Rainbow (Ted Lasso)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Episode 5
- "Song 2" by Blur
- "She's a Rainbow" by The Rolling Stones
| "Rainbow" | |
|---|---|
| Ted Lasso episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 5 |
| Directed by | Erica Dunton |
| Written by | Bill Wrubel |
| Featured music |
|
| Cinematography by | Ryan Kernagham |
| Editing by | Melissa McCoy |
| Original release date | August 20, 2021 |
| Running time | 38 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Rainbow" is the fifth episode of the second season of the American sports comedy-drama television series Ted Lasso, based on the character played by Jason Sudeikis in a series of promos for NBC Sports' coverage of England's Premier League. It is the 15th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Bill Wrubel and directed by Erica Dunton. It was released on Apple TV+ on August 20, 2021.
The series follows Ted Lasso, an American college football coach, who is unexpectedly recruited to coach a fictional English Premier League soccer team, AFC Richmond, despite having no experience coaching soccer. The team's owner, Rebecca Welton, hires Lasso hoping he will fail as a means of exacting revenge on the team's previous owner, Rupert, her unfaithful ex-husband. The previous season saw Rebecca change her mind on the club's direction and working with Ted to save it, although the club is relegated from the Premier League. In the episode, Isaac's role as leader of the club is questioned, prompting Ted to ask Roy for help. Meanwhile, Nate asks Keeley and Rebecca for help in getting a specific reservation for a restaurant.
The episode received positive reviews, with critics praising the episode's ending and performances. However, some criticized the episode's failure in properly exploring previous storylines. For his performance in the episode, Brett Goldstein won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Nate (Nick Mohammed) arrives at his parents' favorite restaurant to reserve a window table for their anniversary, but the hostess tells him they can't reserve that table and instead offers one in the back. He tries to use his connection to Roy (Brett Goldstein) to get it, but fails.
AFC Richmond loses another game, with the club blaming captain Isaac (Kola Bokinni) for his poor leadership. This prompts Ted (Jason Sudeikis) to ask Roy for help. Roy brings Ted and Isaac to a soccer field near his childhood home. He reminds Isaac that football is a game and he must have fun while playing, so Isaac joins in with the local players. Meanwhile, Keeley (Juno Temple) is promoting a dating app called Bantr, which is the club's new sponsor. Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) uses the app and makes an intriguing contact.
Rebecca and Keeley also advise Nate on his desire for the restaurant window table, encouraging him to be more assertive in making his request. When Nate arrives at the restaurant with his parents, he is once again sent to the table in the back. After talking with himself in the restroom mirror, he confidently tells the hostess that he wants the window table. She gives him the table but declines his request for her number.
Back on the pitch, Isaac's enthusiasm and enjoyment have returned. Ted offers Roy a chance to return to Richmond as a coach, but Roy feels his football days are behind him. The next day, AFC Richmond prepares for another game, with Isaac now believing in himself and his team. While talking on Soccer Saturday, Roy laments how the other commentators judge players without really knowing them or helping them to be better. Acknowledging that he misses being part of the team, he walks off the show and rushes to the stadium, where the crowd cheers his arrival. Roy accepts Ted's coaching offer, although Nate is clearly unhappy with the decision.
Development
Production
The episode was directed by Erica Dunton and written by executive producer Bill Wrubel. This was Dunton's first directing credit, and Wrubel's first writing credit for the show.[1]
Writing
According to Brett Goldstein, the writers always intended Roy to coach at AFC Richmond for the season. He also added, "More the discussion was how long we could hold it off, how long could we keep Roy away from Richmond without it being an issue."[2]
