Ted Lasso and the squad are in a funk, and it’s showed the past few episodes. The manager seems detached from everyone as he tries sorting out his own issues. At the same time, the club is in the middle of a winless streak and they lost world class player, Zava, to retirement. In this week’s episode, that slump continues in pretend games, i.e. friendlies.
An aspect that is odd about “Sunflowers” is the premise. The friendly AFC Richmond plays is against AFC Ajax from the Dutch Eredevisie. The timing is off because I don’t know how many Premier League teams play midseason friendlies, let alone in the cold environment of the Netherlands. It just seems as a clumsy and forced way to have the setting in Amsterdam and have its characters gallivanting around a city known for its liberal nightlife. Another example of Ted Lasso not getting the sports side of the series correct.
However, the episode is a surreal experience much in the vein of “Beard After Hours” last season, this time following several more characters. If you’re looking for the sappy romantic comedy, Rebecca’s subplot is for you. From the exaggerated opening stages to the outlandish situation she finds herself in to the charming gentleman who comes to her rescue, it hits all the notes.
Much like the genre, there needs to be a strong suspension of disbelief, even when the series is trying hard not to make her love interest not creepy. But we’ve said it before that Rebecca deserves to have good things happen to her. Especially, when earlier she takes some shots at Roy when he inquires about Keeley. She is protective of her ladies and maybe she can look out for herself sometimes too.
Ted Lasso delivers more warm moments this episode as well. Higgins has been underutilized in season three and its nice that he can have his little storyline too. There’s a bit of silliness with the running joke of going to the red-light district, but in true Leslie fashion, it’s actually pretty wholesome, and you can’t help but cheer him on when he has a dream come true.
Included in the feel-good moments is some payoff for the overarching Ted Lasso narratives. Roy and Jamie have more to do than working out, although they do plenty of that. The latter finally breaks down the former with the assistant coach opening up and admitting his insecurities about Keeley.
In addition, the first bike riding scenes are some of the most hilarious of the series. Whether it’s Brett Goldstein or a stunt double, you have to admire their commitment to the bit because some of that looks like it actually hurt. It’s all playing towards Jamie’s redemption as he becomes more disciplined in his game and more empathetic towards others.
Speaking of empathy, another positive pairing is the one between Colin and Trent Crimm. We’ve always seen the journalist’s peculiar looks each time the footballer cracks jokes about his sexuality. I don’t think that Crimm would ever reveal the secret; he cares for the team and even lost his job at The Independent over it. It’s nice that he can lend a sympathetic ear and act as a mentor as Colin figures himself out and works towards bringing his two separate lives together to be open.
Then we get to Ted Lasso himself. A man for most of the season was content hovering in the background while his club fell apart. He takes another step forward following his inspirational speech in the closing moments of last episode. While on a solo journey throughout Amsterdam, he finds inspiration from his home in the Midwest. The Chicago Bulls’ vaunted triangle offense serves as the muse for his new team strategy. We can finally see him be a coach again and hopefully turn AFC Richmond’s fortunes around in the second half of season three.
“Sunflowers” is a surreal and sometimes random episode that serves a turning point to for the various characters’ journeys and hopefully for the team too.
New episodes of Ted Lasso are released Wednesdays on Apple TV+.
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