Spoilers for Ted Lasso Season 1 Episode 2 “Goodbye, Earl” follow. Ted Lasso is a television show about overcoming adversity. Despite the humor and optimism that runs through Apple TV Plus' most popular series to date, it doesn't gloss over the struggles its eclectic characters go through, and ultimately their ability to rise above. With Season 1 focusing on the struggles of key characters, including Ted (Jason Sudeikis) and Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham), Season 2 looks at the show's supporting cast and the personal and professional struggles they must overcome to grow as individuals. . This includes Jamie Tartt. The circumstances of the former AFC antagonist Richmond star are a mystery at the start of Ted Lasso season 2 but, by the end of episode 1, titled Goodbye Earl, it seems that Jamie, more than anyone, needs a helping hand. Ahead of the season 2 premiere, TechRadar spoke with Jamie Tartt actor Phil Dunster to discuss his character's stuttering football career. We also discuss the series' review of tough real-life topics and whether or not we'll ever see Jamie in a Richmond jersey again.
Back to reality
(Image credit: Apple TV Plus) The season 1 finale of Ted Lasso left Jamie at a crossroads. Reminded of his loan to Richmond by Manchester City, the striker ended up relegating Richmond by scoring the winning goal for City on the last day of last season. Rather than celebrate Richmond's demotion to England's second tier, the selfish footballer found himself reflecting on his role in the process, especially after Ted left him a note praising his selfless behavior in assisting a goal rather than 'trying to'. tick'. Fast forward to season 2 and Jamie is conspicuous by his absence. That is until the final scene of episode 1. Sitting with his old yoga buddies, former Richmond midfielder Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) sits down to watch the latest episode of the Love Island-style satirical show Lust Conquers All. To Roy's surprise, his great rival Jamie turns out to be part of the series' lineup. So how did he go from starring for Manchester City to a reality show? "Jamie is now in this place where he tries these different avenues," the Dunster exclusive tells us. "Maybe he feels he can't keep doing all this work on his own. Maybe he's moving away from football and maybe trying something that has less to do with his talent. You see questioning things like toxic masculinity and sanity Phil Dunster, actor Ted Lasso However, Jamie seems to be missing players Ted and AFC Richmond.Deprived of his infectious optimism, collective spirit and support, the former Richmond superstar seems to be taking control of his life for the first time, but that's not necessarily means that Jamie's personal decisions are better for him. Still, he's unlikely to admit that he misses his former football coach and teammates. Based on his brief appearance in the season 2 premiere, Jamie is so narcissistic and arrogant as he was in season 1. Dunster, however, believes that this is a front on Jamie's part to hide his deep insecurities, which Ted was apparently grasping at the crux before Jamie leaves for Richmond. "Jamie spent the first season struggling with emotional growth and doing heavy emotional labor for the first time in his life," Dunster admits. "His change of location means he's no longer with the people who were helping him grow. I think by doing that on his own at this point, he's pushed himself too hard and he's sick of doing it, and that's one of the reasons why those of us who see him at this crossroads."
Tackling difficult issues on and off the court.
(Image credit: Apple TV Plus) Despite his uplifting and heartwarming moments, Ted Lasso isn't afraid of the real-world issues at the center of the so-called "beautiful game."
The alarming rise in online discrimination against soccer players, especially England's black footballers after the UEFA Euro 2020 final, made headlines around the world and saw the Sudeikis wearing a sweater in support of those. who have been victims of racial abuse.
However, this is not the only unwanted aspect of the world's most popular sport. Sexism and homophobia, among other biases, are also prevalent throughout the game, and in many cases seem to boil down to a major social issue that has been prevalent in recent years: toxic masculinity.
This is a theme that has already been explored in Ted Lasso. In the season 1 finale, Ted is shocked to hear Jamie's father yelling at and physically abusing his son for assisting Manchester City's winning goal instead of scoring himself. This makes it difficult to watch and, unsurprisingly, leaves its mark on Ted and Jamie.
Jamie's brief appearance in the season 2 premiere, then, is his way of trying to escape his father's football abuse by removing him from his life, albeit temporarily.
For Dunster, examining such a difficult subject is what sets Ted Lasso apart from his contemporaries.
As he himself says, Ted Lasso is not an eternally positive series. By dealing with difficult topics, he hopes viewers will recognize that, like the transplant that the team of Ted and Richmond must go through to become better players, it takes hard work and education to try to eradicate these problems, problems of football and of society as a whole. .
"There's a line in the show that says 'be curious, don't judge,' and it's so powerful and profound," says Dunster. “It is something very simple but difficult to put into practice. As a show, you see us questioning things like toxic masculinity and sanity, but one of the things the show does really well is that it looks at them squarely. We're not saying "Oh, this toxic masculinity is real"; the writers and creators view it through a sense of vulnerability and understanding. I hope it reaches the public. "Even though his football career is temporarily on the back burner, Jamie's love for the game continues to shine through. His "I'm the top scorer on the island, sexually!" The commentary for Episode 1 hints at the possibility of a return to the field in the future. So what can Dunster tell us about Jamie's next steps? Is this a Richmond comeback on the cards, for example?
"You'll see a more emotionally evolved character Dunster teases without saying too much. "I think Jamie will continue to deal with his issues as we go along, and maybe he'll start to understand that the job rarely gets done."