PS The Roy/Trent confrontation. I love this cultural moment we're in, celebrate earnestness and kindness, and revealing just how cowardly detached cynicism masquerading as critique is.
I’m obsessed with this episode from start to finish. I felt like it was one of the writing team’s best yet. I have *never* laughed more at an episode than this one.
I think the end scene with Ted and Roy is also referencing Roy and Keely. It’s better to quit than to be fired. That’s what he did with Keely. He’s the one who broke it off because he was scared she’d break his heart and leave him. Mix that with the paper of Crimm’s words. He doesn’t feel like he’s good enough deep down.
The locker room scene was delightful, but the real comedy was Roy Kent at his desk with all the balloons and teddy bears. I cried laughing. 🧸🎈😂
I laughed a lot as you did, Jen, and I also really teared up at this Roy/Ted conversation. He was expanding on more than just his one hurt feeling, and sharing something real. What a step forward for Roy and what a moment for all of us to understand why he broke up with Keeley.
The running gag of condolences also really tickled me.
To your question about why Ted said yes to the book:
1) Gimme all the Trent.
2) It's another stage of growth and vulnerability. To have someone witnessing and accounting. The team and staff have to continue to be real in the face of someone taking notes. That's incredibly hard. I'm sure as celebrities, they're used to the scrutiny, but now it has entered a new level - it's now in the locker room. Can you be as authentic with a witness? Is that a truer kind of authenticity?
I was kind of disappointed that this episode started with so much Keeley. Don’t get me wrong. I love her, but I love the football story so much more with their magnificently wonderful and kooky characters. But my disappointment was gone by the end as more scenes with Keeley and her workmates were very satisfying. The CFO who didn’t really want Keeley’s “under qualified” friend to join the company but was ok with it when she could exert her power by naming the position she would hold just spoke to me in many ways, mainly if you’re dealing with disagreement, let your adversary have a win. I was so taken by Roy carrying that newspaper clipping all those years as I have done the same thing to remind me how to heal a hurt from betrayal. Such growth as he let it go. And finally, for now, I predict that Zava will bring all his fans to our team but by the end of the season, one of our regulars will outshine him. I have several in mind that I’d like to see do the deed.
"And finally, for now, I predict that Zava will bring all his fans to our team but by the end of the season, one of our regulars will outshine him. I have several in mind that I’d like to see do the deed." YES!
Gosh that's a brilliant connection! Hadn't thought about Zava bringing his fans, but of course. This could be a windfall for AFC Richmond. No more empty stands like in season one!
i would love a play like they just had against Chelsea for the wins against Zava...I am concerned he will be like Jamie was in the first season where he wouldn't ever pass the ball and they just kept losing. At this stage the team has grown so much, i doubt they would allow that type of "i" mentality.
-words, as well as the import we give them, have lasting impact
-to your question, I think Zava chose Richmond to rise to the challenge Rebecca laid down, that he could take the easy non-challenging path or could actually continue to do the next, developing thing - a theme in this episode (Ted rising to the challenge of staying/committing, Roy challenging himself in a new club/new coaching position, Keely rising to the challenge of being the boss)
That speaks well of him. He seems to have a planet-sized ego, so the idea that he'd be excited to prove himself/take on a new challenge rather than revel in his superstardom makes me like the character more.
And/or we know from Roy and Jamie's arcs that usually the more someone primps and preens, the more insecure they are. I'm more interested in this story now...
It's also possible he wants to be worshiped, which the 20th-seeded Richmond team will do. Could be an interesting echo of Rupert's narcissistic manipulations...
A thought that’s been marinating, and will continue to do so for me (and probably the show) is the deepening/growing dynamic between Roy & Jamie. Especially when Jaime decides to check on Roy rather than chase Keely. “What’re you doing?” “Trying to give you a hug!” “You came in too fast!” “Alright, I knew all you old guys were touchy after the war”
i re-watched this episode with Claire who is home for Spring Break. And, several amazing lines stood out to me. But, the one i can't get out of my head is when they are in the locker room at 1/2 time and first Ted says, "that was about as assertive as a Hallmark Christmas movie". And, then Trent walks in right in the middle of their strategy session. They all shut up...just like Roy instructed them to do, so Ted pulls Roy aside. Roy says, "what the f is a Hallmark Christmas movie". After Ted tells him he needs to settle everything with Trent for the sake of the game/team/life. He then says in almost a whisper: "oh, and a HCM is where a city girl returns home and falls in love with a guy who is working at the Christmas Tree lot, or he's Santa or a Prince." I didn't catch that line the first time we watched and it still kills me..."or, a Prince"....you know as one does! LOL
What's up with Dr. Sharon? Has she gone off the rails? (I assume she's sleeping with a member of the team that hired her, but we don't really know - yet.)
Is Rebecca's mom losing it to early dementia? That videoconversation with Rebecca was weird.
Rebecca was, what, a bartender when she met a married Rupert? Now she runs a team she inherited? She's out of her depth, but improving in that she made a move herself, even if it was to virtually maul Rupert.
Keeley "made it out" of -- something seedy? She's the sexual fantasy of the "ussie" dude as well as the greyhound pup lady, so I thought, and she was shagging Jamie before eventually shagging Roy. Now she is running a PR firm? Out of her depth. And the funders surrounded her with stodginess and fiscal responsibility (which she probably needs), but it's gonna ruin the firm. I predict she'll go solo by the end of the season.
Ted was, in a way, out of his depth when he started, but now he's picking up the lingo and everything.
Nate is out of his depth at West Ham. Even his car is. Towed away? How awful for him. But now he has a new vehicle with a nice rumble. Rupert must be really filthy rich.
As for Zava, was he going to announce signing with West Ham? If Zava was going to go Chelsea (and Rupert knew), I don't think Rupert would be so mad. I think he's just mad because somehow Zava impulsively decided to join Richmond and help his ex's team. I'm beginning to think Rupert has a grudge against Ted for the darts contest outcome. That's why he is happy to hear Nate talk trash about Ted during the press conference. But I await further explanation of Nate and his flashbacks to scenes showing low confidence even as he says "I earned this." We know Nate would really like his father's approval, and him reaming Ted at end of s2 was, I think, a proxy for him being resentful at his father and voicing it out loud.
Roy was out of his depth with Keeley (he said he wanted to do this differently, and I think he honorably has). I'm sorry they broke up, but she wouldn't use the plane tickets for the big vacation! Said she had to work.
Trent doing a book makes sense, but I don't understand why everyone but Ted said no. Fear of being tabloid fodder? Fear Trent would spin things badly? Ted knows Trent as a friend, and I think he trusts he won't be awful, just honest.
Roy chewing out Trent was amazing. Trent admitting his early writing was particularly "edgy" while always looking for the bad was also amazing. They've both grown up compared to like 2 decades earlier when Roy was 17 (and how old is Roy now?).
Finally, did you notice that most everyone seems to have great haircuts? Even Coach Beard looks trimmed up.
I would be shocked if Sharon was sleeping with a client. Not just shocked but disappointed with the show. She was the queen of boundaries last season... let some of her humanity show, but
The detail about Rebecca's past was interesting. I got the feeling that was something she did in her youth, but is not indicative of a lack of education or experience. Hannah Waddingham has talked about the accent she chose for Rebecca as representing the upper crust. Also, she was a server in a "private club," not a random watering hole. Very different clientele. A job there could be seen as a front row seat to power brokering.
Also, the way she really came up with just the right "pitch" to Zava was impressive. She knows what she was doing no matter what her job was when she was younger.
PS The Roy/Trent confrontation. I love this cultural moment we're in, celebrate earnestness and kindness, and revealing just how cowardly detached cynicism masquerading as critique is.
I’m obsessed with this episode from start to finish. I felt like it was one of the writing team’s best yet. I have *never* laughed more at an episode than this one.
I think the end scene with Ted and Roy is also referencing Roy and Keely. It’s better to quit than to be fired. That’s what he did with Keely. He’s the one who broke it off because he was scared she’d break his heart and leave him. Mix that with the paper of Crimm’s words. He doesn’t feel like he’s good enough deep down.
The locker room scene was delightful, but the real comedy was Roy Kent at his desk with all the balloons and teddy bears. I cried laughing. 🧸🎈😂
Roy is an Enneagram 8
I thought the same thing that the Roy/quitting story was about (or would ultimately be about) him and Keely.
I laughed a lot as you did, Jen, and I also really teared up at this Roy/Ted conversation. He was expanding on more than just his one hurt feeling, and sharing something real. What a step forward for Roy and what a moment for all of us to understand why he broke up with Keeley.
The running gag of condolences also really tickled me.
The popped balloons 🤣
RIGHT?...hilarious obstruction device...The writing on this show is just the best anywhere...ever.
Thanks for this great reflection!
To your question about why Ted said yes to the book:
1) Gimme all the Trent.
2) It's another stage of growth and vulnerability. To have someone witnessing and accounting. The team and staff have to continue to be real in the face of someone taking notes. That's incredibly hard. I'm sure as celebrities, they're used to the scrutiny, but now it has entered a new level - it's now in the locker room. Can you be as authentic with a witness? Is that a truer kind of authenticity?
Love the thoughts on authenticity!
I was kind of disappointed that this episode started with so much Keeley. Don’t get me wrong. I love her, but I love the football story so much more with their magnificently wonderful and kooky characters. But my disappointment was gone by the end as more scenes with Keeley and her workmates were very satisfying. The CFO who didn’t really want Keeley’s “under qualified” friend to join the company but was ok with it when she could exert her power by naming the position she would hold just spoke to me in many ways, mainly if you’re dealing with disagreement, let your adversary have a win. I was so taken by Roy carrying that newspaper clipping all those years as I have done the same thing to remind me how to heal a hurt from betrayal. Such growth as he let it go. And finally, for now, I predict that Zava will bring all his fans to our team but by the end of the season, one of our regulars will outshine him. I have several in mind that I’d like to see do the deed.
"And finally, for now, I predict that Zava will bring all his fans to our team but by the end of the season, one of our regulars will outshine him. I have several in mind that I’d like to see do the deed." YES!
Gosh that's a brilliant connection! Hadn't thought about Zava bringing his fans, but of course. This could be a windfall for AFC Richmond. No more empty stands like in season one!
i would love a play like they just had against Chelsea for the wins against Zava...I am concerned he will be like Jamie was in the first season where he wouldn't ever pass the ball and they just kept losing. At this stage the team has grown so much, i doubt they would allow that type of "i" mentality.
-words, as well as the import we give them, have lasting impact
-to your question, I think Zava chose Richmond to rise to the challenge Rebecca laid down, that he could take the easy non-challenging path or could actually continue to do the next, developing thing - a theme in this episode (Ted rising to the challenge of staying/committing, Roy challenging himself in a new club/new coaching position, Keely rising to the challenge of being the boss)
That speaks well of him. He seems to have a planet-sized ego, so the idea that he'd be excited to prove himself/take on a new challenge rather than revel in his superstardom makes me like the character more.
And/or we know from Roy and Jamie's arcs that usually the more someone primps and preens, the more insecure they are. I'm more interested in this story now...
It's also possible he wants to be worshiped, which the 20th-seeded Richmond team will do. Could be an interesting echo of Rupert's narcissistic manipulations...
A thought that’s been marinating, and will continue to do so for me (and probably the show) is the deepening/growing dynamic between Roy & Jamie. Especially when Jaime decides to check on Roy rather than chase Keely. “What’re you doing?” “Trying to give you a hug!” “You came in too fast!” “Alright, I knew all you old guys were touchy after the war”
“It’s called empatheh you dusty old fart”
and I can't say Keeley any other way than "Keeleh".
Also, is it just me or are any of you speculating on what, if any, will be the spin off series(es) after the end of TL?
I think, also, the dynamic of following your instinct even when everyone else around you doesn’t think it’s the best idea
Good one!
i re-watched this episode with Claire who is home for Spring Break. And, several amazing lines stood out to me. But, the one i can't get out of my head is when they are in the locker room at 1/2 time and first Ted says, "that was about as assertive as a Hallmark Christmas movie". And, then Trent walks in right in the middle of their strategy session. They all shut up...just like Roy instructed them to do, so Ted pulls Roy aside. Roy says, "what the f is a Hallmark Christmas movie". After Ted tells him he needs to settle everything with Trent for the sake of the game/team/life. He then says in almost a whisper: "oh, and a HCM is where a city girl returns home and falls in love with a guy who is working at the Christmas Tree lot, or he's Santa or a Prince." I didn't catch that line the first time we watched and it still kills me..."or, a Prince"....you know as one does! LOL
They blend the earnest and the hilarious so well on this show!
SPOILERS below.
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I've had a lot of thoughts about the first 2 eps:
What's up with Dr. Sharon? Has she gone off the rails? (I assume she's sleeping with a member of the team that hired her, but we don't really know - yet.)
Is Rebecca's mom losing it to early dementia? That videoconversation with Rebecca was weird.
Rebecca was, what, a bartender when she met a married Rupert? Now she runs a team she inherited? She's out of her depth, but improving in that she made a move herself, even if it was to virtually maul Rupert.
Keeley "made it out" of -- something seedy? She's the sexual fantasy of the "ussie" dude as well as the greyhound pup lady, so I thought, and she was shagging Jamie before eventually shagging Roy. Now she is running a PR firm? Out of her depth. And the funders surrounded her with stodginess and fiscal responsibility (which she probably needs), but it's gonna ruin the firm. I predict she'll go solo by the end of the season.
Ted was, in a way, out of his depth when he started, but now he's picking up the lingo and everything.
Nate is out of his depth at West Ham. Even his car is. Towed away? How awful for him. But now he has a new vehicle with a nice rumble. Rupert must be really filthy rich.
As for Zava, was he going to announce signing with West Ham? If Zava was going to go Chelsea (and Rupert knew), I don't think Rupert would be so mad. I think he's just mad because somehow Zava impulsively decided to join Richmond and help his ex's team. I'm beginning to think Rupert has a grudge against Ted for the darts contest outcome. That's why he is happy to hear Nate talk trash about Ted during the press conference. But I await further explanation of Nate and his flashbacks to scenes showing low confidence even as he says "I earned this." We know Nate would really like his father's approval, and him reaming Ted at end of s2 was, I think, a proxy for him being resentful at his father and voicing it out loud.
Roy was out of his depth with Keeley (he said he wanted to do this differently, and I think he honorably has). I'm sorry they broke up, but she wouldn't use the plane tickets for the big vacation! Said she had to work.
Trent doing a book makes sense, but I don't understand why everyone but Ted said no. Fear of being tabloid fodder? Fear Trent would spin things badly? Ted knows Trent as a friend, and I think he trusts he won't be awful, just honest.
Roy chewing out Trent was amazing. Trent admitting his early writing was particularly "edgy" while always looking for the bad was also amazing. They've both grown up compared to like 2 decades earlier when Roy was 17 (and how old is Roy now?).
Finally, did you notice that most everyone seems to have great haircuts? Even Coach Beard looks trimmed up.
I would be shocked if Sharon was sleeping with a client. Not just shocked but disappointed with the show. She was the queen of boundaries last season... let some of her humanity show, but
The detail about Rebecca's past was interesting. I got the feeling that was something she did in her youth, but is not indicative of a lack of education or experience. Hannah Waddingham has talked about the accent she chose for Rebecca as representing the upper crust. Also, she was a server in a "private club," not a random watering hole. Very different clientele. A job there could be seen as a front row seat to power brokering.
Also, the way she really came up with just the right "pitch" to Zava was impressive. She knows what she was doing no matter what her job was when she was younger.
It was midnight and I was on a stationary bike at the gym, so I'm going to have to watch this again before I have any real thoughts, but...
See also Beard After Hours: Beard has Ted's keys!
That ep is your Rosetta Stone!
I actually consider it a standalone, but it has tentacles.