Ted Lasso - Season 3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trent and the Dolly t-shirt — did I miss something? Or just cute?

Dolly is an American treasure. Is there more?

IMO they're just trying to flesh Trent's character out a little more, give him a little more personality. Fans like him even if he's never going to be a main character.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stand Nate. He reminds me of every entitled male that thinks of himself as a nice guy who is mistreated and unappreciated by the world and walks around with a massive pissy chip on his shoulder and doesn’t recognize that it’s his own pissy passive aggressive attitude that turns everyone off—not that “nice guys finish last.”

Huh, I don't get this at all.

First, he actually was a nice guy. Like for the first season and a half, he legitimately is a nice, if low-self-confidence, person. Not a jerk and not pissy.

I'm on the fence about his resentment that built up in season two. On the one hand, I have actually been in a similar situation professionally before, where I was promoted based on merit but then sidelined because of personal relationships in management and not give much to actually DO in my promoted position. It's a really hard position to be in, especially when you are hungry for more responsibility and to grow professionally, as Nate is. On the other hand, his reaction to this was childish and outsized (he should have just talked to Ted; his communication skills are lacking). On the third hand, one somewhat childish outburst is not a huge deal IMO. I think it cuts both ways.

And finally, he's actually been perfectly nice to Jade, the one woman we've seen him with. She was actually the one who was randomly rude/aggressive towards him when they first met, and she softened not because he was an aggressive jerk but because she takes pity on him when he gets stood up on his date and then they talk and discover they have things in common.

I don't think Nate is the best character ever, but I don't understand comments about what a horrible person he is. The worst thing he's done is publicly trash talk Ted in a press conference, which was hurtful and mean. But also not even close to being uncommon in that role or that sport. And you could see he was unsure of doing it -- he said those things out of hurt but was being goaded into it by Rupert. There's nuance there.

[Anonymous]

I am so not into analyzing any of it but I am definitely enjoying this season for many reasons.

[Anonymous]

I don't think Rupert's comment about Jade's accent was small talk. How likely is it that Rupert actually knows enough about Polish accents to figure out where Jade is from from a few words? I think this is going to turn into a plot point. I don't know exactly where that plot is going to go, but I suspect Rupert was already aware of Nate's relationship with Jade and has done some digging about her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Rupert's comment about Jade's accent was small talk. How likely is it that Rupert actually knows enough about Polish accents to figure out where Jade is from from a few words? I think this is going to turn into a plot point. I don't know exactly where that plot is going to go, but I suspect Rupert was already aware of Nate's relationship with Jade and has done some digging about her.

I wondered about that too. There was something creepy about how Rupert pointed that out and then tried to break them up with the new women during boys night out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Rupert's comment about Jade's accent was small talk. How likely is it that Rupert actually knows enough about Polish accents to figure out where Jade is from from a few words? I think this is going to turn into a plot point. I don't know exactly where that plot is going to go, but I suspect Rupert was already aware of Nate's relationship with Jade and has done some digging about her.

Rupert also made a point to comment on her name, Jade, yet later when talking to Nate he supposedly forget her name and called her "Kate."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m enjoying season 3 but it’s not at all what I expected. It’s no longer light and funny but more of a relationship drama. I had been watching with my son previously but he has now lost all interest. He says it’s no longer about soccer at all. And we both miss the Tedisms of season 1.

They definitely chose to go in a different direction after Season 1. It's funny to think this show is based on a series of promotional shorts Sudeikis did for NBC sports at one point.

This might sound naive, but I wonder if the shift in focus to a more serious tone and a greater focus on mental health and relationships is driven in part by Sudeikis' split with Olivia Wilde and the custody battle with her. I mean, he co-wrote and is playing a character previously known for being goofy and charming (not unlike Sudeikis himself) who is now struggling with living far from his kid and dealing with a divorce where his ex has betrayed him deeply. It feels like it can't possibly be a total coincidence.

Sudeikis is not Ted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Rupert's comment about Jade's accent was small talk. How likely is it that Rupert actually knows enough about Polish accents to figure out where Jade is from from a few words? I think this is going to turn into a plot point. I don't know exactly where that plot is going to go, but I suspect Rupert was already aware of Nate's relationship with Jade and has done some digging about her.

I wondered about that too. There was something creepy about how Rupert pointed that out and then tried to break them up with the new women during boys night out.

I think he was just flexing. Being overly familiar and solicitous as a power move.

I really do like Nate's trajectory. I find myself really rooting for him. Though he was SO awful last season, and early this season, in a way I still feels needs reckoning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think most of us were a bit worried about Nate when Rupert was love bombing him to come to ManU. I wouldn't have really had a problem with Nate leaving Ted's team for a better position, if it hadn't been for the awful things he was saying about Ted as and after he was doing it. I resented Nate's comments; they were so small of him when Ted was the hand up to Nate becoming more than just a towel boy. To spit back in the face of that was wrong, to me, whatever promotion decisions he was making, as was his right as team coach.

I've never written about Nate as a villain on this board, but some of his actions, to me, have been morally wrong. Sure, move teams. But don't belittle the guy who believed in you when you were nothing.

Not endorsing Nate's behavior, but I think Ted Lasso would say that no one is ever "nothing" and everyone deserves to be believed in.

I don't think there's a less interesting storyline/character on any show I've watched in the last 10 years than Nate. Keeley too, but especially Nate.

I like Nate’s storyline because it’s so different from the usual plots.

+1
Totally disagree with the PP. Nate's storyline is wonderful. He is slowly realizing the person he wants to be. I cheered when he left Rupert's very deliberate "boys' night" and went straight to be with Jade. Rupert is evil personified - he sees Nate in a healthy, happy relationship and immediately wants to destroy it. Hopefully, Nate is catching on and will stand up to Rupert or even better, leave West Ham.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stand Nate. He reminds me of every entitled male that thinks of himself as a nice guy who is mistreated and unappreciated by the world and walks around with a massive pissy chip on his shoulder and doesn’t recognize that it’s his own pissy passive aggressive attitude that turns everyone off—not that “nice guys finish last.”

But that's the point - he IS recognizing that. He is growing and becoming better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On the Dutchman finding Rebecca, it seems to me possible that he could see her picture online or on TV if he is a soccer fan (eg a profile piece about the amazing turnout of the team, with Rebecca being in a photo with the team or something.). She’s a super rich lady who owns a premier soccer team—it’s not totally unbelievable that he might see her photo someplace.

Maybe he'll see the news conference she did. At any rate, I find it bizarre and wholly unbelievable that she and the Dutchman didn't plan on further contact. I mean, they both fell for each other that night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trent and the Dolly t-shirt — did I miss something? Or just cute?

Dolly is an American treasure. Is there more?

IMO they're just trying to flesh Trent's character out a little more, give him a little more personality. Fans like him even if he's never going to be a main character.

+1
I love Trent. He is so wise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stand Nate. He reminds me of every entitled male that thinks of himself as a nice guy who is mistreated and unappreciated by the world and walks around with a massive pissy chip on his shoulder and doesn’t recognize that it’s his own pissy passive aggressive attitude that turns everyone off—not that “nice guys finish last.”

Huh, I don't get this at all.

First, he actually was a nice guy. Like for the first season and a half, he legitimately is a nice, if low-self-confidence, person. Not a jerk and not pissy.

I'm on the fence about his resentment that built up in season two. On the one hand, I have actually been in a similar situation professionally before, where I was promoted based on merit but then sidelined because of personal relationships in management and not give much to actually DO in my promoted position. It's a really hard position to be in, especially when you are hungry for more responsibility and to grow professionally, as Nate is. On the other hand, his reaction to this was childish and outsized (he should have just talked to Ted; his communication skills are lacking). On the third hand, one somewhat childish outburst is not a huge deal IMO. I think it cuts both ways.

And finally, he's actually been perfectly nice to Jade, the one woman we've seen him with. She was actually the one who was randomly rude/aggressive towards him when they first met, and she softened not because he was an aggressive jerk but because she takes pity on him when he gets stood up on his date and then they talk and discover they have things in common.

I don't think Nate is the best character ever, but I don't understand comments about what a horrible person he is. The worst thing he's done is publicly trash talk Ted in a press conference, which was hurtful and mean. But also not even close to being uncommon in that role or that sport. And you could see he was unsure of doing it -- he said those things out of hurt but was being goaded into it by Rupert. There's nuance there.

Exactly. Nate was actually a lovely young man in the beginning, who had never been noticed or appreciated by anyone. Once we meet his father, it becomes evident why - he's never had his father's love or approval. He is a damaged soul, but Jade is helping him realize his intrinsic goodness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Rupert's comment about Jade's accent was small talk. How likely is it that Rupert actually knows enough about Polish accents to figure out where Jade is from from a few words? I think this is going to turn into a plot point. I don't know exactly where that plot is going to go, but I suspect Rupert was already aware of Nate's relationship with Jade and has done some digging about her.

+1
I was thinking about this too. Rupert is entirely too wily and cruel for that to be just a coincidence. He has to sabotage people's happiness - that's what he does. No doubt, he was planning on having Nate photographed with one of the women he procured, so he could break up Nate and Jade. So sick. I hope Nate has caught on and protects himself from Rupert, hopefully by leaving Rupert high and dry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Rupert's comment about Jade's accent was small talk. How likely is it that Rupert actually knows enough about Polish accents to figure out where Jade is from from a few words? I think this is going to turn into a plot point. I don't know exactly where that plot is going to go, but I suspect Rupert was already aware of Nate's relationship with Jade and has done some digging about her.

Rupert also made a point to comment on her name, Jade, yet later when talking to Nate he supposedly forget her name and called her "Kate."

DP. That's Rupert's passive-aggressive way of letting Nate know that neither he nor Jade mean anything at all to him. Of course he got her name wrong on purpose.