#and Ted’s “Trent Crimm bringing that heat

[if-i-look-straight-look-again]

Rewatching Ted Lasso part 14: the little smirk on Trent’s face when the other reporters chant “the Independent” is my favorite part of S2 E1

[itsclydebitches]

Things I Adore About Diamond Dog Trent (in Chronological Order):

Intense confusion over Beard barking that becomes Roy scaring the shit out of him (again) as he slams the door

"Oh, I'm in." IMMEDIATE. NO HESITATION. 100% COMMITMENT. Keep in mind that he's just been told they share their "most initiate thoughts, feelings and experiences" like oh, I don't know... the fact that you're gay? But Trent is Ted's The Lasso Way's #1 Fanboy so he's feeling safe and validated, baby!!

This is very much enhanced by the return of the rainbow mug

30 seconds into his new membership and Trent has gotten used to the barking enough that he can manage an awkward little wave of acknowledgement. 10/10 very cute

Subtle eye-narrowing of judgment at Ted right after Beard's "Unbelievable." They really are on the same wavelength this episode I'm digging it

"Can I just talk whenever?" OH I'M SORRY, IS TRENT "BRINGING THE HEAT" CRIMM POLITELY REQUESTING PERMISSION TO ASK POINTED, PERSONAL QUESTIONS? We love us some character development, yes we do

Teeny tiny smile when Higgins agrees with him. He's! So! Proud! Of! Himself! And he should be!!

Copying Beard's pointing. It reminds me of him subtly flipping Jamie off but also kinda pretending like it's a coincidence. Trent wants to be included so, so badly and he's someone who displays that by mimicking the actions of those around him. Something, something, Isaac's study of body language

The fact that for once Trent isn't holding his notebook and doesn't stop to grab it. He has a good handle now on what can and cannot go into his book. "Don't print that" is a running gag he no longer needs

A more meta-y take, but I love that Trent's first meeting is the perfect example of what the Diamond Dogs are meant to be accomplishing. It's not just a place to vent or get platitudes (though it's that too), but rather to receive the honest, sometimes hard-hitting advice so you can make better and more informed decisions. Ted went in looking for sympathy and got a doozy of a wake-up call instead, which I think highlights the group's purpose for Trent far better than many other meetings might have

You can see Trent open his mouth a little bit while the others are howling like he wants to join in (because he does HE DOES) but doesn't quite have the courage yet. It's only when the others quiet down - when he's not 'imposing' on 'their' thing - that he lets out that little *woof!* of his own

The woof. Yes, that gets its own bullet point

[hongtiddiez]

His fingers are numb and cold, the familiar sensation of pins and needles creeps up his legs, he has to actively remind himself how to take full measured breaths. He knows what is coming and he doesn't want to just sit here and allow it to happen, not in the middle of The Crown and Anchor. He slaps down enough notes to cover his nightly pints, slings his Richmond puffer jacket over his shoulder, and stalks out of the pub with measured steps. He doesn't want to draw more attention to himself than he has already received.

His legs carry him through the streets and to the Green where he finally sits himself on a bench and forces himself to focus on the many little sounds of the nightlife around him. He can faintly hear the amicable rumbling of a pub, a gentle bell of a shop closing up, and muted conversations held between pedestrians, most of which are huddled close against the chill in the air. He is focused so much on all those sounds that he misses the soft footfalls approaching him. 

"Ted Lasso, the American, is that you?" He'd recognize that smooth, honeyed tone anywhere. 

"Trent Crimm, independent. What brings you here on this fine night?" He wonders as he shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans - not khakis, it isn't a work day and that probably half contributes to the stuttered rhythm of his heart and breath.

"I should have known that would stick. If you must know, I was on my way back to my flat when I caught a familiar sight." Trent explains as he sits beside him on the bench. "I'd be remiss if I didn't ask the same."

"Oh, just out for a little walk. The cold air wakes me up, helps me do my best thinkin'." Smile. Nod. Hide behind the humor and feel secure in the knowledge that you've become so good at wearing this mask that no one will see beyond it. 

"Oh? And what interesting insights has tonight offered?"

"Oh, y'know, - " Fuck. Why did his voice betray him? Why did he have to wobble like a teenager going up to the blackboard for a question he doesn't know the answer to? 

"Ted, is everything alright?" Fuck. Trent Crimm looks concerned and that's how Ted knows he's fucking all of this up worse than he originally thought. 

"Right as rain!" There it is. Chipper, deflecting, sparkling personality armor. "Say, where does that even come from? 'Right as rain.' Sure I mean if you don't have any plans outdo-"

"I believe that'd be one of ours, actually. Ted, are you certain everything is alright?" Trent's hand on his forearm feels warm - not uncomfortably so but like a heated blanket set to just the right temperature to get you all nice and cozy. There's another joking reply on his tongue and he wets his lip to prepare it as he looks up at Trent's eyes. His brow is knit in slight concern, mouth pulled into more of a frown, and Ted hates the way he looks so fucking concerned for him. It makes him want to tell him everything. 

"Just.. A bad night." It's only the tip of the iceberg but letting it out helps. 

"Would you like to talk about it? I understand if not with me, I believe I've quite broken that trust, but -"

"Whoa, hey, remember what I said about assumptions and arses? Nothin' broken here, sir." A lie. Ted's broken. More broken than he ever realized. 

"- but I'd like to mend that, if you're amenable." Trent continues over him and for a moment Ted feels like crying, wishing he meant for more than just to mend some metaphorical bridge he thinks he's burnt. He wishes someone wanted to fix him, or at least be by his side while he does it himself. 

"Can't mend what isn't broken, Trent. Seriously, I forgave you the minute I saw the article." 

A sigh. Maybe he'll get annoyed and leave. "Alright, then I'd like to be there for you, if you need a listening ear."

"...Can we just talk about anything else?" Ted finds it in himself to ask, hoping Trent recognizes that he's trying to meet him halfway here but he just can't get into it all right now, in the middle of the Richmond Green. 

"Certainly. Have you ever heard of the art of Kintsugi? Seems like something that would be right up your alley." 

"Now ain't that the Japanese art of fixing pottery with gold and it ends up lookin' more beautiful than ever before?" Ted smiles. It is right up his alley, the optimism of it all warms his heart. 

"Indeed. I like to think humans can be the same way - even more beautiful once they've faced what makes them broken." Trent offers him a smile, the kind where one eye squints a little more than the other and the lines on his face deepen. It makes him unbearably handsome but Ted can't even focus on that over the way his breath stutters out in surprise. He can't be talking about him.. can he?

[polikszena]

Dear Ted Lasso Fandom,

Do we have a Barbie poster for Trent Crimm yet? If not, what do you think, what would be the tagline?

This Barbie is not a reporter anymore?

This Barbie is bringing that heat?

This Barbie wants to be portrayed by Dustin Hoffman?

Or You can take this Barbie out of journalism, but you cannot take journalism out of this Barbie?

[rovermcfly]

When Nate approached Trent to tell him about Ted's panic attack in the hopes that Trent will write about it in a way that will ruin Ted's life, Trent probably thought "Is that all that people see in me?"

He's been dissatisfied with his job for a while now, like he said he's now looking for something "deeper". And yet, he didn't leave his job until this article and you have to wonder why.

The reason is that Trent Crimm, The Independent is a bully and an asshole, a cutthroat journalist. He's the person that you approach if you wanna ruin a man's life. Rebecca approached him hoping he'd write something to ruin Ted's life and so did Nate. Except when Nate approached him, he realised that this is all that he is to people. He is Trent Crimm, The Independent, the man you go to to ruin someone's life.

But we know Trent changed. And Trent knows he changed too. But Trent Crimm, The Independent cannot change, he stands for all these things, for "bringing the heat", for being "a tough cookie"- an asshole. So if he really wants to change, he has to leave that person behind entirely.

"Trent Crimm, independent" is more than just a joke. It's Trent leaving the person he used to be behind for good. It's, dare I say, Trent Crimm 2.0. He's finally the man he never thought he really could be, but he had to leave Trent Crimm, The Independent behind to become that man.

[itslucyhenley]

Trent Crimm episode list

S01E01: Pilot: "Is this a fucking joke?"

S01E02: Biscuits: "Trent Crimm, The Independent." "Oh, i remember Trent"

"Can you explain the off side rule?"

scene with Jaime "They're all in there eating cake." "Seriously?" Trent with his hair in a bun looking over his shoulder

S01E03: Trent Crimm, The Independent Ted and Rebecca "The writer will be Trent Crimm. He's very good and the supporters really listen to him." "Oh, no, I know Trent, yeah he's a tough cookie." "Really?" "Yeah, but that's okay. You know what you do with tough cookies don't ya? Dip 'em in milk."

"Hello Coach Ted Lasso from America." "Hello Trent Crimm from The Independent." general James Lance eyebrow acting and eyeglass waggling

"Trent, what do you love?"

"I'll say this though, I really enjoyed getting to spend this time with you, Trent." "You really mean that, don't you?"

"I can't help but root for him."

S01E06: Two Aces: Ted pointing at Trent: "Trent Crimm, The Independent." Trent: "Trent Crimm, The Independent." *wink* *smirk*

S01E09: All Apologies: "How about Trent Crimm, and if memory serves you're from The Daily Planet?"

S02E01: Goodbye Earl: "Trent Crimm bringing that heat."

S02E03: Do the Right-est Thing: "Alright Trent make like Dunst and Union and bring it on, baby."

S02E07: Headspace: "Of all the pub joints.."

"Love our chats."

S02E12: Inverting the Pyramid of Success: "I don't know how to ride a bicycle." "That surprises me." "Why, because of the hair and the whole vibe?" "Yeah I guess."

"You know what this makes you now though right?" "Trent Crimm, Independent. Yeah my father made the same joke." "He sounds like a cool guy." *heart eyes*

"I love our chats."

[weclassybouquetfun]

Series 3 of TED LASSO is halfway done with shooting

and as we are deep in the For Your Consideration period for the Emmys, cast members are doing interviews. There have been recent video interviews with an assortment of the cast and none have been very forthcoming about what series 3 will hold, but co-creator Brendan "Coach Beard" Hunt did say one thing.

Yes, 3 is the magic number for the show. Conceived as a three season show they creators are sticking to their guns and pulling a Willie Nelson : going out on a high!

But as Colin told Richard, "Smile because it happened." I'm glad they are ending it as they intended. I really believe a fourth series would have made storytelling suffer a bit as the show was already written in their minds. Yes, they adjusted when inspiration struck, but they still had all the beats planned out. Another season would mean starting from scratch and I think it would have lost a bit of the magic.

As I wrote, it's the FYC period and pre-pandemic the big games in town were always the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences events and Netflix and Amazon's installations.

Netflix went big on SQUID GAME and STRANGER THINGS

The first full on FYC period since 2019 has found more players in the game with Apple+ and NBC Universal holding events.

NBCU's FYC House is a great addition. They also had a pop-up at outdoor mall The Grove.

Apple+'s Grove pop-up that had booths and little treats from PACHINKO, SEVERANCE, WECRASHED, SCHMIGADOON and TED LASSO. They were out of pink boxed biscuits when I was there so I got Earl Grey tea with shortbread ice-cream.

As WB produces TED LASSO, WB is having their own event for the show under their WB Tour umbrella. I have had so many problems attempting to RSVP for the event that I assume it's sold out and they just haven't slapped a SOLD OUT notice on it. But I'm not too put out by it because it was a pre-recorded panel. Which is madness because people are schlepping through weekday traffic in BURBANK for something they should have just sent out links to people can watch at home. Not very Ted Lasso of them.

They are so funny for this. Trent Crimm surely to bring the heat!

[exuberantocean]

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories. See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line. Then tag some people to take part.  Tagged by @sparrowsarus

If you want to do this, consider yourself tagged!

1. So Close (WIP, Ted Lasso, Tedbecca)

Rebecca blames the bloody biscuits.

2. Breathe Deep the Gathering Gloom (Ted Lasso, Gen, Ted & Beard)

The alarm blares, jarring Beard's already frazzled nerves, until fumbling, he manages to slap it into silence.

3. Fingertips (Ted Lasso, Ted/Trent)

Trent Crimm (newly independent) carried with him a secret.

4. Bird by Bird (Ted Lasso, Gen Diamond Dogs)

“I’m so proud of her, but I just…feel like I’m being left behind.”

5. Onward (Ted Lasso, tedbecca)

The papery rustling of the wind through fields of corn was the first thing he became aware of.

6. Over Troubled Water (Ted Lasso, Gen/Preship, Ted & Rebecca)

“Hiya, Keeley!”

7. Heart (MASH, Hawkeye/BJ)

BJ’s eyes shot open as he awoke with a gasp.

8. Good Night Sleeping Beauty (MASH, Hawkeye/Trapper)

When the truck rolled to a stop, Trapper gave Radar’s cuff a little tug.

9. On Writing Panic Attacks (Original Essay)

One morning three years or so ago I was driving to work.

10. Humming Down the Night (MASH, Hawkeye/Trapper)

It wasn’t hard to sweet talk Henry into giving Frank the first shift in post op.

11. A Little Comfort in the Night (MASH, Gen, Hawkeye & Charles)

Charles Emerson Winchester the third’s precious sleep was being interrupted yet again.

12. Families (MASH, Gen, Hawkeye & Margaret)

It pleased Margaret Houlihan to find post op a model of order and efficiency at the start of her shift.

13. The Feline Incident (Schitt’s Creek, David/Patrick

David knew something was wrong the minute Patrick greeted him at the door.

14. Rosetta (MASH, Gen, Hawkeye)

The closer the bus gets to Crabapple Cove, the more distant, the more flat the world around him appears.

15. Regrets (ST: Disco, Paul/Hugh)

“Ohmygodohmygodhmygod-”

16. Ways McShep Could Have Happened: A Ficlet Collection (SGA, McShep)

“What did you touch.”

17. Heat (Due South, Fraser/RayK)

The summer brought an unexpected heat and though the taiga east of Inuvik offered shelter in the shade of it’s evergreen trees, the plains to the west held no escape the intense sunlight.

18. Grounding (SPN, Sam/Gabriel)

Sam usually knows it’s coming before it hits.  

19. Under the Sway of the Sycamore Trees (SPN, Gen, Sam & Gabriel)

Once the initial shock wore off and explanations were given which, to Gabriel, felt like a semi-comprehensible whirlwind of words, Dean gave him a sound thump on the back and, to the archangel’s surprise, Sam enveloped him in a warm hug.

20. Bring Me Back Home (SPN, Gen)

“And you’re sure this will work, Rowena?”

BONUS: Because going 20 fics back doesn’t get me to two of my favorite stories I wrote:

There is Some Relief in Letting Go (Twin Peaks, Gen-mostly)

He is letting Her go.

Decomposition (SPN, Cas-centric with Dean/Cas mention)

I pray to thee o’ Castiel to give me a call as soon as you can; we’ll pick you up.

It's the Third Time that Counts (SGA, McShep) 

“When are you two getting married?”

The Valentine's Day Curse (SGA, McShep)

“…but seriously Carson, I can walk. Kind of.”

Patterns: I’m not sure I really see any patterns, other than a lot of the first lines are short, with some notable exceptions.

Favorite first line: I’m not sure I’m really that gifted at first lines, tbh.  I should work on that.  I think it’s a tie between Onward’s " The papery rustling of the wind through fields of corn was the first thing he became aware of.” and Breathe Deep the Gathering Gloom’s “The alarm blares, jarring Beard's already frazzled nerves, until fumbling, he manages to slap it into silence. “

[itsclydebitches]

Fandom: Ted Lasso

Pairing: Ted/Trent

Length: 1,338

Tags: Established Relationship, Fluff, Humor, Coming Out, Genderqueer Trent

Summary:

The Diamond Dogs, a group of men committed to supporting each other and sharing their most intimate thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Fully settled in at Richmond and emboldened by Ted's support, Trent wants to challenge the "men" part.

Fic also below the cut!

“I heard the howl of an emergency meeting?”

Higgins popped his head into the coaches’ office, thankfully not out of breath this time. Ted waved him in while simultaneously shaking his head.

“No emergency, just an update. Trent? Gonna make like Windows and improve the Diamond Dogs’ operating system?”

“He better be fucking faster than Windows,” came Roy’s call from the next room, despite the fact that he wasn’t technically a group member and could, if he wanted, have left the club at any time.

He didn’t budge.

Truthfully, Trent was grateful for all of it: Ted’s joke, Roy’s gripes, the fact that they had waited until most everyone else had gone home before calling this meeting. It wasn’t that Trent was ashamed of his request, but it was... reassuring, to be cocooned between privacy and familiarity. It helped the tight knot in his stomach dissipate a bit. Ted may have been the one prone to panic attacks, but Trent had felt like he was on the edge of one all week, and his boyfriend has been disgustingly accommodating about the whole thing. Ted had willingly spent all his time over at Trent’s so he could stay wrapped in the same sweatpants and t-shirt combo he’d been turning to for support since his college days. There had been an endless stream of biscuits and tea, despite the fact that Ted wrinkled his nose whenever he portioned out Trent’s preferred blend. He’d fielded calls, emails, and one stupidly persistent mailman, had kept Stella entertained for literal days, listened to every wild theory that popped into Trent’s head about how this could go catastrophically wrong, all while gently steering him back towards reality with a skill Ted had never been able to apply to his own anxieties. They’d practiced this for fucks sake, and now all Trent could remember from those rehearsals was Ted saying, Breathe. Just breathe, darlin’.

He was looking at him now, mimicking a deep, satisfying breath. Trent instinctively copied him. That was better. Well, he was less likely to pass out, anyhow. Trent drew in another quick breath as all eyes turned his way. Right. He could do this. No different from asking a question in the press room, really. Trent Crimm, bringing the heat.

Into my cheeks maybe, he thought and conspicuously let his hair fall to curtain his face.

“Hello, ah... thank you all for coming...” Trent immediately winced. What was this, a graduation speech? Beard had just been barking into the phone. No one was laughing though and Ted gave him a subtle thumbs up that, really, wasn’t very subtle at all. Trent cleared his throat. “Yes, well... I asked everyone to er, mount up—” fuck he did not just say that, “—because I had a suggestion for the group. Or rather, a question?”

Questioning whether you have a question bloody hell, Trent! Get it together! Asking questions is literally your job!

Of course. Yes, he knew how to ask questions. Trent let out a breath and turned to Beard, professionalism wrapped around him like armor. “Three months ago you defined the Diamond Dogs as a ‘Group of men committed to supporting each other and sharing their most intimate thoughts, feelings, and experiences.’ Do you stand by that description?”

“I do.” No hesitation. “And as someone who understands the highs and lows of an eidetic memory, I appreciate the exact quote.”

Trent inclined his head. That nugget of anxiety was reforming so he spoke in a rush, almost too fast to be understood:

“I don’t suppose you’d be willing to reconsider the ‘men’ part?”

Beard pursed his lips and Trent told himself that it was a thinking pose, not disgust, nothing else there except what his anxious mind was conjuring up. Beside him there was a considering noise from Higgins and Trent felt the weight of Roy’s gaze on him from behind. He didn’t look away from Beard though, not even to look to Ted. If he did he’d simply cave and let the talkative, boisterous, emotionally intelligent man take hold of the conversation, desperate as he was to have this all go down smooth.

But Trent needed to do this himself.

Within moments Beard’s face had cycled through a hundred micro expressions, finally settling on a kind of giddy satisfaction. Trent felt like a puzzle that had been solved at lightning speed, but in a good way. Like someone else finally knew him.

“Two reasons why we’d want to change it,” Beard said, holding up fingers for emphasis. “Either there’s a woman you want to invite into the group—”

“Or someone else on the nonbinary spectrum,” Higgins pipped up. Trent couldn’t help but shoot him a surprised look. He shrugged. “My oldest has been experimenting lately so I’ve been learning all the—” jazz hands,“—terminology.”

Ted gave a little gasp. “Not Lindsay? The vicar?”

“That’s the one.”

“Well hot dog, good for him! Or is it good for them?”

“Them for now, but I’ll update you if it changes.”

“I appreciate that.”

Beard held up a commanding hand. “Ahem. Excellent correction, Leslie, but we’re getting off topic.”

“Actually, I think he's right on the money.” Trent’s voice came out a little quieter than he would have preferred, but at least it wasn’t shaking. “Because the second option, of course, is if a current member isn’t... a man.” He spread his arms in a ‘ta da’ movement. Lean into the vibe. Remember to breathe.

Like witnessing a miracle, Trent found that Beard was smiling. Just a tiny little twitch hidden among the hair, but it was there, it was noticeable, and oh thank fuck Trent could feel his own body again.

That hand—still raised, awkward for anyone other than the man who’d once rallied the team in a banana costume (a moment Trent had not been there for, but desperately wished he could have seen)—came down hard on the table with a satisfying crack. They all jumped and Beard’s voice rose to new, authoritative heights.

“ALL IN FAVOR OF—oh wait, Ted, did you want to do it?”

“No, sir, I ain’t stealin’ your thunder. Keep it going, that was amazing.”

“Thank you. ALL IN FAVOR OF CHANGING THE ‘MAN’ REQUIREMENT FOR ADMISSION INTO THE DIAMOND DOGS POST-HASTE SAY, ‘WOOF.’”

A chorus of exuberant howling answered him and Trent had to duck his head, as embarrassed as he was pleased. Beard was drumming chaotically on the table while Higgins panted like their namesake beside him. Beneath his hair, Trent caught Ted throwing him both a kiss and a wink, his expression a loving, Told you so. Cheeky bastard.

Beard pulled out a bottle from under the desk with a suspiciously blank label on it, pouring generously into the mugs Ted had snagged. Higgins briefly engaged him in conversation, asking if he should be learning another change in pronouns, but no. Trent hadn’t gotten that far yet. It was enough that Ted sometimes slipped a “Yes, ma’am” into their conversations, or told Trent he was beautiful during times when the rest of the world would probably disagree. Yes, that was enough... as was this.

Trent was so caught up in the celebration that it took him a while to realize that one of their pseudo-members had been worryingly silent. He turned to find Roy leaning against the door into their shared office, giving him a similar look-over to the one Beard had wielded. All at once Trent’s doubt came rushing back, especially when faced with someone he’d done wrong by in the past. Perhaps his newfound friendship with Roy was a one-sided delusion. Perhaps his forgiveness couldn’t extend to—

He interrupted Trent’s spiral with a grunt. “You’re... what’s the fucking word? Genderqueer?”

Higgins made an affirming noise that Trent was oh so grateful for. His own throat had closed up.

Roy nodded, harsh frown marring his features, and then intoned a single, clipped word:

“Cool.”

Ted and Beard lost their minds and Trent fell hard into the feeling of finally coming home.