Total Football has its origin with the Ajax team. We’ve been reminded of that again and again with Jan Maas saying “it’s pronounced Cruyff.”
Richmond will start to see some success with the new strategy, and this will attract the notice of Dutch media. Rebecca will be interviewed, and Boat Man will realize who she is and come find her.
Also, total football was foreshadowed in season 2 with Jamie’s “I need to give my teammate some space” which he learned from Pep and who got it from Cruyff. (Yet another scene about healthy boundaries, which I maintain was the major theme from season 2)
I'd rather she went and found Boat Man, especially since she's the one who already knows where he is, has already been told she deserves lightning, and I'd like to see him continue to be respectful of her boundaries. Or if we really want to re-meet cute, have them run into each other going opposite directions in the airport where they both have to transfer to get to the other.
The Roy Kent sadism is concerning and interesting. Clearly Ted and Beard are feeling more uncomfortable but are letting it play out. But for how long? I also suspect that this is Roy's unhealthy way of dealing with the Keely break-up.
I'm sensing disaster for Jack and Keely. Rebecca's "I'm not saying Jack is Rupert" BUT.... I think that if the relationship ends, it will bring Keely and Barbara closer together. Also, I cringed that Jack wrote "You go girl" in a signed first edition of Pride and Prejudice. Wth. Stick a bookplate in there or a card, don't write a message in that particular book. Come on, Jack.
The use of The Great Escape theme song (greatest WWII film ever. Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, James Gardner, Charles Bronson) while they were in sync with the water bottles was a nice touch. The theme song plays throughout the film, but the scene that is most similar to the water bottle thing in locker room is when the Allied prisoners in the German POW camp are digging tunnels underneath the barracks and then dumping the dirt on the grounds via a string release mechanism in their trousers.
Ola telling Sam to fight forward and making the mouth noises was terrific.
Our three loveably fans attempting to switch roles was hysterical and their calm demeanor in the bar, following their time seeing the scrimmages, was cool. I really liked how Ted opened up to several fans. Letting them see how the sausage is made, showing their humanness can only create more support from the fanbase.
Regarding Ted-stay or Ted-go, Ted's comment to Beard in the pub: "It's there (the fans) we're only borrowing the team for a little while." Ted is not seeing himself being there for 3-5 years.
Jamie continues to be the MVP of the season. "Play through me, not to me" was beautiful. And the game announcers describing the goal as a symphony with Jamie as conductor--another wonderful metaphor for strings that bind.
Writing in a first edition book was WTH for sure. I guess we could see it as Jack not being materialistic, but given other stuff she does I’m not inclined to give her the BOTD. It’s a terrible look for a billionaire.
Y’all have said all the things. But I’m here to proclaim I’m fully over Jack and Keely. Something has bothered me from the start, it was 1000% confirmed last night. Keely doesn’t need someone to smother her, she needs someone to challenge her. Roy is clearly not himself without Keely. Get these two kids back together quickly please!
This is maybe the best episode of Ted Lasso we've ever been given. Truly the culmination of the whole series up until now, as Trent points out (and it's not even over yet!). For me it was the lovely, lovely moments that y'all have pointed out - from Trent's dorkiness (I could re-watch a thousand times), finally getting to see the beautiful relationship between Sam and Ola in person, Nate's decision not to spit in the mirror, the team seeing what was necessary for Sam (my husband and I predicted it would be cleaned up when they entered, but we didn't guess it would be the team!! We were crying - so special), the Will/Beard and Dani/Isaac swap, Jamie's leadership. Wow, I loved it so much.
And I agree that Roy's sadism is concerning, and we'll come back to it, but he also made me genuinely laugh out loud at his awfulness.
We've got some reckonings to be reckoned, like the Jack/Keeley dynamic. But how sweet that they ended up at Taste of Athens! I love that we're in good hands. This was such a perfect episode.
Oh, I might have misread... the Editor note was written by MA, and not Jason so guess I was in error in that part of my earlier comment abt Jason being at PC.
I’ve been looking forward to the guest writer in Mary Ann’s absence but then notice you’re at preacher camp too so I’m especially happy that my daughter has taken the night off and handed off this initial take on this episode of Ted Lasso in your capable hands. I’ll have to say it wasn’t my favorite ep but I think the dynamic between Jack overdoing gifts to Keeley and Rebecca reflecting on Rupert’s gifts to her when they first started seeing each other hit a nerve with me, as I’m guilty of “needing” to give to my loved ones but find it terrifically difficult to accept their gifts to me. This might have clouded my judgement. I have work to do, it seems.
Much to celebrate though... scoring a point against Arsenal with the new strategy. Sam and Ola cooking together. Rebecca pining for Boat Man, and not Sam. The team cleaning up the result of bigotry against immigrant entrepreneurs. Ted kind of taking a back step and letting his team “lead” each other.
I guess I see that Nate is learning how not to be a jerk, but he has some 4th Step work to do to put his ego in the proper place before I can totally celebrate him.
And a frivolous comment here that relates to more video media than just TL. I used to say “when do these people work?” (Or cook, or do they ever get sick or go to the dentist, etc etc etc ... they aren’t real people!) whenI watched movies and the telly. Well, it seems I have been taken in opposite directions with many of the shows I watch currently. Now “everyone” has to have a tooth brushing scene, a puking scene, a scene while sitting on the john or standing at the urinal. I need to remember to be careful what I wish for.😍
Thank you guest writer for getting the dialog started!
"Boxes" is an interesting clue – Nate leaving the 2D box of the rectangular mirror frame where we've seen him alone with his ritual before, leveling up to the 3D shoebox where he puts himself and Jade, then when that meets the 4D world and is flattened, he's left with just his newly integrating confident, natural self.
Been noodling a lot about Nate in this episode and how he made some incredible progress. He goes to his niece's birthday party and his dad doesn't antagonize him, and there is no resentment. The powerful and positive women figures in Nate's life play a central role (including soon-to-be Jade). The mom and sister are very supportive of Nate asking Jade out and they show him the romantic map that his dad made for his mom when they were younger.
When Nate pauses to go to the restroom because he is nervous about asking Jade to dinner, it seems at first that he's going to do his big ugly bear move and then spit at his image. But instead he takes a deep breath, looks at himself and smiles. When the gift is later destroyed accidentally, Nate doesn't lose his temper and he asks Jade out. He also keeps his cool when he's nervous for her to arrive at the start of the date.
Not saying Nate won't backslide. With six episodes to go, it will probably happen and likely be Rupert's doing. But for now, three cheers for Nate the Great.
Yeah, I also inwardly cringed when he went toward the bathroom, thinking “no, don’t go that way about it.” And I was really glad he didn’t. As nice as this family dynamic is to see, it almost feels like there’s some dissonance in regards to what we’ve previously seen/surmised of his family dynamic and this, maybe?
Prediction:
Total Football has its origin with the Ajax team. We’ve been reminded of that again and again with Jan Maas saying “it’s pronounced Cruyff.”
Richmond will start to see some success with the new strategy, and this will attract the notice of Dutch media. Rebecca will be interviewed, and Boat Man will realize who she is and come find her.
Also, total football was foreshadowed in season 2 with Jamie’s “I need to give my teammate some space” which he learned from Pep and who got it from Cruyff. (Yet another scene about healthy boundaries, which I maintain was the major theme from season 2)
I'd rather she went and found Boat Man, especially since she's the one who already knows where he is, has already been told she deserves lightning, and I'd like to see him continue to be respectful of her boundaries. Or if we really want to re-meet cute, have them run into each other going opposite directions in the airport where they both have to transfer to get to the other.
Paragraph 2... all the love. ❤️💜
The triumph of sincerity over cynicism: Trent’s arc from “is this a fucking joke??” to being a true believer and “he’s our dork” is perfection
Another great episode.
The Roy Kent sadism is concerning and interesting. Clearly Ted and Beard are feeling more uncomfortable but are letting it play out. But for how long? I also suspect that this is Roy's unhealthy way of dealing with the Keely break-up.
I'm sensing disaster for Jack and Keely. Rebecca's "I'm not saying Jack is Rupert" BUT.... I think that if the relationship ends, it will bring Keely and Barbara closer together. Also, I cringed that Jack wrote "You go girl" in a signed first edition of Pride and Prejudice. Wth. Stick a bookplate in there or a card, don't write a message in that particular book. Come on, Jack.
The use of The Great Escape theme song (greatest WWII film ever. Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, James Gardner, Charles Bronson) while they were in sync with the water bottles was a nice touch. The theme song plays throughout the film, but the scene that is most similar to the water bottle thing in locker room is when the Allied prisoners in the German POW camp are digging tunnels underneath the barracks and then dumping the dirt on the grounds via a string release mechanism in their trousers.
Ola telling Sam to fight forward and making the mouth noises was terrific.
Our three loveably fans attempting to switch roles was hysterical and their calm demeanor in the bar, following their time seeing the scrimmages, was cool. I really liked how Ted opened up to several fans. Letting them see how the sausage is made, showing their humanness can only create more support from the fanbase.
Regarding Ted-stay or Ted-go, Ted's comment to Beard in the pub: "It's there (the fans) we're only borrowing the team for a little while." Ted is not seeing himself being there for 3-5 years.
Jamie continues to be the MVP of the season. "Play through me, not to me" was beautiful. And the game announcers describing the goal as a symphony with Jamie as conductor--another wonderful metaphor for strings that bind.
Writing in a first edition book was WTH for sure. I guess we could see it as Jack not being materialistic, but given other stuff she does I’m not inclined to give her the BOTD. It’s a terrible look for a billionaire.
“Get away with murder rich”
We’ve had references to the Sacklers and Epstein this season... the show runners do NOT like billionaires.
Y’all have said all the things. But I’m here to proclaim I’m fully over Jack and Keely. Something has bothered me from the start, it was 1000% confirmed last night. Keely doesn’t need someone to smother her, she needs someone to challenge her. Roy is clearly not himself without Keely. Get these two kids back together quickly please!
Also, as a callback to our own discussion threads on last week’s episode: Jamie’s wearing a pink track suit in the opening montage!
I was coming on to point out this very thing. It’s so in your face. I can’t not see all the pink.
I love that y’all are tuned into this--I don’t pick up on colors in this way!
This is maybe the best episode of Ted Lasso we've ever been given. Truly the culmination of the whole series up until now, as Trent points out (and it's not even over yet!). For me it was the lovely, lovely moments that y'all have pointed out - from Trent's dorkiness (I could re-watch a thousand times), finally getting to see the beautiful relationship between Sam and Ola in person, Nate's decision not to spit in the mirror, the team seeing what was necessary for Sam (my husband and I predicted it would be cleaned up when they entered, but we didn't guess it would be the team!! We were crying - so special), the Will/Beard and Dani/Isaac swap, Jamie's leadership. Wow, I loved it so much.
And I agree that Roy's sadism is concerning, and we'll come back to it, but he also made me genuinely laugh out loud at his awfulness.
We've got some reckonings to be reckoned, like the Jack/Keeley dynamic. But how sweet that they ended up at Taste of Athens! I love that we're in good hands. This was such a perfect episode.
The next five episodes are gonna be lit!
The restaurant clean up scene made my eyes water. So many touching moments. And I love Jade’s face.
Not a touching moment: Jack being a rich love bomber. Will she go full-crazy GF? She referred once to her jealousy and I’m feeling queasy.
We’ve all established that Jamie is the Shite in Nining Armor, right?
We’ve heard that phrase already, but yeah I think that’s to throw us off the scent and it will show up again.
Oh, I might have misread... the Editor note was written by MA, and not Jason so guess I was in error in that part of my earlier comment abt Jason being at PC.
I’ve been looking forward to the guest writer in Mary Ann’s absence but then notice you’re at preacher camp too so I’m especially happy that my daughter has taken the night off and handed off this initial take on this episode of Ted Lasso in your capable hands. I’ll have to say it wasn’t my favorite ep but I think the dynamic between Jack overdoing gifts to Keeley and Rebecca reflecting on Rupert’s gifts to her when they first started seeing each other hit a nerve with me, as I’m guilty of “needing” to give to my loved ones but find it terrifically difficult to accept their gifts to me. This might have clouded my judgement. I have work to do, it seems.
Much to celebrate though... scoring a point against Arsenal with the new strategy. Sam and Ola cooking together. Rebecca pining for Boat Man, and not Sam. The team cleaning up the result of bigotry against immigrant entrepreneurs. Ted kind of taking a back step and letting his team “lead” each other.
I guess I see that Nate is learning how not to be a jerk, but he has some 4th Step work to do to put his ego in the proper place before I can totally celebrate him.
And a frivolous comment here that relates to more video media than just TL. I used to say “when do these people work?” (Or cook, or do they ever get sick or go to the dentist, etc etc etc ... they aren’t real people!) whenI watched movies and the telly. Well, it seems I have been taken in opposite directions with many of the shows I watch currently. Now “everyone” has to have a tooth brushing scene, a puking scene, a scene while sitting on the john or standing at the urinal. I need to remember to be careful what I wish for.😍
Thank you guest writer for getting the dialog started!
"Boxes" is an interesting clue – Nate leaving the 2D box of the rectangular mirror frame where we've seen him alone with his ritual before, leveling up to the 3D shoebox where he puts himself and Jade, then when that meets the 4D world and is flattened, he's left with just his newly integrating confident, natural self.
Been noodling a lot about Nate in this episode and how he made some incredible progress. He goes to his niece's birthday party and his dad doesn't antagonize him, and there is no resentment. The powerful and positive women figures in Nate's life play a central role (including soon-to-be Jade). The mom and sister are very supportive of Nate asking Jade out and they show him the romantic map that his dad made for his mom when they were younger.
When Nate pauses to go to the restroom because he is nervous about asking Jade to dinner, it seems at first that he's going to do his big ugly bear move and then spit at his image. But instead he takes a deep breath, looks at himself and smiles. When the gift is later destroyed accidentally, Nate doesn't lose his temper and he asks Jade out. He also keeps his cool when he's nervous for her to arrive at the start of the date.
Not saying Nate won't backslide. With six episodes to go, it will probably happen and likely be Rupert's doing. But for now, three cheers for Nate the Great.
Nate’s full body smile makes me so happy.
Yeah, I also inwardly cringed when he went toward the bathroom, thinking “no, don’t go that way about it.” And I was really glad he didn’t. As nice as this family dynamic is to see, it almost feels like there’s some dissonance in regards to what we’ve previously seen/surmised of his family dynamic and this, maybe?
Watched the episode with several people and we were all rooting for him “don’t do it Nate!”
Agree. Nate’s story, for me, hasn’t been fully formed.