"Sunflowers" is the sixth episode of season 3 of the Apple TV+ series, Ted Lasso. It premiered on April 19, 2023.
Synopsis[]
A friendly match takes the team to Amsterdam, where one night out unlocks truths for many.
Plot[]
Richmond lose a friendly to AFC Ajax and with the team despondent, Ted gives them the chance to have a night in Amsterdam without curfew. Jamie is excited by this, but Roy says he has to continue training and the pair go for a run. With Keeley going to Norway with Jack, Rebecca has to find her own way in the Amsterdam nightlife. Higgins invites Will to the red light district, much to Will’s surprise.
The Richmond staff and players go their separate ways, with Jamie taking Roy on a tour of the sights - much to Roy’s annoyance - and Rebecca talking to Sassy about her plans in Amsterdam. As she is talking to Sassy, a man calls over to tell her something and she responds, she is knocked into the river by cyclists. She loses her phone and the man saves her from the river. Meanwhile, Ted and Beard discuss their plans for the evening as Ted messages Rebecca asking if she wants to do something together - he gets no reply. The Richmond players are discussing what to do that evening with many suggestions, including a popular one from Jan Maas involving a party with drinks and women. At this point, Colin bows out citing stomach issues and leaves, with Trent following.
Recovering from her fall, Rebecca has a shower in the man’s house boat and comes out to find her clothes being washed, meaning she can’t leave soon. She finds a drink on the table and she smiles. Jamie continues to give Roy a tour of Amsterdam and Roy is getting exhausted. Higgins and Will arrive at the red light district, but not where Will expects. Beard is preparing Ted a drink to try to loosen him up, but Ted won’t drink it and Beard does. The Richmond players agree on Jan Maas’ party, but then they have to decide what to eat beforehand and a debate ensues again. The man returns after being out to get supplies for dinner, which Rebecca reluctantly agrees to stay for. He gives Rebecca some clothes to wear, from his ex-partner, which Rebecca is unsure of. Beard decides to leave Ted in the room to explore Amsterdam as Roy asks Jamie how he knows so much about the city.
Colin arrives at a gay bar and is joined by Trent - Colin leaves soon after Trent arrives. Trent explains to Colin outside that he knew he was gay quite early on and tells of his experiences around his own sexuality. In his room, Ted drinks the tea Beard made for him and leaves. Rebecca begins to build a good relationship with the man, singing a song from the radio. Jamie procures two bikes, where Roy reveals he can’t ride one after his Grandad never got the chance to teach him before he died. Jamie then takes it upon himself to teach Roy how to ride a bike. Higgins and Will go to a Jazz bar where Will is captivated, while Ted goes to an art museum where he sees painting by Van Gogh, including the sunflowers that are the home art of Kansas. The players continue to bicker, and Isaac grows in frustration at their lack of decisiveness. Sam decides on something however which the players agree on. Jamie and Roy apologise to each other over their behaviour while Ted goes to an American style diner.
Rebecca’s clothes are dry that night, but she and the man decide to wet them again, wanting to stay longer. Ted is watching the basketball game he used to watch with his dad and while there, he thinks he sees Nate. Then after having some BBQ sauce, he is transported to a world where the Spirit of Adventure gives him advice on triangles. Ted devises a formation for Richmond based on this principle. Higgins meanwhile gets a chance to play in the jazz group that night while the players have a pillow fight. Colin and Trent dance at a bar, while Jamie and Roy continue riding - Roy crashes soon after. The next morning, Rebecca says goodbye to the man and they kiss. Beard arrives at the team bus and Ted asks him his thoughts on a formation he devised. Beard calls it “Total Football”, already invented in Holland in the 70s. He says Richmond should use it, with Ted saying the players need more freedom when playing. Rebecca then arrives in a relaxed mood while Jamie and Roy soon follow. The team bus drives away as the occupants sing “Don’t Worry About a Thing”.
Cast and characters[]
Starring[]
- Jason Sudekis as Ted Lasso
- Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca Welton
- Jeremy Swift as Higgins
- Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent
- Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard
- Nick Mohammed as Nathan
- Sarah Niles as Sharon Fieldstone
- Anthony Head as Rupert Mannion
- Toheeb Jimoh as Sam Obisanya
- Cristo Fernandez as Dani Rojas
- Kola Bokkini as Isaac McAdoo
- James Lance as Trent Crimm
- Billy Harris as Colin Hughes
- with
Co-starring[]
- Moe Jeudy-Lamour as Thierry Zoreaux
- Stephen Manas as Richard Montlaur
- Mohammed Hashim as Moe Bumbercatch
- David Elsendoorn as Jan Maas
- Charlie Hiscock as Will Kitman
- Carly Wijs as Marjolein
- Mike Reus as The Van Gogh Docent
- Ko Van Den Bosch as Gizmo the Bike Junkie
- Bart Harder as Bart the Bartender
- Anwar Lachman as Anwar the Reporter
- Carolina Dijkhuizen as Dante Charles
- Fleur East as TV host
- Jack Van Gelder as himself
- Marv Albert as himself
- God as Herself
- Timothy Dennett as Aidan
- Mary Roubos as Gen
- Derek Mitchell as Allard
- Noa Nikita Bleeker as Saskia
- Cecile Sinclair as Welmoed
- Corey Burton as The True Spirit of Adventure
Trivia[]
- Ted's dream sequence is an extended parody of the 1959 Disney short Donald in Mathmagic Land, which sees Donald Duck encounter "The True Spirit of Adventure" (voiced by Paul Frees) who explains math to him. Disney voice actor and known Paul Frees impersonator Corey Burton voices the True Spirit of Adventure in this episode, and the sequence is animated and scripted very similarly to Donald in Mathmagic Land.