The Keeley/Jack thing is not for naught, they dropped it in to drive a storyline (I hope). It bothered me on first watch because it felt so contrived and unnecessary pandering for lack of a better word. My hope is this is going to force a decision for Keeley that promotes growth of character. My guess is that she will be forced to choose between Roy and keeping her funding (Jack).
I thought her choosing between Jamie and Roy would be plot enough as that has happened organically. I wish the firing of Shandy would have happened better, it made her look weak to be walked on that much, and she could have addressed the issue early on (company credit card for drinks was her first opportunity to coach Shandy on professionalism followed by 4 or 5 other chances). But she will be a better leader having suffered the embarrassment of it all.
Ted doesn't make better players, he makes better leaders. Although he hasn't done so specifically for Keeley, he has for Beard (prior to the show) Rebecca, Roy, Jamie, Macadoo, and eventually Nate IMO. That is the meaning of the show for me. Everyone had F'd up father figures or other barriers, but Ted shows them how it should be.
Onward, Forward