Episode 3 of Ted Lasso commences with Colin, fresh from slumber, attired neatly, and descending the stairs to greet his sweetheart, Michael. Their chatter revolves around football, Michael's admitted lack of knowledge in the sport, and his recent adventure in Dubai. With a resolute nod, Colin bids farewell, slips into his car, and mutters to himself that he is a man of steel and stamina, then embarks on his journey.
At the Richmond Training Center, a grand welcome ceremony awaits Zava's arrival. Ted and the coaching staff deliberate on the team's strategic alignment for the upcoming matches. They concur that Zava must occupy the starting lineup, necessitating the exclusion of another player. Beard argues that the casualty must be Colin. The more urgent concern lies in determining whether Dani or Jamie should shift to the midfield. They settle on Dani, considering Jamie's sensitivity to such news. Leslie enters, signaling it's time to commence.
The atmosphere is charged with tension as everyone realizes that Zava's prowess surpasses theirs. As with many conversations in Ted Lasso, this one also finds its way to a musical allusion, with everyone sharing their favorite Julie Andrews character. Roy opts for Maria, Beard for Eliza Doolittle, Leslie and Ted for Mary Poppins, and surprisingly, Trent Crimm declares his preference for the queen of Genovia.
Inside the locker room, the team admires the newly designated space tailored for Zava. They reminisce about his spectacular goals, and Richard remarks that Zava moves like a stealthy panther. Isaac jokingly calls him gay, to which Colin remains unfazed and even joins in the good-natured laughter. Jamie's arrival is soured by the elaborate preparations for Zava, leaving him visibly displeased.
Meanwhile, the press and the public have been eagerly anticipating Zava's appearance, but he remains elusive. Rebecca instructs Leslie to ensure that the contract is properly executed and legally binding. Keeley informs Rebecca that Zava's agent has traced his phone to Mykonos. Shandy, shadowing Keeley for the day, is also present. Rebecca is running late for an appointment but refrains from disclosing its nature to Keeley. Leslie returns, revealing that Zava has electronically signed the contract but opted for a unique signature, simply writing, "You're welcome." Rebecca directs Ted and Keeley to accompany her upstairs while Leslie addresses the gathered crowd.
As Keeley ascended the stairs towards the office, she drew parallels between Zava and the renowned actor Daniel Day-Lewis, emphasizing the need to adapt to accommodate genius. Upon entering Rebecca's office, they found Zava seated in her chair, commanding the space. He introduced himself to Ted, Keeley, and Leslie, and his unique yet refined demeanor left all three thoroughly impressed.
Zava finally met the rest of the team, surveying each member with a nod reserved for Roy. He began by addressing the individual he deemed the most crucial in the room—the kit man. After reminiscing with Will about his time as a ball boy, Zava instructed the team to breathe with him. As they inhaled and exhaled, Zava's exhalation lingered, a prolonged release that seemed to embody his presence. Following this, Zava declared that they were now a unified force.
Leading the team into the coach's room, Zava rearranged the markers on the board, leaving one distinctively apart. He informed the coaches that he would see them the following day, leaving them to ponder over his unconventional display.
Meanwhile, Rebecca embarked on her enigmatic appointment, which revealed itself to be a session with her mother's psychic, Tish. Attempting to ease the tension with a joke about cocktails, Tish soon delved into her predictions. She revealed that she knew of both Rupert and Sam, but it was merely Rebecca's mother's penchant for chatter. Sensing Rebecca's skepticism, Tish confessed that the elder woman had once been a skeptic too. They both placed their hands on a bowl, and Tish described a green matchbook in Rebecca's grasp, a talisman of sorts. She then envisioned thunder and lightning, with Rebecca soaked but upright and safe. Discomfited, Rebecca withdrew her hands and rose to leave. Tish, however, foretold that Rebecca would soon embrace motherhood, a revelation that provoked a furious outburst from the young woman.
Elsewhere, Keeley engaged in conversation with Richmond players, cautioning them about the press's interest in Zava. She urged them to maintain a positive yet restrained tone, whereas Shandy advocated for a shocking revelation to create a viral buzz. Keeley hesitated, but the arrival of Roy disrupted their discussion. Leslie had sent him to inquire about potential interviews, which sparked a heated exchange between him and Shandy. The argument escalated when Shandy probed into Roy's past with Keeley, igniting a heated debate.
In the coach's room, Jamie entered, requesting a word with the team. Roy's presence added an unexpected dimension to the conversation. Jamie expressed his enthusiasm for Zava, but warned that such individuals were often self-centered and could potentially disrupt the team's harmony. Ted advocated for patience, suggesting they give Zava a few games to prove himself. When Beard insinuated that Jamie was being ironic, the latter surprised everyone by correcting him, clarifying that he was, in fact, being hypocritical.
At Nelson Road, the air is charged with anticipation for Richmond's upcoming match. Inside the hallowed halls, the coaches are firing up the players, drilling into them the game plan — to send the ball to Zava, come what may. As the instructions echo, Zava, the star of the show, is in a corner, deep in meditation. When the team gathers for a rousing cheer, it's Isaac's gentle whistle that snaps Zava out of his trance. Instead of joining hands, Zava strides to the center, ensuring every player's touch is upon him as they shout their support.
Ted, lagging behind, decides to give Henry a quick ring. Realizing he's forgotten his phone, he opts for the office landline. However, his mind is clouded when he struggles to recall Michelle's cell number. He dials the home line, and a voice answers, seemingly unaware of who's calling. Assuming it's a telemarketer, the man answers with a comical tone. Initially amused, Ted soon recognizes the voice as Jacob Bryanson, the same Dr. Jacobs who once counseled Michelle and himself. Ted passes the phone to Henry and wishes him well for the match. Michelle then tells Ted they should address things later.
As the match commences, Ted's nerves start to fray, but they're soon drowned out by the roar of the crowd as Zava scores a goal, straight from the kickoff. Richmond wins that match, and the next, and the next, as we witness through a thrilling montage. Zava, meditating between plays, scores goals with breathtaking skills like the scorpion kick, propelling Richmond higher up the Premier League ladder.
Meanwhile, Ted stalks Jake's online profile, Nathan watches Richmond's winning streak with a heavy heart, and Rebecca, pausing before lighting a candle at her home, finds herself searching for a green matchbook. During a tense match against Leeds, Jamie almost scores, but Zava intercepts and steals the glory. Roy catches a glimpse of Jamie's sour expression, knowing the youngster's frustration is only growing.
Meanwhile, Sam's dedication to his burgeoning restaurant venture is evident, and his camaraderie with one of the chefs is particularly noteworthy. Ted, in his therapy sessions with Sharon, finds solace in railing against Jake. The news pundits热议 Richmond's success, attributing it primarily to Zava's brilliance rather than Ted's coaching, lauding Nathan instead for his tactical acumen.
During the pivotal clash against Manchester United, Zava once again emerged victorious, utilizing a bicycle kick to seal the deal. Rupert, watching from the sidelines, cursed under his breath. As the triumphant team rejoiced, Sam graciously invited everyone to his newly opened restaurant. The evening unfolded into a jovial affair, with even Zava making a surprise appearance. Michael's arrival was followed by Colin's introduction of him as a close friend and wingman, adding to the camaraderie.
Keeley inquired about Rebecca's session with Tish, but Rebecca revealed she had no intention of returning. Sassy gracefully entered the scene, announcing her intention to pursue a romance with either Ted or Zava. Shandy approached Zava, urging him to update his social media presence to promote the team, leaving him impressed by her assertiveness.
Keeley struggled to articulate her praise for Shandy, while Rebecca observed Sam engaging warmly with the chef from his restaurant. The ladies' gazes shifted to Roy, then met each other's as they clinked their glasses, hoping for brighter days ahead. Sam's chef presented him with a box, filled with miniature green matchbooks, which he distributed among the guests. Rebecca pondered over the matchbooks, reminiscing about Tish's advice. Trent excused himself from the festivities, catching a glimpse of Colin and Michael sharing an intimate moment in an alley on his way out.
