Ted Lasso 3×02, “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea,” makes a compelling case for telling instead of showing by strengthening its embrace of football as a central metaphor. Verbal exposition can often bog down a story and peripheralize characters, but Ted Lasso uses its dialogue to support the internal conversations happening within and between characters. Ultimately, “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea” understands the importance of words and uses that knowledge to the characters’ advantage while pushing the story forward.
One of the best and earliest examples in the episode is the team’s epic sequence of miscommunication about Zava, Trent Crimm, and Roy and Keeley’s break-up. Miscommunication is a commonly used comedic device, and it often aids the unraveling of exposition, which it does in “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea.” More importantly, though, the debacle sets up Roy’s story for the episode with Ted Lasso‘s usual balance of heart and humor. From Ted fainting to Roy blaming Jamie and everything in between, this sequence finds its roots in Ted Lasso‘s care for Roy and his emotional well-being.
Trent Crimm, The History with Roy Kent
“(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea” maintains this approach when Roy recalls the origin story of his strife with Trent Crimm. Ted Lasso could have cut away to flashbacks at any point, showing a 17-year-old Roy Kent after his first game with Chelsea. Instead, the script supports Brett Goldstein‘s ability to relay that information in a way that allows the audience to experience the story and react emotionally to it. This angle works because Roy rarely bares those deep cuts to people, especially those they involve. After all, Roy carries Trent’s words with him every day for years before he says anything.
That emotional burden calcified over time, not unlike what could happen to Roy’s current one — the break-up with Keeley. So Ted Lasso‘s story addressing the first time that Roy felt like he couldn’t keep up (in that Chelsea vs. Arsenal match) this early in its final season is a good sign for Roy and Keeley’s relationship, but it’s a better sign for Roy. It’s a testament to Roy’s growth that he feels comfortable enough to be honest with Ted — and Trent. Moreover, it bodes well for Roy’s ability to unpack that recurring self-doubt and how it applies to his romantic relationship with Keeley.
“(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea” compliments Roy’s present with recollections of the past, never weighing the story down with dry exposition but necessary perspective.
Not to mention, Roy’s reflection on how he feels it’s better to quit than overstay his welcome ties directly back to Ted’s arc this season. This narrative also intentionally grants Trent Crimm more depth and history within Ted Lasso‘s world. Those threads intertwine nicely with Roy and Trent trying to find fulfillment in their second careers. Plus, Roy making Trent aware of how his words affected Roy will likely impact how Trent approaches this book about AFC Richmond, especially since Trent has already made it clear to Ted that he wishes to find a new passion away from The Independent.
Jamie Shocks Roy with a Bit of Empathy
Much to my delight, “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea” also utilizes Roy and Keely’s break-up to push Roy and Jamie back together — in the boot room with Will. Goldstein and Phil Dunster are pure magic together; it’s a joy to watch Roy and Jamie literally bounce off each other. This scene is an excellent example of their dynamic’s non-linear development after such a pivotal moment in Ted Lasso 2×08, “Man City.” These men are still learning how to be vulnerable around each other. That tension makes Dunster’s pitch-perfect delivery of Jamie Tartt’s epic one-liners even better because they have an active duality.
Yes, Jamie is digging at Roy, but he still cares about Roy. Therefore, there’s something quite narratively fulfilling for Jamie to be the first person Roy tells about the breakup, even if Jamie surmised it through Isaac’s knowledge of body science.
Knowing that it takes so long for Roy to talk about Trent Crimm, it’s (hopefully) indicative of Jamie and Roy’s story this season that Roy tells Jamie about Keeley. Of course, he tells Jamie through clenched teeth, but the significance still lands. Considering Roy saw Jamie at one of his most vulnerable moments last season, Ted Lasso is well on its way to flipping that dynamic and seeing how Jamie can show up for Roy. Equally as interesting, it is exciting to imagine when Roy will realize he can trust Jamie because that doesn’t happen in “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea” — and to hilarious effect.
After all, Roy believes Jamie only comes to him to get to Keeley and that Jamie betrays him by telling the team about their break-up when neither happens. While “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea” plays Jamie and Keeley’s interaction a bit coy, there’s still no changing my mind that Jamie has a lot of love for Keeley, but he’s not in love with her. Instead of leaning more heavily on the potential of a love triangle, Ted Lasso is more interested in developing Roy and Jamie’s dynamic. Considering how Roy and Jamie started the show, that focus is narratively fulfilling for what is likely the final season.
Keeley Expands KJPR with a New Hire
On the other side of this relationship fallout, “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea” gives Keely Jones the space to start to find her footing with KJPR, improving and expanding upon Ted Lasso 3×01, “Smells Like Mean Spirit.” As Keeley steps into this new era of her life, this episode looks back at her past through detailed callbacks (Lizzo’s Good as Hell setting the scene like Juice does in Season 1) and an old friend, Shandy Fine, from the modeling world. Ambreen Razia matches Juno Temple‘s energy — and in the dress from Keeley’s lion photo shoot from Ted Lasso 1×02, “Biscuits,” no less.
Shandy’s introduction creates an obvious point of reflection for Keeley since Shandy cites Keeley as someone “who got out” and expresses how moved she was to see Keely — fully clothed — in Vanity Fair. That beat spurs Keeley to bring her friend into Bantr as Rebecca brought her into the AFC Richmond family. Ted Lasso could have pulled out the tension between Barbara and Keeley a bit more when it comes to Shandy joining Bantr as Client Relations Coordinator, but “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea” subverts that expectation by addressing Barbara’s biases (that refer to Keeley, too) directly.
Shandy’s arrival is also exciting because — within minutes — she helps Keeley breathe new life into KJPR, which it desperately needs to sustain its relevance throughout the season. Adding this dynamic piece to that puzzle in the season’s second episode instills hope that only bigger and better things are around the bend.
Rebecca Scores Big for AFC Richmond
The same could be true for AFC Richmond after Rebecca convinces Zava to join the team, despite Higgins’ preface that Zava has been with 14 teams in 15 years and only leads chaos and trophies in his wake. But that’s a possibility for another episode to unpack.
Like Roy’s return to Chelsea, the episode finds its strengths in how the fight for Zava spurs thoughtful reflection from Rebecca. Hannah Waddingham poignantly retells how Rebecca and Rupert met and details his tactics to make her feel special. Waddingham’s performance (and Temple’s supporting one) heartbreakingly punctuates every realization Rebecca voices — perhaps for the first time. One of the last scenes where Rebecca vocalized the manipulation she experienced by Rupert was to Ted in Season 1. Like then, flashbacks aren’t necessary to bolster the narrative or further villainize Rupert.
Ted Lasso realizes it’s far more effective to stick with Rebecca in the present as she unpacks this chapter of her life (especially after she rarely opens up in Season 2) to someone who always holds space for her. That recounting of events compounds Rupert’s sinister attempt to maintain some ownership over Rebecca by introducing her to Zava as his ex-wife. The script delightfully has Rebecca retaliate by redefining her role in this football world, in Rupert’s world — She is the owner of AFC Richmond.
Signing Zava is huge — Beard’s gasps say so. Still, it’s more rewarding for AFC Richmond that signing Zava pushes Rebecca to believe in herself more. She goes from discounting her ability to appeal to a player because of Rupert’s pattern of behavior to cheering for herself — with Higgins and Keeley by her side — when she pulls it off. The goal off of Dani’s face is great, but sitting with Rebecca in her joy is a much bigger win. Trent Crimm is correct that this sport is quite the metaphor because “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea” proves that, like AFC Richmond, Rebecca Welton is only getting started this season.
Other Winning Moments:
- Isaac knowing kinesics
- The reappearance of Beard’s copy of Inverting The Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics by Jonathan Wilson
- Roy popping the balloons to make Trent leave the room
- Higgins’ infinite connections
- Roy lighting up when he sees Bruce
- The Chelsea fans still loving Roy
- The Crown & Anchor trio
- Ted describing Hallmark movies perfectly
- Every ridiculous, all-black outfit Rupert wears
- Foreshadowing Dani’s goal off of his face
- Jane finding Beard and Ted’s relationship threatening
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What did you think of Ted Lasso 3×02, “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea?” Let us know in the comments!
New episodes of Ted Lasso stream on Wednesdays on Apple TV+.
