The Ladies of Ted Lasso
The female relationships in a show about British men’s football are redemptive
The scene that best showcases the treatment of female relationships in Apple TV’s new feelgood series “Ted Lasso” is not much of a scene at all. It occurs midway through the series. In Episode 5, “New Underwear,” Keeley Jones (played by Juno Temple) strides unbidden into her ex-boyfriend Jamie Tartt’s home (played by Phil Dunster). Jones finds Tartt walking around in nothing but his briefs, with an unnamed woman wearing a silken pajama top by his side. The unnamed woman is instantly starstruck upon Jones’s arrival. Despite the fact that the unnamed woman has apparently just spent the night with fictional AFC Richmond’s star player, the woman is far more dazzled to be in Jones’s midst. She says, “Sorry, can I just say, I’m your biggest fan. I follow your Insta, your Snap — everything.” Jones is flattered and does not waste a moment being upset at the woman, even though she and Tartt have only just broken up the day prior.
The exchange lasts no more than a minute, with Tartt asking if Jones will be at his promo later. She confirms that yes, she will be present for the opportunity she spent months setting up for him. With that, she turns on her heels, but not before telling the unnamed woman that it was “nice to meet you,” — and somehow the kindness in her eyes toward the woman causes us to believe her…
