‘Ted Lasso’ Recap: ‘Sunflowers’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 306 of ‘Ted Lasso’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that season three of Ted Lasso on Apple TV+, has been quite the fascinating ride. For it has taken the time to explore a great deal of unique topics regarding the human condition. Specifically, as it pertains to when we find the success we crave in life. For season three has made it clear that success is not a cure all to our problems, nor are we on easy street when we find it. If anything, those early days at the top can breed grave insecurity and imposter syndrome, and a sense of struggle and a grand worry that failure will arrive and rob us of what we crave. Which has brought forth an intimate season of storytelling, one that has offered up some fascinating observations on how to combat those kinds of concerns as they arrive. 
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Such as coming to understand that self-work and self-care don’t end when we find success and are necessary to maintaining it, so our troubles aren’t a distraction, as is continuing to put in the work. So that we don’t lose our grip on what we gave so much to obtain. But even that… is not enough to keep things rolling. For other factors can come into play, as evidenced by this week’s episode of the show. For ‘Sunflowers’ is a story that saw the team lose a friendly exhibition match in Amsterdam, despite surging with strength after that speech that Ted gave last week, and well… that made it clear the team was in an outright rut and unable to shatter it. And that they weren’t playing together as a unit anymore, and fractured, and that allowed for this story to deeply explore… how we break the monotony that life sends our way, to help us maintain our success.

An exploration it brought forth by way of a bevy of storylines. One of which involved the team itself as they tried desperately to come together and failed often because of that divide. But through Isaac’s push to make sure that a team decision dictated the course of what was to come on a night that Ted lifted curfew, the team found its way. Making it clear that sometimes… we need an edict and direction to break that monotony and speaking of the team… well we would be foolish to not discuss the powerful storyline involving Colin. Since he finally made peace with his sexual identity in this tale, with the help of Trent Crimm. Who we learned was out and struggled with his own identity in years prior and he encouraged Colin to embrace himself and be proud of himself and that… is just an important message to have out there, period, and that can absolutely heal a great deal of things for us in life.

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In fact, a lot of the explorations here were indeed quite personal in nature, including the other ones involving the central theme. For instance, Roy and Jamie’s story in this tale made it clear that sometimes… the only way to break up a rut is to look at the journey we’ve been upon and reflect upon what brought us to this moment so we can appreciate the gravity of the moment and embrace its wonder. Which was expressed via some wonderfully hilarious moments, such as having Jamie teach Roy how to ride a bike, and well… the story certainly didn’t stop its explorations there. Since Higgins’ taught us that just reconnecting with what brings us joy can help, and Rebecca’s journey taught us that now and again… we just need to embrace the moment and see where it takes us to find the focus, we so desire. 
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Of course, Ted also found himself searching in this story as well. Because he simply couldn’t find the fire anymore and really found himself in the depths of a rut as a coach. But through a psychedelic placebo, he found himself wandering the streets of Amsterdam, and explored its wares and offerings and even a call back to home via an American-themed restaurant and in doing so… by losing himself to the moment and just forgetting about all of his troubles for just a little while… he found what he needed. For he realized that now was the time to shake things up and bring forth an old-school soccer concept to the team to unify them and push them out of their rut on the pitch. Teaching all of us that sometimes, the only way forward is to lose ourselves briefly, so we can objectively look at our situation and see the good and see the opportunities created by monotony and correct them.

All of which made for a supremely unique episode when all is said and done. One where soccer took the backburner to really give these characters the healing moment they needed and to help them find the focus they desperately desire. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that this evening out introduced us to Coach Beard’s meta alter-ego, Piggy Stardust. But that aside, this really was something special. For this story informed us once again that the characters drive this story, and their relatable experiences will always be the focus. So, we can learn alongside them and grow with them and further immerse ourselves in this wild journey that reflects the chaotic nature of life, and now that everyone has learned a new lesson in how to maintain success, it will be interesting to see how they apply them when they return home and get back to work. Until next time.

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