Ted Lasso: Rupert Tries to Corrupt Nate ‘Devil’s Advocate’ Style

Dustin Waters
Dustin Waters is a writer from Macon, Ga, currently living in D.C. After years as a beat reporter in the Lowcountry, he now focuses his time on historical oddities, trashy movies, and the merits of professional wrestling.

Fans of mid-to-late ’90s Keanu Reeves may have recognized a scene from the season three episode of Ted Lasso, “La Locker Room Aux Folles.” And it takes things a bit further by characterizing the villainous Rupert as the actual devil. 

Nate has been no saint himself, but it’s clear that Rupert takes pleasure in corrupting everything around him. I mean, his office is literally the Emperor’s throne room. 

They’re not really being subtle here. So some viewers may have recognized a bit more of an obscure cinematic allusion in this most recent episode. 

After meeting Nate’s girlfriend, Jade, when she stops by his office to surprise him with a nice lunch, Rupert looks to ruin this blooming romance. He invites Nate out to a bar for a seemingly innocent guys’ night.  You know, just two blokes out for a blinder.

But Nate arrives only to find Rupert isn’t alone. He is joined by two 8-foot-tall women looking forward to a fun evening. 

Rupert intends to lure Nate back to a private room with the two beautiful women and a few bottles of champagne. Fans of the 1997 film The Devil’s Advocate may recognize this scene. Let’s just replace Rupert with Al Pacino. And instead of trying to corrupt a young soccer coach with anger issues, he’s trying to soil the soul of an ambitious Southern lawyer willing to bend the rules. 

Also Al Pacino is literally the devil in this movie. Here’s the scene.

Luckily, in both scenes, Keanu and Nate were able to resist the earthly temptations of the flesh. But only time will tell if Nate turns himself fully to the Dark Side. 

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