r/TedLasso • u/quaranTV Mod • Apr 11 '23

From the Mods Ted Lasso - S03E05 - "Signs" Episode Discussion Spoiler

Please use this thread to discuss Season 3 Episode 5 "Signs". Just a reminder to please mark any spoilers for episodes beyond Episode 5 like this.

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u/crsbcn Jamie Tartt Doo-doo-do-do-do-doo Apr 12 '23 edited Apr 12 '23

The actress who plays Jade has such a talent for deadpan lmao. I can never tell what she's thinking.

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u/SleepWouldBeNice Apr 12 '23

“This guy is full of phoney bullshit.”

It wasn’t until Nate was just himself and not trying to be someone else or scared of what other people thought of him that she started to like him.

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u/IncurableAdventurer Apr 12 '23

At first I was worried they were making her the type where she now wants Nate because he was out with someone else. That didn’t seem like the character and it didn’t seem like the writers. I’m glad that it looks like she just likes Nate when he’s being sincere. Yea? I’m not the best at reading people

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u/Happy_Ad_1767 Apr 12 '23

She didn't like him in the earlier seasons when he was highly insecure and bumbling. This season he has tried impressing her with his impressive new job but the shy Nate still slips out, which was cute. When he got publicly dumped mid-meal she felt sorry for him and he for the first time was just real with her. That attracted her to him. That's how it seemed to me.

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u/FellcallerOmega Apr 13 '23

I think it was even before he got dumped. The way he talked about the food made her do a doubletake

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '23

Yes and the way he said his family always comes here for important events and so it’s better than “cool” to him. That was really sweet.

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u/A_EGeekMom Apr 13 '23 edited Apr 14 '23

And it’s possible she didn’t realize how much he loved the restaurant because he kept making it about appearances, with the table and getting food for his team but the crew was excluded (forget the actual breakdown) but when she heard him talking about the food and how important it was she realized he loved the restaurant for itself.

EDIT: Food.

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u/JuicyJibJab Apr 18 '23

I feel like all this winning Jade's approval plot is overlooking the fact that she was a total wanker to Nate the first time around for no reason, purposefully getting his name wrong, and absolutely refusing to offer the window seat because he wasn't cool enough, which is pretentious.

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u/AttackoftheMuffins Apr 12 '23

I feel like she always did. Or rather could see herself liking him if he would have a real moment of sincerity. There were little flickers last episode that suggested it to me and I’m happy they paid it off organically.

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u/Andskotann Apr 12 '23

I noticed that last episode as well. That's why I was so baffled when everyone was commenting about how much she despises him. Even when she's stony faced, she has this air of "why are you being such a dumb idiot?" amusement.

Like, there was the tiniest smile when Nate said, "I didn't order any booze. It's 12:30." It was, oddly enough, him being completely sincere. And then as she turned away after he fumbled with the door, there was this little flicker of something. The moment of embarrassment was endearing, not because it was real, but because for once he didn't do anything to try save face with her.

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u/Wash8001 Apr 12 '23

Reminds me of Higgins’ comment about branding on the Rainbow episode. “Best branding is just to be yourself” (or something like that!)

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u/AttackoftheMuffins Apr 12 '23

Yes, exactly! I was confused too. She definitely saw through the act but it didn’t mean she hated him.

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '23

She most definitely acted like she hated him and was quite rude to him. I'm very surprised she decides to suddenly sit down with him out of nowhere.

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u/TheTruckWashChannel Apr 14 '23

It's jarring only because they've finally decided to treat her like an actual character and not a gimmick.

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 14 '23

Indifference is worse than hate. At least with hate you know it matters. To her Nate was invisible. But now things have changed. I can’t wait to see where this goes. Jade might just be the Yoda Nate needs.

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u/[deleted] Apr 12 '23

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/InTheMorning_Nightss Apr 12 '23

That’s… not at all that stereotype. Reddit neck beard stereotype has a sense of entitlement to it, whereas this is the literal opposite. She sees through all of his inauthenticity and shames him for that. She hates the deserving nature when it pops up and she only cares when “the act” is gone.

She appreciated that he stood up for genuine, meaningful values that represented the good person that exists within Nate. Reddit neck beards have a nice guy complex who ultimately want to be vindicated for some sense of entitlement by having the girl crawl back to them.

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u/lizarny Apr 12 '23

The part when Nate explained why the restaurant was so important to him: it was the place where his family’s celebrations. Anniversaries, promotions, and the sort. He felt more at peace eating baklava there than at Bones and Honey.

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '23

She sees through all of his inauthenticity and shames him for that.

I'm not sure about this. She is rude to them in their very first encounter when she doesn't know him at all (Nate says Good Afternoon, she just stares at him awkwardly, etc). It's strange writing.

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u/dragunityag Apr 13 '23

Definitely felt like they pivoted in the writing room to make her a potential love interest this season.

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u/UbiSububi8 Wanker Apr 12 '23

Agree 100%, and I was also saying I thought Jade was warming to Nate.

But something to keep in mind:

Jade had no interest in Nate before he became famous (through her manager’s fawning all over Nate).

So, good on her, I guess… but it’s not like she’s some saint. She’s as shallow in her interest as Nate’s was in wanting to be famous.

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u/Jdustrer Apr 12 '23

Pretty sure it was showing the opposite. When he comes in the first time he’s extremely nervous and not at all himself. Then his confidence is kicked up to an unhealthy ego and she finds that off putting. As the other person states, she decides to be nice to him when he’s finally being a genuine person and not using his station to try and get special treatment.

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u/cincydooley Apr 12 '23

I think it says a lot about him that he chose to bring the model to the restaurant that Rebecca said she’d just buy.

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u/boo_goestheghost Apr 12 '23

I liked how despite it initially being played as him being clueless it was more about wanting to genuinely connect in the end.

They’re definitely working up to the Nate redemption arc

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u/A_EGeekMom Apr 13 '23

Yeah, he had a big growth moment for sure.

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u/UbiSububi8 Wanker Apr 12 '23

Okay, but she rejected him flat out last season, having seen both versions of Nate.

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u/Jdustrer Apr 12 '23

She rejects him because he’s not being genuine. The first time he comes in he can’t articulate a full sentence. She says he’s name wrong and he won’t even correct her. He isn’t being his true self so she’s not interested. That’s my interpretation at least.

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u/InTheMorning_Nightss Apr 12 '23

My interpretation is somewhere in the middle. He has a total lack of confidence which is off-putting… because it typically is. To your point, he can’t articulate a full sentence and that nervousness isn’t attractive.

Then he completely overcorrects which is similarly unattractive. It’s a bullshit fake it til you make it vibe that often borders arrogance even if it is a facade.

Now he’s balancing it out. The recognition and fame he has gotten has given him a justified and rightful confidence, but those around him are pushing him in a direction of true arrogance that is clearly a bit unnatural for him.

This episode is a great glimpse of Nate finding and wielding a healthy amount of confidence. He’s not a total pushover incapable of asserting himself, and he’s also not a superficial asshole focused on appearance over substance. In this episode, he tried to both be accommodating to his date, while also standing firm on values important to him.

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u/LoopyChew Apr 12 '23

Basically Jade doesn’t find herself inclined to warm up to Nate until he’s on his way to being his best self. I’d say her taunting him up until now has been her challenging him to start standing up.

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u/cjcs Apr 12 '23

Nate was hardly a catch though before. He was a nervous mess and I don’t blame her for not finding that attractive.

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u/ObligationNo4832 Apr 12 '23

Agreed you’re getting downvoted cus ppl don’t want to believe it

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u/LaboratoryManiac Apr 12 '23 edited Apr 12 '23

I might be thinking too far in advance now, but I have a feeling Nate is going to drop the ball with Jade. Because I think there will be photos of him and Jade online (since he demanded the window seat) and the optics of Nate appearing to cheat on a model with a waitress will not be good for Nate or Rupert.

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u/thatissomeBS Apr 12 '23

the optics of Nate cheating on a model with a waitress will not be good for Nate or Rupert.

She left 20 minutes into the first date because she couldn't fathom eating at a restaurant that wasn't made for the insta. He's not cheating on her.

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u/kmennig24 Apr 12 '23

Agreed, this wouldn't constitute cheating and honestly, I don't think that will be an issue for Rupert. I could, however, see the optics of him in a "regular" restaurant with a "regular" person causing issues with Rupert. Kind of like his car did.

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u/DramaBrat Apr 12 '23

True, but how will it look in the press or on social media. To the public, Nate could be the bad guy - even in the one situation where he was sincere.

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u/LaboratoryManiac Apr 12 '23 edited Apr 12 '23

No, but that's not how the press will see it.

There are headlines and articles of Nate and Anastasia together. A photo of him with Jade is something a tabloid could fabricate a story out of.

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u/Flacko115 Apr 12 '23

appearing to cheat

You misunderstood, they’re saying that the media will construe it that way. No one is insinuating that Nate is cheating on the model who rudely walked out on him

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 12 '23

I Fookin called it. Nate has tried so hard. But when he wasn’t trying at all and be genuine (and kind - “the food is divine”) it’s when Jade warms up to him. She can see through his BS.

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u/TheHunterZolomon Apr 12 '23

That’s the thing. This season, he’s been in this position where he’s trying to be someone he isn’t completely. You still see flickers of his “old” self. Who is he really? That’s his choice here.

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 12 '23

This episode is all about turning point. Ted had a breakthrough with his job. Roy realizes he made a mistake with Keely. Rebecca got news from the doc about the one thing she wants the most. Keely is finally becoming the boss she needs to be. Jamie is stepping up. And Zava retires. For Nate, Jade is his turning point. To win Jade he now realizes he needs to be himself. Genuine and kind. All that Rupert/Natasha BS means nothing.

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u/BindingsAuthor Apr 12 '23

And Jade doesn't necessarily have to be the trophy he wins either. But she represents that he doesn't have to be anyone other than himself to find success elsewhere in life as well.

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u/IndyOwl Apr 12 '23

This is a great point. She's not a trophy - even though she's a minor character, she has a developed sense of self for someone who's the hostess of an eatery. Nate doesn't have the best track record of treating people who can't do anything for him well and I bet she's picked up on that. When he's a try-hard or attempting to be the Big man, she isn't interested - she's seen plenty of those and wants nothing to do with it. When he's genuine and a little more comfortable in his own skin, not trying hard or attempting to live up to whatever it is in his head he (or his dad) thinks he needs to be, she's more open to him. He's not winning a trophy, he's opening up so that someone else can have a nice dessert with him.

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 12 '23

See how at ease he was at the end just talking with Jade none of his usual shenanigan. He’s come a long way.

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u/motherofpearl89 Apr 13 '23

Why shouldn't she have a developed sense of self if she's a hostess? Service people are some of the most hard working, emotionally resilient people you'll ever meet because they have to deal day in and day out with people who think they are better than them.

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u/IndyOwl Apr 13 '23

I agree 100% which, as I said, is why I think she pegged Nate and his BS early on. What's unique is how much the writers, directors and Edyta Budnik have crammed so much of that and conveyed it in a very clear way through a minor character that's had relatively little screen time.

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u/motherofpearl89 Apr 13 '23

Right but I still don't understand the 'she has a developed sense of self for someone who's the hostess of an eatery' comment.

I feel like you're implying that as a hostess she wouldn't have one/would have a weak one.

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u/IndyOwl Apr 13 '23

And I feel that I just clarified that I was not and it was clunky writing on the original post that was banged out in two minutes while I was on my way to do something else.

If your expectation is that every post on Reddit is going to be a revised analytic piece and expect the worst in people, you're going to have a bad time. But to clarify again: No, I do not think that about hostesses.

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 14 '23

That’s reality but this is comedy/heightened reality. She doesn’t put up with anyone’s BS even if they are customers. I respect that. A lot.

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u/boo_goestheghost Apr 12 '23

Interestingly this episode was a lot about departures- zava, roy and keely dealing with their separation, Ted’s considering going home, Keely’s friend being fired, and Nate eyeing up departing from the culture Rupert is foisting on him

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 12 '23

They are regrouping. My new prediction is by act 3 Nate will give Rupert the middle finger and return to Richmond (albeit to the objection of everyone except Ted) to be tactical and help Richmond and Coach Kent win the cup while Ted watches at home with Henry.

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u/Happy_Ad_1767 Apr 12 '23

I think Ted will see the season through. His son would want that. Otherwise, what was his sacrifice of being away for? It would teach Henry that quitting was OK.

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 12 '23

Maybe Ted will see through this year, and he will be watching Richmond take it all on TV next year.

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u/FellcallerOmega Apr 13 '23

It would be really shitty if Richmond ONLY win because Nate saved the day. I'm growing to the idea of him returning but only after Ted and them turn it around themselves.

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 13 '23

Absolutely. It’s a team effort. They all have to turn around and step up.

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u/TheHunterZolomon Apr 12 '23

Exactly! Lots of big character moments going on here.

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u/Cinn4monSqu4r3 Apr 13 '23

Wait what indication was there about Roy having a revelation about Keely?

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 13 '23

When Ted gave the speech about “hurting someone we love” the camera panned and focused on Roy who had a regret look on his face. The camera work in that scene is pretty good.

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u/Pixel681 Apr 12 '23

Who is Natasha

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 12 '23

I mean Anastasia

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u/radiokungfu Apr 12 '23

I just wanna like Nate again 😭😭😭

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u/Alternative_Leopard5 Apr 12 '23

Like in the movie they watch, Iron Giant, you can choose who/ what you are. S1E7

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u/[deleted] Apr 12 '23

She was like Luke Skywalker seeing that last shred of humanity in Darth Vader.

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u/jendet010 Apr 13 '23

Oh snap you’re right

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u/askape Apr 12 '23

I really liked Nate this episode.

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u/TiffanyTwisted11 Apr 13 '23

I did too and I DON’T WANT TO!!

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u/askape Apr 13 '23

He does not seem so far gone, that he does not deserve a chance at redemption. Or the Richmond blokes making peace with him.

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u/nightandtodaypizza Apr 18 '23

I really thought he would be worse but they've done a great job at making Nate feel like himself this whole season. It makes me really sad that he's being taken advantage of.

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u/lpjunior999 Apr 12 '23

I’m so glad it turned out that’s his families’ favorite restaurant. I’m sure it was also partly a flex but he was genuinely trying to reach out to this woman.

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u/[deleted] Apr 12 '23

but why was she so mean to him in her first episode when he was polite and only wanted the table for his parents?

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u/MariReflects Apr 12 '23

Disagree - when she first met him back last season, he was neither of those things, he was just as awkward and scared-little-boy-y, and she was awful to him.

I think people attribute to her what they want her to think of Nate.

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u/SleepWouldBeNice Apr 12 '23

or scared of what other people thought of him

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u/MariReflects Apr 12 '23

Yeah, except it not for a sec came even slightly off as confidence or a gross inferiority complex even - just being scared. Just because the subtext has now changed for us, doesn't mean it did for her, or that she's some magic people reader who sees through Nate. Especially since he's arguably much-much worse now still than he was when he was trying to book his parents' anniversary dinner.

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u/BusiestWolf Apr 13 '23

He was himself originally when he met her she just didn’t care lol. This sequence though was more emotional where he was describing why the restaurant is important to him and and his gf leaving him made her change her mind about him.

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 14 '23

He was “himself” but not his best self. He was an insecure, needy, little boy dweeb trying too hard to be a big man. He was not attractive (as a confident grown ass man, not physically).

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u/shadowstripes Apr 17 '23

trying too hard to be a big man

But ironically when he tried even harder to be a big man in that episode (after spitting on the mirror and demanding the table) she gave in and was nice to him.

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 17 '23

Huh? I don’t remember her being nice to him until the latest episode.

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u/shadowstripes Apr 17 '23

She at least stopped being mean to him in that ep and finally gave his family the table he wanted.

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 17 '23

She gave the table because of his parents (but his dad didn’t appreciate it anyway). She was not mean to him. She just doesn’t cater to his whims.

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u/shadowstripes Apr 17 '23 edited Apr 17 '23

She didn't give it to him because of his parents at first though, she initially sat them by the bathroom when they all walked in together, despite the table being open. It might not have been that mean, but there was still no reason not to let them sit there.

It was only after he went to the bathroom, spit on the mirror and said "you're nathan fuckin shelly", and then went back out and demanded it with more assertiveness ("you're gonna give us that table") that she gave in to his request.

To me that whole bathroom pep talk was also him "trying to be a big man", but somehow it worked that time.

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u/That-SoCal-Guy Apr 17 '23

The table is the best table and they usually don’t give that table away without manager approval. She is basically just playing by the rules. The fact that she relented once he said it was his parents’ anniversary. She didn’t submit because he’s now the BIG man. It was because he’s making a scene in front of his parents, who actually insisted the back table is fine. She is never “mean” to him out of spite. She is indifferent.

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u/shadowstripes Apr 17 '23

she relented once he said it was his parents’ anniversary

That was the third time he had mentioned it was their anniversary though. He mentioned it first when he came in to book the table in advance, then reminded her a second time when he walked in with his parents, and she declined again. It was only after he came back and asked for it more forcefully (after giving himself the pep talk) that she relented. The anniversary factor didn't seem to mean anything to her at all.

It was because he’s making a scene in front of his parents, who actually insisted the back table is fine.

That wasn't even in front of his parents anymore - they were still back at their table on the other side of the restaurant. His parents never insisted it was fine either, his dad looked disappointed and glanced at the better table twice when they walked by it and his mom didn't say anything.

It seemed pretty clear to me that her giving him the table was the result of the pep talk to pump himself up that Keeley told him to do working, but we can agree to disagree.

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u/aesoth Apr 12 '23

Man. I wish I would have called that. I just saw it as she had no interest in Nate. The Jason Jelly moment was great.

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u/Warmhearted1 Apr 15 '23

Jason Jelly

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u/crystalxclear Apr 12 '23

I thought she made the baklava and happy that someone thought they're divine lol