‘Ted Lasso’ Recap: ‘The Signal’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘Ted Lasso’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that fans of pop culture from every medium, understand that conflict is central to quality storytelling. Because without it, the story is nothing more than a series of events, the kind that really offer little to the viewer and while we often claim that we tune into stories to escape, the fact of the matter is, we thrive on the experiences that characters go through. So, if there is something they can overcome either externally or internally, we find ourselves satisfied with what we are watching on a fundamental level, and this is so important to storytelling and has become such a constant; that it is downright shocking if by chance we stumble upon a story that doesn’t have a conflict present within its framework.
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Which is why there have been some concerns on social media surrounding the Apple TV series, Ted Lasso. Because in essence, Coach Lasso has overcome his central conflict to the story. For he is still the manager of AFC Richmond, he has the trust of his owner and even managed to convince her that there is a better way forward instead of revenge. Plus, when we catch up with him in ‘The Signal’, the team is enjoying a hot streak thanks to the addition of Coach Kent. Making it appear as though this story is now becoming nothing more than a collection of super sweet and uplifting events and well, as it turns out… going this route was always part of a greater plan. One that involved lulling us into a false sense of security before dropping a grand conflict out of the blue, so that we would be genuinely surprised by it and curious to its meaning and it just so happens, that the next episode of this cheery saga served as the perfect moment to make that happen.

But in order to keep the surprise genuine and powerful, the story had to continue to misdirect us. Which is why this episode is filled to the brim with other fascinating plot lines. Such as the one that took the time to remind us that we cannot help people who do not want to be helped. Since both Rebecca’s mother and Coach Beard knew they were embroiled in sour romances that didn’t provide them what they needed emotionally. But they chose to go this route and won’t deviate from their respective affairs until they finally realize said romance isn’t healthy for them. Which really was a fine reminder that all we can do in that instance is support the person we care about as best we can and hope they reach their epiphany sooner rather than later, so they can find the partner they so deserve.
 
Plus, there was also a heartwarming pair of storylines involving Roy and Nate. The kind that helped them to grow professionally in this tale. A feat that this segment of the story accomplished by allowing for Roy and Jamie to finally have it out in a healthy manner and find common ground to work with. Something that Ted orchestrated and well that paid off in spades. Because the team was involved a major tournament in this tale, one where Coach Kent realized that if the team used the right game plan for Jamie and let him indulge in his darker side when appropriate, he could accomplish wonders on the pitch and well… he was one hundred percent right. Since Jamie came through huge in this game because he was utilized properly, showing us that Roy can indeed coach anyone and that the friction between he and Jamie was downright silly to say the least. 

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As for Nate, well an emergency that forced Coach Lasso to exit the game, is what allowed for him to grow upon his experiences from last week. Since he took charge in the closing moments of the match and asserted a bold strategy that won AFC Richmond this pivotal game and it was just wonderful to see Nate continue to grow in this manner, and it also doesn’t hurt… that the aftermath of this match also offered up quite the reveal in regard to the Bantr subplot involving Rebecca. Because at long last, we finally found out the identity of the person that she’s texting and flirting hard with, and wouldn’t you know it? It’s Sam. Yup. That’s right. The very player that brought Bantr in as a sponsor because of his decision to stand against Dubai Air is the man that has captivated Rebecca and vice versa and while that is a cool and charming reveal… that’s not the big one in question.
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In fact, it is that emergency that brought about the conflict in question. Because while the public line from the team and the press, was that Coach Lasso had a bad fish dinner and needed to leave the pitch to deal with that… the reality of the situation is so much more. For our beloved coach had something akin to a panic attack on the pitch, and oddly enough, Jamie seemed to trigger it. Since Coach Lasso was reminded of the sour moments that Jamie and his dad shared in last year’s finale, and the attack that came from this was so powerful and so overwhelming, that the man that knows how to calm everyone down and make them feel special and hopeful, had to hide within the stadium. Within Sharon’s office to be exact, and the only reason we know this, is because she stumbled upon him, curled up in the fetal position and in such a bad state mentally, that he outright asked for an appointment and well, this was just stunning.

Simply because, it is obvious now, that Ted has some deeply unresolved issues hiding within and all those strange little moments from earlier this season and in this episode… such as when he shivered a bit at being alone at Christmas and became a little shaky over his son’s status back home, speaks volumes to the fact that there is something big eating at Ted and it has been for some time. Because that kind of panic attack and need to hide, is the direct result of an internal monster finally winning a long and winding battle to escape the shadows, and now Ted is going to be forced to face it head on and that is undoubtedly going to be the central conflict we’ve been waiting for. Because overcoming our demons or what eats at us is always a powerful struggle and a genuinely moving journey and this really was a game changing moment for certain.

For it more it less speaks to the fact that this has always been the plan, for Ted to face whatever it is that is chewing at his soul, and that is going to make for some powerful and brave television. Because sports stories never focus on this kind of stuff, in fact, they propagate the stereotype that sports players and coaches just have to power through their emotions and let the glory of the sport work out the rest. But as we are now learning, that’s a terrible mantra and unsustainable through and through and that means the journey we are about to go on will be revolutionary in nature and will engage us like never before. Because Ted Lasso is a good man, one that we now know is as flawed as the rest of us, and he deserves the same mental peace as we do, and we will undoubtedly be rooting for him in the weeks to come as he begins the greatest fight of all… facing one’s demons. Until next time.

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