Ted Lasso‘s Jason Sudeikis Unpacks Michelle Twist in Episode 3 — Plus, Is Trent Crimm About to Expose Colin?
Ted Lasso‘s titular coach suffers a devastating personal blow in Wednesday’s episode. When he calls home to Kansas to wish his son Henry good luck ahead of his soccer game, he finds out that ex-wife Michelle has moved on with their former marriage counselor, Dr. Jacob.
Initially, Ted doesn’t know how to process his feelings, which results in a panic attack out on the pitch. We eventually see him work through some of his resentment with Dr. Fieldstone, but the relationship clearly rubs him the wrong way — and for good reason. As you’ll recall, Ted in Season 1 relayed to Coach Beard how he and Michelle started seeing Dr. Jacob after Michelle had already gone to see him on her own. Once he started going with her, he felt like it was two against one; Dr. Jacob always seemed to took Michelle’s side. And now they’re dating.
Naturally, Ted feels betrayed. But how might that bitterness fester moving forward? For that answer, we turn to the man himself, series co-creator and star Jason Sudeikis:
“When an ex moves on, that’s a very human experience,” he tells TVLine. “I think the one thing that maybe eliminates some of the processes that people go through when that happens is that [Ted and Michelle] are an ocean and half a country apart.
Now, if Ted was still living in Kansas, might he be doing some 7 pm drive-bys to see if Dr. Jacob’s car is in the driveway? Probably,” Sudeikis says with a grin. “He’s still human, even though he’s virtuous in many ways — more so, certainly, than myself. You know, you fall prey to those things, so I think you’ll see the process of him going through those things, including exploring, as you labeled it, a betrayal by Michelle, [as well as] what that relationship [with Dr. Jacob] turns into, and how Ted responds to that.”
Among other notable developments in Episode 3…
* With Zava on the team, Richmond quickly climbs from 17th to third place, right behind Rupert’s West Ham United and Manchester City. But relying on Zava to score every goal rubs Jamie the wrong way. He used to be the best player on the team; now he’s not. Roy tells Jamie as much, then offers to train him to be an even better footballer than Zava.
* Rebecca pays a visit to Deborah’s psychic, who tells her that she’s going to be a mom! Initially, she doesn’t believe a word of it — but all that changes once Sam hands Rebecca a little green matchbook. We spoke to Hannah Waddingham and Toheeb Jimoh about all that, which you can read here.
* Colin is confirmed as a member of the LGBTQ+ community upon the introduction of a new love interest, Michael. But Colin remains closeted, and when Michael shows up for the soft opening of Sam’s restaurant, Colin introduces him to the team as his “pal” and “wingman.” Later that night, upon leaving the restaurant, Trent Crimm spots Colin and Michael making out in a nearby alley. Only time will tell what Trent chooses to do with this information.
What did you think of Ted Lasso Season 3, Episode 3: “4-5-1”? Sound off in Comments.
Trent Crimm is almost definitely a member of the community himself so I doubt he outs him.
You think? Even if he’s part of it, I still feel like he’s going to out Colin. He’ll do anything for a story that gets him attention.
Given Trent had that moment with Roy — where he acknowledged that in his youth he would have done anything to make a name for himself — this would be a nice way to wrap that arc by showing he’s changed and won’t out Colin without his blessing.
Yet another unethical therapist on TV. For a marriage counselor to date a former patient — especially after his bad therapy helped break the couple up (at least from Ted’s perspective) — is just wrong. As for the fact that it’s been a year and a half since their therapy, the American Psychological Association’s code says, “Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients for at least two years after cessation or termination of therapy.”
It seems to be a clear violation – especially it seems the therapist used his position to go after Michelle. It also says a LOT about Michelle. I already didn’t like her but she KNOWS how horrible this would hit Ted.
She should have immediately disclosed this (douchey) information.
As for the “year and a half,” he seems awfully comfortable around Ted’s and in Ted’s house (I’m sure TED is the one paying for the house). She’s likely been with him for a while
It will look like Trent outted Colin just to discoved he did not
Ted needs to start a relationship with Sassy. Move on from Michelle!!!
AGREED!
Definitely! Have some fun and hot sex!
I don’t care for the Colin storyline. As a gay man, I understand that LGBTQ status in professional sports is still very difficult and it’s fairly recent that those in sports have begun to feel comfortable coming out. I’m all for THAT aspect of this and seeing him navigate that journey. That said, I hope this “outing” storyline is just a misdirect. Also, Colin, you’re so careful not to be out and then make out with your partner in a VERY visible spot where people leaving the event you were just at can see you?? That doesn’t add up and is lazy story telling
I thought the same thing. Colin was being so private about his relationship, but then they were out in plain view for anyone walking by to see them kissing.
The blocking was a little lazy, they could have stuck the two of them in a more secluded spot yeah but in general you can back into them kissing in “public” with some ease, I think, namely: being in love makes you reckless. The one episode took place over a long timeline, and its clear that the first scene was the first time they’d spent the night together — they barely knew each other — and by the last there was an established dynamic with Michael playing a specific role down having a script he recites for when they’re in public. The progression is from hookup/early dating to falling in love, and starting to lose the ability to keep it all close to the vest.
I am fascinated by the music choices they are associating with Trent Crimm this season. The Kinks’ “Well Respected Man” last week, then Leonard Cohen’s “Everybody Knows”. The former satiric and distancing and the latter downright sinister. What are they saying with this?
I half-expected that he would walk down the alley, step into a limousine, and Rupert would be there — and it would turn out that Trent had been paid to spy on the team, using the “book” project as an excuse. Luckily, it’s not that kind of show.
Exactly! I like Trent Crimm, and he seemed to be fitting in with the team. But “Everybody Knows”? Yikes. No happy ending there. Does that mean he hasn’t really changed since he was young and was so hard on Roy? So somehow he’s going to out Colin for his own professional gain? If he submitted a news story somewhere, or did anything else that had his name attached to it before finishing the research for his book, he’d get booted by the team. Do we see him release the book?
It’s hard to believe he’s just been putting on a nice guy act to earn Ted’s trust, only for his book to be a hit piece. I can’t think of a scenario that really fits with this ominous song, and I am intrigued. I didn’t notice the Kinks song, but it also suggests he’s not the great guy he seems to be, right?
Hah, I kinda needed the scene at the end of Trent seeing Colin in order for me to remember that’s still a bit of a big deal in the sports world… I was like ‘why is this scene so dramatic… ooooooh right’
Yeah there are literally only three out professional soccer players in the world. Its a HUGE deal.