Ted Lasso Reveals Tragic Backstory in Season 2’s Most Emotional Outing Yet
Friday’s Ted Lasso gets to the root of the title character’s internal suffering.
While checking in with team psychologist Sharon, the head coach discloses that his father died by suicide when he was just a teenager.
“My father killed himself when I was 16,” he tells her, as he begins to weep. “That happened to me and my mom. And look, I don’t know If that’s where maybe some of my issues stem from, but… I just wanted to let you know.”
The seeds for this tragic reveal were first planted in Season 1. During a memorable round of darts with Rebecca’s ex-husband Rupert, Ted mentioned that he used to spend every Sunday afternoon at a sports bar, playing darts with his dad, from age 10 until 16, when his dad “passed away.”
More recently, in the July 30 episode, Ted told Jamie that his father was “a lot harder on himself than he ever was on me,” but did not divulge any specifics.
Jamie’s own father makes quite the scene this week. James taunts his son in front of all of his teammates, following AFC Richmond’s devastating loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinal. Jamie attempts to maintain his composure as the drunkard belittles him, but he ultimately loses his cool (justifiably so!) and punches Dad square in the face. After Coach Beard drags James out of the locker room, it’s Roy (yes, Roy!) who consoles Jamie. He walks across the room and wraps his arms around Jamie, who accepts his embrace and cries into his shoulder.
Overwhelmed by what he has just witnessed between the elder and younger Tartt, Ted walks outside and gives Sharon a ring. She assumes he’s calling to check in following her recent accident. Instead, he finally lets her in and reveals the lingering trauma of his father’s demise.
On a much lighter note, Rebecca and LDN152—err, Sam, finally meet this week. Rebecca is mortified when she realizes that she has matched with her 21-year-old star player, but their chemistry is undeniable, and she kisses him at the end of the night. She insists it can’t happen again, but we all know where this is headed. After the Man City match, Rebecca texts Sam and asks if he’s around, and he responds with his address. But when she heads out to meet him, he’s already at her front door.
“Why did you send me your address?” Rebecca asks. “For next time,” Sam responds.
What did you think of Ted Lasso Season 2, Episode 8: “Man City”? Drop a comment with your full review.
How is this show sooo good?! We kind of knew/suspected what was going on with Ted but it was really well done. The moment between Jamie and Roy was everything for me this week. I’m so happy to see them put aside their differences and for Roy to be there for him was perfect. Also a special shout out to Isaac for his hair cutting skills.
Loved the Roy/Jamie moment. I hope Roy helps Jamie to be stronger, just like he did with Phoebe. After all, Roy was his idol growing up.
Ted’s confession was heartbreaking.
I think that every episode. It’s just astounding how good this show is every single episode. Ugh I love it so much
This Rebecca and Sam thing is highly uncomfortable and a big miss.
I disagree. I like them together, I think that Rebecca deserves a good man. At first I thought it could be Ted, but now I think Sam is a good choice too. I don’t think I’ve ever cared about fictional characters happinness this much. All I want is for them to be happy, and Rebecca is clearly happy with Sam.
Sam or Ted, either way it’s a win.
Every time I see “Sam and Rebecca,” I think, “No, Sam goes with Diane!” Is this a little Cheers in-joke, given Jason Sudeikis’s uncle? More to the point, I think the two of them are a Mr. Right Now situation, where they will have fun and enjoy themselves, but get some fallout at the club because of the power imbalance, and ultimately not be sleeping together, just friends. We’ll see.
I completely disagree. I thought it would be, and last week was really worried about it, but they’re both wonderful and they actually work well together. If her ex-husband can be with a 20-something, why not her?? I understand the power imbalance is concerning, but when they’re together, none of that seems to matter. I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes.
It’s because she’s the owner and he’s a player. She’s literally paying his salary. It’s just weird. And if they were brave about it, they would show it blow up. Because it would in real life. This isn’t some small business, this is a football club.
It’s uncomfortable: she’s his boss, he’s her goddaughter’s bigget crush, they can’t go public with the relationship in from of their friends and teammates. It’s a disaster waiting to happen, no matter how lovely the relationship might be
Disagree – I think it’s a WONDERFUL breath of fresh air and brave for the writers, and for the actors. Can’t wait to see where their relationship goes.
I like them together a lot, I was rooting for them. But we still have an issue with the one team sponsor who wanted to get rid of Sam due to his position on Dubai Air (that bit of story probably isn’t over, especially since new things happened in Nigera as reported by when Sam’s dad called him last ep), and the god-daughter potentially being upset by this (but she’ll get over it, I think). I’m curious to see where they go with Sam, they seem to be setting him up with some larger/long-play story possibilities. That said, I absolutely LOVE the character and the actor who plays Sam. SO CUTE! Love to see more of him in the future.
As someone who told her friend that Sam/Rebecca seemed to have chemistry after the nora episode, I very much enjoyed their budding physical encounters
Also, super worried about Coach Beard and they are setting this up for him to hurt himself…
Loved this episode, definitely one of my favorites.
Almost cried with Jamie.
Am heartbroken for Ted.
Every episode I love Roy (and Keeley and Phoebe) even more.
Really like Rebecca and Sam pairing.
And I’m really concerned about doc Sharon (and coach Beard)
Agree with all of this
Oh god. When Roy crossed the room to console Jamie. Tears. And never would have guessed Teds secret. Another heart wrenches. And I’m here for Sam and Rebecca. Such a great show.
I’m not crying, you’re crying!
I almost thought Doc was a goner. It was funny they would thought Ted was her husband. And those voice mails? Hilarious! Poor Ted, I never saw this coming, i assumed his Dad died of a heart attack for some reason. This really explains a lot. And I’m worried Ted repressed this for so long.
Anyone who thinks the Rebecca and Sam thing is a good pairing needs to realize that a football club is not like a smaller company where a much older male boss can start dating the secretary. Rebecca literally pays the salary of her players, all of whom have egos, and if it gets out that she’s sleeping with a guy on the team, a grenade will go off in that changing room. If AFC Richmond gets promoted, everyone gets more salary. Contracts renegotiated. People will think Sam is getting preferential treatment in terms of wages and contract perks, sowing all sorts of resentment.
I get that this show exists in a fantasyland, but even then they’d have to address this. There’s no way it can work.
Given that this show has been consistently solid, I don’t get the assumption that they won’t address it and don’t have a plan for how this will be handled.
The season isn’t over yet.
Best episode of the season so far!
This show doesn’t disappoint, and despite it being a scripted show for entertainment purposes, seems to eerily portray actual life. Life isn’t always perfect and this show has done an amazing job mixing in personalities and emotions in a way that everyone can relate to. Nicely done Apple TV, nicely done.
Absolutely HATE the Rebecca and Sam pairing. I love both characters individually but not together. Rebecca should have went with her first instinct and left the restaurant immediately. For me this coupling ruined an otherwise great episode. Can’t express how much I hate them together. If this goes on for awhile it may even ruin the show for me. So disappointed right now. UGH!!!
I agree. Rebecca is a very vulnerable and heartbroken woman (despite being gorgeous and rich). I feel Sam took advantage of that and really pressured her into a relationship when she was only looking for a soulmate and not a one night stand. The writers really blew it on this one!
Is anyone else worried about coach Beard or is it just me?
Me too, but next ep is Beard-centric so we should get some insight into what’s going on with him.