The Greyhounds ring in a new year with more confusion than clarity in Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 6, “Don’t Jump Around Much Anymore.” This episode, written by Dylan Marron and directed by Declan Lowney, features some long-awaited developments and others that don’t land all that well in the context of the season. Time is moving rather quickly, but so many of the characters are still stuck in rather similar situations and storylines.
TV should show what is most important for the characters and stories. “Don’t Jump Around Much Anymore” maintains the existing questions about Ted Lasso’s judgement in what it chooses to show–or not. There are moments in this episode – mainly with Alice and Gemma – when it feels like Ted Lasso has skipped a chapter. The reality is that this season, like Season 3 to a point, skips forward in time. It jumps past that game before Christmas break and that holiday altogether, alleviating the tension from the previous episode. So, there’s a disconnect between where the characters just were and where they are now. Ted Lasso Season 4 builds drama but struggles to navigate it; it skips to (at least temporary) resolutions that don’t leave much room to know the characters.
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Jamie Tartt Is Back…For Now
I can’t write about “Don’t Jump Around Much Anymore” without appreciating the return of Phil Dunster as Jamie Tartt – one of my favorite characters of all time from one of my favorite shows. Having him back for this episode is the greatest gift that I do not take for granted. The men’s team are permanently off-screen now. Bringing them in would require screen time that Ted Lasso can’t give them and maybe shouldn’t, with the women’s team as the focus. So it seems like the only reason Jamie could return is that he left AFC Richmond for Barcelona. Suddenly, the move is less heartbreaking to me, but only slightly….
Really, Dunster doesn’t miss a beat in Tartt’s Mancunian accent. Every line that comes out of his mouth (“graphite designer”) is so perfectly in character. Even every detail of his vodka launch party feels exactly as it should be. Regardless, “Sometimes, perfect is the opposite of good” is a comforting gut-punch (if there can be one) for this Jamie Tartt fan. It’s one of his philosophical moments, but this one signals that he’s okay. He’s doing well at Barcelona and in life, and with so little known about the men’s team right now, it’s a real relief to know that Jamie is enjoying this next chapter. It’s also healing to know that Jamie and Roy’s relationship remains intact. Moreover, it seems stronger than ever.
It’s also impossible to ignore how much fun it looks like Dunster and Brett Goldstein had during “Jump Around” – down to the “Saving Private Roy” bit. It does feel like a missed opportunity not to have Jamie more involved – or at least interested – in Roy and Keeley’s romantic drama. At the risk of the love triangle reviving again, maybe that’s for the best. However, Jamie’s right that it feels like old times when he’s around. The success of this returning character (and Trent Crimm and Dr. Sharon Fieldstone earlier this season) makes Ted Lasso Season 4’s struggles with the other returning characters more confusing.
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The Romantic Drama Takes a Turn or Two
“Don’t Jump Around Much Anymore” has some of the best angst for Keeley and Roy, but it comes so late into this storyline. Keeley has spent so much time being sad that now, this development feels like kicking her while she’s down. Juno Temple, of course, sells all of Keeley’s complicated feelings with a stunningly vulnerable performance. Likewise, Goldstein accesses an entirely uninhibited side of Roy that hasn’t ever been seen before on Ted Lasso. Interestingly, it reminds me of Luke Tennie’s performance in Shrinking Season 2, Episode 6, “In a Lonely Place,” which Goldstein wrote.
Regardless, the miscommunication between Keeley, Roy, and Erin is predictably heartbreaking. Unfortunately, Ted Lasso doesn’t earn that for Erin since her and Roy’s relationship exists entirely off-screen. However, some characters are only plot devices, but “Don’t Jump Around Much Anymore” insinuates that Erin’s purpose has been fulfilled. So, it’ll be interesting to see where Ted Lasso takes Keeley and Roy from here. The show seems desperate to keep them apart. Now, it may have to rely on Keeley’s interpretation of what she heard. Sadly, that leaves Keeley in a sad place that won’t ease up professionally or personally.
Meanwhile, it’s wild that Rebecca continues to blame herself and is the only one trying to mend her relationship. It doesn’t help her argument that Ted Lasso has yet to depict what she calls “the most amazing thing [to] come into her life.” Jamie is the only person who doesn’t know the situation, so he can’t accurately refute Rebecca’s negative self-talk. (But it’s endearing that he tries.)
Ted Lasso also actively works against that (mostly) accurate sentiment of Keeley reminding herself and Rebecca that they don’t need Roy or Matthijs. Their storylines lately heavily revolve around romantic relationships that can’t quite progress. Relatedly, it’s a complete letdown that Rebecca and Matthijs’s resolution doesn’t even include an apology from him. It’s justified, and it would’ve acted as an entry point to possibly understanding his reaction. Instead, Ted Lasso suggests that it’s a romantic gesture for Matthijs to go radio silent in the middle of an argument and surprise Rebecca, which is a choice.
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Ted, Michelle, and an Origin Story
One of the episode’s best surprises is Ted and Michelle’s scenes – it feels like the most they’ve ever interacted on the show. The scenes are layered, productive, and even pack in an origin story for the iconic BELIEVE sign. I don’t know that I ever thought about where the sign came from before “Don’t Jump Around Again.” It takes on this new life in helping to learn more about Ted and Michelle’s relationship in the past and present. Thankfully, the episode results in a new sign for the women’s team – they deserve one of their own.
It’s also wild to learn that Michelle is a writer – with maybe one too many Mark Twain references up her sleeve – six years into this whole journey. “Don’t Jump Around Much Anymore” posits that Ted and Michelle haven’t really talked since the divorce, which is one of the most believable things in this episode. Ted Lasso’s efforts to further remove Ted’s rose-colored glasses to see Michelle as an actual person are appreciated. Andrea Anders’ performance really lets the audience – and Ted – under Michelle’s skin. “Don’t Jump Around Much Anymore” illuminates her perspective during her relationship with Dr. Jacob, but that relationship remains a strange conflict of interest.
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Do We Know the Women’s Team?
Weirdly, as much works for Alice as doesn’t in this episode. The time jump after the suspension means that Ted Lasso breezes past her initial self-reflection or the avoidance of it. “Don’t Jump Around Much Anymore” picks up after all that tension, so the fresh start doesn’t feel earned for the character or the story. This disconnect is most jarring with Alice and Gemma’s dynamic. There is a night-and-day difference between where they are in the previous episode and this one. Ted Lasso seemingly explains Gemma’s change of heart with her New Year’s resolution to be more understanding. The issue is that Ted Lasso doesn’t follow Gemma to that point for herself or for her relationship with Alice. So, it’s not realistic when there’s not a single ounce of drama between them now.
The storied tension alleviates so fast that the episode must manufacture more for them. Obviously, Alice’s concern that the team talks about her in any capacity stems from her insecurities. Relatedly, it’s helpful that Ted Lasso finally explores her inner life, introducing her girlfriend and their home. Alice has always been the most clearly defined of the new characters – followed by Gemma. So it’s reassuring to learn more about her. However, doing so six episodes into the 10-episode season makes it more obvious how little Ted Lasso has gotten to know the rest of the team. It’s a shame and a missed opportunity that characters like Lizzie, Boots, Niamh, and Siobhan don’t have much definition. Hopefully the final four episodes will slow down enough to do so.
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Other Winning Moments:
- Mae teaching Henry how to work at the Crown & Anchor
- The tiny leaf on Jamie’s shorts, the blonde hair, the split eyebrow — everything
- Higgins and Julie
- Siobhan and Beard wearing the same outfit
- “Baby Steps” by Olivia Dean playing in Alice’s place
- “Babe, I know how much this team means to you. Maybe it’s time you let yourself show them.”
- Lizzie and her “purse ham”
- Jamie wanting Roy’s knee if it’s not given to science
- “I’m a full-time student whose day job is in women’s football. I’ll take all the help I can get.”
- Keeley calling Jenni
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