1x02 Biscuits

[7.3/10] I like the general idea of “Biscuits” -- that Ted is making headway with the people who are ostensibly against him, like Ms. Welton and Jamie, but it’s not enough to keep them from doing what they’d already planned to undermine him. It continues the overall theme of the show, which is Ted’s corny but sincere personality getting through to his stiff-upper-lipped counterparts across the pond.

Ted finds a way in with Rebecca by home-making cookies she can’t ignore and once again caring about her well-being after a tabloid writer blindsides her with a story about her husband cheating on her. And he finds a way in with Jamie by tying his own potential for greatness to the shared success of his teammates. But in both cases it’s not enough, with Jamie going to another journalist to gripe about Ted and blame others, and Ms. Welton working to sabotage Ted by making it seem like he’s making moves on his star player’s girlfriend.

The winning element here is still Jason Sudekis’s performance as Ted. His chipper, can-do attitude through everything could seem corny from a lesser performer, but he finds the grain of truth in such a ridiculous character, which anchors him to the real world just enough. Plus, acts like complementing Nate’s boxes or celebrating his homesick Nigerian player’s birthday to make him feel more at home show the care and attention that can make him a success anywhere.

There’s other little grace notes at play. I'm a big fan of the pub owner who explains what a “wanker” is and tells the unruly fans in her bar to give Ted a chance. Ted’s interactions with the young woman on his walk home who loves soccer shows his winning charm and genial spirit with everyone, not just the people he’s trying to motivate. And the biggest laugh of the show for me thus far is Higgins dancing in the locker room.

Overall, this is still more mild than hilarious, and some of the emotional trajectories seem a touch overly choreographed, but I like it as an amiable comedy thus far.