At Keeley's office, the second episode of Ted Lasso's third season commences with Barbara meticulously outlining crucial payments and their respective deadlines. As Keeley proposes a staff picnic, Barbara remains unenthused. Upon exiting, Keeley attempts a cordial farewell to her colleagues, yet the silence is deafening. It's evident that Keeley struggles to establish a bond with Barbara and the rest of the team.
Suddenly, Ted bursts into Rebecca's office, his morning cheerfulness filling the air. He finds Rebecca, Keeley, Leslie, and Trent Crimm in a huddle. The journalist reveals his intention to shadow the club this season and chronicle their journey in a book. Rebecca leaves the decision to Ted, her manager, yet Keeley, Leslie, and she shake their heads disapprovingly behind Trent's back. Nonetheless, Ted nods eagerly and welcomes Trent on board.
Just then, Leslie receives news of Zava, the renowned footballer, leaving Juventus for the Premier League. Inspired by his wife's admiration for the Richmond office, the world-class striker desires to join their ranks. They debate whether to pursue his signature, ultimately deciding to make a move. Trent inquisitively asks Rebecca if her motivation stems from Rupert's quest to sign him for West Ham, and she confirms as much.
Outside, Ted catches up with Keeley. He encourages her and her colleagues to step out and bond over some shared activity. Isaac approaches Keeley, inquiring about a potential shoe deal, and she assures him she'll investigate. She then encounters a few other players, including Jamie. As Jamie and Isaac observe Keeley engaging with Roy, Isaac deduces their breakup from their body language.
As they part ways, Jamie seemingly advances towards Keeley but actually approaches Roy. He inquiries if they've indeed parted ways, to which Roy reluctantly confirms. Mistakenly assuming Jamie wants to know if he can pursue Keeley, Roy is startled when Jamie clarifies he merely wished to ensure Roy was okay. Attempting a hug, Roy misinterprets and pushes him back. William, the new kit man, watches the awkward exchange from the sidelines, silently agreeing to keep his lips sealed.
Ted inquisitively approached Coach Beard, seeking his perspective on the enigmatic Zava. Beard, with a knowing nod, led Ted to a viral YouTube clip titled "Veggie Dog Vigilante." The video depicted a tense robbery attempt, where a gun-wielding thief was unexpectedly foiled by a customer's headbutt. To Ted's surprise, that customer was none other than Zava. As the clock chimed 11:11, the two shared a fleeting moment of wishing.
In the locker room's chaotic atmosphere, the players' dispute drew the coaches' attention. Ted revealed that Richmond was keeping a close eye on Zava, and Trent Crimm was penning a book about them. The revelation of Roy and Keeley's breakup sent Beard into a squeal of shock, while Ted barely managed to stay upright. Roy's entrance at that moment only exacerbated the situation, his anger palpable as he insisted he was the one to end the relationship. Ted hastily instructed William to retrieve a breakup-themed mixtape from his apartment.
During a video shoot, Keeley encountered an old friend, Shandy Fine. Shandy expressed her pride in Keeley's independence and success. When the clients demanded an additional 100 people for the shoot, Shandy cleverly suggested using lighting and camera angles to create a sense of a larger crowd. Keeley was thoroughly impressed.
Meanwhile, Rebecca received a call from her mother, informing her that her psychic, Tish, was considering a meeting. Shortly after, Leslie broke the news that Zava was refusing to engage with them, claiming it would be a waste of time and embarrassing. Leslie speculated that Zava had signed with Chelsea instead.
Trent Crimm found himself an island of solitude within the bustling Richmond environment. Despite Ted's gesture of assigning him an office space with Roy, Trent found himself constantly overshadowed. Roy's desk was adorned with cards and gifts, a testament to the well-wishers' sympathy over his breakup. Trent's attempts to make a phone call were interrupted by a barrage of popped balloons, ultimately forcing the caller to abandon the conversation.
Keeley introduced Shandy as the company's newest member to Barbara. Barbara's scrutiny of Shandy's experience and qualifications led to a tense exchange. Keeley boldly confronted Barbara's rudeness, standing firmly in support of Shandy. Inside her office, Keeley admired Barbara's snow globe collection, a testament to her travels with the company. She reminded Barbara of the office's belief in her and proposed that they could extend that same trust to Shandy. Barbara reluctantly acquiesced, officially appointing Shandy as the client relations coordinator. Trent, desperate for a word with Roy, was met with a cold shoulder and a firm refusal.
As the whistle blew, signaling the commencement of the clash against Chelsea, the commentators' prognosis was bleak, predicting a fleeting stay for Richmond in the prestigious Premier League. Meanwhile, at the cozy local pub, Mae and her three companions, Baz, Jeremy, and Paul, gathered with eager anticipation to cheer on their team. Keeley and Rebecca nestled into their seats in the stands, the former glancing nervously at a text from Shandy about mimosa deliveries to the office. Leslie whispered to them about the rumor mill churning that Zava was all but a signed player for Chelsea.
Roy's entrance into the stadium was greeted with a flurry of attention from the Chelsea faithful, who broke into a spirited chant in his honor. The crescendo of cheers reached a fevered pitch as Zava gracefully strode into the stands, igniting the crowd into a frenzy. On the pitch, Dani confessed his jitters to Jamie about playing in the shadow of such a legendary figure, but Jamie remained unfazed.
The game kicked off, yet Richmond's fortunes seemed to be aligned with the commentators' predictions, as Chelsea swiftly notched a goal. At halftime, Leslie spied Rupert engaging in whispered conversation with Zava, a sight that Rebecca found all too familiar. She recounted the tale of how they had met, she behind the bar at a lavish party hosted by Rupert and his wife. His relentless pursuit, from polite invitations to casual conversations, had finally worn her down six weeks later. She had succumbed, feeling charmed and privileged in his orbit.
Inside the dressing room, Ted barked his frustration at the team's timid offensive approach. Jamie whispered a suggestion, but clamped his lips shut as Trent stormed in. Ted pulled Roy aside, his tone grave, urging him to put aside his rivalry with Trent for the greater cause. Roy acquiesced and pulled Trent aside for a private chat. He showed Trent a damning clipping from an article that had savaged Roy's Premier League debut, a brutal assessment that had shattered the then-17-year-old's confidence. Trent confessed that he had penned the piece, seeking to carve a niche for himself with a controversial take, but now realized his error. They reconciled, and Roy lifted the ban on players speaking in Trent's presence. Jamie pointed out a tactical opportunity, noting that Chelsea's players were neglecting to mark Richmond's passing lanes, a weakness they could exploit.
Leslie's well-informed contacts have verified that Zava might indeed be gravitating towards West Ham. Determined, Rebecca sets out to charm the star player herself, but her path is abruptly blocked by Zava's formidable security detail. At this juncture, Rupert arrives, boasting about Nathan's prowess as a manager. As Zava emerges, Rupert smoothly introduces the two. As Rupert departs, Rebecca reflects that Richmond once held a special place in Rupert's heart, but he now deems it outdated.
In a fit of rage, Rebecca storms into the men's bathroom and unleashes a scathing tirade against Zava, accusing him of choosing West Ham solely for its grandeur and perceived invincibility. She derides him as overrated, suggesting he wouldn't have made such a choice if he truly wanted to demonstrate his greatness.
The second half of the match unfolds brilliantly for Richmond. Their strategic maneuvers pay dividends, culminating in a goal scored right in front of Dani's face, drawing the game with Chelsea.
As they exit the field, the Chelsea manager makes a stunning announcement: Zava is to be their newest signing. He even hands him the paperwork and pen, ready for Zava to sign in front of the eager reporters. But Zava shocks everyone, declaring he has changed his mind. He will join Richmond instead. Rebecca and the rest are stunned, yet elated, while Rupert stands disappointed. The team rejoices, with one exception—Jamie.
Back in the office, Coach Beard makes his exit, leaving Ted and Trent to reflect on the tumultuous week. Ted inquiries about Roy's feelings upon returning to Chelsea, and Roy confesses a mix of sadness and regret. He reminisces about his final season with the Blues, recalling the team's successes but his own lackluster performance, which haunted him throughout the season. He chose to quit rather than await a possible demotion, but now, a part of him wonders if he should have just stayed and savored the moment. But, as Ted observes, that's not who Roy is—not yet.
