Signs
A month after the loss to West Ham, Richmond has lost three games and drawn five, slipping to ninth place in the standings and frustrating Rebecca. The coaches try to figure out a new strategy for their upcoming match against Manchester City now that simply passing the ball to Zava is no longer working. The strategy meeting is interrupted by Ted receiving a text from Michelle that Henry was involved in a bullying incident at school. In the locker room, the team discusses the news that Nate has been spotted with Anastasia, a famous Russian model Rupert introduced him to, and decide that Nate's personality will need a Beautiful All Along-style transformation if he wants to date someone like Anastasia. However, Nate's date with Anastasia actually goes poorly because she is rude and dismissive about Nathan taking her to A Taste of Athens, Nate's family's favorite restaurant, instead of somewhere more fashionable. After Anastasia leaves the date early, the restaurant hostess Jade splits an order of baklava with Nate.
Rebecca runs into her ex John and his new fiancée, who has a slip of the tongue and refers to John as her "shite in nining armor". Higgins meets with Rebecca and reluctantly suggests that she consider firing Ted if the team doesn't start winning soon, but Rebecca ignores him and instead asks Higgins what he thinks about psychics. Higgins tells her that psychics help us see things about ourselves that we can't notice on our own. Rebecca visits a fertility specialist, who tells her that he'll do some tests to see if she can still have children and will call her with the test results after the Richmond match against Man City.
Shandy, still angry about Keeley reprimanding her for changing Bantr's tagline, begins causing problems for Keeley at work. After Shandy causes KJPR to lose a client, Keeley fires Shandy, who retaliates by announcing her plan to start her own rival PR firm, attempting to poach Keeley's employees, and letting a lamb crap all over the conference room. Jack and Keeley are forced to miss the Richmond match in order to take care of the lamb situation. Afterwards, the two women drink vodka that Shandy left at her desk and bond over past romantic misadventures. Keeley impulsively kisses Jack, who reciprocates, and they end up having sex in Keeley's office.
The day before the Man City match, Jamie and Zava encourage the team to believe in themselves, with Zava specifically saying that the team won't win because of him, but because they will all work together. Ted calls Michelle and learns that Henry wasn't the one getting bullied at school, but rather the one doing the bullying. At the match, Zava is mysteriously absent and no one can get hold of him, forcing the team to substitute Colin instead. Richmond loses to Man City 4-0 and are booed off the pitch by aggressive fans. Rebecca's doctor calls with her test results, which disappoint her; meanwhile, Henry calls Ted and tells him that he apologized to the kid he bullied. The news breaks that Zava has decided to retire, upsetting the Richmond players. Ted tells the team that Zava retiring is a good thing, because he wants to win with players who actually want to be at Richmond. His speech is interrupted by the "Believe" sign falling down, which the team takes as a bad omen, but Ted says that the sign is just that: a paper sign hanging on a wall, which he takes down and rips into pieces. Ted tells them that belief needs to come from inside themselves, and if they can do that, no one can rip that apart.
Tropes featured in "Signs" include:
- Alpha Bitch: Anastasia ignores Nate as he tries to share with her why A Taste of Athens is so important to him, then ditches him to go be with her friends.
- Bait-and-Switch:
- Early in the episode, Michelle texts Ted that Henry was involved in a bullying incident at school. Everyone assumes Henry was the victim and begin to give Ted advice on dealing with the perpetrator, until Michelle calls Ted later on and clarifies Henry was the bully.
- After Ms. Kakes gives him Anastasia's number, Nate immediately makes a phone call where he greets Anastasia and invites her out for lunch... then thanks his mother for helping him rehearse what he's going to say when he actually phones Anastasia.
- When Coach Beard suggests they burn down the house of Henry's supposed bully, Roy retorts that the best thing to do with bullies is ignore them... then break into their house at 4am and viciously beat them with a rope soaked in red paint. Everyone present is extremely unnerved.
- Beautiful All Along: Discussed by the team when they speculate that Anastasia is only dating Nate because of a bet like in She's All That, but note that Nate doesn't have a ponytail and glasses so his beauty transformation has to happen on the inside.
- Call-Back:
- In early season 2, Rebecca used to go on a few mediocre dates with John, who mentioned how he zigzagged between rooting for Manchester City and United depending on who is currently doing better. In this episode, she runs into him again, and he is seen wearing a combined City/United scarf.
- As Ted is giving his Rousing Speech to the team and compares Zava retiring to when a girlfriend "runs off with some dude and it turns out they were soul mates", Coach Beard mutters "Gina fucking Gershon". Roy looks at him in shock.
- Character Development:
- After the loss to Man City, Ted starts to have a panic attack. A call from Henry interrupts it, but it resumes after it ends. Ted talks himself through it by reminding himself that his son is okay.
- Insecure Nate, who spent so much of season two hyper-sensitive to jokes made at his expense (either real or imagined) is now able to laugh at himself for using overly-flowery language while trying to impress Anastasia.
- The Greyhounds’ fury towards Nate has clearly cooled somewhat since the last episode, with them discussing his date with Anastasia with notably little anger and even complimenting his physical appearance. However, Isaac referring to Nate’s transformation needing to come "from the inside" shows that the team are still clearly hurt by his actions.
- Continuity Nod: On one of her dates with John in "Goodbye Earl", Rebecca notices a young couple out on a date of their own. The same couple is seen in the fertility clinic waiting room in this episode.
- Dispense with the Pleasantries: Rebecca sits down with her OBGYN, who spends a moment sympathizing over Richmond's troubles, then gets right to business, cutting through Rebecca's discomfort over an emotionally difficult subject.
- Dramatic Drop: Trent drops his mug in shock after hearing Roy’s brutal advice on what to do with Henry’s bully.
- Drone of Dread: Ted's panic attack is accompanied by a squeal. This time, he's able to get through it thanks to tips from Doc. Sharon.
- Entitled Bastard: A Richmond fan screams harshly at the team as they walk off the pitch after their loss. Isaac is able to shrug it off... this time.
- Everyone Has Standards:
- Coach Beard is initially onboard with Roy's idea of how bullies should be dealt with. Then as Roy gets into the full physical and psychological details of the proposal, he's clearly disturbed.
- Jade is normally rather standoffish towards Nate, but she clearly feels bad for him when Anastasia ditches him in the middle of their date, as she later offers to help him finish the baklava he ordered.
- Failed Dramatic Exit: After being fired, Shandy makes a grandiose scene in the office about how she'll start her own, better PR firm and even tries to poach KJPR's staff on the spot. Unsurprisingly, everyone just looks indifferent to mildly irritated.
- Foreshadowing:
- Zava's speech in the weightroom focuses on what the team can do if they all pull together. He never says "we," only "you", hinting that he no longer sees himself as part of the team and his decision to retire later in the episode.
- While comparing Nate to the heroine in She's All That, Isaac predicts Nate having a transformation "on the inside". This is precisely what happens throughout the rest of the season - indeed, his dates with Anastasia and Jade show it's already begun.
- This isn't the last we see of the abusive fan who heckles the team as they leave the pitch.
- Trent Crimm's coffee mug is a rainbow, a hint to his queer identity, which he'll share with Colin to bond.
- Friendship Moment: Keeley and Barbara finally begin to bond after Shandy is fired.
- From Bad to Worse: Ever since the West Ham United loss, Richmond has failed to win a single match. Things are so dire that Higgins is starting to float the idea that Ted might need to be replaced as manager. Then things get even worse when Zava decides to retire seemingly out of nowhere and leaves Richmond right before they have to play a match.
- He's Back!: After having been distracted by his personal issues for some time, Ted pulls himself together to give an inspiring speech to the team after the Manchester City loss.
- I Have to Go Iron My Dog: Anastasia excuses herself from her date with Nate by claiming she needs to make a phone call to a friend who's come down with the flu. Nate sees through it pretty quickly when she starts grabbing her purse and jacket, but he resigns himself to it.
- I Need a Freaking Drink: As he speaks to Michelle on the phone, Ted begins to prepare a glass of water for himself, before putting the jug down and instead opting for whiskey the moment it's mentioned that Henry is at the park with Jake.
- I Told You So: Played with after Keeley is finally forced to fire Shandy, who Barbara had had her doubts about from the beginning.Barbara: Well, I'm not going to say it.
Keeley: No, but you are going to think it.
Barbara: Yes, often. And forever. - Manly Tears: Higgins thinks he has to bring up the possibility of replacing Ted, but it clearly pains him to do so and he's on the verge of tears.
- Meaningful Echo: When Jade accepts Nate's offer to split the plate of baklava with her after Anastasia leaves, she repeats his earlier comment about it being "divine". While she's not impressed by him slinging around his credentials, she does seem to be appreciate his genuine praise for the restaurant and his food.
- The Millstone: Shandy's behavior at work has gotten to the point where clients begin to drop KJPR specifically because of it. Recognizing she's too much of a liability, Keeley fires her.
- Not Good with Rejection: Keeley specifically notes this about Shandy in regards to her still being angry about the Bantr situation. When Keeley is forced to fire Shandy, we get to see just how badly Shandy handles rejection.
- Not So Above It All:
- Even Jan Maas is moved by Zava singing praises about his beloved wife in the locker room.
- When Trent refuses to interfere in the team's search for a new tactic, Ted compares him to a nature documentary presenter refusing to intervene as a monkey gets torn apart by hyenas, and starts making monkey noises. Coach Beard joins in, and after a moment's hesitation, so does Roy.
- Barbara wants to watch Shandy get fired. Keeley has to blank out the window. Even then, she listens at the door.
- Higgins' text with Rebecca at the end of the episode shows that he uses his bitmoji in texts.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Richmond's recent winless streak results in these from Rebecca and Higgins.
- After Richmond loses their match to Newcastle United, Rebecca angrily storms into Ted's office and demands to know if the team is ever going to start winning again.
- Despite being good friends with Ted, Higgins is clearly becoming desperate for ways to help right the team's course, as he confides to Rebecca that Ted's managing might be the problem and they'll possibly need to replace him.
- Higgins walks into Rebecca's office and very formally asks if she has a moment then asks if he can take a seat. Rebecca's unnerved by it. Higgins is uncomfortable because he's about to suggest firing Ted.
- Oh, Crap!: When the left half of the torn "BELIEVE" sign falls down during Ted's inspirational speech, the team freaks out. Then he takes it off the wall and tears it in half again and the team freaks out even more. Then Ted walks them through it.
- Papa Wolf: Well, Uncle Wolf. Beard is very quick to plot violence against Henry's bully. However, even he's unnerved by Roy's psychotic and visceral description of his own suggested plan.
- Power is Sexy: Deconstructed. As Nate's attempt to court Anastasia proves, power alone is really not enough to establish a relationship with even the most shallow Gold Digger, and things like charisma and common interests still play a necessary role in making people attracted to you. When Nate brings Anastasia to A Taste of Athens, his favorite restaurant, Anastasia is unimpressed and eventually ditches him.
- Precision F-Strike: From Ted during his speech at the end of the episode.Ted: I don't wanna mess around with that shit anymore. Do you?
- Queer Establishing Moment:
- After three seasons of Keeley being very appreciative of Rebecca's body, a kiss with Jack reveals that she's bisexual.
- We also get a hint toward this with Trent Crimm, whose coffee mug is a rainbow. In "Sunflowers", he will later reveal to Colin that he's not straight to bond with him and offer him sympathy about being a gay footballer trapped in the closet.
- Road Apples: Shandy, not taking her firing well, retaliates by sneaking in a lamb that proceeds to defecate all over the conference table, causing Keeley and Jack to miss the football game.
- Rousing Speech: Ted gives one to the team after their loss to Man City, complete with ripping up the iconic "BELIEVE" sign, to the team's shock. He points out if they really believe in themselves and one another, no one can rip that apart. The sign's just a sign, it's not the team.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Following Richmond's long winless streak, Zava suddenly decides to retire before the Man City game.
- Shout-Out:
- Isaac gives the team instructions of "No video games before bed" before immediately allowing for the exception of Animal Crossing.
- The team compares Nate dating Anastasia to She's All That, which they also note is an adaptation of My Fair Lady and Pygmalion.
- Anastasia leaves her date with Nate and jumps into a convertible full of models listening to "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go".
- Ted says that Roy and Beard wanted to "go full Wicked Witch of the West" on the kid they thought bullied Henry.
- Start My Own: After her idea for Bantr in the previous episode was shot down, Shandy tells Keeley that she's started her own dating app called Star Fuckr. When Keeley later fires Shandy, her immediate response is to head into the office and announce that she's starting her own PR firm and try to hire Keeley's staff from under her.
- Sudden Morbid Monologue: Roy's suggestion on how to deal with bullies becomes this as he goes into detail on his strategy. His description is so unsettling that Beard (who agreed with him earlier) is visibly disturbed, Trent drops his mug in shock, and all Ted can do is briefly pause before saying he'd rather get more information on what happened.Roy: No, no. Best thing you can do with bullies is ignore them. Then you sneak into their house at 4:00 a.m., which, statistically speaking, is the hour people are least prepared to defend themselves. And once you're standing over them, as they sleep in their bed, you start to beat them. With a thick, heavy rope soaked in red paint. Pummeling them over and over until they wake, confusing the paint for their own blood. When they beg you to stop, you laugh as loud as you can, for as long as you can. And then... you start to beat them again.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: After Anastasia ditches Nate on their date, Jade decides to sit with Nate and help him eat the plate of baklava he ordered. Towards the end of the episode, there's a brief scene of the two of them having a conversation and seeming to have a genuinely good time together.
- Troll: Roy, who usually isn't too enthusiastic about the Diamond Dogs making animal sounds, joins his coaching peers in making ape noises when he realizes it's pestering Trent.
- The Unreveal: Rebecca receives a phone call from her doctor with the results of her fertility tests after the Manchester City loss, but the viewer only hears Rebecca's side of the call and her reaction is ambiguous enough that it remains unclear what the results were.
- Would Hurt a Child: When thinking Henry, Ted's son, is being bullied, Beard immediately plans out how he and Ted can burn the supposed bully's house down while Roy recommends meting out a beating using rope soaked in red paint.
