Revisiting Ted Lasso

This isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy it a second time, lets face it, shows, movies or music that invoke emotion is a good thing. I’ll admit it, I’m a crier. From almost the first scene of episode 1 I got all teary.

Like I said last time this is a show about a soccer team (I’m Australian so it’ll always be soccer) that isn’t about soccer. For me it’s about human connection, it’s about friendship and love, it’s about growth, and it’s about believing in yourself.

We see so many of the cast change and evolve throughout the show, some more than others and some have a much larger story arc, but at the end they are all in a much better place - except maybe Rupert!

So who was my favourite character?

Without a doubt it’s Roy. He’s deep and complex, and personally I think he grew the most as a person - while still remaining true to himself.

Contrary to his outward persona he is a loving and caring person - just look at how do dotes over Pheobe, how he takes Jamie under his wing and his love for Keeley.

He also has a lot of traits that I wish I had myself.

Favourite story line?

There are so many story lines that had an impact, not least that of Ted himself, but for me it has to be Colin because there is more of a personal connection with it (no I’m not a secret Soccer player!).

If you think back to season 1 Colin was a minor character in the background, but in season 2 he became more prominent and in season 3 his story was a major one.

Being in the closet is no fun at all, and at times you really feel like you have no one to talk to, and in sport it’s even worse. The macho environment and toxic masculinity is still an issue around the world, so having a gay story line in a “sport” show was important - although 3 years on not much has changed.

Seeing the subtle support that Trent gave him - did you notice the rainbow coffee mug that he started using, and the supportive shoulder to lean on in the Amsterdam episode is something that we all need.

While I’m no sport athlete so didn’t have those specific issues to deal with, like many, my own coming out had it challenges, and the conversation between Colin and Issac (in the below video) is one that every gay person has had at least once in their life.

I’m conflicted with this scene because it’s great to see that Issac supports his friend, but on the other hand he made it all about him - when, as Colin says, “It has nothing to do with you”. It’s a personal journey and everyone's is different, and Issac had no right to be mad at Colin and treat him like he did.

Was Ted the right choice for coach?

This is an interesting question because if you think of the reason Rebecca gave him the job originally it was to set him up to fail so he would ruin the team and she’d have gotten back at Rupert for being a dick.

But, in the end he didn’t fail - in fact the complete opposite - he succeeded in the best way possible, and in the process he brought the team to together and had a positive affect on so many lives.

In my work I sometimes get asked by potential clients questions like “have you worked for XYZ industry before” or “have you built ABC before”, and sometimes the answer is no, but instead of saying no I like to reply with “the question isn’t have I, but do I have the skills to do it” - that answer is yes. I fee that Ted was in the exact position - had he coached a soccer team before? No, but does he have the skills to do it? Yes.

My favourite scene

This one needs no explanation. If you’ve seen it you know, and if you haven’t then I think you’ll get it.

Barbecue sauce!