#Jamie's Metas | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sylvies-chen · 1 year

Text

my mother said something really interesting about this episode (yes, she also watches the show and is a huge fan of dani rojas just like me) and it’s been stuck in my head ever since. she said: “it seems to me like this whole episode was about intimacy”

and like… yeah! that’s exactly it! the amsterdam trip set the perfect scene for it too, because people are normally a little more lax on vacation, a little more adventurous, a little more lenient and able to put themselves out there.

you have the pretty obvious contenders for this point: rebecca having her little fling with that nameless bald man and learning to open herself up to real connection and intimacy again, to be able to envision for herself a life and a love that is unmoored to her past with rupert and is able to exist in its own little intimate pocket. you’ve got jamie and roy learning to trust in each other, to be intimate and vulnerable about their pasts and about their present situations too (especially for roy, who is still right now a man who would rather break up with the woman he loves that admit, that he doesn’t think he’s good enough for her). and you also have, of course, the true soul of the episode, which was colin and trent’s discussion, and how colin feels that ache to be able to show the more intimate parts of him to the world the way heterosexual couples do, to be able to merge his intimate personal life with his fun if not a little reserved professional life. how to achieve a balance between intimacy and privacy.

and then you have the less obvious ones maybe, like higgins and will going to the jazz club— which isn’t really that hard to decipher when you think about it. it is, after all, where higgins opens up about an intimate detail of his love for jazz, and then gets to share his previously very intimate and private activity of playing the bass with the crowd. he even starts the night complaining of how exposed their seats feel, and ends up standing on the stage by the end of it. and, of course, will potentially had a threesome. so there’s a kind of intimacy for you. the one that truly isn’t obvious is the team pillow fight which honestly, I think is just a way of showing that sometimes a more intimate, fun yet indoor activity makes for better memories than something like a sex show or a club, which are both very grand and exciting yet impersonal and detached kinds of activities.

then of course you have ted, who is sort of lacking what my mother called an intimacy with himself. he’s been feeling a little lost, a little “stuck” as he put it. and I don’t think he understood why until this episode, until this adventure he went on with the museum and the american themed restaurant. it was a way for him to spend quality time with himself, to be alone with his thoughts while still not totally unable to absorb his surroundings and learn something. and in exploring his more intimate thoughts he was able to think of something really good! something that will make him a better coach!

and yeah, when it’s framed in this way I think this episode was sooooo killer. I love seeing people open up a little bit, to show these deep and intimate parts of their being. it’s so so so good.

#ted lasso spoilers #ted lasso #ted lasso meta #abby liveblogs #rebecca welton #dani rojas #roy kent #jamie tartt #colin hughes #trent crimm

2K notes · View notes

thetarttfuldickhead · 1 year

Text

Everything about Jamie getting Roy his gift is fucking me up.

I mean, the fact that he did it at all? From failing to bring a Secret Santa gift because he didn’t know that he had to, to putting all this time and effort into finding the perfect present for Roy, all because some random girl invited him to a made-up holiday and oh, you have to bring him a gift as well?

The black on black on black wrapping. Not what Jamie would go for personally, but this isn’t for Jamie, is it, this is for Roy, and so he wraps it accordingly.

How he starts to explain the gift before Roy has even finished opening it. He is just so fucking nervous that Roy won’t get it.

And then, finally and fucking heartbreakingly, there’s the way his face starts to fall as Roy just stares at him without saying anything after Jamie explains how he got them to change the ‘e’ for an ‘u’, because Jamie certainly didn’t mean this as an insult; it is a joke but the joke’s not on Roy, it’s between them but what if Roy doesn’t like it? What if he’s actually offended? (Sublime acting there from Phil Dunster, but what else is new.)

Only Roy does like it. Loves it. And Jamie’s smile is relieved is pleased is shy is yeah fucking nailed it.

#you really did jamie #these two they're driving me INSANE #jamie tartt #roy kent #ted lasso #3x10 #ted lasso spoilers #meta #my stuff

1K notes · View notes

expectopatronum-spell · 11 months

Text

How is no one talking about Jamie’s dad right now??

In a show that’s ostensibly about forgiveness, there were two notable exceptions until s03s10: Rupert (aka The Devil) and James Tartt Sr. (aka that abusive piece of shit). And we were OK with those exceptions, because their actions really do seem unforgivable.

But then the show takes “everyone deserves a second chance” to an extreme, because they really mean EVERYONE.

Not just the woman who hired to as an elaborate scheme and set up up for failure.

Not just the man who wrote an article outing your mental health issues to the world.

Not just the man who shared said mental health issues with a journalist in the first place.

Not just the man who stole your car after you took him in.

But also the serial cheater who bought a whole ass football club just to antagonize his ex wife. If he is willing to apologize and work on himself, he deserves forgiveness. Doesn’t mean Rebecca has to take him back, but they both get to live their lives without hatred weighing them down.

And also the abusive father who was still hurting his son as recently as last year. Now, let me be clear on this, Jamie doesn’t EVER have to repair his relationship with his dad. Even if his dad is clearly getting the help he needs and comes out of that facility a changed man. But he can let go over his hatred and they can both move on.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean taking back the person who hurt you (although it does allow that). It means setting you both free of that hurt.

#the themes of forgiveness in this show #I can’t even #ted lasso #ted lasso spoilers #Jamie Tartt #Jamie’s dad #meta

1K notes · View notes

narniangirl1994 · 11 months

Text

I did not like Jamie and Roy being weirdly sexist about Keeley and physically fighting one another over her, only to have no real conclusion to that storyline. First of all, they handled their jealousy over Keeley better in previous seasons when the two of them were rivals and had a lot of growing to do... which makes it seem like they randomly regressed in this episode after they've both matured and become friends. Which is just stupid.

And second of all, the dialogue was so sexist and uncomfortable at times, like Jamie using the video Keeley previously made for him as proof they were meant to be together, when that video is irrelevant to the topic at hand and led to her getting hurt earlier this season (which Jamie is well aware of). It's a gross thing to brag about. Or how Roy thought he had any right to tell Jamie to back off and acted like a one night stand was proof he and Keeley would definitely get back together.

Or how the two guys said they would 'let her' decide which of them she wanted to be with, without an ounce of self awareness about how sexist and presumptuous that was until she kicked them out of her house. But then, that was the end of it. No other conversations or conclusions to that conflict other than some vague background moments with no dialogue that may or may not have been a dream sequence.

What was the point of all the buildup of their intertwined relationships throughout the entire show if the payoff was going to be so... empty and unconcluded?

Don't get me wrong, I don't think any of them should have gotten together this soon, since Roy really needs to work on himself emotionally and Keeley needs to have some time to herself and focus on other areas of her life right now. Jamie is arguably in the best place for a relationship, but wouldn't have a partner ready for him in either (or both) of them right now. And I'm glad at least the stupid fight seemed to spark a realization in Roy that he had more growing to do.

But while I didn't need the three of them to declare their love for each other in the finale, I'm disappointed with the weirdly possessive, jealous behavior from Roy and Jamie as well as the lack of any real resolution, and think all of these characters deserved better after everything they've been through together and the growing they've all done.

#tedd lasso spoilers #ted lasso #roykeeleyjamie #roy kent #jamie tartt #keeley jones #ted lasso negativity #ted lasso meta #ted lasso finale

913 notes · View notes

atorionsbelt · 11 months

Text

the idea of roy and jamie starting their fight at the bar, not over keeley, but rather as an excuse for a brash exchange of physical contact to distract from the shared fear of their relationship changing if either of them end up with her….. they’ve never ever spoken with such vitriol or swapped personal jabs to this degree, even while rivals. and it’s directly because now, this time they have something to lose between them. an evolved intimacy and closeness building beyond either of their expectations. reverting back to their clash of reciprocal vexed rage almost serves as a nostalgic reminder of how enduring this bond is. that roy and jamie can both contain multitudes; growth and destruction, kindness and brutality. baring the ugliest unlovable layers of themselves is an act of vulnerability in itself. it’s an unspoken language, reserved only for them. we still have this right? we’re still here? you can see the worst of me and i can see the worst of you. you can see all of me, and you won’t leave like everyone else. it’s unconditional love.

#lil character study where i break my own heart #‘they’re livid that they love each other so much’ phil you’ve killed me #ted lasso #jamie tartt #roy kent #royjamie #roy x jamie #jamie x roy #jamieroy #op #meta

482 notes · View notes

lunar-years · 11 months

Text

Okay. Let's talk Jamie and Roy getting beers and being idiots.

I know we are all still processing that whirlwind of a finale. I'm understanding that a lot of people hate the Roy & Jamie scene because it is 1) backslide-y (true) 2) they treat Keeley like a prize to be won (true) and 3) it's OOC (I actually disagree with this one, but I can understand why it's complicated). I want to start off by saying I completely see where this opinion is coming from and I respect everyone who just hates the scene because it shows normally kind characters being very unkind to each other etc. This is less me arguing against that as it is me trying to articulate (at great length, sorry) why it not only worked for me, but I genuinely liked it.

I like to think I strike a balance between loving everything the show has done and hating overwhelmingly on a show I claim to enjoy, but sure, you could definitely argue that I'm just giving my favorite characters the benefit of the doubt, or making excuses for them, because they're my favorite characters. I'll admit I'm historically very forgiving of all the main characters' many fuck-ups on Ted Lasso, but that's because I think the show works best when it emphasizes how kindness, forgiveness, friendship and love can still operate between imperfect, flawed people. I like seeing them make realistic mistakes much more than I like everyone handling everything perfectly, I'll bite.

So, back to Jamie and Roy. I enjoyed their finale plot because despite them making a world of mistakes, the regression felt very, very human. I don't agree at all with the take that this somehow erased all the progress they've made this season or the friendship the show has lovingly crafted between them. In fact, I think this actively reiterated it! (Note: I am operating with my ot3 goggles on at all times, so I'm going to write this with that at least partially in mind, but I think the gist of it works even if you ignore the bits that get a little shippy.)

For both Jamie and Roy, Keeley and their love for her is a major beacon guiding them. I think that is the crisp, clear thing in both of their heads this episode: Keeley is the love of my life. And they both believe that wholeheartedly, and they both want to be with her. (and it's goofy to pretend this came out of nowhere for Jamie/since when is Jamie still in love with her/etc. because he literally told her and us this last season and nothing that has happened since has indicated otherwise, btw.) But there's also something else now, which is their relationship with each other, battling with their Keeley thoughts. It's like, in Roy's head, for instance, I imagine there are two wolves: on the one hand he loves Keeley, and wants to be with her, and plans to win back her heart. On the other hand, there's his love and care for Jamie Tartt, which is much less defined and inarticulate and maybe still a little repressed, but just as overpowering. His love for Keeley feels so simple and clear in comparison, while his love for Jamie is something complicated and unsure, and in this episode, he's leaning hard into the first to avoid unpacking the second.

So Roy starts off strong. He sees Jamie with Keeley in the hallway and he doesn't flip out!! Instead, he approaches Jamie calmly, and invites him out for beers. Think about how different this is from his reaction to Jamie's love confession to Keeley in season 2. This is Roy's growth in action, and it's a resounding sign of just how important Jamie is to Roy now. Even when he is feeling jealous of the woman he loves potentially leaving him behind for a man he loves (a completely natural reaction, let's be so real, if not a "good" one), he also knows that for as much as he wants to be with Keeley, he doesn't want to lose his friendship with Jamie.

As for Jamie, I know some people took his reaction and subsequent response to Nate's question as like, shock at the realization that he and Roy are actually friends now, which I agree is something that had to have come earlier in the timeline (what was Mom City if not that) and would seem very out of place at this point. What I saw it as instead was Jamie's brain more just. sort of short-circuiting? Because: holy shit isn't this the best day ever? First Keeley agreed to go to Brazil with me and now Roy is asking me on a date for beers? this is so sound. This invite is out of place behavior from Roy even within the parameters of their friendship, because they still have a match to win and Roy has banned Jamie from beers as part of his training and despite them being close now I find it hard to believe that Roy often comes up to him right there in dressing room to ask him to grab a beer with no pretense.

Therefore, they're already walking into that bar in completely different head-spaces. Jamie isn't planning to discuss Keeley, and for Roy that is his major intention behind the evening. Jamie is nervous and downing his beer, and Roy is internally panicking, I'm imagining, over when and how to bring Keeley up. I think Roy is thinking: Well, I don't intend to stop pursuing Keeley, I genuinely don't want Jamie's feelings to be hurt when I get back together with her (and yes, it is a huge presumption for him to assume Keeley's going to eventually take him back. But I think it's also an understandable one), so I've got to tell Jamie I care about him, and that I'm going to keep going after Keeley, and he needs to be okay with that so that this won't get in the way of our friendship, which I also desperately need and am unwilling to give up. In his mind, Jamie is of course going to accept all of this, because Roy and Keeley are soulmates, which Jamie will clearly recognize deep down because it is so obvious and right and anyway, Jamie always does what Roy tells him to do (again, this is all misguided thinking. But we can see how Roy's anxious little brain that's bad at processing feelings and holding space for emotions could get himself here, can't we?).

So again, we start off strong with Roy saying he's proud of Jamie and them both thanking one another. But then Roy's blurting out nonsense about how Jamie just needs to pull himself out of the running and just let Roy be with Keeley. Which is obviously not on. And Jamie responds, simply, with No. I'd argue this is also a huge step for Jamie. Jamie really doesn't tell Roy no anymore, he doesn't tell anyone no. Jamie has spent so much of his time since coming back to Richmond working to be the person everyone around him wants and expects him to be. This is him fighting for something he wants for once, doing what is best for him. It was a fabulous progression to see. In the moment, boy does it work Roy up, because why is Jamie not agreeing with me, Jamie always agrees with me? but obviously at this point, Jamie is in the right. His relationship with Keeley was no less meaningful than Roy's just because Roy says it was, Roy doesn't have any claim on her, and there's no real reason Jamie should not try and shoot his shot with Keeley if Roy is going to do the same.

Here's where things start to spiral. Established flaws we know about Roy: he's competitive. He's bad at voicing his feelings productively. And he is territorial about the people he loves, a category that safely includes both Jamie and Keeley at this point in time, for better and sometimes worse. Yes, his next actions are grossly possessive over Keeley, yes Roy has made a lot of effort over the past year to do and be better than that, to break free of that cycle. But look, it's not a linear process. He's going to still mess up, and he does here. In fact he's downright mean, weaponizing Keeley against Jamie and throwing having sex with Keeley a month ago into Jamie's face, bragging about it, boasting. Same old cycle, same old patterns of ego-driven, prideful mistakes.

Which promptly prompts Jamie to also fuck up by bringing up the leak. It's a concentrated response intended to get a suitable rise out of Roy, because Roy has really, genuinely hurt him here, and Jamie knows bringing up that video is the one thing that will hurt Roy just as much in turn. It's not the right thing to do, obviously, but again, it's such a human thing to do. Hurt the person who's hurt you right back, even if you're hurting someone else (Keeley) by extension. Mind you, Jamie came here expecting a hangout (/date) with Roy over a rare beer, and instead he got Roy being a complete asshole and lecturing nonsense at him out of seemingly nowhere. He reacts to this change-up, well, not greatly. There is something so messy and emotionally complicated happening here and it hinges on how very much Jamie and Roy care about each other, not negates it.

Keeley, queen that she is, rejects them both out of hand and kicks them out not the curb immediately because they're both being complete idiots, acting like they're so gracious in giving her the honor and privilege of choosing between them. Not to mention they've clearly got something going on between them they haven't worked through and that sure as shit isn't her problem, is it? Keeley (presumably, and I wish we had seen this) calls them out their shit and tosses them right back out the door.

Which leaves Jamie and Roy to lament how they've let their egos get away from them, they've been idiots (which they acknowledge immediately) and decide that now they should go for kebabs, presumably to actually hangout this time, not to interrupt themselves with inflated talk about who "deserves" Keeley more. They both screwed up, they acknowledge it, and all they can do is try again tomorrow, and in the meantime, go on that kebab date.

I guess....I can just see where both of them are coming from? it's not mature behavior, obviously, it's maybe not what we would have liked to have seen from them in the finale episode of the show. But it was regression that I didn't feel impeded their overall progress. Roy in particular was being a complete dick about it, but that's why the very next morning he's finally knocking on the Diamond Dogs' door. And honestly, that conversation was heartbreaking. When Roy admitted he'd expected, after a year of putting in the work, to be a whole new person...god. This is a man who still completely hates himself, to the point where he can't quite grasp that he can be better where he's at now, that he doesn't have to transform magically into someone new in order to do right by himself and others. And so he has to consciously determine, once again, to do better, be better.

The message is: change isn't linear, you're going to fuck-up, and fall back into old patterns. What matters is trying every day to do better together, and be better for one another, than you were the day before. That is the meeting point all three sides of the royjamiekeeley triangle were heading towards by the end of the episode.

So yes, it was rushed, because no one gets much screen time in a finale (and the overarching issue with this season anyway is god awful pacing. The last three episodes could've easily been the second half of the season, while the first half of the season was stretched out and largely extraneous). And yes, I would've liked a more thoughtful follow-up conversation between Roy and Keeley or all three of them. My biggest issue was that we didn't get to hear Keeley's voice hardly at all. I would at the very least have liked to have seen her setting them straight at her kitchen table, because turning both of them down signifies very important growth in her, too, and I would've liked exploring that more explicitly. So it wasn't perfect. But I still liked it, I really did.

#ted lasso #ted lasso meta #ted lasso spoilers #roy kent #jamie tartt #royjamie #royjamiekeeley

583 notes · View notes

fanficfanattic · 3 days

Text

Okay, so I just learned something new. Maybe y’all already knew.

But once a player has been subbed off, they can’t play again in that match. At all.

So when Ted benched Jamie, it wasn’t just that he did so with one minute before the half. Which was clearly to Send a Message. It meant he wasn’t playing any more at all that day. So he got 44/90 minutes.

I mean, Jamie stormed off the pitch. So it wasn’t like I had expected him to play in the second half. But he straight up couldn’t have.

I had to check rules over with @abubblingcandle (thanks!). Cause I had wondered if having a different starter for the second half still counted as a substitution. It does! So Jamie wasn’t playing any more whenever it was that Roberts went on.

It is just more obvious (and harsh) to sub him when there was still play on the pitch. More of a statement.

But that being the last game he played for Richmond before the cancellation of his loan was also a statement. Just one that Ted never meant to actually make. Rebecca understood the ramifications though.

Which is part of what really gets me. Ted’s lack of knowledge about British Football did harm to his players. Several second teamers left between season one and two. And their worth was diminished by no longer being Premier League players. 😬😭

#jamie tartt #ted lasso #meta

92 notes · View notes

jamiesfootball · 5 months

Text

Considering the potential ripple effects of Jamie and Roy in Amsterdam.

Of Roy finally opening up to someone about this promise from his granddad that never came true, and how to young Roy it probably seemed such an insignificant thing to complain about — his granddad’s dead, and he’s complaining about how he never learned to ride a bike?

But grief always hides in these small injustices, and Roy was little, and his granddad died, and no one ever taught him how to ride a bike.

And out of pain and frustration, he spits this at Jamie, who takes it in strides and turns it into something tangible and fixable. Jamie who was already willing to offer Roy comfort earlier in the season, who listens when Roy is struggling and gives him this alternative- you don’t want to talk about what’s bothering you. We’ll do this instead, yeah?

Then the very next episode, Roy has a bike. Roy went out and bought himself a bike.

But then there’s Phoebe. Did she know how to ride a bike? Now that Roy knows how, does he teach her? I have to imagine if she already knew how to ride a bike, she would have insisted that Roy learn too, so they could ride bikes together. This makes me think that maybe she also didn’t know how to ride a bike.

So Uncle Roy buys her a bike and spends the weekend teacher her- uh oh, what’s this? Phoebe’s mum also doesn’t know how to ride a bike? Because at the end of the day, she is also Roy’s sister, so if no one taught him then well there’s a chance no one taught her either.

So he buys a third bike. And a helmet, a bright purple one that matches Phoebe’s bright pink one, because they need to make sure Phoebe has good role models when it comes to safety. Then him and Phoebe spend another weekend teaching her how to ride a bike too.

She tells him to piss off when he laughs at her falling into the grass again, but she can’t help but ask, “What’s gotten into you, anyways? What made you decide to up and learn how to ride a bike?”

What a lovely consequence of Roy sharing a drop of the grief that’s burdened him since he was nine.

What an amazing ripple effect of Jamie Tartt staring down his own trauma and trying to be a nicer person despite it all.

That’s three people who might’ve learned how to ride a bike because of him.

#help me I’m having feeeeelings #that post from earlier has nested in my brain #roy kent #phoebe kent #roy kent’s sister #jamie tartt #may repurpose this for fic reasons - I even know where I may put it #(or I would. if I had my bloody laptop charger)#ted lasso meta

156 notes · View notes

jedusaur · 1 year

Text

question: why is Jamie Tartt's obsession with classic rock not a thing in fic? that should be a thing, let's make it a thing

#ted lasso #jamie tartt #fandom #images #my shit #music #meta

641 notes · View notes

schreibfederlaerm · 1 year

Text

i've seen a few posts now about how uncle's day might be a replacement for father's day for Phoebe (since her dad is 'a living piece of shit') and I absolutely love that idea

but also if it's actually happening on the same day as father's day. can you think of anyone else whose dad can also be described as a living piece of shit and who clearly didn't hesitate for a second to join uncle's day? almost as if he too was thrilled to have an excuse not to think about fathers that day? (someone whose not-best-friend talks about him a lot, maybe enough for his niece to have overheard that they both lack fathers worth celebrating? who might have gotten a glittery uncle's day invitation the next day?) yeah <3

#this post was brought to you by the last episode releasing literally the day before father's day in my country #ted lasso #ted lasso spoilers #ted lasso international break #jamie tartt #roy kent #phoebe o'sullivan #ted lasso meta

429 notes · View notes

thefiresofpompeii · 3 months

Text

the composition of this shot... finger pointed at the doctor in accusation, bill is speaking the words but both masters are talking through her, surrounding her as witnesses as she channels their bitterness, their rage, their abandonment. the master waited for him. jack waited for him. older amy in that hospital waited for him. bill waited for him. ashildr-me waited for him. but he always came back too late. the man whose ship's engine noise is a sound that heralds hope wherever it lands left the ones he cared about behind. when hope itself leaves you behind, what redemption could you ever dream of?

#doctor who meta #world enough and time #bill potts #simm master #missy #twissy #thoschei #jamie catches up #twelve #twelfth doctor #tenth doctor #doctor who series 10 #doctor who #dw #jamie.txt #doctor who analysis #tensimm

1K notes · View notes

roykentschesthair · 15 days

Text

Roy Kent is prickly. He can’t help it. He also doesn’t want him to behave the way he’s behaving, he’s working on it, but it’s a complicated process learning that he’s worthy of more than breaking his body down to play a game.

He hates the healing process, he’s never been good at being vulnerable and it feels like a personal attack every time he has to be. He resents it. It infuriates him, and he doesn’t want to do it.

But he does want to hold Jamie’s hand and kiss his forehead and make him smile.

And he wants to be able to support Keeley and show up for her how she needs without bending himself unnaturally in the process.

He wants to keep his friendship with Ted and Beard, and god help him Trent.

He wants to be able to stand solid and strong for his team. To care for them and help them grow

To be able to support Colin if he ever chooses to come out officially even as he won’t be the first, not anymore, (Jamie isn’t subtle and it turns out neither’s Roy, but honestly getting outed because he couldn’t resist slipping a hand down Jamie’s pants at a benefit is a little embarrassing)

He wants to just be calm and happy and content without the constant nagging voice in the back of his head that says he’s not doing enough to keep the people in his life close, that he’s a ticking time bomb of needy, clingy, desperation and the only way to avoid people leaving is to keep them at arms length

(Keeley pulled away at his most vulnerable moment)

It’s the hardest thing he’s ever done, learning how to be a person in his middle age, but Roy Kent is nothing if not stubborn and he’ll conquer this as he has everything else.

* Roy Kent going to therapy and actually healing makes me emotional because every time he’s just a little too vulnerable he gets defensive and grouchy and he is me and I am him, and I just adore this perpetually depressed man and I miss him.

#I don’t think this post makes a ton of sense #it’s meta and story snippet all at once #I don’t know #but therapyRoy is important to me #and i love him #roy kent #ted lasso #jamie tartt #royjamie #roy x jamie #tedlassoedit #they’re in love your honor #jamie x roy

77 notes · View notes

thetarttfuldickhead · 11 months

Text

Still not over this episode and still not over how Roy’s love language might be shouting (I mean, it’s quality time, but okay) but the effort he makes to speak Jamie’s language and accommodate Jamie’s needs in the boot room? Ungh. That’s love, baby. And growth.

The moment Jamie starts crying Roy immediately trails off and switches from shouty love to asking what’s wrong. He nods along as Jamie explains the issue. He lets Jamie squish his face and when Jamie clings to him Roy lets him do that too and immediately moves to put an arm around him. And yeah, it’s very much awkward guy pats, but there’s no hesitation. When Will walks in, Roy doesn’t use that as an excuse to extricate himself from the hug, isn’t at all embarrassed to be seen like this, and once Will leaves there’s no indication Roy’s planning on breaking this up before Jamie is ready to let him go.

Roy is clearly not comfortable in this situation, but I think that his discomfort, much like his heartfelt “fuck”, has more to do with him really not knowing how to handle this than anything else. At a loss, he settles for giving Jamie what Jamie’s asking for, feeling woefully inadequate but staying there, being there. Meeting Jamie where Jamie’s at, and doing the best to be what Jamie needs him to be.

Compare with 3x02 when he reflexively pushed Jamie’s attempt at a hug away – and sure, part of that is probably him still being more comfortable caring for others than being cared for, but part of it is growth; an openness to vulnerability that he very much has picked up from Jamie throughout the season, and now is prepared to deal it. (And part of it is just him being damned fond of Jamie and done trying to deny it, but whatever, no big deal, that’s not driving me insane or anything.)

#not done being a little unhinged about this #and like... jamie's growth is so obvious?#and roy's is less so #but it's still very much happening #roy kent #jamie tartt #roy & jamie #roy/jamie #3x11 #meta #my stuff

465 notes · View notes

wistfulcynic · 1 year

Text

it’s more than a little disturbing to me how many people loudly proclaim how much they hate or don’t care about Nate and his character journey, while with the same breath proclaiming how much they love Jamie’s. “Oh boo hoo, Nate has daddy issues,” i’ve actually seen adult people actually say. “So does Jamie and look at him!”

Similarly: “Nate’s gonna be saved by the love of a woman? How boring and cliche!”

Or: “Nate doesn’t have to be such a jerk. He has Ted as a role model. He should know better!”

to anyone capable of saying that, you’re absolutely right. You don’t care about Nate or his journey and that couldn’t be more obvious. What’s interesting though is why.

because here’s the thing about Jamie, and also about Ted. Two things they have in common--a massive ego and a rock-solid sense of self.

remember Jamie in like the second episode of the whole series? “Coach, I’m me. Why would I want to be anything else?”

yes, Jamie has a shit dad and he’s had a shit time of it in many ways because of his shit dad. But what Jamie has never had to face is a crisis of identity. He knows who he is and he knows his value. He can take hits and come back from them, he can acknowledge his mistakes and learn from them because at his core he still and always has that knowledge that he’s a superstar.

then there’s Ted. Anyone who doubts that Ted is a full-fledged egomaniac, ask yourselves how much confidence it takes to preface every single useful thing you have to say with a meandering, folksy anecdote and be absolutely certain that every single person you speak to is going to not only put up with that but actively listen. That’s the kind of confidence that can only come from a particular kind of privilege, and while Ted also has been through tough times and experienced trauma he's a white man from a place where white men are at the top of every ladder and he has very clearly never doubted who he is or the value he possesses.

Nate can't be Jamie and he can’t be Ted. Not just because it’s ridiculous to expect different humans to behave identically in situations that are only vaguely similar, but because Nate’s core problem isn’t that his dad withholds love or that the hostess at a restaurant is snide to him.

his problem--which incidentally we’ve been shown from the absolute very beginning--is that he doesn’t have any confidence. He doesn’t know who he is, and the who that he thinks he is, is a who he doesn’t especially like. Nate can't be Jamie because to him every mistake he makes reduces his worth, and he doesn’t have that superstar core to shore him up. Nate can’t be Ted because the entirety of his lifetime experience has assured him that no one wants to listen to anything he has to say. Nate can only be Nate because he is Nate, and the only thing that he or any of us can be is ourselves.

and yeah, who Nate is isn’t always especially pleasant. He’s shown he can be mean and he can be spiteful. So what? He’s flawed, as all the characters are. As all humans are. Plenty of us have meanness and spite in us, that doesn’t make us irredeemable monsters. Nate’s journey is about realising his value and finally receiving recognition for it. He’s a clever, capable strategist and a talented coach. Now that he’s finally seeing and being seen for that, he’s finding in himself the capacity to recognise and work on his flaws. Which he is doing. It’s not about getting the girl or finding redemption through the love of a woman. It’s about having the confidence to trust that another human is going to see him and like him for who he is.

Nate isn’t flawed in a sexy asshole way like Jamie or a folksy wholesome way like Ted. He’s flawed in an uncomfortably human way that probably hits too close to home for many people. Jamie and Ted are larger-than-life characters. Nate is one of us. So in a way i guess it’s understandable that people have a harder time forgiving him his trespasses or “caring” about his redemption.

on the other hand, however, you all might want to ask yourselves why you’re so willing to extend endless grace to the hyperconfident white men while offering the anxious brown one none at all.

#ted lasso #ted lasso meta #nate shelley #jamie tartt

449 notes · View notes