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Content warning: Please note that this piece mentions suicide. Some of the material might be distressing. We encourage you to take a break from reading if you need and take time to process the material. If you need support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit the University’s Counselling website.

Gosh, where to begin? (Okay, I should stop you here and let you know that this post will contain spoilers.) Maybe Jamie Tartt’s heart-warming transformation into a pretty awesome team player? Ted could have chosen not to give him a second chance back into the club but he did. He believed in Jamie. I previously wrote about the first season here and although still very much a sports comedy, I felt that this season touched on much heavier topics.

Here are some of my key take-aways:

• Ph.D. is life. Me and my thesis have a love and hate relationship at the moment, especially when I am going through a bit of writer’s block. “Sharon helped me remember that even though football is life, football is also death. And that football is football too. But mostly that football is life!” This is still my favourite quote from Season 2. I think it perfectly embodies my thoughts and feelings at the moment - just replace the word ‘football’ with ‘PhD’. As much as writing isn’t always easy, I honestly think I will miss this time in my life after I (eventually) submit my thesis.
• This series has been a good reminder that even the happiest people have gone through very tough times. Ted had to go through such dark days following his father’s suicide. There is no quick remedy for such loss but the show also demonstrated how painful pasts need not keep us in the dark forever. Despite the grief and anxiety, Ted allows himself to love, form friendships, trust and believe.
• You can choose grace. You can maintain your boundaries while also choosing kindness.
• “Don’t you dare settle for fine.” These words uttered by Roy Kent are a good reminder for us to believe in ourselves and know what we are worth.
• “I can’t be your mentor without occasionally being your tormentor.” I’m so grateful that throughout my professional life, I’ve had supportive mentors.

PS: I made soup for everyone the last time - for Season 2, I made banana cake. I have lots of ripe bananas left still. Does anyone have suggestions for other yummy treats I could make with ripe bananas?