Ted Lasso 2×6: “The Signal”

Well, if you have seen Episode 6 of Season 2, you have more than likely seen the discourse online about one particular reveal in this episode. However, while that reveal is obviously going to mean something more coming in the future episodes, this recap will focus on what the season hasn’t really focused on much thus far: Ted Lasso and his mental health. 

Spoilers ahead!

We first see Ted happily greeting everyone at AFC Richmond as he arrives to work, including characters we have never seen before. He asks them questions about their families or their Instagram posts, further proving that he is the sweetest man I’ve ever seen in my life. Ted tells Roy and Keeley that he is “shipping them hard” (aren’t we all) and enters his office with the rest of the coaching staff. We learn that Ted is not a fan of telling people hard truths because he believes it hurts more than it helps; in this specific instance, he is referring to Beard’s toxic relationship with Jane. 

Rebecca then invites him to dinner with her mother, Keeley, and herself to help smooth things over in their relationship. Once again, we are seeing how everyone at AFC Richmond is sometimes dependent on Ted, and sometimes he doesn’t feel needed at all. Ted then receives a call that something has happened to his son, and it sets in that he cannot be there to help. He knows he’s needed back home, but he cannot physically be there.

If you’re familiar with the Enneagram, I am a firm believer that Ted Lasso embodies the personality type of a 2. His desire to help people and his clear indication that he derives his purpose in the world by helping others and being there for his friends and family is textbook 2. You can clearly see through this conflict that Ted feels powerless. His team is doing significantly better with Roy’s coaching than his own, and his son is being taken care of by his mother, not him. Even in Ted’s dinner with Rebecca’s mom, his advice to her doesn’t land as he wants it to. 

This seems to reach a climax when Roy finally gives his opinion on Jaime’s playing. He straight up says that Ted’s coaching Jaime into being a team player ruined his superstardom. What made Jaime great was that he wasn’t a team player, he was a standout, and his ego allowed him to make incredible plays. Ted “ruined” him. In the match, they permit Jaime to be as selfish and egotistical as he once was (in the game). 

When this strategy works, Ted seems to snap. We see him have a panic attack just like we did in Season 1’s “Make Rebecca Great Again.” Everyone chalks Ted’s abrupt exit from the game to stomach issues, but Rebecca sees right through that. She knows about his mental health issues and attempts to find him. She leaves him a voicemail that she is worried about him and that she hopes he’s okay. She is there for him in a way that no one else is because he has always been there for her in a way that no one else has been. 

The episode ends with Ted in Dr. Fieldstone’s office, finally admitting that he needs help. He is finally taking it upon himself to need someone else, not just be the one that’s needed. This scene is so hauntingly beautiful (shoutout to the lighting designers on this one!) and sets up what is perhaps going to make me cry more than anything else in the show, and I am so excited to see it. 

There have been many complaints online that this season seems too “cheesy” or “positive” because there’s not as much external conflict going on. However, those who have been paying attention throughout the season can see that there has been internal conflict bubbling up since the first episode of the season, and the next couple of episodes are going to see that conflict arise and bubble over. This show does an incredible job of portraying very realistic mental and emotional conflicts, and I’m sure next week will be even better. 

Ted Lasso Season 2 Episode 6, “The Signal” is now streaming on Apple TV+.