The Roy Kent And Jamie Tartt Friendship Has Become The Best Part Of Ted Lasso Season 3
This post contains spoilers for the latest episode of "Ted Lasso" season 3.
There were several reasons to emit an "aww" or two during episode 6 of the new season of "Ted Lasso," but none more than the scenes between Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) and Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster). In what might be one of the best enemies-to-lovers-esque arcs out there, Roy and Jamie have gone from absolutely loathing one another in season 1 to being nearly as simpatico as they come, forming a bond founded on vulnerability and trust. No surprises here, but it's been the best part of season 3 so far.
Season 3 of "Ted Lasso" got off to a shaky start, but the connection these guarded yet uniquely goofy footballers have started to cultivate continued to be a major highlight in episode 6. Things really seemed to blossom between them as they both revealed very personal things to one another as they spent the day and night in Amsterdam together without the team.
Roy opened up about the fact that his lack of bike-riding knowledge stemmed from the childhood loss of his grandfather, who was supposed to teach him. Jamie himself later revealed — on a bike ride during which he taught Roy to ride, and not without a struggle, bless him — that his father brought him to the city to bond with him when he was a child during a tumultuous time in his parents' relationship. The trip was actually a vehicle to "gift" Jamie with a chance to lose his virginity in the red light district. A few years later, he and his mother returned without his father, after he left them for good.
A friendship that will soothe their souls
The former Richmond player also admitted that he tends to take his negative emotions out on Jamie, whether or not the player deserves it. It's an astute and brave thing to acknowledge and admit, and Jamie's own admissions are just as crushing and courageous. It's an obvious benchmark of character development for both of them, but even more, it's an obvious bit of levity for two people who are used to holding it all in.
These moments of openness led me to realize how a friendship in which they could truly open up was a major missing piece in both of these gentle characters' lives. They're both victims of the notion that the world doesn't allow men to be emotional and vulnerable, on top of the fact that professional athletes are held up to be pillars of unwavering strength. Emotions are just not in their perceived DNA. They're the definition of Men, and men don't, or at least aren't supposed to, cry.
In the season 3 tradition of giving these characters what they need, the platonic connection building between them is exactly the kind of relationship that is going to soothe each of their souls. Roy is going to learn the value of friendship and what it can really do for his heart — and that he doesn't need a romantic partner to find the vulnerability he's sharing with Jamie. As for Tartt, he's coming to see his own self-worth in the work he does with Roy, which is only going to expand as they grow closer as people. It's going to be really beautiful to see where they end up together.
Season 3 of "Ted Lasso" airs weekly on Wednesdays via Apple TV+.