I guess it’s a good time to write a bit my thoughts on Ted Lasso Season 2. I wrote a little wrap-up of Season 1 on this spoiler post. Anyway, this is gonna be a spoiler post too.
I am not sure if the second season main theme is part of the initial pilot plan or not, but for me the second season of Ted Lasso is well-executed.
Somehow I remember the comment from a fan in the Ted’s flight to UK. The obtrusive British fan said:
“Wicked. You coaching football. Mate, you are a legend for doing something so stupid. I mean it’s mental. They’re gonna murder you.”
I know the mental part of that intro is a slang. But, it’s really interesting how Ted Lasso season 2 explore deeply about mental health, especially in sport business. A little context on the ending of season 1, Dani Rojas accidentally killed Richmond’s dog mascot with his penalty kick. The unfortunate event led him to some kind of stress that he lost his joy playing football. The club initiated to hire a sport psychologist to help that matter. The name of the psychologist is Dr. Sharon.
In the beginning of the season, we learned that Dr. Sharon became a go-to person for more and more Richmond players and staffs because they started to see how Dani managed to overcome his stress. However, it’s also visible that Ted is not 100% believe that psychologist can help. He is avoiding to have a session for himself, thinking that he was OK. Dr. Sharon invited him several times to have some talk.
Deeper Character Exploration
There are also more exploration into more characters. Especially Rebecca aka The Boss-Ass Bitch, Roy Kent, Keeley, Sam, and especially Nate.
Rebecca is trying to be more open with herself and try to have some relationship, some are sexual, but it seems deeply she wants a romantic one as well.
In the second episode, we started to see some hints that Nate is an ambitious person. He preferred killer athletes rather than the calm ones. He is also far from friendly to Will the new kitman. I guess most people can see that he acted like how disrespectful people treated him before Ted promoted him into the assistant coach.
I think it’s also great to highlight Episode 3 “ Do The Right-est Thing”. Sam is in a moral dilemma with his sponsorship from Dubai Air. He learned that Dubai Air is owned by the same oil company that spoiled Nigeria with heavy oil spill. He thinks that is not the right thing to do be the star of Dubai Air ad after learning about that problem. There is also some heat in the locker room with the return of Jamie Tartt. Most of the player thinks that Jamie is still a bad and cocky person. However, Ted admit that the team with a player with his skill to help the team win games, and especially to be promoted back into Premier League. For Ted, he believes that it’s the right thing to do to give Jamie a second chance. For Sam, he believes that he is right to talk about politic and to try to save the environment. Humanity above business.
Episode 5 is fun. Ted is trying to get help from Roy to talk with the team captain, Isaac. Ted can see that Isaac is losing his confidence as a captain. However, Ted just felt that Isaac need some sparks in his game. Ted believes that Roy is the right man to help him with Isaac’s problem. Roy asked Isaac to play 5-a-side football on the street to enjoy the game, to have some fun. The street side was actually the place where Roy grew up and learn to enjoy football as a kid.
People Change
Episode 6 is also important. In a crucial FA Cup game vs. Tottenham, Ted suddenly left the pitch in the middle of the second half. He told his assistants that he had stomach problem. Rebecca knew that it seems that Ted was having a panic attack. As Rebecca already saw it before in Season 1. However, it’s awesome that the team still win the game with brave tactical change from Nate. However, Nate changes a lot after that game.
On the next episode, we learned that Ted is having a problem to start to talk about what happened to him in previous episode. He said he wanted to have an appointment with Dr. Sharon, but it’s hard for him to be open. We also started to see more that Nate is getting too high on his confidence. He started to look down on some people. Coach Beard told him that he should not be mean. We started to see that Nate became the person he hate in the past.
The good thing, Ted start to be more open to Dr. Sharon. Dr. Sharon also said important things on learning about our own mental state:
The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.
She also started to have some wordplay with Ted to break the ice between them.
It then followed with a heartbreaking episode. Richmond played Man. City for FA Cup Semi Final. They terribly lost. We got to see how bad Jamie’s father is, and then how Roy try to calm Jamie. And then it’s followed by the sad revelation about Ted’s relationship with his father. It’s great that he started to talk about it to Dr. Sharon. Need a lot of bravery and strength to talk about our biggest and deepest pain in life.
By the end of this episode, Sam still manage to give a heartwarming post-match interview.
…what’s worse is not to try at all. To try is scary, because you can end up losing a lot. But, you have to put your heart out there. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Be In Peace with What Makes Us Sad
Episode 10 is probably the saddest episode in this season. Rebecca’s father passed away. And then Ted is having another panic attack prior going to the funeral. Dr. Sharon came right away and Ted is ready to talk about his problem.
It’s also a great writing where both Ted and Rebecca shared their own stories about their respective father.
The episode also showed how the characters learned to make peace with what makes them sad.
Dr. Sharon also tried to get more perspective on Ted’s father. Maybe, this is one way to feel better and to manage our anxieties too.
We also learn that Ted positivity and hopefulness came from the hardship and the pain he felt quite early in his life.
And I knew right then and there that I was never gonna let anybody get by me, without understanding they might be hurting inside too.
Because life, it’s hard.
It’s real hard.
- Ted Lasso
Be Kind
By the finale of season 2 we will also learn that sometimes kindness does not always reciprocate. Trent the reporter told Ted that Nate spilled the information about Ted’s having a panic attack in the midgame versus Tottenham.
It feels like a great portrayal of how it is in the real world. It’s still not easy to be open about mental health in sports.
But, still, I love how the series still have a great mix of jokes inside it.
And the new mascot is cute!
On the season 2 finale, we discovered how Nate turned into the other side. I have read several comments how he was actually afraid that his false-9 tactic doesn’t work and Ted will blame him. A truly unnecessary worry because we know Ted as a leader is not going to blame him. During the half time, the coaches even agreed that they should discuss the tactic with the team. And the team believe they can grab a point to be promoted back into Premier League.
If you watched closely, you can see how Nate’s face showed some doubt on this “believe” approach. Before the game continues, Ted had a one-on-one conversation with Nate to asked him what’s wrong with Ted. Even if he did nothing, Ted somehow still felt that maybe he did a mistake to Nate that he didn’t realized. Nate said he felt that Ted’s changed. Ted didn’t care about him anymore. Nate also felt furious of why Ted didn’t place the photo that he gave to Ted for Christmas in his office anymore. Little did Nate knew, Ted actually placed the photo from him on his dressing desk, right beside the picture of Ted’s son. Props to the detail by the writers and the set-design team. If you have instagram, you should check out this reel showing the details.
Near the end of the game, the team managed to snatch a decisive goal near the last minute. They grab a point to get back to Premier League. However, we saw that Nate did not celebrate, he stormed off out of the field. Even though the team still continue with his tactical approach.
And then we learned that few months after that, he followed Mr. Manion’s step (the previous AFC Richmond owner) to West Ham United and became a manager there. What a dark turn it was. But, I guess it’s interesting turn for the next season. Will we explore more on the teacher vs. the student? Ted vs Nate The Great?
Well, I am still hoping for the best of luck for Ted and AFC Richmond next season.
Some more extras.
This season also give a great amount of lessons on relationship, whether it’s romantic or casual. It’s not too much and it’s delivered well with delicate balance of serious and comedy.
More on Mental Health
If you managed to read up to here, I hope you can get a professional help if you have situation related to your mental health. I believe it’s a good start to know more about our self. I know, it is not easy, and it may be costly in most countries. I hope, we can brave enough to be more open and talk about it.
For a deeper piece on mental health in sports, I guess these two pieces are a good starter:
- Kenapa Isu Kesehatan Jiwa di Sepak Bola Tidak Sering Dibicarakan?
It’s in Indonesian, by Marini Anggitya. - Through the Storm: Liverpool’s documentary on mental health is a powerful, painful, crucial watch. Jason McAteer: Through the storm. Documentary by Liverpool FC:
Stay curious.
Best of luck next season.
