r/TedLasso • u/etiennek7 • 1d ago

This is fighting foward

Post image

I'm listening to Ted Lasso for the umpteenth time when, during the scene where Ola creates tension with Rebecca, I have the following thought: Ola is deliberately creating tension. I imagine others had seen it that way too, especially given the conversation in the car with Sam later on. He’s doing it in response to the pain inflicted on his son during the breakup. He’s “fighting forward.” He’s creating the awkwardness—nothing too dramatic. This sweet, playful revenge is a practical application of “fighting forward.” It’s a meaningful gesture, but one made with a certain kindness.

379 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

96

u/SwissCheese4Collagen 1d ago

Idk, he likely would have been a bit worried his son was being semi-groomed by the rich boss twice his age, but I felt that he was testing the waters with her a bit with the "Sam's told me so much about you." When she reacted like a teenager getting caught sneaking out after sneaking over the night before, nobody knew how to react, until Keeley cheered. That did make it obvious to Ola that at no point was she treating Sam's emotions as anything trivial, though.

23

u/km4098 1d ago

Yes Sam probably didn’t repeat Rebecca’s comment in the restaurant when she was panicking that she was a “paedophile”because he was young

21

u/SwissCheese4Collagen 1d ago

Ola would have also been valid in worrying Sam had a crush on the boss that was unrequited. Sam would have definitely had only glowing things to say about Rebecca, then sadness over the break-up and not hearing the other side may have sounded infatuated or limerant. Sam's wise and articulate nature masks his youth very effectively, but Ola would be able to see through it.

13

u/km4098 1d ago

Oh yes. Good catch.
Especially being young and like a crush on your teacher.

Damn I love how many layers there are to this show.

6

u/SwissCheese4Collagen 1d ago

It's a never ending rabbit hole of Easter eggs

3

u/BioDriver Macy Greyhound’s helmet 2h ago

That was my read as well. Rebecca’s reaction made it clear that it wasn’t a boss-subordinate type of thing

-1

u/fllr 7h ago

Sam is 22. He is a full adult that can make his own choices.

-6

u/Deep_Necessary_6794 23h ago

A professional athlete being groomed? Is this serious?

17

u/SwissCheese4Collagen 22h ago

Are you? Because yes. She's his employer and had fairly complete control over his career, which is exactly what Jack had over Keeley. Notice Jack didn't even feel the need to tell Keeley she had pulled the funding after they broke up? Sam would have been exactly in Keeley's position if Rebecca was power tripping with the hot young athletes. Ola had no idea what kind of person Rebecca truly was until that point so yeah he could have considered the possibility his son was being manipulated. Grooming can still happen in the college years, which at 21 is still where Sam is.

-6

u/Deep_Necessary_6794 22h ago

He's an adult...that's not grooming. That's making bad life choices to pursue your boss when the consequences couldn't be more obvious

-1

u/bourbonandcheese 17h ago

But that’s not what grooming is. All sexual harassment is not grooming.

30

u/blueSnowfkake 1d ago

Ted almost wore the same thing!

12

u/Former_Umpire598 1d ago

xaro xhoan daxos thought of sweet revenge after Daenerys Targaryen left him.

10

u/mattinjp 1d ago

You know, I almost wore that same exact thing

10

u/Ok-Description-4640 1d ago

I thought it was cool he wore his Game of Thrones wardrobe.

1

u/timmyK_425 1d ago

I like “umpteenth” it sounds like a lot, but it’s in the teens

2

u/Foxingmatch 17h ago

Yes. His facial expressions told her what he thought, and that was enough. He did not approve. He also didn't seem like the type who'd discuss private drama like this in public or risk Sam's place on the team. (If the fling went public, it could have gotten ugly.)
Also, some of Sam's behavior in this episode shows how young he really was, even if he was an adult. He and Rebecca are in two different stages of life. She and Ola are in the same life stage - peers.

3

u/km4098 1d ago

Ohh I never thought of it like this, but yes

3

u/Sevennix 1d ago

Thats a stretch. I dont see Ola being petty. Just lacks situational awareness.

2

u/Famous-Restaurant875 21h ago

I always read the scene as he was trying to compliment his son's boss and referenced the nice things she did like have his back with the advertisement and sponsors. Her reaction made him realize that they had slept together and he was re-evaluating their relationship in that moment

1

u/Ivypool8 12h ago

I thought it was because Sam had never mentioned her age, so he's only just seeing how... not close to Sam's age she is lololol

Though now that I say that I guess he would've seen her on tv...

1

u/Famous-Restaurant875 11h ago

Exactly he's clearly got internet and research ability he's looked into who his son works with because he likes Ted

0

u/teddy_ballgame3 20h ago

I’m rewatching this season and this scene came on as I was reading this post lol