Once you learn what the word “disturbing” sounds like, the synopsis for Ted Lasso’s Season 3 Episode 2 will make a lot more sense. But don’t expect any run of the mill game-by-game below. Yes, we’re going to break down all the action from the episode that just dropped on Apple TV Plus. do not worry about that.
Instead of a top-down summary, we focus on this week’s five biggest topics and stories. And it’s big. Not only does Roy (Brett Goldstein) and Kelly’s (Jono Temple) breakup from last week continue around Richmond, but Ted (Jason Sudeikis) is already trying to figure out football strategy.
Re-stream the entire episode below — once you get past that great spoiler warning, that is!
1. Ted Lasso’s third season is all about new jobs
Kelly and CFO Barbara (Katie Weeks) kick off the episode by reminding us that KJPR is not Richmond. As much as Keeley wants to make The Office fun, this team is a bit drier. Also, Barbara sets up a predictable situation: Keeley shouldn’t let the commercial run on time because that’s money coming out of his pocket. Later, Keeley asks for Ted’s advice on how to get their group to work together, and he pitches an out-of-office activity.
Later, while at work, Kelly runs into an old friend of Shandi’s (Ambryn Razia), who praises her for “taking her out” of the sportswoman WAG (wives and girlfriends) circle she’s been in, and gives some advice on how to get them properly shot. . This leads Kelly to hire her as a consultant to manage affiliates and client relations. Barbara isn’t exactly thrilled about it though, and throws cold water at the idea, barely sparing words with her reaction. We learn that Barbara has been sent to work for several companies and she loves snowballs, and Kelly manages to talk her into being more open about Shandy.
Next, we move to Richmond, where Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) hosts Trent Cream (James Lance) in her office, with Higgins (Jeremy Swift) and Kelly there, too. He wants to write a book about the team, and while these three don’t want him to do it – Rebecca gives Ted the decision.
And being Ted’s dad, he invites mayhem in his locker room by telling Trent he’s up for the idea. Later in the episode, we see Roy not happy about this at all, and demands the entire team be given the cold shoulder cream, while threatening those who talk to Trent. Ted tries to defuse this, and puts Trent in Roy’s office. Roy isn’t exactly an interested co-worker, though, and later tells Karim to “f*** off.”
Then the third part of Job Week comes into place as Higgins learns that football star Zava (Maximilian Osinski) is leaving Juventus. After a brief falling out over the UK and US versions of The Office, we learn that Higgins and Keeley want to sign him due to his talent and influence on social media. He’s played for 14 teams in 15 years and, according to Higgins, always leaves “behind only the mess and the trophies, the beautiful, shiny trophies.”
Briefly: Ted Lasso season 3 might feel a little rushed since we see musical chair functions in progress, but showrunner Bill Lawrence & Co. clearly has a chessboard they’re setting up.
2. Rebecca may be too driven by revenge this year
As suggested by the first episode, this season Rebecca’s feelings revolve around wanting the worst for ex Robert (Anthony Head) and his team at West Ham. Now that they both own two Premier League teams, it seems like he’s not old enough for both of them.
And it didn’t seem to matter that Richmond got caught in the crossfire, as Rebecca switched from opposing Zava’s signing to singing “Zava-dabba-doo!” Once I learned that Robert wanted him. Trent Cream makes it all clear, which renders Rebecca speechless for a moment, and she actually owns up to her decision.
Meanwhile, Rebecca deals with her mother’s constant distractions, including an offer to meet with her favorite psychic. In a monologue later in the episode, Rebecca reveals how young Robert made her feel special and chosen.
After an interaction with Robert, in which she congratulates him on West Ham’s victory over Leicester – and compliments Nate while obliquely burying Ted – Rebecca gets personal with Zaffa. And after Zaffa acts like a completely overbearing child to her, saying it was her “honour” to meet him, Robert plunges the knife deep into Rebecca saying he bought West Ham after Richmond because he was tired of the “same old, same old.” And while this hurt her Temporarily, it only enrages and stimulates her: Rebecca delivers a powerful monologue to Zaffa – as he was at the urinal – about how he’s a “chicken a**”, not as good as he’s supposed to be.
Briefly: Rebecca’s focus is not on winning a tournament, but on annoying Robert.
3. Roy and Kelly’s breakup may have been caused by fear
After Richmond player Isaac (Cola Boccini) tells Kelly he wants a shoe deal, she runs into Jimmy (Phil Dunster), who stutters to himself as he talks to her, and becomes very shy as Roy walks by.
Isaac, in a moment that can be recalled later, beats Jimmy as a body language expert. By noticing the lack of eye contact and the arms crossed, Isaac believes they have separated. Jimmy then looks at the recently separated couple as they walk away. And while he appears to be after Kelly, he is not.
Jimmy walks into the dark office Roy has been spending some time alone with, where he asks if they broke up – claiming he used “body science” to deduce this. After trying to show empathy and assuming that Kelly broke up with Roy, Jimmy voices the same question we’ve all been asking: Why did Roy dump Kelly?
Roy refuses to tell him. Instead, he asked if Jamie was trying to figure out if it was okay for him to ask her out. Jimmy does not deny this at all, but he does try to hug Roy, who … a lot of himself knows what it’s like to be a male friend who tries to hug you – and pushes him away.
Roy then demands that Jimmy keep this secret, and Jimmy asks kit boy William (Charlie Hiscock) – who was in the room with them – to keep the secret as well. Will promises secrecy after mentioning he’s been through a breakup, too.
Neither of them tells the team, but once the gossip spreads (presumably from Isaac), Coach Bird (Brendan Hunt) yells and Ted faints. Ted even broke his playlist. And Ted Lasso writers, who always love an on-again, off-again joke, have everyone in the locker room cringe at the news that Roy broke things off — and he wasn’t the one to be let go.
Roy points out that he doesn’t think he will do enough for her. To break up before you break up with him. He says that day taught him he should have stayed with Chelsea and enjoyed himself. He ended with “But that’s not who I am, I guess.” to which Ted says “Not yet”.
Even Bruce, Roy’s favorite member of Chelsea’s security team, doesn’t understand why he broke up with her. Although Roy gets a bit of a crush from his former fans at the local club, he doesn’t seem to actually enjoy it, or he gets hurt by it. As this happens, without saying anything, Rebecca comforts Kelly.
But at the end of the episode, Roy gives one-on-one dialogue from which we can try to glean some understanding of his current state of mind. In his last season at Chelsea he didn’t play well, thought he couldn’t keep up and wasn’t good enough. So he left. It is a speech regarding his decision to leave Kelly, with Roy indicating that he does not think he will do enough for her. To break up before you break up with him. He says that day taught him he should have stayed with Chelsea and enjoyed himself. He ended with “But that’s not who I am, I guess.” to which Ted says “Not yet”.
Briefly: There is still some hope for Roy and Kelly.
Coach Bird (Brendan Hunt) walks in on Ted as he reads his copy of the Heart of the Pyramid: A History of Football Tactics (Opens in a new tab), which we first see Bird read during her plane trip to England in Season 1. Oh, and he even said “soccer” instead of “soccer” without even trying.
Chelsea score first and foremost, which sends Richmond into the locker room – where Ted pushes Roy to stop cheering with Trent Karim. And after Ted gives a moving explanation about the Hallmark Christmas movies, Roy really does. Well, after they shouted “Cream!” Calling the reporter to take a shower, Roy explains that his longstanding, one-sided feud revolved around Karim’s harsh words about Roy Kent, a rookie who stung him so hard Roy had carried him in his wallet since he was 17. They both admit that they were very rude, and so they are forgiven. Roy even shreds the news scrap he saved.
The team then unites around a new strategy, which leads to a 1-1 draw – thanks to the face of Dani Rojas (Cristo Fernandez) who scored a goal – which is practically a win for the team.
Briefly: Richmond will need more than relationships, but Ted’s focus on togetherness remains a force for good. Speaking of which…
5. Richmond’s latest problem is wearing sunglasses indoors
Zava’s signature pursuit is a sprint of “will he or won’t he?” mode, because time is of the essence this season. Although Zaffa rejects the idea of signing for West Ham, this makes Rebecca more confident that it will take place: the rejection causes Robert to pursue something more enthusiastic.
Zaffa, an arrogant man in a fur-lined suede coat, better known as The Veggie Dog Vigilante, is the kind of guy who’s never seen without his sunglasses during this episode. He’s also the talk of the town, making everyone in the Richmond locker room scream and scream – and sending Higgins into fan behavior, posing for pictures.
When Ted Lasso hits the poignant moments in Roy’s speech at the end, I find it hard to argue that Bill Lawrence and company don’t know what they’re doing.
Richmond’s season opener is a moment of celebration for the fans at the pub, who are dressed in their best. But on the Chelsea field, Higgins believes Zava’s signature to the team, and the star is showing. Then, we learn two things: Jimmy Tartt doesn’t care about Xava, and Danny Rojas played in the youth soccer league in El Chapo.
And at the last second, Zafa refused to play for Chelsea, choosing Richmond instead. He did so at a Chelsea press conference about his signing, enraging Robert, and leaving the Richmond management and fans celebrating. Except for Jimmy, who shakes his head.
Briefly: Zava appears to be a short-term gain that will bolster the team – and help propel them to great potential late in the season – and that will also lead to other problems.
Overview: Season 3 of Ted Lasso did a lot in its 46 minutes
I absolutely love Ted Lasso season 3 so far (I’ve also seen episodes 3 and 4), but upon rewatching, Ted Lasso season 3 episode 2 felt almost rushed. To introduce and sign Zava to Richmond in one episode, and to have Trent Crimm and Keeley’s boyfriend Shandy too, you can almost see the layers of the series.
Still, when Ted Lasso gets to the poignant moments of Roy’s speech at the end, I have a hard time arguing that Bill Lawrence and company don’t know what they’re doing.
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