I’m sure others have commented on this - I loved how Rupert’s office is HEAVILY influenced by the Emperor’s Throne Room in Return of the Jedi. The dude is incredibly evil in his presentation.
I can’t remember where but I saw an interview with Jason where he talked about how much SW influenced season two, so I think your ROTJ observation is spot on!
Mr Head is doing an amazing job of being charming and evil at the same time. I think Richmond won't be relegated. That's their victory. I think Rupert's team will be relegated. But then, as I think it, that seems too much of a holy wood ending. I do think Richmond will beat Rupert's. To subvert that would be a highly unpopular Rian Johnson move.
I'm fascinated by another dynamic in Ted Lesso S3 so far. Roy & Keeley. At the surface this seems like a very classic 'they split up because they are overthinking it and would be happier together' trope. And maybe this is where we'll go in the end. But I'm (positively) surprised by how much more context the show adds here. That this is not just Roy being avoidant. That there is some validity in Keeley being absorbed in her work and her own idea of success. That Roy is slowly figguring out who he wants to be after being a football star but maybe actually DOES need some time with himself, without an ever driven Keeli stiring him to find a solution. Relationships in movies and shows are often very simple: Eitehr the belong together and being together makes everyone happier or they don't and make each other miserable. But real relationships ARE complicated, figguring out yourself and what you want is complicated and I just love the subtelty the show brings to this for me even if its just a side plot.
One subtle thing I noticed was that on the board behind the 2 during their press conferences. Nates is red and covered in X's, the West Ham logo and the other ads are going downward to the right. Where as Ted's is covered in Nike ticks with the other ads going upward to the right, showing their attitudes in general
Ted and Keeley help Nathan buy suits to serve a need. Rupert love-bombs. Rebecca describes that. Rupert wants to own things, and feels like people are things to own, and the car, and the warmth, and the touching are all part of classic manipulative courtship steps. It's a shame Nate didn't take advantage of the presence of Dr Sharon, although it would have made a third season unnecessary. What I like are all the examples of positive masculinity, plus the acceptance and growth through therapy, played against the narrative example of toxicity, because until we recognize it, and can see it clearly, we're still a vulnerable target.
I really liked your prediction that Richmond doesn’t win, maybe doesn’t even best West Ham. Rebecca’s arc has been about her processing her grief and anger towards Rupert. So far, many of her decisions and actions have been made in reaction to him and how he makes her feel. I think we’ll see her finally defeat Rupert in the only way that truly matters-with him finally having no power over her. Regarding Nate, I think his arc has been about finding a way to value himself. He’s struggled so much with trying to get validation and respect from others, not just his dad. He went from being bullied to truly being appreciated within the team, but because he was unable to value himself it wasn’t enough and he didn’t trust it. I believe he’s now in a permanent place of living with imposter syndrome: deep down really doubting not his ability, but more devastatingly, his worth. If all the love he received at Richmond couldn’t fill the void inside him, then certainly Rupert (who couldn’t care less for him as a person) certainly won’t be able to help. Whether it comes from a public fall after failing or a private crisis after realizing success hasn’t brought him happiness, either way, I believe he will seek forgiveness and find a way to reconnect with Ted. Not only was that heavily foreshadowed in the first episode during Ted’s call with Henry, but forgiveness and redemption have been major themes throughout.
Totally agree. Nate feels like Ted abandoned him because, when Ted isn't actively supporting him, he has no inner support to fall back on. He's utterly reliant on exterior validation, as evidenced by the way he compulsively vanity-scrolled, and the way one negative comment could negate all the positive ones. I think the show has been very careful about keeping his relationship with his father very understated. It's the undercurrent of Nate's identity, a constant whisper of disapproval he's hardly even aware of. But the show will eventually have to confront it.
Thus far the word for this season is genuine. Whenever anyone is genuine, they come out on top. Rebecca gets Zava because in the bathroom she is genuine. Rupert is not. Ted comes across better to the press because he is being genuine. Nathan is just playing the part of football manager. Even Zava, as eccentric and insane as he may seem, is totally genuine. And he recognizes that genuineness in others. That's why he chose Richmond. All his spiritual mumbo jumbo, his arranging the players on the board, it's if nothing else genuine. Even the comment about the avocados...he totally means that. Keeley even recognizes it during the press conference because like her or not, Keeley is not at all fake. She is exactly genuine to who she is. The key this season is to be genuine and good things happen. I suspect we will get an arc of some redemption at some point, and it will be about someone, rediscovering who they are. Hope the rabbit is good.
I also like how they didn't really make Zava a straight up bad guy. He's an excentrica rrogant douche but in the end he also seems to wear his (very arrogant) heart on his sleeve and that's still kind of way better than pretending. In a sense Zava isn't actually a full character rather than a contrast for the different team members like Jamie or Ted to bounce off from/reflect against.
Yeah I agree with that. And with Zava. He's very much a vehicle to poke fun at sports stars but it isn't critical, they still portray Zava as a good, if difficult, person
As someone who was married to a “Rupert” for four years; I think the healthiest thing I ever did was understand that that kind of person never need hold any sort of power over me in any way ever again. That once I knew who he was he could no longer affect my life at all. I only ever wished him the best knowing that unfortunately he would ruin his own happiness every single time and not have the ability to care about that or anyone he took down with him.
I feel sorry for his wife and daughter. I don't think Rupert is *capable* of being a good husband and father. It's sad. Mr. Head is doing a fantastic job. He is very charming in some scenes and intentionally cruel in others. We will never know why Rupert is broken. It reminds me of Donald Trump so Rupert's father may have been like Fred Trump. It would feel *really* unrealistic is Rupert ever heals. He's fundamentally broken and too old and too wealthy to change.
I could talk about Ted Lasso for HOURS! Especially about Nate. I love how complicated he is. I'm rooting for his redemption and for him to finally love himself. Loved your video! Hope you do more!
Ted's response to Nate's comments felt like Cyrano de Bergerac's creative self-deprecation, and I immediately loved it for that. It's a brilliant scene, and I have to fully agree with the tweet the show briefly shares with us calling him "Ted Class-o". This show is one of the greatest pieces of visual media I've ever seen at depicting psychologically realistic people doing their best to navigate the world in healthy ways with varying levels of success; both the successes and the failures are wonderfully written and a pleasure to watch. It's so refreshing to see a show that doesn't feel the need to so thoroughly milk every potential moment of drama by making everyone unreasonable all the time. I'm done gushing now. Thank you all for coming. 😝
In my opinion, Rupert took (read ‘hired’) Nate for three reasons. He is a brilliant strategist. Nate has obvious insecurities that Rupert knows how to exploit to keep him at West Ham as long as he is useful, and to hurt Rebecca’s team. I see Rupert as a character who sees himself, through all his flaunting of wealth and power, as much at war with Rebecca as Rebecca saw herself at war and spiteful with Rupert before Ted came along. I think he is lashing out because she stood up to him, albeit in a extremely unorthodox way, and he is trying to retake whatever hold he can get over her. And what he can’t take, he recreates when she pushes back, like when he married a younger women named who resembles his ex and shares her name
I love how they have Rupert sit in front of a round window that makes him look like the Emperor from Star wars. That, plus the black suit makes Nate Darth Vader, so you know he'll be redeemed by goodness in the end. I think he'll either end up as Richmond manager after Ted goes back to the US to be a top MLS coach or he'll end up as a pundit that actually knows their stuff.
As I listened to this narrative and possible story directions, I can’t help but consider the TL Season 3 trailer with The Rolling Stones, You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”
Great commentary. I think you're onto something with Nate's frustrated sense of imposter syndrome, and the racial component. I also think Nate projects his own father's rejection of him onto Ted's strained relationship with his family. As of episode 3 of season 3, I see two story patterns emerging. The first is the idea of success as a means of revenge. Nathan clearly wants that, but Rebecca started the season in the same place, determined to beat Rupert rather than desiring to move past him. I think in part, her stalled relationship with Sam is due to the fact that she still hasn't grown past the wounds left by Rupert. And Rupert calculates every interaction with her to keep them open. Rupert himself clearly has no greater motivation in life than to punish her. I think we're going to see his core exposed in this season, and see how deeply he resents Rebecca. Which brings me to the second pattern I'm seeing, the pattern of cons. Rupert is clearly a highly skilled con man, using his obviously insincere admiration to wrap Nate around his finger. He did the same with Zava, buttering him with charm in a way Rebecca could never compete with. Zava is also a con man, selling his self-importance as though it's a gift for everyone, wrapping them all around his finger the way Rupert wraps Nate around his. Jaime is the only one who can see through it, because he's played that game himself. And he still on some level wants to play it, though a growing part of him knows better than to assume people's admiration can take the place of self-esteem. So where does Ted fit into all this? I think, at the core of it, his relentless positivity is a con too. The most interesting thing to me in these kinds of stories is when the driving positive value is turned into something perverse. To succeed as a means of hurting someone else, rather than doing good for yourself. To be kind as a means of manipulation rather than generosity. Or to be positive as a means of smothering bad feelings rather than acknowledging them. I think this perversion of the positive is going to be the driving theme of the season. We will see Ted at his absolute worst, in his desperation to avoid confronting his pain. It's going to be ugly. But this show is also about redemption, and about growth. So I'm confident that Ted will grow, Nate will grow, and Rebecca will grow. I don't think Richmond will win the cup, but I think they'll achieve something much, much bigger. And I think the real triumph will be documented in the story that Trent Crimm tells about them. It won't be a big, international spectacle of triumph. It'll be the quieter, deeper sort that's clear to see if you look past the surface.
Very interesting. Although I would disagree with the notion that kindness is only a positive thing if its selfless. In fact I kind of see the opposite. I've met quite a few people who selflessly cater to others needs and I always found it offputting how little they respected themselves and their own wellbeing and forcing me, as someone who cares about them, to watch as they suffer and not be allowed to say anything cause its 'positive selfless suffering'. We're all fundamentally self centered as a matter of fact (it's just how we percieve the world, we can only see it from our eyes) and I would argue that whether kindness benefits me or not should not matter as long as its a positive force in my surrounding. Why is being kind and achieving a goal at the same tome a detractor?
@@DarkHarlequin Good point, but I think there's a difference between kindness and suffering. Not all kindness costs anything. In fact, it often doesn't. What you're talking about sounds like a particular type of co-dependent "kindness" that stems more from anxiety, and an outsized sense of needing to be of service to justify one's own existence. That's not the same thing as just being thoughtful. The thing about the kind of self-sacrificing kindness that you find so distressing is that it's very often unkind to the person doing it. They spend all their resources on others, in the hope that someone else will then return the favor, because they don't know how to justify spending their resources on their own well-being.
@@rottensquid Well put. I also broadly agree with your sentiment I just believe that human interaction isn't a zero sum game and often have found that the most apreciated things others can do to make me happy is also the thing that makes them happy. And that the things I do to make myself happy don't have to necicarily be at teh detrement of my surrounding.
@@DarkHarlequin Exactly. I think this is a seductive fallacy, that drives people who have few resources as it is to exhaust themselves supporting others, hoping for a return in kind. I find myself drawn to people like this, but my attempts to return their energy is often met with bitterness. It never feels like enough to them, because what it is feeding is more like what Buddhists call a "hungry ghost." It's a craving for emotional support that can never be sated, because it's really a wound that satiation can't heal. So they cycle continues. They keep martyring themselves in service of others, and complaining that no one gives them what they need. What I see in healthy relationships isn't so much people expending energy in service of others, though that happens in moderation. Mostly, it's people who get a charge out of giving a charge. That positive feedback look it what makes relationships, friendships, even working partnerships sustainable. Without it, someone is going to burn out, and usually blame the other.
I'm a new subscriber to your channel, and I so enjoy your Ted Lasso content!! Yes! Keep it coming, please!! I fully intend on immediately rewatching the entire series.....can't get enough!! Thank you.
Great analysis ♥️, I was eagerly waiting for your views on the new season and on Nate and Rupert relationship. I feel like Rupert is just using Nate, and Nate is just finding a father figure / a validation from people of higher power
Just discovered/finished watching Ted Lasso S.1-3... this is a great concise commentary on the charming culture and unexpected lessons we can take from TL. Looking forward to more video commentary🎉
Interesting point about Rupert's fake laugh. We have seen Nathan fail to comprehend and repeat jokes over and over, and the resulting awkward feelings. Rupert knows all his weaknesses and exploits them.
I wondered why Nate suddenly went very gray. That usually only happens under extreme stress, or sudden changes in health (massive drop off in hormone levels, for instance). It's jarring enough that I have to suspect that the writers are using it to convey additional clues about his personality and circumstances.
I love how you break it all down, with your analysis/prediction for the end of the season though I think it could definitely make sense but there have definitely been beats of teds toxic positivity and his refusal to acknowledge what’s hurt him and I definitely think Rupert won’t be redeemed more become irrelevant as you said. Nate may be forgiven but not exactly welcomed back if Richmond go on to win the whole thing instead of them losing and going the winning doesn’t matter quite as much? Great video regardless keep it up
My prediction for the end of the show is that Nate will stay as Richmond's main manager after solving his own issues. Ted will realise his job is done and return to Kansas.
Well, of course, Nate didn't "earn" the car. He hadn't done anything for the team yet. But Rupert is nothing but an abuser. He tells Nate to call him "Rupert" when he's doing well ... but then "Mr. Manion" when Nate is down.
Been enjoying your analysis! Thank you for sharing your thoughts out here with us! Wondering if there would be any interest to cover the tv drama succession, discuss family dynamics.
My prediction is that Nate will be unable to accept all of the adulation that's coming his way. His self image is very negative and receiving praise will feel fake or unearned since it will contradict his sense of self. It'll get too much for him, he'll implode and Ted will pick up the pieces.
I mean, I know that as a therapist you need to give people the benefit of the doubt, but Rupert is designed, as a character, to be a fake pos (at least for now). Of course he chose Nate for his club just to hurt Rebecca (and Ted), of course all the praise is just an act, of course all the gifts have strings attached. There's no ''maybe'' here. Honestly, I felt nervous when I saw Nate alone with Rupert, it was like seeing a predator playing with it's food. I haven't wanted to punch a character in the face so much in a while.
I dunno, I think I'm just used to framing things that way on youtube. I've always preferred the approach of raising questions to think about, rather than setting out a clear argument. I'd agree with you though, yeah
I'll bet a penny that in his post-Championship press conference Ted is going to tell the reporters, and by extension Nate, that there are two photos he sees when he wakes up every morning, and that those are photos of the two young men he loves the most in the world. One being his son, and the other the soccer coach whose tactical brilliance allowed Richmond to win their first game under him. I don't know if that is the best way for Ted to tell this to Nate, but Ted is Good, not perfect.
Have you seen Yellowjackets? I’ve been watching it and I think your takes on it would be super interesting. It’s a really freaking DARK show though, fair warning haha.
I'm wondering why Nate was coloring his hair for the first two seasons until the very end or is this some hairstyle that is in over there? Looking at Nate's character a month later in the series, I think he's coming around...
I thought that he suddenly went gray from the stress of all the changes and expectations in his career. He has a few gray hairs in the first season, so his hair didn't look colored, but the sudden change is a bit jarring, and there has to be an underlying reason for it.
Interesting interpretations. But so far, Nate can not or will not love. Despite being surrounded by love. No ability to treat others as he wants to be treated. No ability to see the needs of others. No sacrificing his own wants for the good of another. No acts of kindness. Ted, Rachael, Trent, the Beard, Roy, Keeley, Sam, Dani even Jamie perform acts of kindness. Nate has never.
While most people will acknowledge that it's likely Nate won't stay the villain forever and will find character growth (and be accepted into the good graces of every other main character), I would find it fitting for a show that refuses to put anyone into a fixed villain role to even redeem Rupert to some extent towards the end.
I could see West Ham sacking Nate after a bad run of form, he has to drive his old car because technically the new one is Ruperts. Leading to Nate getting his old job back at Richmond maybe replacing Ted at the end of the season
I don’t know about that. Getting fired for poor performance isn’t a strong character choice - Nate would be a stronger character if he turned on Rupert and said “you’re not a good person and I don’t want to work for you. Also, I leaked to the press that you’re cheating on Bex.”
No I don’t think racial reasons had any effect on Nathan in this show. Sure he Ted instantly entered Richmond and seemed like he belonged but that is due to his confidence in himself something that Nate is envious of. Because Sam and Dani and many other characters aren’t white and they belong in Richmond as the whole team supported same in his boycott of Dubaiair.
I’ve come to loathe Nate to the point where I am not interested in anything he does. He is beyond a redemption arc. They made him thoroughly unlikable.
@@mylittlethoughttree I don’t know. His reasoning annoys me, blaming Ted for everything when he didn’t do anything. The way he treated Will and Colin. His obsession with public recognition. He was too far gone in my eyes and did not deserve to be welcomed back to AFC Richmond.
It would sure be nice if the show were letting us check in on Nate more rather than giving us multiple pointless subplots of minor characters that end up going nowhere.
I don't think the racial thing from Nate has any bearing on his mental health. From the point of view that Ted is American and Nate is British? Sure. But not that Nate is the son of immigrants.
He needs validation from an alpha doesn’t get it from his dad. Ted did but didn’t think it was his job. Rupert is that Alpha but he’s much like his father. He will turn on Nathan soon enough.
I don't see him turning on Nate so much as turning away without warning the instant Nate doesn't serve Rupert's purpose. I'm going to be so unhappy if they "heal" Rupert.
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I’m sure others have commented on this - I loved how Rupert’s office is HEAVILY influenced by the Emperor’s Throne Room in Return of the Jedi. The dude is incredibly evil in his presentation.
I can’t remember where but I saw an interview with Jason where he talked about how much SW influenced season two, so I think your ROTJ observation is spot on!
I sure as hell didn't notice that, great point!
Didn’t notice until you pointed it out! Now I can’t unsee it lol
Mr Head is doing an amazing job of being charming and evil at the same time.
I think Richmond won't be relegated. That's their victory.
I think Rupert's team will be relegated. But then, as I think it, that seems too much of a holy wood ending.
I do think Richmond will beat Rupert's. To subvert that would be a highly unpopular Rian Johnson move.
Even to the point where his secretary looks like one of the generals. Lol
I'm fascinated by another dynamic in Ted Lesso S3 so far. Roy & Keeley. At the surface this seems like a very classic 'they split up because they are overthinking it and would be happier together' trope. And maybe this is where we'll go in the end. But I'm (positively) surprised by how much more context the show adds here. That this is not just Roy being avoidant. That there is some validity in Keeley being absorbed in her work and her own idea of success. That Roy is slowly figguring out who he wants to be after being a football star but maybe actually DOES need some time with himself, without an ever driven Keeli stiring him to find a solution.
Relationships in movies and shows are often very simple: Eitehr the belong together and being together makes everyone happier or they don't and make each other miserable. But real relationships ARE complicated, figguring out yourself and what you want is complicated and I just love the subtelty the show brings to this for me even if its just a side plot.
One subtle thing I noticed was that on the board behind the 2 during their press conferences. Nates is red and covered in X's, the West Ham logo and the other ads are going downward to the right. Where as Ted's is covered in Nike ticks with the other ads going upward to the right, showing their attitudes in general
Oooh that's great!
Wow. Outstanding! I never noticed that.
Ted and Keeley help Nathan buy suits to serve a need. Rupert love-bombs. Rebecca describes that. Rupert wants to own things, and feels like people are things to own, and the car, and the warmth, and the touching are all part of classic manipulative courtship steps. It's a shame Nate didn't take advantage of the presence of Dr Sharon, although it would have made a third season unnecessary.
What I like are all the examples of positive masculinity, plus the acceptance and growth through therapy, played against the narrative example of toxicity, because until we recognize it, and can see it clearly, we're still a vulnerable target.
The dude basically _gives_ Nate a girlfriend. And when Nate gets one himself, Rupes tries to get him to cheat on her.
I really liked your prediction that Richmond doesn’t win, maybe doesn’t even best West Ham. Rebecca’s arc has been about her processing her grief and anger towards Rupert. So far, many of her decisions and actions have been made in reaction to him and how he makes her feel. I think we’ll see her finally defeat Rupert in the only way that truly matters-with him finally having no power over her.
Regarding Nate, I think his arc has been about finding a way to value himself. He’s struggled so much with trying to get validation and respect from others, not just his dad. He went from being bullied to truly being appreciated within the team, but because he was unable to value himself it wasn’t enough and he didn’t trust it. I believe he’s now in a permanent place of living with imposter syndrome: deep down really doubting not his ability, but more devastatingly, his worth.
If all the love he received at Richmond couldn’t fill the void inside him, then certainly Rupert (who couldn’t care less for him as a person) certainly won’t be able to help. Whether it comes from a public fall after failing or a private crisis after realizing success hasn’t brought him happiness, either way, I believe he will seek forgiveness and find a way to reconnect with Ted. Not only was that heavily foreshadowed in the first episode during Ted’s call with Henry, but forgiveness and redemption have been major themes throughout.
Totally agree. Nate feels like Ted abandoned him because, when Ted isn't actively supporting him, he has no inner support to fall back on. He's utterly reliant on exterior validation, as evidenced by the way he compulsively vanity-scrolled, and the way one negative comment could negate all the positive ones. I think the show has been very careful about keeping his relationship with his father very understated. It's the undercurrent of Nate's identity, a constant whisper of disapproval he's hardly even aware of. But the show will eventually have to confront it.
Thus far the word for this season is genuine. Whenever anyone is genuine, they come out on top. Rebecca gets Zava because in the bathroom she is genuine. Rupert is not. Ted comes across better to the press because he is being genuine. Nathan is just playing the part of football manager. Even Zava, as eccentric and insane as he may seem, is totally genuine. And he recognizes that genuineness in others. That's why he chose Richmond. All his spiritual mumbo jumbo, his arranging the players on the board, it's if nothing else genuine. Even the comment about the avocados...he totally means that. Keeley even recognizes it during the press conference because like her or not, Keeley is not at all fake. She is exactly genuine to who she is. The key this season is to be genuine and good things happen. I suspect we will get an arc of some redemption at some point, and it will be about someone, rediscovering who they are.
Hope the rabbit is good.
I also like how they didn't really make Zava a straight up bad guy. He's an excentrica rrogant douche but in the end he also seems to wear his (very arrogant) heart on his sleeve and that's still kind of way better than pretending. In a sense Zava isn't actually a full character rather than a contrast for the different team members like Jamie or Ted to bounce off from/reflect against.
Yeah I agree with that. And with Zava. He's very much a vehicle to poke fun at sports stars but it isn't critical, they still portray Zava as a good, if difficult, person
As someone who was married to a “Rupert” for four years; I think the healthiest thing I ever did was understand that that kind of person never need hold any sort of power over me in any way ever again. That once I knew who he was he could no longer affect my life at all. I only ever wished him the best knowing that unfortunately he would ruin his own happiness every single time and not have the ability to care about that or anyone he took down with him.
I feel sorry for his wife and daughter. I don't think Rupert is *capable* of being a good husband and father. It's sad. Mr. Head is doing a fantastic job. He is very charming in some scenes and intentionally cruel in others.
We will never know why Rupert is broken. It reminds me of Donald Trump so Rupert's father may have been like Fred Trump. It would feel *really* unrealistic is Rupert ever heals. He's fundamentally broken and too old and too wealthy to change.
I could talk about Ted Lasso for HOURS! Especially about Nate. I love how complicated he is. I'm rooting for his redemption and for him to finally love himself. Loved your video! Hope you do more!
Ted's response to Nate's comments felt like Cyrano de Bergerac's creative self-deprecation, and I immediately loved it for that. It's a brilliant scene, and I have to fully agree with the tweet the show briefly shares with us calling him "Ted Class-o".
This show is one of the greatest pieces of visual media I've ever seen at depicting psychologically realistic people doing their best to navigate the world in healthy ways with varying levels of success; both the successes and the failures are wonderfully written and a pleasure to watch. It's so refreshing to see a show that doesn't feel the need to so thoroughly milk every potential moment of drama by making everyone unreasonable all the time.
I'm done gushing now. Thank you all for coming. 😝
Agree strongly. It didn't just feel like Cyrano- it was an outright homage and flourish by the writers.
In my opinion, Rupert took (read ‘hired’) Nate for three reasons. He is a brilliant strategist. Nate has obvious insecurities that Rupert knows how to exploit to keep him at West Ham as long as he is useful, and to hurt Rebecca’s team. I see Rupert as a character who sees himself, through all his flaunting of wealth and power, as much at war with Rebecca as Rebecca saw herself at war and spiteful with Rupert before Ted came along. I think he is lashing out because she stood up to him, albeit in a extremely unorthodox way, and he is trying to retake whatever hold he can get over her. And what he can’t take, he recreates when she pushes back, like when he married a younger women named who resembles his ex and shares her name
I love how they have Rupert sit in front of a round window that makes him look like the Emperor from Star wars. That, plus the black suit makes Nate Darth Vader, so you know he'll be redeemed by goodness in the end.
I think he'll either end up as Richmond manager after Ted goes back to the US to be a top MLS coach or he'll end up as a pundit that actually knows their stuff.
As I listened to this narrative and possible story directions, I can’t help but consider the TL Season 3 trailer with The Rolling Stones, You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”
🎉thank you for clearly articulating subtle concepts. These breakdowns really help understand my feeling with naming specific themes. Great job!
Great commentary. I think you're onto something with Nate's frustrated sense of imposter syndrome, and the racial component. I also think Nate projects his own father's rejection of him onto Ted's strained relationship with his family.
As of episode 3 of season 3, I see two story patterns emerging. The first is the idea of success as a means of revenge. Nathan clearly wants that, but Rebecca started the season in the same place, determined to beat Rupert rather than desiring to move past him. I think in part, her stalled relationship with Sam is due to the fact that she still hasn't grown past the wounds left by Rupert. And Rupert calculates every interaction with her to keep them open. Rupert himself clearly has no greater motivation in life than to punish her. I think we're going to see his core exposed in this season, and see how deeply he resents Rebecca.
Which brings me to the second pattern I'm seeing, the pattern of cons. Rupert is clearly a highly skilled con man, using his obviously insincere admiration to wrap Nate around his finger. He did the same with Zava, buttering him with charm in a way Rebecca could never compete with. Zava is also a con man, selling his self-importance as though it's a gift for everyone, wrapping them all around his finger the way Rupert wraps Nate around his. Jaime is the only one who can see through it, because he's played that game himself. And he still on some level wants to play it, though a growing part of him knows better than to assume people's admiration can take the place of self-esteem.
So where does Ted fit into all this? I think, at the core of it, his relentless positivity is a con too. The most interesting thing to me in these kinds of stories is when the driving positive value is turned into something perverse. To succeed as a means of hurting someone else, rather than doing good for yourself. To be kind as a means of manipulation rather than generosity. Or to be positive as a means of smothering bad feelings rather than acknowledging them. I think this perversion of the positive is going to be the driving theme of the season. We will see Ted at his absolute worst, in his desperation to avoid confronting his pain. It's going to be ugly.
But this show is also about redemption, and about growth. So I'm confident that Ted will grow, Nate will grow, and Rebecca will grow. I don't think Richmond will win the cup, but I think they'll achieve something much, much bigger. And I think the real triumph will be documented in the story that Trent Crimm tells about them. It won't be a big, international spectacle of triumph. It'll be the quieter, deeper sort that's clear to see if you look past the surface.
Very interesting. Although I would disagree with the notion that kindness is only a positive thing if its selfless. In fact I kind of see the opposite. I've met quite a few people who selflessly cater to others needs and I always found it offputting how little they respected themselves and their own wellbeing and forcing me, as someone who cares about them, to watch as they suffer and not be allowed to say anything cause its 'positive selfless suffering'. We're all fundamentally self centered as a matter of fact (it's just how we percieve the world, we can only see it from our eyes) and I would argue that whether kindness benefits me or not should not matter as long as its a positive force in my surrounding. Why is being kind and achieving a goal at the same tome a detractor?
@@DarkHarlequin Good point, but I think there's a difference between kindness and suffering. Not all kindness costs anything. In fact, it often doesn't. What you're talking about sounds like a particular type of co-dependent "kindness" that stems more from anxiety, and an outsized sense of needing to be of service to justify one's own existence. That's not the same thing as just being thoughtful. The thing about the kind of self-sacrificing kindness that you find so distressing is that it's very often unkind to the person doing it. They spend all their resources on others, in the hope that someone else will then return the favor, because they don't know how to justify spending their resources on their own well-being.
@@rottensquid Well put. I also broadly agree with your sentiment I just believe that human interaction isn't a zero sum game and often have found that the most apreciated things others can do to make me happy is also the thing that makes them happy. And that the things I do to make myself happy don't have to necicarily be at teh detrement of my surrounding.
@@DarkHarlequin Exactly. I think this is a seductive fallacy, that drives people who have few resources as it is to exhaust themselves supporting others, hoping for a return in kind. I find myself drawn to people like this, but my attempts to return their energy is often met with bitterness. It never feels like enough to them, because what it is feeding is more like what Buddhists call a "hungry ghost." It's a craving for emotional support that can never be sated, because it's really a wound that satiation can't heal. So they cycle continues. They keep martyring themselves in service of others, and complaining that no one gives them what they need.
What I see in healthy relationships isn't so much people expending energy in service of others, though that happens in moderation. Mostly, it's people who get a charge out of giving a charge. That positive feedback look it what makes relationships, friendships, even working partnerships sustainable. Without it, someone is going to burn out, and usually blame the other.
I think the way Nate and his Family were treated by the restaurant might be racist but it might also be status/classist.
I'm a new subscriber to your channel, and I so enjoy your Ted Lasso content!! Yes! Keep it coming, please!! I fully intend on immediately rewatching the entire series.....can't get enough!! Thank you.
ngl your love for world anvil is wholesome (saying this as a writer who appreciates something like world anvil :D)
Great analysis ♥️, I was eagerly waiting for your views on the new season and on Nate and Rupert relationship. I feel like Rupert is just using Nate, and Nate is just finding a father figure / a validation from people of higher power
Exactly right
Just discovered/finished watching Ted Lasso S.1-3...
this is a great concise commentary on the charming culture and unexpected lessons we can take from TL. Looking forward to more video commentary🎉
Wonderfully composed and thought provoking. Well done
Interesting point about Rupert's fake laugh. We have seen Nathan fail to comprehend and repeat jokes over and over, and the resulting awkward feelings. Rupert knows all his weaknesses and exploits them.
Loved this video! Always want more 😂
I wondered why Nate suddenly went very gray. That usually only happens under extreme stress, or sudden changes in health (massive drop off in hormone levels, for instance). It's jarring enough that I have to suspect that the writers are using it to convey additional clues about his personality and circumstances.
I love how you break it all down, with your analysis/prediction for the end of the season though I think it could definitely make sense but there have definitely been beats of teds toxic positivity and his refusal to acknowledge what’s hurt him and I definitely think Rupert won’t be redeemed more become irrelevant as you said. Nate may be forgiven but not exactly welcomed back if Richmond go on to win the whole thing instead of them losing and going the winning doesn’t matter quite as much? Great video regardless keep it up
My prediction for the end of the show is that Nate will stay as Richmond's main manager after solving his own issues. Ted will realise his job is done and return to Kansas.
That's what I reckon too
And you were correct, for the most part (not sure which of them held the title of main manager).
@@GingerPeacenik I think Roy's the main one.
Well, of course, Nate didn't "earn" the car. He hadn't done anything for the team yet. But Rupert is nothing but an abuser. He tells Nate to call him "Rupert" when he's doing well ... but then "Mr. Manion" when Nate is down.
Been enjoying your analysis! Thank you for sharing your thoughts out here with us! Wondering if there would be any interest to cover the tv drama succession, discuss family dynamics.
I've not seen the the show but I've heard it's really good, so it's probably something I should look at
My prediction is that Nate will be unable to accept all of the adulation that's coming his way. His self image is very negative and receiving praise will feel fake or unearned since it will contradict his sense of self. It'll get too much for him, he'll implode and Ted will pick up the pieces.
I mean, I know that as a therapist you need to give people the benefit of the doubt, but Rupert is designed, as a character, to be a fake pos (at least for now). Of course he chose Nate for his club just to hurt Rebecca (and Ted), of course all the praise is just an act, of course all the gifts have strings attached. There's no ''maybe'' here. Honestly, I felt nervous when I saw Nate alone with Rupert, it was like seeing a predator playing with it's food. I haven't wanted to punch a character in the face so much in a while.
I dunno, I think I'm just used to framing things that way on youtube. I've always preferred the approach of raising questions to think about, rather than setting out a clear argument. I'd agree with you though, yeah
I'll bet a penny that in his post-Championship press conference Ted is going to tell the reporters, and by extension Nate, that there are two photos he sees when he wakes up every morning, and that those are photos of the two young men he loves the most in the world. One being his son, and the other the soccer coach whose tactical brilliance allowed Richmond to win their first game under him.
I don't know if that is the best way for Ted to tell this to Nate, but Ted is Good, not perfect.
Have you seen Yellowjackets? I’ve been watching it and I think your takes on it would be super interesting. It’s a really freaking DARK show though, fair warning haha.
wonderful, thank you
I'm wondering why Nate was coloring his hair for the first two seasons until the very end or is this some hairstyle that is in over there? Looking at Nate's character a month later in the series, I think he's coming around...
I thought that he suddenly went gray from the stress of all the changes and expectations in his career. He has a few gray hairs in the first season, so his hair didn't look colored, but the sudden change is a bit jarring, and there has to be an underlying reason for it.
@@GingerPeacenik I don't know if the writers or producers ever clarified it.
West Ham:
Massive? ✅
Title contenders? ❌
Interesting interpretations.
But so far, Nate can not or will not love. Despite being surrounded by love.
No ability to treat others as he wants to be treated.
No ability to see the needs of others. No sacrificing his own wants for the good of another.
No acts of kindness.
Ted, Rachael, Trent, the Beard, Roy, Keeley, Sam, Dani even Jamie perform acts of kindness.
Nate has never.
While most people will acknowledge that it's likely Nate won't stay the villain forever and will find character growth (and be accepted into the good graces of every other main character), I would find it fitting for a show that refuses to put anyone into a fixed villain role to even redeem Rupert to some extent towards the end.
I could see West Ham sacking Nate after a bad run of form, he has to drive his old car because technically the new one is Ruperts. Leading to Nate getting his old job back at Richmond maybe replacing Ted at the end of the season
Perhaps Nate's Austin Martin is a corporate lease that belongs to West Ham so when Nate's fired the car remains with the team.
My prediction is he'll take Ted's job, I think with Roy and coach Beard there, and probably one extra addition, they could do well
I don’t know about that. Getting fired for poor performance isn’t a strong character choice - Nate would be a stronger character if he turned on Rupert and said “you’re not a good person and I don’t want to work for you. Also, I leaked to the press that you’re cheating on Bex.”
I feel like things are about to get messy when Zava winds up being super homophobic or something.
No I don’t think racial reasons had any effect on Nathan in this show. Sure he Ted instantly entered Richmond and seemed like he belonged but that is due to his confidence in himself something that Nate is envious of. Because Sam and Dani and many other characters aren’t white and they belong in Richmond as the whole team supported same in his boycott of Dubaiair.
Deep down we all want Rupert to fail badly, don’t we?
I’ve come to loathe Nate to the point where I am not interested in anything he does. He is beyond a redemption arc. They made him thoroughly unlikable.
Oh yeah? What is it that gets at you?
@@mylittlethoughttree I don’t know. His reasoning annoys me, blaming Ted for everything when he didn’t do anything. The way he treated Will and Colin. His obsession with public recognition. He was too far gone in my eyes and did not deserve to be welcomed back to AFC Richmond.
Kiss up; Kick down
It would sure be nice if the show were letting us check in on Nate more rather than giving us multiple pointless subplots of minor characters that end up going nowhere.
They might go some, still only halfway through the season
Nate’s got daddy issues
I don't think the racial thing from Nate has any bearing on his mental health. From the point of view that Ted is American and Nate is British? Sure. But not that Nate is the son of immigrants.
He needs validation from an alpha doesn’t get it from his dad. Ted did but didn’t think it was his job. Rupert is that Alpha but he’s much like his father. He will turn on Nathan soon enough.
I don't see him turning on Nate so much as turning away without warning the instant Nate doesn't serve Rupert's purpose. I'm going to be so unhappy if they "heal" Rupert.
@@macmcleod1188Your wish was granted.