‘Ted Lasso’ Recap: ‘La Locker Room Aux Follies’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 309 of ‘Ted Lasso’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that season three of the Apple TV+ series, Ted Lasso, has been vastly different from a tonal structure and rightfully so. Simply because, change and growth has come for everyone in the AFC Richmond clubhouse and that has provided them with unprecedented success. The kind that has shifted this story from its main character’s ‘always look on the bright side of life’ mentality, to allow for powerful work to get done. The kind that is growing everyone’s understanding of the world and themselves. Which is… another amazing way this story reflects the wonder and tragedy of life and is leading toward something quite poignant and powerful. Since clearly, the show is building toward something special for the season three finale.
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But now and again, this show finds a way to revisit its core roots. The kind that really did look at optimism and our better angels, and it just so happens, that this week’s episode served as a blast to the past if you will. A feat that ‘La Locker Room Aux Follies’ accomplished by way of several key storylines. One of which involved Roy Kent. Since he continued to display his hard-ass, bad boy stance in this tale, which got him in hot water with the boss when she asked him to handle a press conference in Ted’s stead when he needed to handle some personal matters. Which prompted Rebecca to do what happened often at the genesis of this series, to call him out on his nonsense and remind him of how our toxic behaviors can hold us back, and that wonderful throwback to the start of this journey… set the stage for a powerfully uplifting, old-school, Ted Lasso story. 

Because a grand concern for the fans from last week… was explored and resolved here. After all, we were all wondering what was to come of the fact that Colin was outed by Isaac in a surprise manner, and if Isaac was going to be a problem for Colin since his response was so muted, and well… in this tale… our darker concerns about the matter were amplified. For the moments leading up to and during an important match… saw Colin and Isaac be frosty on the pitch toward one another. To the point where the game wasn’t in sync and that cost them dearly come game time, and at halftime. For a fan decided to drop the F-word Isaac and Colin’s way, and no, not the four letter one, the bad one. The one that should no longer be spoken, and that motivated Isaac to get in that guy’s face and endure a red card because of it. 

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Which of course led to confusion and concern in the locker room. Since this wasn’t normal behavior, and well… that led to the uplifting moments in question. The long way round of course. Because there was speculation regarding Isaac’s sexual identity from such an act, and since peace and calm are a priority for Colin and others are put before his own needs… he decided now the was the time… to come out to his teammates and help them to understand that Isaac’s fury was related to that in some form or fashion. Which brought forth some beautiful moments regarding acceptance and what it means to really embrace someone and make them feel wanted and that led to a big victory and more beautiful moments along the way. 
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Since Roy stood up for everyone on this day and took his rightful place at the podium as he was asked to do before. And he stood up for his team by pointing out how they are people, not products and have their reasons for making the decisions they make… but that it is none of our business and that’s an important moment for Roy and his growth, and what followed was equally as important. Since Isaac stopped by Colin’s to explain that he wasn’t angry about Colin being gay, he was upset that he didn’t trust him enough to confide that truth in him, and his actions were to protect a brother. Which allowed for the two men to smooth things over and learn from one another. But what mattered more, is that this was a true vintage Lasso tale. One that spoke to the wonder of acceptance, of lifting one another up, and being there for each other the right way.

Not to mention, this is an episode of television that saw a gay man come out to his friends and teammates and that too, is momentous and important and powerful. And we need more of that response and what we saw Colin do here on television. To remove that stigma and to promote acceptance and what’s wild, is the wonder of this story didn’t end there. Since we also saw another touch of growth on Nathan’s part. Since he saw Rupert for the womanizing ass-hat he actually is, and set boundaries and rejected that mantra. A move that doesn’t redeem him, but helps him grow and hints at a possible redemption for this misguided fellow and well, now that we’ve reached the end of this chapter of the journey, we are left eager for more and left wondering… as to what kind of story awaits us when the Coach Lasso and his team return to the pitch to take on more of life’s little and big challenges. Until next time.

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