Ted Lasso Episode 7 “The Strings That Bind Us” Review

Switching up a team’s play style in the middle of the season is always risky. However, when you’ve been unknowingly preparing your team for that exact style the past three seasons, it comes together quicker than expected. Season three has been incredible to date and Ted Lasso episode 7 “The Strings That Bind Us” is no different.

A crisis creates an opportunity for growth or collapse. With AFC Richmond in the midst of a losing streak, it’ll take some serious belief to turn the season around. To get through tough times, it’s important we support our teammates. Or, when all else fails, you tie strings to each other’s dicks and hope for the best.

*Warning: This post contains spoilers for Ted Lasso episode 7, “The Strings That Bind Us”*

Ted Lasso Episode 7 brings Total Football

Ted Lasso episode 7 continues up season 3’s prowess fresh off the heels of last week, one of the best installments of the entire series. Beginning with the nod to the previous episode’s side quest of Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) learning how to ride a bike, the writer’s room does a beautiful job of tying up previous storylines while nodding to various characters’ growth throughout this episode.

Their ability to balance different perspectives perfectly throughout a season should be studied throughout the industry. If I’m Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios, I’m throwing an unprecedented amount of money at this entire team to come to write scripts for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

With the incredible Trent Crimm (James Lance) as the voice of the audience, we learn by the end of the episode the team has been preparing for their new tactic since Coach Lasso took over the team. Their new strategy, Total Football, requires players to trust and support one another’s decisions on the pitch.

While it isn’t the brilliant idea of tying the players’ dicks together that makes the method click, it is still absolutely hilarious. Although Roy Kent’s addition to the coaching staff has been fruitful, this may not be his best idea. However, while the new strategy causes unwanted chaos for AFC Richmond in their match against Arsenal, it pays dividends by the end.

Jamie Tartt’s (Phil Dunster) arc this season has been heartwarming and full of growth. We see it firsthand at halftime when his potential ascent to team captain takes a big leap forward. He teaches the team to play through him in a new position to help them succeed in their new tactic en route to a beautiful goal in the second half.

Ted Lasso episode 7 emphasizes all for one, one for all

The most pleasant surprise of the episode is the introduction of Sam Obisanya’s (Toheeb Jimoh) father Ola, played by Sweet Tooth‘s Nonzo Anozie. With season 2 of the Netflix series dropping this week, the timing couldn’t be better. Unfortunately, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies for our favorite AFC Richmond defensemen.

Ted Lasso episode 7 continues to tackle real-life issues. While mental health has been a big focus throughout the series, we now see it shift to politics. With the support of his father, Sam has battled for what he believes is right since the series’ debut.

However, he now faces his most difficult challenge yet. While the politician telling Sam to “shut up and dribble” may be fictional, it mimics our own reality using the same words Laura Ingraham said to Lebron James back in 2018. To make matters worse, bigots vandalize Sam’s restaurant for his social media stance on the same day his father is meant to dine at his restaurant. Thankfully, due to the trust and support he has built up with his teammates over the last 3 seasons, they don’t hesitate to help him rebuild without Sam even having to ask.

Ola Obisanya provides some of the most heartfelt and emotional moments of Ted Lasso episode 7. We’ve seen the positive impact he’s had on Sam throughout the series, and it is a delight to finally meet him. His interactions with Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) and Sam’s head chef and potential new love interest make for classic dad moments.

Red means go

The growth is evident throughout this episode for all characters, not just AFC Richmond team members. As Keeley’s (Juno Temple) relationship with Jack (Jodi Balfour) spices up, she immediately recognizes red flags she’s not comfortable with. Although she is quick to dismiss Rebecca’s warnings about how billionaires treat others, the growth from her previous relationship with Roy allows her to communicate her feelings to Jack.

We already know Keeley is a boss-ass bitch. However, the most pleasantly surprising character growt in this episode is from Nate (Nick Mohammed). After finally taking advice from his mom and sister as opposed to his manipulative boss and verbally abusive father, he musters the courage to ask out Jade (Edyta Budnik), the hostess at Taste of Athens. The most promising aspect of this undoubtedly is when Nate is able to look himself in the mirror without spitting and ask her out in a way that is true to himself.

All of these different ways our favorite characters have grown throughout the season can be directly attributed to the one and only Ted Lasso. Their new strategy, Total Football, may seem like a new concept on the pitch, however, coach Lasso has been training them to trust and support one another since his arrival. It’s still a mystery how AFC Richmond will fare in the Premiere League for the rest of the season. However, I can’t help but feel like things are looking up for Ted Lasso and his team.

Ted Lasso episode 7 is now streaming on AppleTV+. Follow the Agents of Fandom socials for the latest Ted Lasso news.