‘Ted Lasso’ Recap: ‘Tan Lines’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 105 of ‘Ted Lasso’.
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When we get through a rough patch in our lives, and take the time to look back upon it, we immediately think about how those difficult days were more beneficial to us than we originally gave them credit. For strife is something that builds character in all of us, since it helps us to understand the value of life and all of its little wonders, and that’s why stories about strife and the struggle to overcome it are so incredibly popular. Because they serve to remind us that we can in fact, achieve wonders when we hold our heads high, regardless of what is coming our way. But while that is indeed a wonderfully inspirational way to tell a story, these uplifting tales tend to overlook something supremely important when it comes to surviving tough times.
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In that, we don’t simply ‘get over them’. Because rough stuff is well, rough, and it can break people emotionally and bring them to their knees physically. But those days are so dark that we tend to overlook the fact that at some point during them, we made an important choice. One motivated by the fact, that we were done with feeling low, and that in order to feel good about anything again, we needed to make some serious changes to our lives, and truly the stories that focus upon that are the ones that are special indeed. Since they bother to show us how tough that decision can be and how difficult it is to execute in everyday life. Which is another reason that Ted Lasso is truly one of the most unique shows on the air right now, since its next episode took the time to focus upon that all-important moment when we realize that a change must come.

Because when we catch up with Ted in ‘Tan Lines’, he’s still struggle bussing. For AFC Richmond has now lost four in a row, and his star player only cares about himself and nothing else. And until Jamie gets with the program the losing will likely continue, and Ted seems unsure of how to proceed in getting Mister Tartt to finally wake up to the fact that the team should matter above all else. Plus, the one thing that should be bringing him joy is leaving him in quite the conflicted place mentally and emotionally. Because despite the fact that his wife and son have joined him across the pond for a short visit, Michelle Lasso is clearly miserable with her current martial situation, leaving Ted in no better position now than he was when he first opted to make this journey. Since taking this job was part of his grand plan to save his marriage in the first place. 

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But after talking with his closest and newest friends, Ted quickly comes to realize that if he is ever going to find romantic happiness and professional success for that matter as well, serious changes have to happen in his life and that prompted him make some bold decisions. One of which, was to bench the team’s superstar. Because it didn’t matter how many goals Jamie scored or how talented he was, he had to understand what really mattered. And in the middle of a tough game Ted sat him down and despite the flack he took for this decision from the fans, it paid off in spades. Because it removed the negative air surrounding the team and let others shine on the field, and that led to Ted Lasso’s first win as a professional soccer coach and well, this big win and turnaround prompted Ted to make another big change in his life. 
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For it was obvious at this point, that he and Michelle were simply going through the motions and that the love and the magic in their relationship was gone. Which meant, it was time to set Michelle free and let her find her own path, and in turn Ted would find his own as well, and this was just… powerful to watch play out. Because it takes serious guts to end a long-term relationship that means the world to us, especially when children are involved. But Ted did it. Simply because it was the right thing to do for all parties involved. Because their current arrangement was the definition of insanity and well, while this obviously produced some serious pain, deep down Ted knew that this was necessary to turn his life around and it will be supremely interesting to see where Ted’s decisions will take us in the weeks to come. 

Because everything he did here will indeed have consequences, and the professional ones will make themselves apparent first, since Jamie will not handle his benching well in the slightest. But in the here and the now, it is best we celebrate one incredible and inspiring tale. Because this particular chapter in Ted Lasso’s life really did dive deep into something that we just don’t see in storytelling all that often, and it deserves serious credit for reminding us that personal bravery and sacrifice is sometimes the only way out of the darkness. Which is quite the inspiring message to inject into what is supposed to be a simple comedy about a down home coach who is in over his head. But this series is anything but simple and hopefully it continues to stay complex and philosophical as season one continues along. Because everything it is sending our way, lifts one’s spirits, and we definitely need more of that right now. Until next time.   

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