Ted Lasso “Two Aces” Spoilers Ahead
Ted Lasso’s sixth episode, “Two Aces,” is (pun intended) aces. We could spend this entire review just breaking the sacrificial curse scene down because it’s what this show is best at covering—vulnerability in the most unexpected way.
The aftermath of Ted’s conversation with his wife means that there are a lot more heightened emotions, which frankly is riveting because this is what makes Ted so human despite the constant optimism that can feel too good to be true.
“Two Aces” delivers on its title by touching on just what it means to be a team player—sometimes, it’s showing up and trying: other times, it’s saying “f the haters.” Ted is still good, wholesome, and all those things, but Ted is also human, and he’s going through something. He’s going to be on edge, he’s going to be frustrated, and most unfortunately, he’s suppressing so much to which Beard clarifies to Nate that he’s anything but okay.
Human Sunshine Dani Rojas Is Here
Technically “Two Aces” refers to Dani and Jamie, but I feel like it should refer to the two sunshine players, Dani and Sam. No offense, Jamie. This is the episode where he makes the most progress, and it’s exemplary because it essentially emphasizes that softness isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength.
Dani is an excellent player, but he’s an excellent person because of the fact that he is also soft. And that very softness is the same thing that makes Ted so comforting as a character because his benevolence is the very strength that makes his vigor hit so hard.
When he’s sticking it to Jamie in the locker room because of practice, it hits because if you’ve made someone as warm as Ted angry, then that’s where you’ve screwed up, and in this episode, Phil Dunster makes sure that we see that the cracks in Jamie are starting to really ache.
Two Aces, One Lifted Curse
While we’ve discussed just how impactful Jamie’s sacrifice to the curse bin actually represents, it’s the detail that Ted allows these things to happen because he’s a character who boldly welcomes vulnerability.
Grown men don’t want to admit to things like believing in voodoo, but clearly, after Dani’s accident, said grown men admit to the fact that they’re worried, and through Roy and Jamie, we get fascinating stories about their childhoods.
It’s also great that Sam is the one to ask Rebecca to join them because she is part of the team. When Rupert was in charge, the club and everything else was his, but the team today wants Rebecca to understand that she is a part of this story. They want her there.
Speaking of Sam, I love that what he chooses to place in the bin is a photo from the 1994 World Cup when Nigeria won, and he planned to hold onto it until he made the team one day, but even though he’s sacrificing it, he still plans to.
Through these sacrifices, “Two Aces” ultimately shows that even though almost everyone on this team isn’t where they thought they’d be right now, they’ll get there someday. Because as mentioned in “Tan Lines,” belief is at the forefront of this show’s spirit. No curse, even 400 ghosts can’t stand in the way of belief.
Keeley and Rebecca and Breaking the News
Keeley comes in to check on Rebecca after the media calls her “old Rebecca,” and once again, this friendship proves that it is everything. It’s everything because it’s honest and it’s sincere, and it’s purely about the importance of a support system. The importance of knowing that together, they’re also two aces.
Rebecca needed Keeley to be the one to break the news to her because, frankly, if it were anyone else, I have a hard time believing she’d burn the article if it didn’t come from someone whose support in her is so fervent.
The Transfer to Manchester
Right as it seems like Ted has made some progress, the universe decides it’s time for a transfer (or as we learn, Rebecca does). But this doesn’t change the fact this sacrifice meant something to all of them, and the showcase of vulnerability in opening up gave each of them a moment for this to all feel like something they needed.
Something that would result in an even bigger avalanche where they work more effectively as a team.
At the end of the day, this team and this showcase is all for tangible growth and change. “Two Aces” reminds the audience of the fact that softness is a strength and that teamwork really makes the dream work. On any other show, I’d scream enough with the metaphors, but on Ted Lasso, it works. It always works.
Ted Talks and Further Thoughts
- “He’s like a joyous raven-haired golden retriever.” When I say Ted Lasso is the male version of Leslie Knope, this is what I mean. They are the only two who can come up with compliments like this.
- Keeley and Roy on that treadmill? Bye. I have been compromised.
- Also, how is Roy still not done reading A Wrinkle in Time? Or is he rereading it as much as we rewatch this show?
- “I don’t love the word bury” Truth, Ted. I don’t either.
- The shot of Ted taking off his wedding ring hurts.
- I love the fact that they had to go to The Crown and Anchor in order to have Mae explain the story behind the treatment room.
- The team all drinking together then singing after they’ve burned everything? Wholesome, precious. And the scene of Rebecca walking away? Aces.
- Ted being so mad at the fact that this is the best batch of biscuits he’s made, but Jamie’s gone. Again, only Ted Lasso can pull this off.
- R.I.P. Cindy Clawford Higgins, the Cat
What are your thoughts on Ted Lasso’s “Two Aces?”
For more on this episode, be sure to check out our breakdown of Jamie’s sacrifice. Scene Breakdown: Jamie Tartt’s Subtle Sacrifice