Quite frankly, the people who are baffled by this show dealing with a locker room are insane. How could you have a coach that is as player-oriented as Ted Lasso without running into a locker room protest in 2021? You couldn't. A "player's coach" like Ted, who gives players room to speak their minds and emphasizes personal growth over wins and losses (leading a locker room with players from around the world no less) is bound to encounter situations like this. Whether you agree with the specific protest or not (if you side with the corrupt company, then you've got some problems) I cannot see how you lodge a complaint against this being a storyline. It was inevitable. Ignoring this dynamic of the locker room would have been unconscionable. The character arc they are building with Jamie is very promising. Sam continuing to find his voice in the locker room is massively exciting for the show. The reintroduction of "Sassy Smurf" was smart, and giving Rebecca an honest to God motivation to grow (being a role model for her God-daughter) were great steps for the rest of the season. If you disliked this episode, you disliked it because you (wrongly) don't think athletes should ever protest. You didn't dislike it because it told a story badly.
Review of Do the Right-est Thing
One of the show's best episodes; brilliant setup for the rest of the season
7 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers