#leslie higgins
One of the things Ted Lasso (the show) does that is interesting to me is look at how characters tell stories about their past. Entrenched firmly in the present, we only have the stories characters tell about their pasts-not the absolute truth or reality of what happened. And in many cases, the stories they tell leave us questioning what really happened. The absolute truth is unknowable to the audience who can’t see what happened and just get the event filtered through how the characters perceived what happened. Finally, given that these events come out as stories one character tells another, we also see how these events are weaved into stories as a way to provide context and meaning to something that is upsetting and emotionally confusing to them. While we see numerous characters do this, we see it most often in Ted and Rebecca. I’ve chosen a story from each of them to look at in detail.
This is great meta and it reminds me that I’ve always found it interesting that Rebecca chooses to tell Higgins the story about her mother, as opposed to anything from her own relationship with Rupert.
Rebecca’s been with Rupert for twelve years, and I bet you, ten to one, that folks have tried to tell her how awful he is to her. I’m fairly sure that this is what caused the breakdown in Rebecca’s relationship with Sassy. Look at how truly joyous Sassy is when she’s tearing Rupert a new asshole in No Weddings and a Funeral. She is savoring every word. Her eyes are alight. This is a woman who has wanted to speak for so damn long, but was never able to. Or never listened to. But now that Rebecca knows the truth, Sassy can cut fucking loose.
And it’s interesting, because it would have had a much stronger impact if Rebecca had said something like: “Don’t get involved. When people tried to get involved in my relationship, I shut them out.” Instead, she chooses to tell a more distant story.
And the thing is, for all that the cycle is repeating itself in this very episode: Paul acted badly, Deborah flounced off, Deborah eventually takes him back, what Higgins can see is that Deborah is still, clumsily, reaching out to her daughter. She’s still coming to her for help, even if she goes back in the end.
So Rebecca chooses a story that is more distant to both her, and Higgins, that kind of counters her own point. And that’s significant also, because if we think about it, Higgins did exactly what she advised when it came to Rupert and Rebecca’s relationship. He said nothing. And we know how that turned out.
I don’t think Rebecca consciously thinks that Higgins should try to get involved in Beard’s relationship. But she may not feel the same way deep down.
So if there’s a Chuck Tingle in the Ted Lasso Universe, do you think he’s ever written a book starring a handsome coach named Red Glasso who gets railed by his own sentient mustache?
#so you finally made this post huh
#now do one the fictional Chuck Tingle would write for each member of the team
#if the Ted Lasso universe doesn’t have a chuck tingle. i hope Higgins writes them
(tags courtesy of @oasis-wasteland)
New headcanon: Higgins is the Ted Lasso equivalent of Chuck Tingle.
#and yes he totally writes ‘Red’ getting railed#Julie Higgins proofreads (via@kalinara)
Lindsay Higgins, addressing his pre-teen youth club on the subject of Honour Your Father And Your Mother: ‘Charlie I don’t care how embarrassing yourparents are: I’ve read the entirety of my parents’ manuscripts for the Red Glasso series, including enough shower scenes that mean I will never be able to look a single member of the Richmond football team in the eye again. If I can get through that, you can get through your dad’s embarrassing singing at family barbeques.’
I’d also like to propose that if Higgins writes a book for each member of the team, the Richmond boys are very, very happy about this and all make sure they get advanced copies and compare notes on whose book is best rated on GoodReads or whatever.
It’s all in good fun, except when Roy finds out about the book starring Troy Rent, a gruff yet brooding coach whose ongoing physical therapy for a bashed knee ends up having him in a variety of interesting positions with a suspiciously-named Jamie Pie (Higgins was quite proud of that one) and does not take it well. Everyone has to hide their copy and pretend like hell that they haven’t read this one, no, honest Roy, we haven’t…
(Colin is disproportionately excited about his book coming out but then fumes for a week when his character is made Scottish. Isaac will not stop laughing about it.)
Guys…this one is super special. I’ve deliberately NOT read any of it until I’ve started reading it out loud for you…but I’m only two chapters in and I’m already dying to know what happens and how it ends. You’re going to LOVE this one. I promise. I can feel it.
Special thanks to the lovely @youcarrymeawayy for giving me the opportunity to read this for you. I’m enjoying EVERY word. I hope y'all do as well.
