes keeps her from being able to "follow the arcs all the way through". Evidently, people will complain about anything, even if the solution is in their control.
posted by jonathanhughes at 10:49 AM on August 29, 2021 [8 favorites]
As Myles McNutt notes for The AV Club,
The feminists I hang out with sometimes talk about the differences among nice, polite, kind, and good. I think Ted -- with help from Dr. Fieldstone -- may need to poke at those distinctions.
posted by brainwane at 11:19 AM on August 29, 2021 [10 favorites]
This season has been exploring the limits of Ted’s philosophy, which works as a way to get people to be the best version of themselves but proved ineffective at actually winning football matches, and took Jamie Tartt from a superstar to “average.” To his credit, Ted hasn’t resisted changing things up when necessary, but every time Ted has to acknowledge that maybe his “belief” isn’t enough, it’s a trigger to the fact that his marriage failed in exactly the same circumstances.A bunch of stuff was swirling around to cause his sudden anxiety or panic attack (canonically, what was the incident Rebecca helped him with in Season 1, during karaoke night?). I think one was seeing that Roy was right, that Jamie needed to hold on to a bit of his bastard personality to deploy it during the match, and beginning to wonder what that implied for Ted. Ted sublimates and suppresses his angrier and more selfish urges; even the Led Tasso persona is rare and split off.
The feminists I hang out with sometimes talk about the differences among nice, polite, kind, and good. I think Ted -- with help from Dr. Fieldstone -- may need to poke at those distinctions.
posted by brainwane at 11:19 AM on August 29, 2021 [10 favorites]
lazaruslong: Hm. Somehow I don't get the impression that Ted's issues are with his Dad's death at a young age. He seems pretty well-adjusted to that, at least based on the vibe I get from the darts scene.
I suspect that Ted's issues are rooted more deeply in his adult phase of life, especially his divorce and the subsequent distrust of therapists. But we shall see!
Ted's "relentless optimism" is something his wife said was difficult to deal with, indicating that this was who he was before they married, not someone he morphed into. I have a feeling that his whole facade was born out of that early damage. As you say - we shall see!
posted by tzikeh at 6:12 PM on August 29, 2021 [4 favorites]
I suspect that Ted's issues are rooted more deeply in his adult phase of life, especially his divorce and the subsequent distrust of therapists. But we shall see!
Ted's "relentless optimism" is something his wife said was difficult to deal with, indicating that this was who he was before they married, not someone he morphed into. I have a feeling that his whole facade was born out of that early damage. As you say - we shall see!
posted by tzikeh at 6:12 PM on August 29, 2021 [4 favorites]
brainwane: A bunch of stuff was swirling around to cause his sudden anxiety or panic attack (canonically, what was the incident Rebecca helped him with in Season 1, during karaoke night?).
He had just signed his divorce papers. Rebecca was singing "Let it Go," a song about how not letting people see the real you can crush you internally, but letting people see the real you may cost you your relationships. Ted got the worst of both worlds - not letting people see the real him cost him his marriage. The front Ted puts on to conceal his rage and sorrow is definitely going to be the topic of the back half whenever we're in Doctor Fieldstone's office.
posted by tzikeh at 6:18 PM on August 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
He had just signed his divorce papers. Rebecca was singing "Let it Go," a song about how not letting people see the real you can crush you internally, but letting people see the real you may cost you your relationships. Ted got the worst of both worlds - not letting people see the real him cost him his marriage. The front Ted puts on to conceal his rage and sorrow is definitely going to be the topic of the back half whenever we're in Doctor Fieldstone's office.
posted by tzikeh at 6:18 PM on August 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
"I think this week's #TedLasso proves - in the wake of the discourse of the last few weeks - that you'll probably enjoy TV more if you assume the people writing the show are smarter than you, as opposed to assuming they're idiots with no idea what they're doing"
Counterpoint: Battlestar Galactica remake.
posted by Marticus at 7:47 PM on August 29, 2021 [9 favorites]
Counterpoint: Battlestar Galactica remake.
posted by Marticus at 7:47 PM on August 29, 2021 [9 favorites]
Counterpoint: Battlestar Galactica remake.
But they had a plan! Right? Right!?
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:15 PM on August 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
But they had a plan! Right? Right!?
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:15 PM on August 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
"I think this week's #TedLasso proves - in the wake of the discourse of the last few weeks - that you'll probably enjoy TV more if you assume the people writing the show are smarter than you, as opposed to assuming they're idiots with no idea what they're doing"
This does apply to Ted Lasso, but Ted Lasso is the exception in modern TV writing, not the rule.
I mean, there are so many prestige shows where the writers clearly lost their way and then just started doing random bullshit. The aforementioned Battlestar Galactica, Lost, Game of Thrones (literal idiots with literally no idea what they were doing), How I Met Your Mother, Heroes, True Blood, House of Cards...just off the top of my head.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:23 PM on August 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
This does apply to Ted Lasso, but Ted Lasso is the exception in modern TV writing, not the rule.
I mean, there are so many prestige shows where the writers clearly lost their way and then just started doing random bullshit. The aforementioned Battlestar Galactica, Lost, Game of Thrones (literal idiots with literally no idea what they were doing), How I Met Your Mother, Heroes, True Blood, House of Cards...just off the top of my head.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:23 PM on August 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
I mean, I dunno. I could be one of the people you're talking about, complaining this season is not as good as the first, and maybe I should have had more trust in the writers. But I'm also someone who watched the whole first season and then introduced it to two housemates and willingly watched every episode all over again with each of them. There isn't an episode this season I've been tempted to re-watch, with the possible exception of this one. There's been nothing to savour and enjoy, like Ted and Sam's "Imperialism?" "Imperialism" exchange. In fact there's been a bunch of stuff I've been wincing at the first time around, like killing the greyhound, or the deep dive into the hokey Xmas culture of the U.S. and the U.K., or Rebecca and Keeley's kind-of-off pep talk to Nate, or Nate spitting at himself. So is it because I didn't have enough faith in the writers? Or is it because I've not been enjoying the show?
I've even been uncomfortable with threads from S1 when they turn up this season. The Higgins' marriage in the Xmas episode felt like a pantomime of a happy marriage. Compare it to the small interactions we saw in S1, and our reevaluation of the importance of those interactions when Higgins speaks his truth and thereby tells Ted his marriage is over: "When you're with the right person, even the hard times are easy". (If you look closely you can actually pinpoint the exact moment Ted's heart breaks in two.) "We all ended up at G-A-Y till 2am and then we had crepes in Balham with some drag queens" was a joyful throwaway line. We didn't need to meet the yoga ladies! Like Roy said, it's private.
posted by trotzdem_kunst at 2:34 AM on August 30, 2021 [6 favorites]
I've even been uncomfortable with threads from S1 when they turn up this season. The Higgins' marriage in the Xmas episode felt like a pantomime of a happy marriage. Compare it to the small interactions we saw in S1, and our reevaluation of the importance of those interactions when Higgins speaks his truth and thereby tells Ted his marriage is over: "When you're with the right person, even the hard times are easy". (If you look closely you can actually pinpoint the exact moment Ted's heart breaks in two.) "We all ended up at G-A-Y till 2am and then we had crepes in Balham with some drag queens" was a joyful throwaway line. We didn't need to meet the yoga ladies! Like Roy said, it's private.
posted by trotzdem_kunst at 2:34 AM on August 30, 2021 [6 favorites]
brainwane: A bunch of stuff was swirling around to cause his sudden anxiety or panic attack (canonically, what was the incident Rebecca helped him with in Season 1, during karaoke night?).
tzikeh: He had just signed his divorce papers. Rebecca was singing "Let it Go," a song about how not letting people see the real you can crush you internally, but letting people see the real you may cost you your relationships. Ted got the worst of both worlds - not letting people see the real him cost him his marriage. The front Ted puts on to conceal his rage and sorrow is definitely going to be the topic of the back half whenever we're in Doctor Fieldstone's office.
100%
One other thing that seems like a trigger is noise / amped up emotions. I'm curious to see if this will end up being an actual Ted Needs To Deal With This Trigger or not.
In both the karaoke bar panic attack and the on the pitch panic attack, the camera does the tinnitis ear ringing thing with shaky cam zoom in on people's faces in extreme emotional states of either joy or rage (more rage in the case of the pitch attack) as the attack amps up.
I'm someone with mental illness that intersects with anxiety, sound sensitivity, and panic attacks, so these panic attack shots (despite relying on the classic high pitched, just-got-hit-by-a-concussion-grenade camera trick tropes) feel pretty dang authentic to me. That's neither here nor there, just mentioning.
posted by lazaruslong at 5:54 AM on August 30, 2021 [3 favorites]
tzikeh: He had just signed his divorce papers. Rebecca was singing "Let it Go," a song about how not letting people see the real you can crush you internally, but letting people see the real you may cost you your relationships. Ted got the worst of both worlds - not letting people see the real him cost him his marriage. The front Ted puts on to conceal his rage and sorrow is definitely going to be the topic of the back half whenever we're in Doctor Fieldstone's office.
100%
One other thing that seems like a trigger is noise / amped up emotions. I'm curious to see if this will end up being an actual Ted Needs To Deal With This Trigger or not.
In both the karaoke bar panic attack and the on the pitch panic attack, the camera does the tinnitis ear ringing thing with shaky cam zoom in on people's faces in extreme emotional states of either joy or rage (more rage in the case of the pitch attack) as the attack amps up.
I'm someone with mental illness that intersects with anxiety, sound sensitivity, and panic attacks, so these panic attack shots (despite relying on the classic high pitched, just-got-hit-by-a-concussion-grenade camera trick tropes) feel pretty dang authentic to me. That's neither here nor there, just mentioning.
posted by lazaruslong at 5:54 AM on August 30, 2021 [3 favorites]
So is it because I didn't have enough faith in the writers? Or is it because I've not been enjoying the show?
For my part, everyone can enjoy or not enjoy the show as they may, I don't intend to project any 'shoulds' or 'oughts'. My comment on that was more about the ugly social media conversations where cynicism reigns supreme, and some folks are just giddy that Ted Lasso may not be infallibly super-great, and are using dismissive criticisms of S2 to mock people who have been enthusiastic about the show so far.
That's different than simply not enjoying the show, and isn't really part of the culture here. It's confusing when threads mix internal site culture with internet-at-large culture, so my apology if that unintentional conflation reads as personal to anyone commenting here. (For me, 'trusting the writers' with S2 has been about patience w/r/t to resolving character development or storylines, not about telling myself that something I didn't enjoy must somehow actually still be good.)
posted by LooseFilter at 11:12 AM on August 30, 2021 [5 favorites]
For my part, everyone can enjoy or not enjoy the show as they may, I don't intend to project any 'shoulds' or 'oughts'. My comment on that was more about the ugly social media conversations where cynicism reigns supreme, and some folks are just giddy that Ted Lasso may not be infallibly super-great, and are using dismissive criticisms of S2 to mock people who have been enthusiastic about the show so far.
That's different than simply not enjoying the show, and isn't really part of the culture here. It's confusing when threads mix internal site culture with internet-at-large culture, so my apology if that unintentional conflation reads as personal to anyone commenting here. (For me, 'trusting the writers' with S2 has been about patience w/r/t to resolving character development or storylines, not about telling myself that something I didn't enjoy must somehow actually still be good.)
posted by LooseFilter at 11:12 AM on August 30, 2021 [5 favorites]
i laughed out loud on two separate occasions, this episode. remarkable for its rarity. don't think i have during ted lasso up til now. can't recall which bits did it.
posted by 20 year lurk at 12:59 PM on August 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by 20 year lurk at 12:59 PM on August 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
Roy Kent discusses the Roy Kent effect.
posted by Pronoiac at 2:41 PM on August 30, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by Pronoiac at 2:41 PM on August 30, 2021 [5 favorites]
Two of my fandoms intersect:
My cast list for any new Lord Of The Rings is also the cast list of Ted Lasso, a thread. Let's start with an easy one: Aragorn. No fucking second breakfasts for any fucking hobbits or any other fucking muppets with this Aragorn.
https://twitter.com/JuliusGoat/status/1431973031648313344
posted by gemmy at 12:11 PM on August 31, 2021 [8 favorites]
My cast list for any new Lord Of The Rings is also the cast list of Ted Lasso, a thread. Let's start with an easy one: Aragorn. No fucking second breakfasts for any fucking hobbits or any other fucking muppets with this Aragorn.
https://twitter.com/JuliusGoat/status/1431973031648313344
posted by gemmy at 12:11 PM on August 31, 2021 [8 favorites]
I wasn't surprised, but I was delighted.
The one and only person with whom Rebecca has had positive, authentic, non-transactional relationship with since the beginning has been Sam. Stick with me for a minute.
Season #1 Rebecca was constantly faking her relationships: lying to Ted, being cruel to Higgins privately no matter how she acted publicly, lying by omission to the team, faking her reactions to Rupert so as not to show how hurt she was. Even with Keeley, she was lying at first, then desperate to keep her friendship. Over and over in season #1, everyone was genuine with Rebecca, and she was disingenuous across the board...with one exception.
In every tiny interaction with Sam, she was glowing, polite, and sweet. There was no tension in her smile. She never mocked, she never condescended, and she was never dismissive with him. The obvious reference point is their conversation during the haunting episode, but even in the scene in the karaoke bar, she was genuinely appreciative when he stood up to hold her purse and jacket so she could perform. He was cheering her on with support, not pressure.
Rebecca's face lights up when she interacts with Sam because it's the one pure interaction devoid of any kind of fakery, and without expectations or a transactional nature. And she hadn't yet gotten back in touch with Nora, so she had no reason to delight in Sam in a maternal way because of Nora's feelings.
And further along, this season during the Air Dubai kerfuffle, yes, Rebecca has been eager to do the right thing, but money is still obviously important to her. Yet, I don't get the sense that she was anything but fully supportive of Sam wanting out of his PR contract; it wasn't like she was trying to look good to Keeley or Nora.
No, I'm not in favor of a Rebecca/Sam relationship. She's his boss, and there's the whole power differential. And yeah, there's the age thing. (20, maybe 25 years of age difference?) And most of all, imagine how much it would hurt Nora if Aunt Stinky got involved with the object of her adolescent affections! Plus, Sam was very clear in that interaction in her office last season, he's not interested in her romantically.
But I kept saying, the minute we were misdirected to think it was Ted, that it had to be Sam. And it's a delight that Rebecca can have a genuinely warm (verbal) relationship with someone like Sam. I can see Sam becoming Rebecca's friend. From Roy's growl to Colin's Colin-ness to Jamie's obliviously self-centered (and damaged) self to Isaac's whole persona to Dani's ball of happy energy, these players (as entertaining as they can be) aren't all that three-dimensional. They are (barely) men (save Roy) playing a game for big money. Nate is lost. Higgins is more secure now, but it took him a while. Rebecca's got power but she's a long way from OK; and she's lonely. The grownups are a mess; the "kids" are all going to be a mess at some point. But not Sam.
Sam knows who he is, stands up on the right side of every moment, and is so warm-hearted, anyone could fall in love with him. Or just love him, in a big, friendly way. Unlike Jamie or Roy or Ted, he's not broken and he doesn't need to be rebuilt. He and Keeley are the two people who are truly good, who want the best for everyone; they don't let anyone walk over them (recall Sam with Jamie upon Jamie's return). Sam is an earnestly good man with nothing to prove.
Like Keeley, and unlike all the rest of them, he won't have trouble making a transition from the career that makes him famous to whatever comes next. He'll probably go back home and fix the government, or start a bunch of non-profits. So of course, all of that in his personality is attractive to Rebecca, via the app.
I've been waiting for a season and a half to talk about Rebecca's smile when she interacts with Sam. I'll step away from my little obsession now. Thank you for something to my Ted(Lasso)Talk.
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 12:09 AM on September 1, 2021 [36 favorites]
The one and only person with whom Rebecca has had positive, authentic, non-transactional relationship with since the beginning has been Sam. Stick with me for a minute.
Season #1 Rebecca was constantly faking her relationships: lying to Ted, being cruel to Higgins privately no matter how she acted publicly, lying by omission to the team, faking her reactions to Rupert so as not to show how hurt she was. Even with Keeley, she was lying at first, then desperate to keep her friendship. Over and over in season #1, everyone was genuine with Rebecca, and she was disingenuous across the board...with one exception.
In every tiny interaction with Sam, she was glowing, polite, and sweet. There was no tension in her smile. She never mocked, she never condescended, and she was never dismissive with him. The obvious reference point is their conversation during the haunting episode, but even in the scene in the karaoke bar, she was genuinely appreciative when he stood up to hold her purse and jacket so she could perform. He was cheering her on with support, not pressure.
Rebecca's face lights up when she interacts with Sam because it's the one pure interaction devoid of any kind of fakery, and without expectations or a transactional nature. And she hadn't yet gotten back in touch with Nora, so she had no reason to delight in Sam in a maternal way because of Nora's feelings.
And further along, this season during the Air Dubai kerfuffle, yes, Rebecca has been eager to do the right thing, but money is still obviously important to her. Yet, I don't get the sense that she was anything but fully supportive of Sam wanting out of his PR contract; it wasn't like she was trying to look good to Keeley or Nora.
No, I'm not in favor of a Rebecca/Sam relationship. She's his boss, and there's the whole power differential. And yeah, there's the age thing. (20, maybe 25 years of age difference?) And most of all, imagine how much it would hurt Nora if Aunt Stinky got involved with the object of her adolescent affections! Plus, Sam was very clear in that interaction in her office last season, he's not interested in her romantically.
But I kept saying, the minute we were misdirected to think it was Ted, that it had to be Sam. And it's a delight that Rebecca can have a genuinely warm (verbal) relationship with someone like Sam. I can see Sam becoming Rebecca's friend. From Roy's growl to Colin's Colin-ness to Jamie's obliviously self-centered (and damaged) self to Isaac's whole persona to Dani's ball of happy energy, these players (as entertaining as they can be) aren't all that three-dimensional. They are (barely) men (save Roy) playing a game for big money. Nate is lost. Higgins is more secure now, but it took him a while. Rebecca's got power but she's a long way from OK; and she's lonely. The grownups are a mess; the "kids" are all going to be a mess at some point. But not Sam.
Sam knows who he is, stands up on the right side of every moment, and is so warm-hearted, anyone could fall in love with him. Or just love him, in a big, friendly way. Unlike Jamie or Roy or Ted, he's not broken and he doesn't need to be rebuilt. He and Keeley are the two people who are truly good, who want the best for everyone; they don't let anyone walk over them (recall Sam with Jamie upon Jamie's return). Sam is an earnestly good man with nothing to prove.
Like Keeley, and unlike all the rest of them, he won't have trouble making a transition from the career that makes him famous to whatever comes next. He'll probably go back home and fix the government, or start a bunch of non-profits. So of course, all of that in his personality is attractive to Rebecca, via the app.
I've been waiting for a season and a half to talk about Rebecca's smile when she interacts with Sam. I'll step away from my little obsession now. Thank you for something to my Ted(Lasso)Talk.
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 12:09 AM on September 1, 2021 [36 favorites]
(^ What a wonderful set of observations!)
posted by LooseFilter at 10:15 AM on September 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by LooseFilter at 10:15 AM on September 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
I don't want Rebecca and Sam to end up dating but I do want to see how this all plays out! I agree that Sam is the best. (Then again the whole cast is so great. Half of the joy of watching S1 with my wife was us exclaiming "OK, [he/she]'s my favorite now" whenever one of the characters had a really good moment)
In other news, it seems the word is getting out about Roy Kent looking like some kind of CGI character: https://twitter.com/brettgoldstein/status/1433471438384734210
posted by rivenwanderer at 4:23 PM on September 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
In other news, it seems the word is getting out about Roy Kent looking like some kind of CGI character: https://twitter.com/brettgoldstein/status/1433471438384734210
posted by rivenwanderer at 4:23 PM on September 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
I do have one thing to object about the pub GBBO song: Generally it's tarts and pies that are dinged for a soggy bottom, not cake. Cakes are insulted in other ways.
posted by rewil at 4:41 PM on September 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by rewil at 4:41 PM on September 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
My theory: the Ted+Sam Banter account is actually the whole team taking turns.
posted by cosmologinaut at 8:35 PM on September 2, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by cosmologinaut at 8:35 PM on September 2, 2021 [1 favorite]
I somehow made it until the last episode/FanFare thread without realizing that Bill Lawrence works on this show.
And, in the past two episodes, I feel like we turned a corner - I’m annoyed at the persistent, effortless positivity (and the cloying fucking inspirational music<\roy>), and somehow also deeply worried about the paths that all of the main characters seem to be on.
Maybe I could avoid further comparisons to Scrubs… but the final 15 seconds of this episode… that’s how you end an episode of Scrubs.
posted by schmod at 9:22 PM on October 8, 2021 [1 favorite]
And, in the past two episodes, I feel like we turned a corner - I’m annoyed at the persistent, effortless positivity (and the cloying fucking inspirational music<\roy>), and somehow also deeply worried about the paths that all of the main characters seem to be on.
Maybe I could avoid further comparisons to Scrubs… but the final 15 seconds of this episode… that’s how you end an episode of Scrubs.
posted by schmod at 9:22 PM on October 8, 2021 [1 favorite]
Sam! Wow! What a surprise!
I am happy that Rebecca's getting some young Chris Evans-ish stud bonking, per my wishes from the last episode.
The "be a prick sometimes" and the bird-flipping were just great.
Higgins, Rebecca--we've all been there with the revolving door people.
I did like that Nate got a good moment. I've been thinking that he's more of a macro coach--sees the overall picture from the outside, whereas Roy is a micro and sees it from the player's POV.
"I love meeting people's moms. It's like an instruction manual as to why they're nuts." THIS IS MY LIFE. LITERALLY DONE THIS WITH MY THERAPIST AND MY MUM.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:10 PM on January 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
I am happy that Rebecca's getting some young Chris Evans-ish stud bonking, per my wishes from the last episode.
The "be a prick sometimes" and the bird-flipping were just great.
Higgins, Rebecca--we've all been there with the revolving door people.
I did like that Nate got a good moment. I've been thinking that he's more of a macro coach--sees the overall picture from the outside, whereas Roy is a micro and sees it from the player's POV.
"I love meeting people's moms. It's like an instruction manual as to why they're nuts." THIS IS MY LIFE. LITERALLY DONE THIS WITH MY THERAPIST AND MY MUM.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:10 PM on January 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by minervous at 1:13 PM on August 27, 2021 [18 favorites]