Ted Lasso Review: Rainbow (Season 2 Episode 5)

Ted Lasso Season 2 Episode 5, “Rainbow,” pays homage to the romantic comedy in all its big emotional sweeps, as AFC Richmond embraces the idea of “rom-communism,” Ted’s belief that everything will work itself out in the end, and that their struggles as both individuals as a team only mean that they’re in the dark middle of their story. 

“It may not work out how you think it will or how you hope it does,” Ted says, “but believe me: It will work out exactly as it’s supposed to. Our job is to have zero expectations and just let go.”

For what it’s worth, the famous British mystic Julian of Norwich espoused a similar belief system — “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well” — so at least Ted’s in good company there. 

“Rainbow” unabashedly embraces its rom-com framework, complete with visual cues, recreations, and even direct lines from popular movies like Jerry Maguire, Notting Hill, and When Harry Met Sally and it’s exactly the sort of whimsical sweetness that this show excels at. (And that, truly, almost zero others could pull off.) 

One of the individual struggles this episode highlights is Nate’s, who has been trying to find his voice as a coach and his place as someone with new authority over the same players who used to bully and demean him. Much of this episode is about Nate learning to assert himself (or trying to), yet “Rainbow” repeatedly reminds him that he’s still not seen as a “big dog” within the world of the Richmond organization.

Ted seeks out Roy to help Isaac get his groove back and laughs when Nate suggests he be the coach that talks to him. He isn’t on the list for free Nespresso machines from a sponsor. He needs lessons from Rebecca on how to get a better table for his parents’ anniversary dinner. Even his new classier game day image (and it is a pretty snaggy suit) is overshadowed by Roy’s dramatic return to the team, and we’re all left wondering what, at this point, where Nate fits into this world and what sort of person he ultimately wants to become. 

I’m sure that many of us suspected that Ted Lasso would somehow bring Roy Kent back into the AFC Richmond fold eventually. While watching him distribute dating advice and heroically parent his niece has been lovely, it’s been pretty clear from the jump that keeping him away from the world of football couldn’t ever last but for so long.

After watching Roy’s evolution into the Greyhounds’ leader in every sense last season, it makes perfect sense that the next step for him would be coaching — the players respect him, he truly loves the sport, and, as with see with Isaac, he’s capable of reminding others why they wanted to play professionally in the first place. Plus, it’s way more appropriate to swear at grown men than nine-year-old girls.

The best part of all of this, however, is that Roy’s decision is ultimately not brought about by Ted, or even Keeley, or anyone outside himself. Instead, they (and Isaac, indirectly) simply help him realize what’s already in his heart — that fame and GIFs aren’t the same as being able to make a direct impact on the sport and the players that love it.

Yes, the framing that Roy Kent and football are the meant-to-be lovers in a romantic comedy is a little twee, but the show and star Brett Goldstein to the bit so fully that it comes off more heartwarming than cloying. And the reason it works is that Roy doesn’t just love football for its own sake — not for the skill involved or the fact that it made him famous, or even rich, but that it made him a better person.

It saved him from a poor childhood and gave his life purpose and meaning when he had none. It made Roy himself. That’s what love is, in the end — isn’t it?

And honestly? His realization that he really wants to accept Ted’s offer is so perfect. There’s even a moment where Roy runs for a taxi like he’s dashing through the airport in Love Actually as the sounds of “She’s a Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones play in the background. Football is his Mrs. Higgins! 

Speaking of real romance, “Rainbow” also features Rebecca’s foray into BANTR, the no photos dating app that Keeley’s been promoting. She’s met someone charming — and apparently well-read, which is absolutely a plus in my book — but Ted Lasso plays very coy with the identity of the person she’s messaging with. 

This vagueness about her potential romantic partner’s identity feels absolutely on purpose, particularly when we know that Keeley has essentially been encouraging everyone in the Richmond organization to join it.

I’ve wondered before about whether we’re meant to want Rebecca and Ted to get together romantically speaking, and the obvious quick cuts between the two this week, both giddily smiling at their phones at various points throughout the day, don’t really help clarify much. This feels as though it could be a red herring as easily as it might be confirmation that they’re secretly each others’ matches. 

But, as Ted says at the beginning of the episode, I guess we’ll just have to trust that things will all turn exactly as they’re supposed to — whatever that ultimately means.

Stray Thoughts and Observations:

• Every time Dani Rojas doe literally anything, I smile. This week’s highlight: The sequence in which he asks if it’s okay to give his neighbor his free Nespresso machine so that said neighbor can tempt her coffee-drinking son to visit more often. So pure! 
• Speaking of pure, Sam defending Renee Zellweger in the Bridget Jones films is on point.
• Roy and Ted have the absolute best chemistry and their relationship is truly goals in the best sense of the word.
• “I dated Gina Gerson once.” “That makes me happy.” 
• I’m genuinely upset the creepy horror shot of Roy with the flashlight wasn’t available as a press photo. Give the people what they want, Apple!
• Who will coach Phoebe’s soccer team now, though?!?
• I’m sorry, but if you didn’t get a little choked up when the crowd started doing the Roy Kent chant when he came on the pitch and then Ted called him coach? We can’t be friends and that’s the end of it.
• But I truly don’t like where it feels like this Nate storyline is going — the creepy Bates Motel–style music that played when he realized Roy was also going to be a coach was…uncomfortable to say the least.

What did you think of this episode of Ted Lasso? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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New episodes of Ted Lasso stream Fridays on AppleTV+. 

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