I felt like the Jack and Keely storyline was a little forced. Thank you, MAMD, for pointing out the boss/workplace thing. I think that was part of my discomfort. If it gets us back to Roy, so be it... but eh.
Trent’s rainbow mug. Some pointed camera focusing on Colin. Jack and Keely. I appreciated all of those nods this episode.
The interaction with Ted and Rebecca in the hallway was DELIGHTFUL.
I’m obsessed with the Edwin Akufo and Shandy parallel. And it makes me think there’s more to come with the Shandy storyline. She’s redeemable. Edwin was not.
My absolute favorite was the Jade and Nate twist. Jade’s shade has been absolutely my favorite. She’s not impressed with bravado. Nate needs someone to see him for him. Like Ted did. Perhaps this time, he will begin to love himself again.
This episode is the turning point of the season. Both the show and football. We have turned towards home. Land the plane! 🎉😭
Another good episode. Random thoughts, in no particular order:
Maybe it's because I have covid and on meds, but Roy's resolution for the bullying incident was uncomfortably dark. Threw me a bit.
My favorite scenes: Ted repeatedly telling himself during the panic attack that (he and) Henry were ok. Nate and Jade connecting over dinner
And while we might've needed a few more details on why Henry was bullying another student, I liked that Henry found a way to apologize Lasso style...which affirmed Beard's advice to Ted that Henry would be ok because he's a good kid and Ted raised him.
I actually read this in another article, however, the episode centered on how sentimental and inspirational words are empty and meaningless unless you back it up. Ted nails it of course with the closing speech. Jamie knew it all along and if he wants to be an example and lead the team, he knows he has to keep putting in the work. Now that Zava is gone, Jamie doesn't have to worry about being talked over with empty platitudes by the great one. Jamie is the leader AFC Richmond needs and deserves. Speaking of which...
Jamie is the shite in nining armor. Truly. He's typically been the shite and he wears No. 9. He's going to help take Richmond to a championship and win, saving their premier league status, thus saving Rebecca, etc. I'm willing to bet all the marbles on that one.
I have a feeling that Rebecca will become a mother of Bex and Ruper's child through some tragedy, i.e. Rupert and Bex are in a deadly accident or Bex dies and Rupert doesn't want to be a dad or Rebecca takes Bex and her daughter in after she leaves Rupert upon discovering his affair.
With the green matchbook and Rebecca meeting the old boyfriend and his new fiancé in the coffee shop (and maybe the other two predictions as well)...it's occums razor--the simplest explanation is the best. Rebecca is reconciling with the past and trying to move forward in her life. I think she views her life as all of these random (and not so wonderful) things that keep happening. But actually they're all connected and preparing her for where she will be. Rebecca (though unaware) is trying to embrace the John Kabat-Zin philosophy...wherever you go, that's where you are.
The green matchbook which Sam gave her at his restaurant opening represents Sam and Rebecca's relationship. It's over and yet Rebecca maybe hasn't come to full terms with it and she wants the matchbook to go away. She tries to get the waitress to toss it in the same coffee shop at the same table where she broke up with John. The finance thanks her because if it hand't happened they wouldn't be together. Thus, if Rebecca hadn't had the things that have happened to her, and if she hadn't had a romance with John and a romance with Sam, etc. she wouldn't be where she is now. Things are happening the way they should and will lead to a place of happiness but right now Rebecca can't see the forest for the trees. Remember what Higgins says to Rebecca "psychics, even if some of them are charlatans, help us see something in ourselves that we can't quite see ourselves."
This line from Higgins connects both the bullying theme and the psychic theme when Ted and Rebecca pass each other in the hallway. It's been a couple of days since Rebecca got onto Ted about the team losing and Ted has just learned about the bullying incident with Henry. Also note the scene occurs after Jade brings Nate (our poster boy for bullying and being bullied) the baklava and they start connecting.
Ted says "I know, you feel bad about yelling at me...I can be a little bit psychic, it's ok" The word psychic startles Rebecca who replies "No. Yes...I should've have bullied you" And the word "bullied" shakes up Ted and they do the awkward parting. Brilliantly done. We forget how well the editing makes this show so wonderful.
Beard admitting that Gina Gershon was the one who got away made me chuckle. And "I can't believe our white whale (Man City) has the same name as the strip club where I danced in college" LOL. He may be the most interesting man in the world. If they can work in a Dos Equis into a scene, would make my day
During Ted's speech, the camera intentionally pans to certain characters when Ted says the words "hurt someone" --Roy and "shame"--Collin
The synopsis for the next episode looks like the team will be vulnerable with one another and release a lot of truths
I 100% agree, though I've met some highly intuitive people in my day--people who are listening to the situation on a different level. And even in my coaching practice, I will sometimes say "I'm getting a strong sense of XYZ--could be totally off base, but..." Over the years I've learned to trust that more and make the offer, let the client do what they want with it, including discard it.
But that's decidedly *not* about predicting future events a la Tish. It's almost like a therapy-adjacent thing, what Higgins described well in his line *after* the "some are charlatans" piece--assisting us with self-knowledge.
IMHO, that's still validating psychics. They might say things we see as intuitive (though generally speaking, I think we can't tell "intuitive" from "vague enough that I project stuff on it and go WOW!"), but a plumber can do that too, or any random person at a coffeehouse. A psychic is a con artist. The fact that I can project enough onto them to make mental connections on my own doesn't change the fact that their whole schtick is getting me to project enough onto them to make mental connections on my own.
Ted tears up the BELIEVE sign around the same time Rebecca is dealing with a psychic. I don't know exactly how to interpret that, but they look pretty thematically related to me.
You know what would be great... is if Jamie isn't the shite in nining armor either – he's a second red herring, and there's no "actual" answer. I'd love acknowledgement that psychics work by encouraging us to bend reality to fit confirmation bias, and there are times when BELIEVE has its own set of traps.
Jack's accent changed and became more English in this episode. I think she's mirroring Keeley. She also responded to the kiss, didn't initiate it. Her first face-to-face line to Keeley: "I think you have something of mine."
Integration might be a major theme this season. Jamie integrated his light and dark selves in previous seasons and is now centered and determined. Ted needs to integrate his anger and his positivity, Henry needs the same lesson with Ted's guidance, the team needs to integrate with each other in the ways described in the sewer... Only then will they all be whole, effective good people and winners.
Nate needs to do the same thing, after which I'm wondering if his car will be something between green/cheap/boxy and gray/expensive/sporty.
Yeah I bumped on that too and can't make heads or tails of it, unless Ted's comment was heard as perfunctory and Beard was like "wait no: you really needed to hear it."
I have been wondering if Trent Crimm is a gay man and will have a meanginful connection with Colin at some point, encouraging him to come out?
I also am sick of the worker / supervisor hook ups.
I’m afraid I’m Team Leave. I can’t imagine Ted will stay - he is not really a soccer coach, he misses his kid, he wonders what he is doing there (season 1), he is “a mess.” He needs to go home and I think Nate will come back and (with Jamie) lead Richmond to victory.
Beard will stay, I think.
I love seeing Nate come back into himself.
Also, seeing Barbara and Keeley start to see more eye to eye.
I don't like Ted being separated from Henry, so if returning to the States is what it takes for him to be with him, so be it. But I'm still holding out hope for a series of events leading to Henry moving to England. England is where Ted's family is.
Personally I wouldn’t mind either option- whether or not Ted stays in England or goes back to Kansas, I will be happy as long as 1) he is with Henry again and 2) he is NOT back with Michelle, as I’ve been seeing some people guess will happen after episode 4.
I have been processing this episode all week. And I still, after reading allllll these comments am feeling oddly unsettled by it all.
1) Thank goodness Shandy is gone- she was Jaime Season 1 all over again in terms of Keeley living into her potential. Jack could be a good thing... or not....
2) Roy and the bullying thing- very unsettling, given the way he has generally been grounded in his saltiness.
3) dunno if I could claim Team Stay or Team Stateside... I just want Ted to find his feet and be the leader we saw at the end of the episode. that Ted will know where he is supposed to be.
4) Nate is as big a mess as Ted. Jade might just be his Beard (while Mom is Higgins)
5) between this, Mando and Picard going all intense this week, I’m ready for a training montage and the team believing in each other...
This is brilliant. And I love imagining you, MaryAnn, as the punchy pub owner. I feel like Jen, Blair and I (and the others of you who are glued to this screen!) are the ragtag regulars.
My thoughts... I did not love this episode. I had been on Team Stays and this, as you said, made it seem much more likely that Ted goes home. Maybe I need to talk to Sharon to make a plan for when this season is over.
I assumed that "you will have a family/ be a mother" meant either a) the team would be Rebecca's family or b) she and Ted would eventually fall in love (even though I don't love that Hollywood Rom/Com trajectory) and Henry would be her 'son.' There were some sparks in this episode. Maybe that was just me? (Maybe the matchbook actually is used to light something? That would be meta and practical.)
I love getting Higgy with it. He is one of the Yoda's of this season. They love to have wisdom lines sprinkled throughout. I DO expect a Kintsugi - Believe Sign connection in Rebecca's imagination. Or maybe she tries to explain it all in a lovely jumble, including "Jamie, you are.... a SHITE in NINING ARMOR!" When will we see Rebecca drenched in the rain? Maybe that's when the big awakening happens for her. That scene was another Tish prediction. Two have come true - that one remains.
Keely/Jack. Yes, that energy was there as soon as we saw her sparkly boots. Alcohol + eye contact in TV world must always mean hook up. But, I wonder if she is like Sassy, who will say to Keely something akin to "you're a mess." or "You still love Roy."
Nate the Date. That was AMAZING. Truly turning the tables on what he thought he wanted. Now, I predict he will be the next Richmond coach and maybe will have some big speech for Rupert and fathers in general.
Yes to the 'integration.' That is very kintsugi. Yes, to Roy's bullying response being VERY dark. What the hell. Yes to Ted Crimm as literally the independent of this series... the one who witnesses and may (I hope) be another Yoda. Yes, Shandy and Zava were wonderful characters.
I keep looking at my watching thinking, "Y'all - there is not a ton of time to tie up all these things!" But I am sure they won't tie up all these things. Such is life.
Quotes I love: "Don’t sell yourself short. If anything, sell yourself tall and get it altered later."
"If you put your energy into the things you truly love, the universe puts its thing back into you. You’re welcome."
This season is getting some shade on the TL subreddit: lots of narrative cul de sacs and characters that don't seem to have a purpose. I do think the season is a little shaggier overall, and it could be because they lost their show runner, Bill Lawrence, who oversaw s1 of Shrinking, and you can tell. That show is TIGHT. Jason Sudeikis is doing fine, but it does feel a bit flabby.
BUT I don't think we can judge the state of things until we see how it all resolves. I think we're meant to feel uncomfortable at this stage of the dark forest, just as our characters do. Keeley has made it big, but at what cost? She hired Shandy because she wants to work with people she loves, and the drips in her office aren't really stepping up. It would be cool for Dan to become the Will Kitman of KJPR. He's really trying, what with the "quitting time" joke.
One of the reasons I still have ultimate faith in the writers is Zava. I know some don't like the character, but I think they threaded that needle perfectly. The perfect blend of sincerity, ego, woowoo wisdom, heart, and social media thirst. I really hope he's not gone from the show, even if I'm glad to see him leave the team so Jamie can become, not just the star, but the beating heart of the Greyhounds, as he seems destined to be.
Y’all have shared such great insights. I love the Jamie/shite observation. And the Radical Candor video just changed my life this morning. Since you covered the stuff that was there, I’m just going to go into wild speculation.
All my comments from last week have aged very poorly. I really wanted to see Shandy’s storyline go in a different direction - but I appreciate the comment that maybe it still can. Can she harness this AMAZING creative energy into something constructive?
I was hoping for a Diamond Dogs conversation about what it means that Henry was the bully. They were so swift in their condemnation, what might it mean to have to accept that we all make mistakes (and don’t need to be tortured for them)? Maybe we’ll come back to this.
Is there any chance Zava was thinking of the team when he left? I think most of our evidence is that he doesn’t think much beyond himself (and his spouse). But his last words to the team were: you can do this together. Hmm.
My big curiosities:
1. Where will Ted’s leaving behind of his baggage take him? If he is truly cutting through the shame and hurt, what can he do? What a great bunch of sessions he and Dr. Sharon get to have coming up! And then what will it look like for the rest of the team - I can’t wait to find out!
2. And how will Rebecca come to the realization that she has a family, not a kid? Who will aid her in that understanding - it could come from a really surprising place, I think.
I'm glad they're adding some texture to Nate again, and I hope they do the same for Shandy, because having two of your characters of color be one-dimensional villains is not a good look. (Multi-dimensional villains who are POCs are no problem--see Killmonger, Erik)
-I think we’re going to see Trent Crimm in the Truthteller role this season. Keeley sort of played that role in s1, Dr. Sharon definitely did in s2 - in the organization but just outside enough to offer broader perspective. I think TC steps into that role.
-what’s even better about Roy Kent as a gorilla is the backdrop it’s set against of Ted & Beard as injured baby monkeys
-I’m not buying into the Keeley/Jack ship yet, but I think my reservation has more to do with not sensing Jack as part of the storylines yet...to me, so quickly, it feels more like a one-night stand. But let’s see where this goes and what it develops.
-the switch of Ted from going to pour water to pouring whisky at the mention of Jake’s name - that’s clearly still a thing, and I don’t think Michelle is letting go of it. I don’t see this being the possibility that leads to Ted going back to the States. He still may, but I still don’t see it being a return to Michelle. I’m still Team Stay.
-I think we’re seeing the callback to the first teaser trailer, as the team starts believing in themselves again. To this point, they’ve believed in Zava - even when other coaches/teammates were saying the same thing. Now, it’s all being stripped down; don’t have Zava to believe in, don’t have the sign to believe in...all that remains is them individually.
I’m sure there’s more rattling around my brain, but we’ll get to it eventually :-)
Idle wondering if Ted's approach to Zava has been strategy this entire time: Ted sized up Zava right away and knew he would ultimately let the team down (14 teams in 15 years), leading to them having to believe in themselves. To use the family systems parlance, he defected in place, stepping back and letting things play out (partly because he's depressed, but also) because he's emotionally intelligent enough to know that if you jump in and rescue, they won't be as resilient on the other side. As he said, there's still a lot of games left to play.
And Jack is totally a rebound thing, but she makes Keeley laugh, and I'm not sure Roy did as much. Roy needs some time on his childhood pitch.
Psychics/the John Wingsnight scene. During a season when we've had a bunch of new characters and the core team feels more diffuse, it was annoying to have an entire scene devoted to him and his fiancee. OTOH, it checked off one of the psychic's predictions. I wish they didn't feel the need to do that--would be more realistic if some of her comments were red herrings--but I'm glad that not everything Tish said is of the utmost import.
You people are all overthinking this weird episode.
Shandy wigging out and retaliating was way over the top and not necessary. Keeley learning to say 'no' and 'get lost' is a good thing, even though it was prompted (a bit) by Jack - and losing a client. Give Shandy credit, her telling Jack and Keeley about her new app with a straight face was awesome: "It's called Star F*ckr, and yes we are looking for investors" -- with a wink at Jack ! And, "Talent Dysmorphia" would be some name for band, wouldn't it?
The Keeley/Jack kiss was sort of telegraphed (and alcohol was involved). Not impressed with the writers here.
Zava said all the right things, and I liked that part of him. I didn't like him not showing up for the game. That was really unprofessional and disrespectful to the team and fans (and who does that unless they're injured? Bobby Knight did it as a coach at TTU). Roy said Zava was crazy but would win games. Ted didn't object to adding a superstar, but he hinted it might be hard to coach one. Roy's analysis of the team's recent performance was pretty great: make the team buy tickets if they're around just to watch Zava play. Dani crying about Zava was awesome though :)
Remember that episode called "Two Aces"? Honestly, with Zava they had four (Dani, Sam, Jamie, Zava) and that was too many. Maybe with three and a positive attitude it'll go better from here on out.
I believe Ted's "He's OK" was about his boy, who had been on his mind too much since hearing there was an incident at school.
The team treating the sign as having some super value is great. That's why they went nuts in the last game, and they are aghast at Ted tearing the sign after it starts to fall. This team is fun that way.
Gotta frame a credit as "Edward the Lamb Wrangler."
The monkeynoise scene was stupid. Dropping the coffee cup was appropriate, though. Roy is a closet psycho.
Higgins' reluctance to suggest a coaching change was so uncomfortable to watch. Poor guy was afraid to say it.
Nate practices his calls on his mom?? Hahahah! And, his speech about the restaurant being important was nice.
Yes, I think Trent Crimm might be gay, too. Who knows?
I have been wondering if Trent Crimm is a gay man and will have a meanginful connection with Colin at some point, encouraging him to come out?
I also am sick of the worker / supervisor hook ups.
I’m afraid I’m Team Leave. I can’t imagine Ted will stay - he is not really a soccer coach, he misses his kid, he wonders what he is doing there (season 1), he is “a mess.” He needs to go home and I think Nate will come back and (with Jamie) lead Richmond to victory.
Beard will stay, I think.
I love seeing Nate come back into himself.
Also, seeing Barbara and Keeley start to see more eye to eye.
I felt like the Jack and Keely storyline was a little forced. Thank you, MAMD, for pointing out the boss/workplace thing. I think that was part of my discomfort. If it gets us back to Roy, so be it... but eh.
Trent’s rainbow mug. Some pointed camera focusing on Colin. Jack and Keely. I appreciated all of those nods this episode.
The interaction with Ted and Rebecca in the hallway was DELIGHTFUL.
I’m obsessed with the Edwin Akufo and Shandy parallel. And it makes me think there’s more to come with the Shandy storyline. She’s redeemable. Edwin was not.
My absolute favorite was the Jade and Nate twist. Jade’s shade has been absolutely my favorite. She’s not impressed with bravado. Nate needs someone to see him for him. Like Ted did. Perhaps this time, he will begin to love himself again.
This episode is the turning point of the season. Both the show and football. We have turned towards home. Land the plane! 🎉😭
Another good episode. Random thoughts, in no particular order:
Maybe it's because I have covid and on meds, but Roy's resolution for the bullying incident was uncomfortably dark. Threw me a bit.
My favorite scenes: Ted repeatedly telling himself during the panic attack that (he and) Henry were ok. Nate and Jade connecting over dinner
And while we might've needed a few more details on why Henry was bullying another student, I liked that Henry found a way to apologize Lasso style...which affirmed Beard's advice to Ted that Henry would be ok because he's a good kid and Ted raised him.
I actually read this in another article, however, the episode centered on how sentimental and inspirational words are empty and meaningless unless you back it up. Ted nails it of course with the closing speech. Jamie knew it all along and if he wants to be an example and lead the team, he knows he has to keep putting in the work. Now that Zava is gone, Jamie doesn't have to worry about being talked over with empty platitudes by the great one. Jamie is the leader AFC Richmond needs and deserves. Speaking of which...
Jamie is the shite in nining armor. Truly. He's typically been the shite and he wears No. 9. He's going to help take Richmond to a championship and win, saving their premier league status, thus saving Rebecca, etc. I'm willing to bet all the marbles on that one.
I have a feeling that Rebecca will become a mother of Bex and Ruper's child through some tragedy, i.e. Rupert and Bex are in a deadly accident or Bex dies and Rupert doesn't want to be a dad or Rebecca takes Bex and her daughter in after she leaves Rupert upon discovering his affair.
With the green matchbook and Rebecca meeting the old boyfriend and his new fiancé in the coffee shop (and maybe the other two predictions as well)...it's occums razor--the simplest explanation is the best. Rebecca is reconciling with the past and trying to move forward in her life. I think she views her life as all of these random (and not so wonderful) things that keep happening. But actually they're all connected and preparing her for where she will be. Rebecca (though unaware) is trying to embrace the John Kabat-Zin philosophy...wherever you go, that's where you are.
The green matchbook which Sam gave her at his restaurant opening represents Sam and Rebecca's relationship. It's over and yet Rebecca maybe hasn't come to full terms with it and she wants the matchbook to go away. She tries to get the waitress to toss it in the same coffee shop at the same table where she broke up with John. The finance thanks her because if it hand't happened they wouldn't be together. Thus, if Rebecca hadn't had the things that have happened to her, and if she hadn't had a romance with John and a romance with Sam, etc. she wouldn't be where she is now. Things are happening the way they should and will lead to a place of happiness but right now Rebecca can't see the forest for the trees. Remember what Higgins says to Rebecca "psychics, even if some of them are charlatans, help us see something in ourselves that we can't quite see ourselves."
This line from Higgins connects both the bullying theme and the psychic theme when Ted and Rebecca pass each other in the hallway. It's been a couple of days since Rebecca got onto Ted about the team losing and Ted has just learned about the bullying incident with Henry. Also note the scene occurs after Jade brings Nate (our poster boy for bullying and being bullied) the baklava and they start connecting.
Ted says "I know, you feel bad about yelling at me...I can be a little bit psychic, it's ok" The word psychic startles Rebecca who replies "No. Yes...I should've have bullied you" And the word "bullied" shakes up Ted and they do the awkward parting. Brilliantly done. We forget how well the editing makes this show so wonderful.
Beard admitting that Gina Gershon was the one who got away made me chuckle. And "I can't believe our white whale (Man City) has the same name as the strip club where I danced in college" LOL. He may be the most interesting man in the world. If they can work in a Dos Equis into a scene, would make my day
During Ted's speech, the camera intentionally pans to certain characters when Ted says the words "hurt someone" --Roy and "shame"--Collin
The synopsis for the next episode looks like the team will be vulnerable with one another and release a lot of truths
SHITE IN NINING ARMOR!!! How did I miss this?! Nicely done, Andy!
I'm still wondering what the "armor" part means, though, in regard to Jamie.
(And "I can be a little bit psychic," is a Frasier nod.)
I hope they don't validate psychics in this season (SOME are charlatans?). That would be a disappointment to me.
I 100% agree, though I've met some highly intuitive people in my day--people who are listening to the situation on a different level. And even in my coaching practice, I will sometimes say "I'm getting a strong sense of XYZ--could be totally off base, but..." Over the years I've learned to trust that more and make the offer, let the client do what they want with it, including discard it.
But that's decidedly *not* about predicting future events a la Tish. It's almost like a therapy-adjacent thing, what Higgins described well in his line *after* the "some are charlatans" piece--assisting us with self-knowledge.
IMHO, that's still validating psychics. They might say things we see as intuitive (though generally speaking, I think we can't tell "intuitive" from "vague enough that I project stuff on it and go WOW!"), but a plumber can do that too, or any random person at a coffeehouse. A psychic is a con artist. The fact that I can project enough onto them to make mental connections on my own doesn't change the fact that their whole schtick is getting me to project enough onto them to make mental connections on my own.
I hear you.
Ted tears up the BELIEVE sign around the same time Rebecca is dealing with a psychic. I don't know exactly how to interpret that, but they look pretty thematically related to me.
You know what would be great... is if Jamie isn't the shite in nining armor either – he's a second red herring, and there's no "actual" answer. I'd love acknowledgement that psychics work by encouraging us to bend reality to fit confirmation bias, and there are times when BELIEVE has its own set of traps.
Jack's accent changed and became more English in this episode. I think she's mirroring Keeley. She also responded to the kiss, didn't initiate it. Her first face-to-face line to Keeley: "I think you have something of mine."
Integration might be a major theme this season. Jamie integrated his light and dark selves in previous seasons and is now centered and determined. Ted needs to integrate his anger and his positivity, Henry needs the same lesson with Ted's guidance, the team needs to integrate with each other in the ways described in the sewer... Only then will they all be whole, effective good people and winners.
Nate needs to do the same thing, after which I'm wondering if his car will be something between green/cheap/boxy and gray/expensive/sporty.
Also, I'm not sure if Jodi Balfour is bad at laughing on cue or if that's more of Jack mirroring Keeley.
Oo, and Jan Maas spotting Colin is a prime example of connecting with the right person for the right thing, as the sewer scene set up.
"If you want no-nonsense dependability, Jan Maas is your man."
Not being rude, just being Dutch!
The "Ohhhhhhhh..." after that is what makes it for me.
27:57, Ted does not say "Thank you, Coach, I needed to hear that," but I can't tell what he does say, before Beard says, "No, you needed to hear it."
Yeah I bumped on that too and can't make heads or tails of it, unless Ted's comment was heard as perfunctory and Beard was like "wait no: you really needed to hear it."
I have been wondering if Trent Crimm is a gay man and will have a meanginful connection with Colin at some point, encouraging him to come out?
I also am sick of the worker / supervisor hook ups.
I’m afraid I’m Team Leave. I can’t imagine Ted will stay - he is not really a soccer coach, he misses his kid, he wonders what he is doing there (season 1), he is “a mess.” He needs to go home and I think Nate will come back and (with Jamie) lead Richmond to victory.
Beard will stay, I think.
I love seeing Nate come back into himself.
Also, seeing Barbara and Keeley start to see more eye to eye.
I don't like Ted being separated from Henry, so if returning to the States is what it takes for him to be with him, so be it. But I'm still holding out hope for a series of events leading to Henry moving to England. England is where Ted's family is.
Personally I wouldn’t mind either option- whether or not Ted stays in England or goes back to Kansas, I will be happy as long as 1) he is with Henry again and 2) he is NOT back with Michelle, as I’ve been seeing some people guess will happen after episode 4.
Welcome Jack!
I have been processing this episode all week. And I still, after reading allllll these comments am feeling oddly unsettled by it all.
1) Thank goodness Shandy is gone- she was Jaime Season 1 all over again in terms of Keeley living into her potential. Jack could be a good thing... or not....
2) Roy and the bullying thing- very unsettling, given the way he has generally been grounded in his saltiness.
3) dunno if I could claim Team Stay or Team Stateside... I just want Ted to find his feet and be the leader we saw at the end of the episode. that Ted will know where he is supposed to be.
4) Nate is as big a mess as Ted. Jade might just be his Beard (while Mom is Higgins)
5) between this, Mando and Picard going all intense this week, I’m ready for a training montage and the team believing in each other...
Someone on Reddit said "I want to see Ted standing over Dr. Jacob's bed with a paint-soaked rope" lolol
No way in hades... but a dream sequence maybe???
This is brilliant. And I love imagining you, MaryAnn, as the punchy pub owner. I feel like Jen, Blair and I (and the others of you who are glued to this screen!) are the ragtag regulars.
My thoughts... I did not love this episode. I had been on Team Stays and this, as you said, made it seem much more likely that Ted goes home. Maybe I need to talk to Sharon to make a plan for when this season is over.
I assumed that "you will have a family/ be a mother" meant either a) the team would be Rebecca's family or b) she and Ted would eventually fall in love (even though I don't love that Hollywood Rom/Com trajectory) and Henry would be her 'son.' There were some sparks in this episode. Maybe that was just me? (Maybe the matchbook actually is used to light something? That would be meta and practical.)
I love getting Higgy with it. He is one of the Yoda's of this season. They love to have wisdom lines sprinkled throughout. I DO expect a Kintsugi - Believe Sign connection in Rebecca's imagination. Or maybe she tries to explain it all in a lovely jumble, including "Jamie, you are.... a SHITE in NINING ARMOR!" When will we see Rebecca drenched in the rain? Maybe that's when the big awakening happens for her. That scene was another Tish prediction. Two have come true - that one remains.
Keely/Jack. Yes, that energy was there as soon as we saw her sparkly boots. Alcohol + eye contact in TV world must always mean hook up. But, I wonder if she is like Sassy, who will say to Keely something akin to "you're a mess." or "You still love Roy."
Nate the Date. That was AMAZING. Truly turning the tables on what he thought he wanted. Now, I predict he will be the next Richmond coach and maybe will have some big speech for Rupert and fathers in general.
Yes to the 'integration.' That is very kintsugi. Yes, to Roy's bullying response being VERY dark. What the hell. Yes to Ted Crimm as literally the independent of this series... the one who witnesses and may (I hope) be another Yoda. Yes, Shandy and Zava were wonderful characters.
I keep looking at my watching thinking, "Y'all - there is not a ton of time to tie up all these things!" But I am sure they won't tie up all these things. Such is life.
Quotes I love: "Don’t sell yourself short. If anything, sell yourself tall and get it altered later."
"If you put your energy into the things you truly love, the universe puts its thing back into you. You’re welcome."
This season is getting some shade on the TL subreddit: lots of narrative cul de sacs and characters that don't seem to have a purpose. I do think the season is a little shaggier overall, and it could be because they lost their show runner, Bill Lawrence, who oversaw s1 of Shrinking, and you can tell. That show is TIGHT. Jason Sudeikis is doing fine, but it does feel a bit flabby.
BUT I don't think we can judge the state of things until we see how it all resolves. I think we're meant to feel uncomfortable at this stage of the dark forest, just as our characters do. Keeley has made it big, but at what cost? She hired Shandy because she wants to work with people she loves, and the drips in her office aren't really stepping up. It would be cool for Dan to become the Will Kitman of KJPR. He's really trying, what with the "quitting time" joke.
One of the reasons I still have ultimate faith in the writers is Zava. I know some don't like the character, but I think they threaded that needle perfectly. The perfect blend of sincerity, ego, woowoo wisdom, heart, and social media thirst. I really hope he's not gone from the show, even if I'm glad to see him leave the team so Jamie can become, not just the star, but the beating heart of the Greyhounds, as he seems destined to be.
Y’all have shared such great insights. I love the Jamie/shite observation. And the Radical Candor video just changed my life this morning. Since you covered the stuff that was there, I’m just going to go into wild speculation.
All my comments from last week have aged very poorly. I really wanted to see Shandy’s storyline go in a different direction - but I appreciate the comment that maybe it still can. Can she harness this AMAZING creative energy into something constructive?
I was hoping for a Diamond Dogs conversation about what it means that Henry was the bully. They were so swift in their condemnation, what might it mean to have to accept that we all make mistakes (and don’t need to be tortured for them)? Maybe we’ll come back to this.
Is there any chance Zava was thinking of the team when he left? I think most of our evidence is that he doesn’t think much beyond himself (and his spouse). But his last words to the team were: you can do this together. Hmm.
My big curiosities:
1. Where will Ted’s leaving behind of his baggage take him? If he is truly cutting through the shame and hurt, what can he do? What a great bunch of sessions he and Dr. Sharon get to have coming up! And then what will it look like for the rest of the team - I can’t wait to find out!
2. And how will Rebecca come to the realization that she has a family, not a kid? Who will aid her in that understanding - it could come from a really surprising place, I think.
That radical candor stuff is amazing. Most churches I know are *full* of ruinous empathy.
I'm glad they're adding some texture to Nate again, and I hope they do the same for Shandy, because having two of your characters of color be one-dimensional villains is not a good look. (Multi-dimensional villains who are POCs are no problem--see Killmonger, Erik)
Random jumble of thoughts:
-I think we’re going to see Trent Crimm in the Truthteller role this season. Keeley sort of played that role in s1, Dr. Sharon definitely did in s2 - in the organization but just outside enough to offer broader perspective. I think TC steps into that role.
-what’s even better about Roy Kent as a gorilla is the backdrop it’s set against of Ted & Beard as injured baby monkeys
-I’m not buying into the Keeley/Jack ship yet, but I think my reservation has more to do with not sensing Jack as part of the storylines yet...to me, so quickly, it feels more like a one-night stand. But let’s see where this goes and what it develops.
-the switch of Ted from going to pour water to pouring whisky at the mention of Jake’s name - that’s clearly still a thing, and I don’t think Michelle is letting go of it. I don’t see this being the possibility that leads to Ted going back to the States. He still may, but I still don’t see it being a return to Michelle. I’m still Team Stay.
-I think we’re seeing the callback to the first teaser trailer, as the team starts believing in themselves again. To this point, they’ve believed in Zava - even when other coaches/teammates were saying the same thing. Now, it’s all being stripped down; don’t have Zava to believe in, don’t have the sign to believe in...all that remains is them individually.
I’m sure there’s more rattling around my brain, but we’ll get to it eventually :-)
Idle wondering if Ted's approach to Zava has been strategy this entire time: Ted sized up Zava right away and knew he would ultimately let the team down (14 teams in 15 years), leading to them having to believe in themselves. To use the family systems parlance, he defected in place, stepping back and letting things play out (partly because he's depressed, but also) because he's emotionally intelligent enough to know that if you jump in and rescue, they won't be as resilient on the other side. As he said, there's still a lot of games left to play.
And Jack is totally a rebound thing, but she makes Keeley laugh, and I'm not sure Roy did as much. Roy needs some time on his childhood pitch.
Psychics/the John Wingsnight scene. During a season when we've had a bunch of new characters and the core team feels more diffuse, it was annoying to have an entire scene devoted to him and his fiancee. OTOH, it checked off one of the psychic's predictions. I wish they didn't feel the need to do that--would be more realistic if some of her comments were red herrings--but I'm glad that not everything Tish said is of the utmost import.
That scene also propelled Rebecca into the doctor's office, which gave her information I assume will be central to her transformation, whatever it is.
And it's fine if we never hear it again, but it would be fun if it got a clever callback later in the season when we least expect it.
Tried to read Trent’s rainbow mug. Did anyone catch it? What did it say?
I think this link should work? (It says "let the good times roll")
https://i.redd.it/ql26zs8anjta1.jpg
Thank you! (I was hoping it was a little more political.)
You're the only pub in London. I'm sorry. Will drop out of the thread now.
You people are all overthinking this weird episode.
Shandy wigging out and retaliating was way over the top and not necessary. Keeley learning to say 'no' and 'get lost' is a good thing, even though it was prompted (a bit) by Jack - and losing a client. Give Shandy credit, her telling Jack and Keeley about her new app with a straight face was awesome: "It's called Star F*ckr, and yes we are looking for investors" -- with a wink at Jack ! And, "Talent Dysmorphia" would be some name for band, wouldn't it?
The Keeley/Jack kiss was sort of telegraphed (and alcohol was involved). Not impressed with the writers here.
Zava said all the right things, and I liked that part of him. I didn't like him not showing up for the game. That was really unprofessional and disrespectful to the team and fans (and who does that unless they're injured? Bobby Knight did it as a coach at TTU). Roy said Zava was crazy but would win games. Ted didn't object to adding a superstar, but he hinted it might be hard to coach one. Roy's analysis of the team's recent performance was pretty great: make the team buy tickets if they're around just to watch Zava play. Dani crying about Zava was awesome though :)
Remember that episode called "Two Aces"? Honestly, with Zava they had four (Dani, Sam, Jamie, Zava) and that was too many. Maybe with three and a positive attitude it'll go better from here on out.
I believe Ted's "He's OK" was about his boy, who had been on his mind too much since hearing there was an incident at school.
The team treating the sign as having some super value is great. That's why they went nuts in the last game, and they are aghast at Ted tearing the sign after it starts to fall. This team is fun that way.
Gotta frame a credit as "Edward the Lamb Wrangler."
The monkeynoise scene was stupid. Dropping the coffee cup was appropriate, though. Roy is a closet psycho.
Higgins' reluctance to suggest a coaching change was so uncomfortable to watch. Poor guy was afraid to say it.
Nate practices his calls on his mom?? Hahahah! And, his speech about the restaurant being important was nice.
Yes, I think Trent Crimm might be gay, too. Who knows?
"You people"?
And overthinking is what we've been about since the Ted Talk era on Facebook. Plenty of pubs in London, my friend.
I have been wondering if Trent Crimm is a gay man and will have a meanginful connection with Colin at some point, encouraging him to come out?
I also am sick of the worker / supervisor hook ups.
I’m afraid I’m Team Leave. I can’t imagine Ted will stay - he is not really a soccer coach, he misses his kid, he wonders what he is doing there (season 1), he is “a mess.” He needs to go home and I think Nate will come back and (with Jamie) lead Richmond to victory.
Beard will stay, I think.
I love seeing Nate come back into himself.
Also, seeing Barbara and Keeley start to see more eye to eye.
Re: Barbara. Oh my goodness, I love every moment she is on screen. More Barbara. All the Barbara.