“Ted Lasso” Season 3, Episode 2 Review
“Trent Crimm, the Independent.”
Everyone’s favorite British journalist is back, and he’s writing a book about AFC Richmond– much to manager Roy Kent’s (Brett Goldstein) dismay.
He tells the entire team to give Crimm (James Lance) the cold shoulder, preventing him from doing any real reporting.
It was honestly a little sad to watch since the main reason why Crimm chose Richmond to report on was because of how the team is run differently under Ted– they’re a family.
While that was going on, the team found out about Roy and Keely’s (Juno Temple) breakup, and it didn’t go over well. In a hilariously relatable moment, Beard screams and Ted swoons when they hear the news.
It just shows how well the “Ted Lasso” writers know their audience– Roy and Keely are endgame and have to get back together by the finale.
Keely is still keeping up her “girlboss” grind at work and invites her old friend Shandy (Ambreen Razia) to join her company.
Her compassion shines through in this episode when she sticks up for Shandy to her boss, and she just continues to be one of the many highlights of the show.
The other focal point of episode two is Zava (Maximilian Osinski), a world-famous soccer player that recently became a free agent and is looking to sign a new contract.
Everyone agrees Zava is unhinged, but he could be the talent Richmond needs to succeed and beat West Ham.
The problem– of course, Rebecca’s (Hannah Waddingham) ex-husband and arch-nemesis Rupert (Anthony Head) wants Zava on West Ham.
Even though Rupert somehow manipulates his way into getting everything he wants– Rebecca would never give up without a fight.
Richmond’s match in the episode was against Chelsea, Roy’s former team. In a touching moment, the crowd started up the “Roy Kent” cheer and got the stoic mountain of a man to stand up and wave with gratitude.
Later on, we learn that the reason Roy was so rude to Trent Crimm was because of a harsh critique he wrote about him when he was starting out at Chelsea– just a 17-year-old kid. Crimm apologized for trying to be edgy and coming off as cruel in the article, and Roy announced the team could now speak freely to him.
Forgiveness and starting fresh is a big theme of “Ted Lasso,” previously seen with Jamie Tartt’s (Phil Dunster) journey from self-absorbed jerk to loveable goof. It’s extremely refreshing, and a reason why “Ted Lasso” is one of the best feel-good programs running right now.
By the end of the episode, Zava drops a bombshell on the football community when he announces he will not be playing for Chelsea (or West Ham for that matter), and will instead be Richmond’s newest striker.
This decision sparked from Rebecca bursting into the men’s bathroom to tell Zava he’ll never know if he’s truly the best player in the league if he plays for an already great team– but if he joins Richmond and leads them to victory, he will have his answer.
Zava’s choice sets up the rest of the season flawlessly. Could he be what Richmond needs to win the whole thing, or will his ego interfere with the team’s tight-knit bond?
Rating: 4/5
Kaitlyn Murphy is a first-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email kvm6255@psu.edu.
