AFC Richmond’s losing streak has even encompassed their exhibition matches with the club suffering an embarrassing defeat at AFC Ajax. During a night out in Amsterdam, Ted Lasso develops a new (at least to him) strategy that will hopefully turn their misfortunes. This week’s episode is all about implementing the vision of Total Football onto the players.
The training segments of instilling the new game plan are fun and entertaining with a nice build from one aspect to the next. It begins easy with the fitness work and the expected puking that comes with excessive running. Next, we have the players switching positions which leads to humorous confusion, stumbling, and bumbling.
Then, there is one of the most devious exercises that only Roy Kent could come up with. It’s silly, immature, yet oh so hilarious. Even the suspense following an accident adds to the overall absurdity of the situation. Jamie is so lucky.
Despite the laughs, Ted Lasso really excels in the character work. Keeley and Jack hit the first snag in their relationship. The subplot is fine but it’s more about seeing Keeley with someone who values her and doesn’t give up when they hit a rough patch. It’s a little frustrating though having Barbara on the periphery of the couple, and it seems there could be something more to the character, but it always ends with a peculiar or judgmental look and nothing else.
The series does a good job humanizing Nate. When he’s not being a douche on the pitch, he remains very similar to when we first met him. It’s usually when under the influence of his boss that his worst side comes out. Here, he’s pretty endearing as he tries to ask out the hostess at The Taste of Athens. Nick Mohammed brings the loveable loser/nice guy charm as he gathers the courage.
The turning point is when he looks in the mirror trying to hype himself up, he doesn’t resort to the jerk persona of spitting at his own image. Nate doesn’t become unhinged and stays in control. On a side note, it’s funny how in his texts with his mother, you can see his old messages helping her with the internet. It’s also interesting to see that as much of a hard time we’ve seen his dad give him, the family scene with his mom and sister reveal the two aren’t that different.
Then we have Sam’s storyline on Ted Lasso. His actions are very on par for the character since he is an idealist with strong conviction for his beliefs, particularly when it relates to his people. Although the social activism in sports angle doesn’t seem as timely now as it would have been a year or two ago so it’s a little less impactful.
What you can’t deny is the good vibes and warm feelings in the aftermath. The visit by his father provides a strong supportive figure, and you can see where much of Sam’s positive traits come from. Nonso Anozie makes his character feel welcoming but stern, and the actor has good chemistry with Toheeb Jimoh as you sense their closeness and love.
In true Ted Lasso fashion, the show can turn any negative experience into a sweet and tender moment. We have the team coming together to help Sam at a low point, and the opportune timing of the neon sign is the cherry on top as Sam’s dad learns the restaurant’s name. It’s a nice way to end the episode, and combined with the developments on the pitch, makes you feel like everything is moving on a better path.
“The Strings That Bind Us” has some good comedic scenes, but also reminds us why we enjoy all the characters so much.
New episodes of Ted Lasso are released Wednesdays on Apple TV+.
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