In season two episode six of Apple TV’s Ted Lasso, titled ‘The Signal,’ things finally begin turning around for Richmond under the coaching of Brett Goldstein’s (SuperBob) Roy, previous inclinations of a romance between Jason Sudeikis’ (We’re The Millers) Ted and Hannah Waddingham’s (Game of Thrones) Rebecca were squashed, and a new line in the friendship between Brendan Hunt’s (We’re The Millers) Coach Beard and Jeremy Swift’s (Downton Abbey) Higgins was crossed. The team was finally on a winning streak after game after game of ties and losses, however, it finally broke the streak after making it to the semifinals under the immensely trusted tutelage of Roy Kent for every team member except Phil Dunster’s (The Rise of the Krays) Jamie.
Jamie and Roy’s relationship has been rocky since the start of the series, but was officially on the mend after this episode. After leaving Richmond in season one and returning in episode two of this season, Jamie has not been welcomed with open arms by any players. However, after Roy coached every player except Jamie, he took notice and practically begged his former nemesis to give him any coaching advice. Surprisingly, Roy’s only critique of Jamie’s playing was to “be a prick (sometimes).” Through a hilariously “Kent-style” hand signal, Jamie manages to bring his team out of the tie that held them back for most of the quarterfinal game against Tottenham Hotspur.
With this relationship slowly making its way out of enemy territory, the friendship between Coach Beard and Higgins is strengthened with the latter’s honesty about Beard’s toxic relationship with Phoebe Walsh’s (Behind the Filter) Jane Payne. This plotline was directly paralleled with that of Rebecca’s mother making a return to her life after she left her husband another time. Rebecca advises Higgins against speaking his mind due to her own experience, suggesting for her parents’ to get a divorce and causing a permanent rift in their relationship. Her mother returns to her husband by the end of the episode after receiving a Tesla as an apology gift. Ironically, in order to deal with the stress of a conversation with her mother, prior to her departure, Rebecca calls Ted, who is dealing with his own demons at the time.
Just before Nick Mohammed’s (Intelligence) Nate offers plays to Richmond that leads to their victory, Ted has yet another anxiety attack and leaves the field feigning stomach issues. It can be assumed that Ted’s recent mental health issues have been brought on by his divorce, alongside the pressures of coaching a team miles away from home. His first anxiety attack came in season one, with an accurate portrayal of an all-too-real feeling. He was found by Rebecca, huddled outside the club after he escaped the chaos and disarray. Ted is later seen at the end of the episode in the office of Sarah Niles’ (I May Destroy You) Sharon – the team’s therapist. Meanwhile, as she attempts to get in touch with Ted, Rebecca is seen deciding between her mystery bantr man (who was presumed to be Ted), and her most recent sure-thing. In a jaw-dropping scene, it is revealed that Rebecca has actually been messaging Toheeb Jimoh’s (Anthony) Sam Obisanya, one of Richmond’s star players. The duo was planning on meeting soon, which is sure to be a comedic plotline.
Ultimately, ‘The Signal’ was one of the best yet, finally delivering Richmond their much-needed win and giving a shocking and unexpected revelation. Additionally, the episode opened the door for official talks surrounding Ted’s mental health that show even the most upbeat and optimistic characters are sometimes not okay.
Rating: 10/10