Ted Lasso Review: Do the Right-est Thing (Season 2 Episode 3)
Prodigal son Jamie Tartt is back with AFC Richmond in Ted Lasso Season 2 Episode 3, “Do the Rightest Thing,” and though that initially goes as poorly as you probably expected it to, the show eventually turns his return into a surprisingly emotional moment about what it means to be a team, and standing up for what you think is right.
The Richmond players are (fairly, I think) not exactly psyched to see Jamie again, mostly because he was varying degrees of horrible to them the last time he sat in their locker room. And though he struggles to figure out how to fit himself back into a team that doesn’t seem to need him so badly anymore — either as a leader or a player — by the end of the episode, he seems fully committed to making the effort to try.
Sam Obisanya is initially thrilled about his photoshoot for Richmond sponsor Dubai Air. Or, at least he is until his father texts him that Dubai Air is actually a subsidiary of an oil company that’s destroying the coastal regions of southern Nigeria. (They’ve just recently refused to clean up a damaging oil spill.)
Horrified, Sam asks Rebecca and Keely if he can be removed from the campaign, and at the team’s next match, tapes over the Dubai Air logo on his jersey with gaffer tape in protest.
Perhaps there are people out there watching this show who are immune to the emotional gut-punch of Sam’s Nigerian teammates and then the rest of the team deciding to follow suit in a gesture of solidarity, but I am not one of those people. Reader, I cried.
There are a lot of debates raging in the world of sports today about the political views of athletes and who’s allowed to speak out about particular issues. I’m sure there are viewers out there who will condemn Ted Lasso for being too woke for including this storyline, or complain that Sam’s in no position to risk the sponsors of a team that’s already financially struggling.
Ted Lasso, however, simply reminds us all that, as Ted says, “doing the right thing is never the wrong thing.” There are lots of kinds of courage, and some of them happen on a soccer pitch, and some of them happen in the small decisions of daily life. Sam stands up when it would be all too easy for him to do nothing, and in doing so inspires others to do the same.
I don’t think you can ask for a better lesson from your sports television than that.
Elsewhere, Rebecca is trying to reconnect with her goddaughter Nora, whom she hasn’t seen regularly in six years — since she stopped regularly hanging out with her BFF Sassy. Nora is in and of herself adorable, whip-smart, funny, and with a sweet crush on Sam. I hope we see her more this season because she is an utter delight.
She also idolizes Rebecca. And after watching Rebecca doubt herself for so long, it’s really satisfying to see her reclaim some of her own power, by the simple act of seeing herself through her goddaughter’s eyes.
To Nora, Rebecca is amazing. She’s powerful, accomplished, and smart. And not just because she’s the female owner of a football club, as groundbreaking as it is. It’s because she’s herself.
The one dark spot on this episode is that it’s also the one where Ted’s alter ego called “Led Tasso” makes an appearance in the hopes of motivating the Richmond players to get their act together. It’s as cringe-y here as it initially looked in the trailers, proving that not every quirky or offbeat move this series pulls is one that works.
Mostly, it’s just that part of the reason we all love Ted Lasso so much is that he’s not rude and abusive, and genuinely cares about his players. It’s not fun to watch him yell and belittle Isaac or any of the other Richmond-ers and most of his supposed jokes aren’t particularly funny.
I get that the intention is pure — make everyone angry at Ted so they’ll stop being angry at Jamie and on paper that’s really sweet. On screen? I won’t be sad to literally never see Led Tasso again, is what I’m saying.
Stray Thoughts and Observations:
- “The Americans really do the historical concept doll better, don’t they? Must be their innate sense of triumph, however misguided.”
- Roy and Phoebe’s relationship is rapidly becoming my favorite thing in this show. They! Are! So! Cute!
- I love that Sam loves Frozen.
- Keely’s office has a life-size cutout of Roy and MY HEART.
- I’d love to know what Jamie talked to Doctor Sharon about.
What did you think of this episode of Ted Lasso? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Lacy Baugher
Lacy is a pop culture enthusiast and television critic who loves period dramas, epic fantasy, space adventures, and the female characters everyone says you're supposed to hate. Ninth Doctor enthusiast, Aziraphale girlie, and cat lady, she's a member of the Television Critics Association and Rotten Tomatoes-approved. Find her at LacyMB on all platforms.