Overall season was great but Roy hugging Jamie episode aside the final 3 were a significant cut above the others. Perfect last ep
This killed me because I literally used to mix Jason and Ed Helms in my head all the time when I was younger. No idea why. I don't think they look alike when I see them side by side, but I'm always thinking one of them is in a movie when it was the other guy
Nate's emergence as a villain has been a master class in showing rather than telling. If I hadn't re-started watching this a few weeks ago, I would have been a lot of the subtle (and not-so-subtle) clues that this was going to happen.
No - it has nothing to do with Ted and more to do with how he was raised and the toxic masculinity surrounding it - Ted was probably the first person to show him compassion/attention and that’s why he lashed at him - it’s very complex tho and I love how the show handled it
Bill Lawrence has said that he (and Dr. Sharon) will have significant roles next season, so that fits.
Incredible finale. One of my big hopes from the very start of the season was that with Roy and Jamie off the team, players like Sam would get more shine. Couldn’t be happier with how that turned out Also after that episode I am definitely team Fuck Nate, though I still look forward to the way this very thoughtful show engages with the issues that led him here instead of allowing him to become consumed by them permanently. Though if I were a number of people on this show I’d never forgive him, and I hope he is not made a club employee again. In any case, what a great lead up to him becoming a villain
As much as I agree with this statement in a vacuum, I kind of took his weird little rant at Ted to not be specifically about Ted and more just a general outpouring of like... everything. From his dad, to the team, to the fans, etc. Though I haven’t really worked out why this resulted in Ted being the person he lashed out at
Nate realising he wasn’t a threat with Roy/Keeley was a moment I enjoyed more than I should. His big blow up with Ted was terrifying, I never felt like Ted abandoned him at all. Might have to go back and see what I missed
I think the thing that sticks out to me now that the season is over is that the first season felt special and interesting because it was so committed to being a show that at its core was essentially about good things happening to good people. I’m not the first to say it, and of course it’s not like nothing bad happened in it’s 10 episodes, but the sheer degree of positivity felt completely refreshing for a show in 2020. They picked that lane and completely nailed it. Season 2 took a shift to a much more traditional sitcom focus on drama and conflict. That’s not inherently a negative for the show’s quality, but I understand why halfway through the season there was some backlash to it, as a lot of these episodes were fundamentally pretty different than the show it was in season 1. Couple that with some relatively scattered storytelling where major things like the protest would happen and next episode is months later and the show is a bit worse off for it. That’s all to say the last third of the season really delivered on all that uncertainty. For one, it was nice to feel like the last few were continuations of each other - I hope in season 3 they recognize that as a strength. And additionally, they really stuck the landing with most of the major character development, Sam, Keely, and Nate in particular where there are more obvious through lines starting all the way back at the beginning of the season. Can’t wait for season 3. And fuck Nate, but not forever, narratively pulling off his redemption feels pretty essential to both his and Ted’s story to me.
Think Nate’s just jealous. He sees Ted using his vulnerability as a strength when Nate’s been taught all his life that it’s a weakness, and it’s torture for him.
It’s a really fascinating turn for the show that i did not see coming at all until the final few episodes. It’s fun to see all the Easter eggs i missed along the way
If at the end of season 1 you asked me who would leave season 2 as the villain NATE wouldn’t have been in my top 10 haha
I wonder how much the season three story will focus on West Ham and Nate. I can easily see him being a master of tactics but miserable at relationships with his players sort of deal.
No chance Nate goes to Ted for help. His whole focus is going to be on beating Ted in S3 and proving Ted doesn’t belong there and he does like he told him in the office.