toy soldiers stand for fatherhood and protection- but they are chosen specifically.
it’s also important that they are henry’s soldiers that he sent his dad ‘to keep him safe’ and ted, of course, turns right around and offers to keep his new friends safe. man’s never met a loving gesture he didn’t wanna share.
ted offers rebecca something very precious to him, a little bit of his son’s love and care, immediately, almost as soon as the box is open- to make her smile and feel like someone has her back- to sam, as a birthday gift, to make him less homesick- and to jamie as a parting gift and a congratulations for his growth. he also keeps one for himself- and i think he must keep it in his backpack, because he has it in liverpool.
rebecca is given the sharpshooter- the sniper- ted will take people OUT if they mess with her and vis-versa. rebecca is alone, above the fray, we hear almost nothing of her until she makes a move. she has the best vantage point, but is vulnerable if spotted or surrounded. it’s also the most skilled position- it’s a compliment.
sam is given a machine gunner- it’s a very powerful position, stable, part of the main line of defense. he’s a team player, as those guns usually required two people. he gives it back though, politely, because he has a father, a good one. implies that he’s a stable character and doesn’t need anything but minor guidance.
jamie is given the lookout- a maverick position who can make or break the group- ted’s saying i see you, i see what’s happening, but i’m unarmed, i can’t help you with this. jamie is also the one who has to leave and then come back.
the one ted keeps is a soldier with a grenade- he’s a ticking time bomb- he’s also down in the fray of the battle- you have to get pretty close to the enemy to use a grenade effectively- he’s in the offensive position- he’s ready to sacrifice himself for the cause.
it’s very much a metaphor about fatherly love and protection, and as of 2.06 now we know rebecca goes in that group too. though it’s been clear from scene one she has serious father issues re: marrying rupert
ted’s father couldn’t protect him, rebecca’s clearly doesn’t/didn’t even know she needs protecting, and jamie’s is the active enemy
gotta add to this now! sharon got a soldier with a walkie-talkie- a communications specialist-
what i love is that it prioritizes the communications aspect- the soldier himself is still armed, but the back and forth of the walkie talkie- the movement of information is more important. this soldier can defend himself if need be, but thats not his main purpose.
i hope this means that we will see dr. sharon again, but it’s nice to know that no matter what ted has offered her his protection and friendship.
drowning it in alcohol? well thats some symbolism that would require a whole nother essay probably
and the father connection is more subtle here, she’s helped him come to terms with his own father issues
Wait sorry I’m reblogging again because I want to know what soldier Nate’ll get
Talking about the possibility of jealous Ted and Rebecca with @cecret-with-c and how you have Ted who would hate it cause to quote jake from b99 “It’s an ugly emotion” and him not wanting to unpack that. We might already be getting jealous Ted with the Sam thing (right?? not just disapproving). Then you would have jealous Rebecca who is petty and scoffing at her biscuits and probably being a bit awkward not knowing how to act while Higgins eventually clicks on.
Thes two would be jealous disasters.
Ted would not want to get jealous and would probably feel it’s against his very philosophy. He would never, ever express it but some Diamond Dogs might catch on. And if the person Rebecca is dating is good for her, he’d be happy for her but get a bit jittery or awkward hearing about them. If they’re bad for her, oh boy… I mean, we’ve seen Ted threaten to stab Rupert with a dart.
Awkward Rebecca is the best. I also kinda see her wanting the absolute best for Ted and therefore being a bit wary about anyone crossing his path and thinking no one is quite the right fit. She doesn’t like his love interests even though everyone else does and one day she realizes oh fuck I’m in love with Ted.
OH MY GOD-
What if we get a failed double date like in When Harry Met Sally?!
It occurs to me that Ted never defends himself. At least not that I remember. Like when Beard explodes at him in All Apologies. As soon as Beard actually explodes, Ted never says a word.
I mean, granted, Ted may not have had anything to say at that point. Beard was correct and Ted knew that at heart. He was just having a really hard time with the emotional effect on Roy.
But it stands out more in the confrontation with Nate, because there is a point that Nate is objectively WRONG about. Through all of his hurt and pain, Nate makes one point that Ted could correct him on: the location of his photo.
Because WE know where Ted’s keeping Nate’s photo. And it might have made a difference for Nate to know that too. But Ted doesn’t tell him. He just doesn’t defend himself at all.
It’s probably why it was so good to see Beard so clearly on Ted’s side this episode, in a way that he hasn’t really had a chance to be all season. I want to see more people defend Ted, darnit, because he won’t do it himself.
(I also want to see more characters sitting in the seats during the opening credit sequence. Credit Ted always looks so alone, let him have his friends!)
okay fuck it i knew there was a reason i wasn’t allowed to be on tumblr or watch shows or anything because i am too busy and rewatching one (1) episode of Ted Lasso is enough to make me rip off my face
(i don’t have a face anymore. i’ve torn it from my body and also i’m still ripping my face off currently, it is schrodingers face despite being also mine)
it was 2x11 and listen.
Listen.
i don’t know what the actual plans are for this story and what s3 will bring but so far it has not let me down
and the tedbecca of it all is just so There. it’s so bald-faced. (it might be platonic but the point is tedbecca)
the FUCKIGN. the fucking ‘see you next year’ excuse you sir what the fuck
the way they test out the concept of a club owner/employee relationship and show that rebecca does handle it the right way but also that it’s a tough needle. she can’t tell Sam to stay but she can say what she’d prefer
(and then in 2x12 she can just tell Ted “stay” and he DOES it’s FINE he’s okay with being told what to do. and also how the whole concept of Sam leaving the team is for reasons of family and because of how he put a positive spotlight on West Africa… remind anyone of a guy who has a family back in Kansas and has recently moved into the spotlight dealing with mental health??)
((and i’m just saying, Sam decided to stay.))
and the way that last time it was her confessing something she knew was wrong and getting forgiveness, and this time she’s confessing something she’s conflicted about and getting support but also like. getting nothing?? Ted is fully ‘girl listen’ for that convo he says NOTHING about the specifics except ‘trust yourself and I am here for you’ and so like. is next time going to be confessing something that’s Right?
((or is next time going to be Ted’s turn to be vulnerable and accept support? this is TOP TIER this has my full backing can you IMAGINE))
this is honestly an incomprehensible post that literally was written mostly with strikeouts through the text but if screaming about incredibly niche fandoms interests is not the point of being on tumblr than truly why are we here
