Summary
“New Underwear” brings closure for the Ted who had a cloud over his head in an emotional chapter.
This recap of Apple TV+s Ted Lasso season 1, episode 5, “New Underwear” contains significant spoilers.
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The opening of Ted Lasso season 1, episode 5, “New Underwear”
Ted bumps his head on the way in and talks to Rebecca in her office. He tells her it feels good to laugh again and brings up his marital problems; his wife always questions his persistent optimism. Rebecca realises that Ted is opening up because she told him about her ex-husband. The pair are slowly becoming good friends. But that goes against Rebecca’s plans…
Jamie moves on within 24 hours
The next day, Keeley visits Jamie and he’s already sleeping with someone else. She tells Jamie that he’s helped her justify the decision to break up with him. Jamie is so naive that he says, “You’re welcome, I like to make people feel better”. Keeley agrees to take Jamie to the promo later. Later on, Rebecca offers Keeley a job.
The family shows up
At training, Ted’s wife and young boy visit him and he’s very excited. Meanwhile, Higgins tells Rebecca that the match will not sell out this weekend; Rebecca believes it is going well because they are moving closer to relegation. Ted takes his family to a pub for a drink and something to eat. There are clearly still problems between Ted and his wife Michelle. You can feel it. But regardless, the family enjoys their time together.
Roy and Keeley? Maybe
Jamie is already trying to get Keeley back but she rejects him. Roy tells Keeley that it’s a smart move choosing not to hang out with Jamie. Keeley asks Roy if she has to text him every time she needs to make a decision. It’s difficult to see if they are flirting with each other but there’s something there.
Marriage problems
Ted Lasso season 1, episode 5 shows the extent of Ted’s personal problems.
The next day, Ted finds Michelle crying and he asks her what is wrong. She is struggling because she doesn’t feel the same about him but she states she’ll keep on trying. Afterward, he talks to Nate and Beard about his challenging marriage.
Before a game starts, Jamie tells Ted that the crowd only cares about him. Ted’s son then comes in and asks Jamie to sign his shirt. Ted is struggling to keep his cool at Jamie’s lack of respect for him and the team. He’s ready to blow.
Benching Jamie
The game doesn’t start well as Richmond is 2-1 down at the start. Jamie scores and keeps celebrating and mouthing “Me”, making it all about him. One of their players gets injured and Roy tells Jamie to look after his teammates and a scrap starts in the middle of the field. Both players are booked. Roy tells Sam to act likes he’s really hurt but carry on so the crowd cheers. Jamie scores again and it’s 2-2 but he celebrates on his own again and the team is divided.
Ted wants to do something controversial and bench Jamie; he checks with Rebecca first. The crowd boo at the decision.
The speech
In the locker room, Roy tells all the players to listen to Ted. Ted tells his players that they are broken and it needs to change; he breaks into an emotional and motivational speech about change being brave. Parts of his speech is about Michelle but he blags it and says it is all about football. On the way out, he slaps the “Believe” sign. “New Underwear” is finally showing why Ted is a coach. He’s good at it.
The ending of Ted Lasso season 1, episode 5, “New Underwear”
In the second half, the team go up to 3-2 and win the game. Rebecca does not look amused but everyone else is elated. Roy approaches Ted and says, ‘It took balls what you did”. He finally has Roy’s respect. The crowd is chanting “W*nker” differently — it’s admiration.
Ted tells Michelle about the first time they met and not knowing what was going to come. Meanwhile, Roy and Keeley catch each other in the car park and there’s a brief acknowledgment between them; an attraction. Ted tells Michelle she doesn’t need to keep trying anymore and that he’s going to be okay. Michelle tells Ted that he isn’t quitting, he’s just letting her go. The pair hug it out in the rain and then his family leaves.
Ted sits down on a bench and Beard gives him a beer. Episode 5 brings closure for the Ted who had a cloud over his head in an emotional chapter.
