Ted Lasso Review: Headspace (Season 2 Episode 7)
At this point, it seems repetitive to keep opening every review of Ted Lasso Season 2 by talking about how remarkably brave and good this show is, but y’all — don’t believe the discourse on Twitter, this season is getting better with every single installment.
And Ted Lasso Season 2 Episode 7, “Headspace,” keeps pushing the season’s larger themes forward with a big step for Ted, Roy and Keeley’s first real fight, and the show’s first direct acknowledgment of Nate’s increasingly uncomfortable mean streak.
In the wake of Ted’s panic attack during last week’s episode, one might expect “Headspace” to spend the bulk of its time dealing with the fallout, but Ted Lasso once again zigs where you think it will zag. Yes, we see several of Ted’s initial visits with Dr. Sharon, but there are no miracle cures to be found here.
Which, to be fair, is honest. Therapy is work, and unpacking your traumas and issues takes time. Ted has been struggling for a while now and it’s a big enough step for right now that he’s showing up at Sharon’s door — especially when it’s so obvious that he really doesn’t want to be there.
By the end of the hour, Ted hasn’t really made much progress, beyond admitting that he doesn’t trust therapy (again) and doubling down on his “food poisoning” excuse to Trent Crimm, The Independent. But it’s also never been so obvious that Ted uses his nice guy schtick as a shield, cracking dad jokes and telling cutesy anecdotes as a way to avoid dealing with his real feelings.
This is not to say that I think Ted is not generally a nice and kind person. He is, and I love him for it. But it’s also clear that he knows how to use his personality and persona to keep people at arm’s length when he wants to, and the show’s acknowledgment of that fact feels like an admission that Ted has more complicated layers than many viewers may have previously thought.
In short: I can’t wait to see where his sessions with Dr. Sharon go from here.
Elsewhere, Roy and Keeley remain the best couple on television, from their general adorableness to the way that Ted Lasso allows us to see that even this most perfect of pairings has problems like anyone else.
In “Headspace,” Keeley’s desperate for some alone time, since she basically lives and works with her boyfriend, and can’t figure out how to tell Roy she needs some space. I think we easily forget that Keeley herself doesn’t exactly have a great track record when it comes to relationships, or dating men for whom things like “conversation” or “Keeley’s needs” were very big priorities.
And look, watching these two fight is one of my least favorite things, but Roy Kent pretty much cements dream man status by both figuring out — and thanks to Jamie of all people! — what he, as a partner and emotional teammate needs to be doing, and implementing the best apology stolen-rose-filled bathtub apology of all time.
For much of this season, I’ve been struggling with what Ted Lasso has been trying to do with Nate, and “Headspace” helped clarify for me that his behavior is clearly all about his relationship with his father. His dad won’t acknowledge his big game-saving moment, so Nate seeks out that validation on social media and from the AFC Richmond players.
When he doesn’t get it, he lashes out at both Colin and Will over the course of the episode. His behavior is unnecessarily cruel and personal, and Coach Beard is completely right to call him out on it. Unfortunately, Beard doesn’t know about his after-hours threat toward Will, a move that feels like the lowest of low blows given that Nate used to do the same job Will does now.
(Plus, you know, Will’s “Wonder Kid” gift was adorable and Nate was completely out of line.)
Though it’s easy to be angry with Nate for his decision to punch down at those he’s been given some degree power over — and I am, don’t get me wrong — one has to wonder what is going to happen to him when public opinion eventually turns.
Sure, he was the savior that got the team through to an FA Cup semi-final. But eventually, he’s going to make a bad call or some other mistake. That’s just the nature of sports — and everyone has bad days. But when everyone on Twitter inevitably starts attacking him rather than praising his genius, how will Nate react?
Stray Thoughts and Observations:
- I kind of ship Sam and Rebecca now, just saying.
- I truly love the whole team being so emotionally invested in Sam’s Bantr situation.
- I don’t know where Keeley lives but her bathtub is truly amazing.
- Roy is 100% correct about Dan Brown’s books, by the way. When the chapters are a page and a half long, it’s hard to stop saying “just one more”.
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.