Ted Lasso and the Game Plan For Connection
In an epidemic of loneliness, the Diamond Dogs show us a solution.
One of the things I’m excited about, for this space and in this season, is the freedom to write about whatever moves me. I’ve written “a question and an answer on a Friday” posts each of the last three weeks. I promise to get back to those but I want to close out the first month of Ever Get Home with something else.
Good News: The post below contains no spoilers for Ted Lasso Season 3!
There’s a moment in the newest episode of Ted Lasso where Ted is convinced that something bad is going to happen. We find him in his office, along with Coach Beard, Roy Kent, and a journalist named Trent Crimm, who is writing about the (football aka soccer) team AFC Richmond, which the three men coach together.
Coach Beard is at first glance the silly sidekick, but look closer and I believe you’ll find one of the show’s wildcards, surprisingly intelligent with a gift when it comes to direct communication. Roy Kent is a former superstar player now working as an assistant coach. He is known for being grumpy and saying “fuck” a lot, but if you get past that there is a heart of gold inside. (My sister Emily loves Roy Kent and they are perhaps a lot alike. That said, Emily is not in this scene.) As for Trent Crimm, he may be the coolest character on television. Great style, incredible hair, and while the role of reporter means he’s there to get the story, he is also warm and kind. As a fan of the show, I’m glad we’re getting more Trent Crimm this season.
For the sake of avoiding spoilers, I’ll simply tell you that the dialogue begins with Ted sharing the thing he believes is about to happen.
“Oh Ted, I’m so sorry,” Roy Kent responds. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Yes, I do,” Ted answers instantly.
“Diamond Dogs mount up!”
This is Coach Beard making things official. The line is delivered as he reaches for the phone to invite Leslie, who works in the front office and is the missing member of the group. (Okay, Nate is missing too but that’s another story.)
“Oh never fucking mind.”
Roy Kent again. (I warned you about the F word.) I may have actually missed something, because I’m not positive why we appear to lose Roy here. I don’t think he finds connection silly but he’s clearly not a fan of “The Diamond Dogs.” Also I left out the part where they bark to signal the beginning of a meeting.
“Uhh what’s going on? What’s the Diamond Dogs?” Trent Crimm is new to this.
“A living fucking nightmare,” Roy Kent offers as he walks away.
Coach Beard isn’t discouraged. He answers Trent:
“The Diamond Dogs are a group of men committed to supporting each other by sharing their most intimate thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Are you in or out?”
“Oh I’m in.” Trent, without hesitation.
Roy Kent grumbles again and at this point we see Leslie running through the locker room. He arrives a second later out of breath, takes a moment to gather himself, and the meeting officially begins. In the first order of business, Trent Crimm is acknowledged as a new official member.
They bring Leslie up to speed on what Ted fears is coming. Coach Beard asks Ted how he knows this information. We then learn that he doesn’t.
“That’s it?” Roy Kent asks through the glass from the adjoining office, technically not in the meeting but clearly still invested.
“You can’t worry about something that hasn’t happened yet.”
These words come from Trent Crimm. The rookie of the group is off to a heck of a start. Coach Beard and Leslie respond simply by pointing at him.
“You should find out before you flip out,” adds Leslie, as the fingers suddenly shift to his direction.
Ted looks at Roy through the glass. Roy nods in agreement.
After sitting with their input, Ted acknowledges that the others are correct. He thanks them, before asking if anyone else wants to share. Roy says the F word again, and the meeting is officially over.
***
It’s a short meeting but there is plenty to unpack. Here’s what I love about the scene: