What’s Beard Reading? (3.08: “We’ll Never Have Paris”)
Beard’s new book for episode 8, Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football by David Winner, is shown only once, unopened on his desk alongside The Miracle Of Castel Di Sangro (which I wrote about here). The camera never focuses on Winner’s book, as the above screenshot shows. But there aren’t many soccer books with orange covers,[1] which made identifying this one fairly simple.[2]
Winner’s book on the interchange between Dutch culture and approach to soccer was originally written in 2000, with an update added to cover the devastating Dutch World Cup loss to Spain in 2010. The link to the show is straightforward. The Greyhounds have turned their luck around with this new approach, and the team is on a four-game winning streak by the start of the episode. And, just as Winner connects the Dutch style of play to the culture of the Netherlands, so too does Trent connect the culture Ted’s created at Richmond directly to the players’ success on the pitch. There are two other threads that link Winner’s book with elements of the show: a star player whose presence threatens to imbalance the team spirit (Johan Cruyff and Zava, respectively) and a bitter rivalry that drives the team forward (Germany and West Ham).
Additionally, Winner too wrestles with the aim of the sport, whether winning means anything if it costs charismatic performances on the pitch. As Abhinav Chakraborty explains in his review of the book: “For a team that ends up on the winning side through a conservative approach (club side Ajax in the 1973 European Cup) is derided for being ‘boring‘ & ‘betraying the Dutch soul’ whereas a losing side playing an attractive brand of football gets a homecoming worthy of heroes, referring to the events that followed the Lost Final of 1974.” There’s a similar sentiment after Richmond’s loss to Arsenal — most evidenced in Trent’s enthusiastic encouragement that this strategy “is going to work.” Even Arlo White recognizes the promise this approach holds: “Arsenal prevails,” he calls the game. “But for the first time in weeks, the Greyhounds are showing signs of life.”
Beyond the initial montage of the team’s winning streak, however, we don’t see much more of this thread explored in episode 8. Instead, it focuses primarily on three storylines: Ted’s difficulty watching his ex-wife move on, a fallout between Keeley and Jack, and a budding relationship between Nate and Jade. While most of the episode was (sadly) lackluster,[3] the Nate material holds the most promise, both in the appearance of Ted, et al. at the West Ham match and in his relationship with Jade. He may see himself as Ted’s rival, but that stance is hard to maintain when Ted’s son is decked out in West Ham gear cheering his team on. And as Jade encourages him to savor his victories, he takes a beat to notice that Ted is genuinely happy for his success. Nate will have to reckon with that in the coming episodes, especially in the face of Rupert’s vindictiveness. But the smile on Nate’s face suggests there’s a lot to be hopeful for.
Although Brilliant Orange is relegated to the periphery, there is another book more prominently displayed in “We’ll Never Have Paris.” The Beast Beyond the Fence, Ted’s choice of bedtime read for Henry, emphasizes friendship and community, also common themes of the show. This book is the first of English footballer Marcus Rashford’s Breakfast Club Adventures series (cowritten with Alex Falase-Koya and illustrated by Marta Kissi). Rashford is well-known for using his fame and resources to advocate for the underprivileged and, in fact, distributed 50,000 copies of this book to children in economically depressed areas of the UK. I’m not much familiar with the world of soccer, but it seems as though Rashford may be inspiration for Sam, as they both are socially minded and — even at a young age — committed to leveraging their positions for the betterment of others.
The book’s concern with cooperation and a collaborative spirit as the key to success is fitting for Henry, given his recent bout with bullying. Things are going so well on that score that Henry is planning to starting a band with Doug. But it’s also fitting that the book makes an appearance in the same episode in which the Diamond Dogs reconvene (with Trent as new member).
Recall that it was Nate who originally named the Diamond Dogs. And unlike Roy, Nate embraced the idea from the start: “I must say that this is lovely. Ever since I was little, I always used to dream about sitting down with a bunch of mates talking about the complex dynamics between men and women” (“The Diamond Dogs”). His relationship with Jade is resurfacing those feelings, and we see him awkwardly attempt to recreate at West Ham the natural camaraderie he had with the Richmond coaches. Predictably, this doesn’t work so well, given his earlier snubs of the West Ham personnel. That Nate naively invites Rupert to join shows that he has much to learn about his self-created plight. Unlike Henry, Nate has yet to own up to his mistreatment of others, and without that honest acknowledgement of his shortcomings, Nate will remain beyond the reach of the fellowship he so desires.
[1] As far as I can tell, there are only two: Winner’s Brilliant Orange and Terry Michler’s Dutch Total Football.
[2] Coach Beard’s Book Club — a podcast and Twitter account — also confirmed the title.
[3] James Dator offers a different, positive take on the episode.
Other Installments of “What’s Beard Reading?” (for Season 3):
Episode 1, “Smells Like Mean Spirit”
Episode 2, “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea”
Episode 7, “The Strings That Bind Us”
Episode 9, “La Locker Room Aux Folles”
