Ted Lasso “Goodbye Earl”

It’s basketball season for me, and Anne and I are returning to the Apple Television show Ted Lasso. We think think with a coach as the main character and many allusions to sports and pop culture, there will be plenty for us to talk about. Anne, I’m hoping that one episode a week will be manageable as start a new basketball season at Watauga High School in Boone, North Carolina.

We watched episode 1 of season two called “Goodbye Earl.” Anne, I think this beats the titles we were working with when we were talking about HBO’s The Penguin television show.

Summary and Discussion Questions for “Goodbye Earl,” Episode 1 of Season 2:

• Before we get in to episode 1 of season 2, season one ended with the Richmond football team being relegated from the Premiere League to The Championship level. Anne, I would love for professional teams to face relegation.
• Season 2 opens with the sound of Ted Lasso’s Richmond football team in action. First we see black and then we start with a tight shot on Nate’s eyes. Why would we get this?
• We learn that Richmond has a chance to tie the record with 7 straight ties. At the end of season 1, even though Coach Lasso thought it was bad juju to hope for a tie, he ended up hoping for it but lost. Now all Richmond can do is tie. The match ends with Danny Rojas having a penalty kick. The Richmond mascot Earl the greyhound chases a bird and gets hit with the ball and dies. Twitter goes bonkers over the death.
• At the postgame press conference, Coach Ted Lasso is asked about the ties. He responds by saying there are two buttons he never presses: the panic button and the snooze. Anne, do you press these buttons?
• Ted is also asked about the death of Earl. In response, Coach Lasso tells a story about being attacked by a dog when he was a child. He has a line in there that goes something like, “We can cry because something existed. We can cry because it’s gone.” Coach Lasso’s responses to adversity are part of what makes this show great. I tell my players that resilience might be the greatest gift I received from sports.
• Danny is in the shower trying to wash the death off. I am often in this spot trying to decide if I talk to the athlete or if the athlete needs space. The mental side of sports seems to be around in my life a lot now. Confidence is so crucial.
• Retired footballer Roy Kent, who is dating Keely who who works for the team now, coaches kids including his niece Phoebe. This is a very funny part of the show. Roy is often cursing at the kids and here he calls them little pricks. Somehow, they all love him. Ms. Bowen, who I think is the kids’ teacher, comes to the game and tells Roy he can’t call the kids that even if they are little pricks.
• Roy, his girlfriend Keeley, and his niece Phoebe go out for hot chocolate. They sit on a bench by the river. That we see so much of greater London is a pleasure of the show. Phoebe marks down Roy’s swears and he gets charged for them like a swear jar. Keeley tries to get Roy to be a football pundit for Skye Sports. Anne, Roy reminds me of you here. He objects so violently that maybe that means he actually is thinking of doing it.
• Cut to seems like another game and another Dani Rojas penalty kick. We get a cartoon image of Earl the greyhound. Turns out it is a dream. Dani wakes up in terror and we see that he is sleeping with two women. Dani realizes, Football is Death.
• Ted delivers his daily biscuits to Rebecca and she is disappointed he isn’t Keeley. She wanted to talk about the man she has started to date. Ted learns about girl talk, about how it really can be “girl listen.” His one question for Rebecca is, “Is he nice to you?”

• Dani has the yips. As they are discussed in the coaches office, none of the coaches will say the word “yips.” Ted says he is more stumped than Paul Bunyan’s local forest. The humor of the show depends heavily on this sort of saying. Nate has a ruthless side. He’s tough on the kit manager. He suggests just showing Dani his massive paycheck. Anne, when it comes to something like not saying the word “yips,” are you superstitious? Writer’s block…
• The Dutch are said to be bluntly rude. There is an allusion to the film Magnolia. Ted says to Beard, “What you talking about Willis?” I read a Wikipedia entry that wrongly stats Beard’s first name is Willis. I have asked that same question at least 50 times in my life.
• Roy, Keeley, Rebecca, and whatever that guys name is go on a double date. He tells a Martin Short story. Roy gives his great speech about not settling and you ought to feel you’ve been struck by lighting in a relationship. Anne, these seem like high relationship expectations?
• In Mae’s English Pub, Beard and Ted talk about therapy. Ted says he is Midwestern skeptical. They argue about the Gin Blossoms and that reminds me of the Wheezer SNL skits. The show sometimes has an SNL sensibility.
• Psychologist Sharon Fieldstone arrives and takes Higgins office. She quickly cures Dani of the yips. The entire team starts meeting with her. Why won’t she wave back to Ted? Dani has realized: Football is life. Football is also death. Football is football. But mostly football is life.
• Rebecca has an epiphany as she daydreams while having coffee with her date. There’s something about letting go of fear and making oneself vulnerable. She breaks up with the guy.
• Roy spends the evening with the yoga moms watching Lust Conquers All. The show ends with Roy asking for more wine irritated that all the women he is with love Jamie. Anne, of the man Rebecca broke up with, Roy, or Jamie, who is more your type?

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Torg Stories Podcast!