‘Ted Lasso’ is probably the most beloved show to come out of the beginnings of COVID-19. In the early days of the Pandemic, many people wanted to turn to something warm and comforting to escape what life had become in the world. This unassuming show about an American Football Coach flying to London to coach a Premier Soccer League has taken off in enormous fashion, getting critical and commercial buzz throughout its entire existence. Who would’ve thought that a farcical concept that started out as an NBC sketch could be given so much emotional weight? Apparently, Jason Sudeikis and co-creators Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt and Joe Kelly. Their knack for telling sincere stories in a genuinely sophisticated way has brought a much-needed dose of kindness to the cynicism of modern television.
Everybody’s favorite soccer coach came back for its third (and supposedly final) season. The first episode of the show was as tight, as moving, and as laughably adorable as it’s ever been. The only difference is that, this time around, there’s an added layer of darkness to some of the character’s trajectories. The setup for the rest of the season’s plotline and the character’s evolving relationships are going to play a huge part in the quality of the show moving forward.
In terms of plot, the premiere episode picks up where the second season left off. After winning the defining game that promoted them back to the Premier League, AFC Richmond is now a contender with Rupert’sWest Ham United. Ted is already presented with some major challenges this season. Not only does he have to fight an uphill battle with the press and the team’s laughable public image, but he also has to contend with some new personal drama in his family. This first episode details the soccer coach’s guilt from lack of time spent with his son Henry. The final scene involves a FaceTime between the two where Henry shows off his cool toy from his mom’s ‘new friend.’ Already there’s darkness threatening to infect Ted’s normally cheerful demeanor.
The second major plotline the first episode is setting up involves Rupert and Nate. It seems that Nate Shelley, aka “Nate the Great,” has become anything but, as he constantly chooses emotionally stunted decisions in his professional career. He’s become Rupert’s assistant coach and number one fan in a very misdirected approach to alleviate his anger towards his Dad’s continual neglect. This is evident through a few of their key interactions, mostly different versions of Nate desperately vying for Rupert’s approval at every opportunity. There’s even a scene confirming this: when Nate is giving a press conference, he has a panic attack. Here, he thinks about a combination of his father and his experiences as an assistant coach under the leadership of Ted. This little glimpse into his inner world shows us just how much he’s hurting, and how much he needs to change to get back to living a happy and healthy life. Both these plotlines are portrayed as the two major sources of drama this season.
Characters are Forced to Handle Their Most Difficult Challenge Yet
These two complications point to an evolving show with evolving characters and evolving relationships. ‘Ted Lasso’ has always been sweet and sincere, even as it manages to balance this out with heavier moments. However, it seems like things are changing in season 3. Ted’s relationship with his family (and his ex-wife Michelle’s “new friend”) are definitely going to be explored later, and it won’t be an incredibly positive experience at first for him. He’ll most likely struggle with alot of guilt in not being present enough for his family. Nate and Ted’s personal lives are about to take a turn for the interesting, and the show will have to maintain its identity while pushing its characters in more complicated directions that may be hard to watch.
It’s a fairly big departure for the show to make. The difference is especially noticeable when comparing it to season 1. While not all sunshine and rainbows, the first season maintained a very positive face in the midst of adversity on the soccer field and Rebecca’s ulterior motives. We really only got to see small bits and pieces of characters’ personal lives and how it unfairly affects them. Season 2 dared to delve a bit deeper into personal issues, mostly focusing on the pain fostered between parents and their children. It was primarily expressed through Jamie Tart’s abusive father, Nate’s constant rejection from his parents, and of course, Ted’s father’s tragic suicide.
While it feels like the show is going in a different direction, I can safely vouch that if the first episode is any indication, long time fans and new converts alike have nothing to fear. The newer challenges the characters are presented with are handled beautifully. Any good dramatic show knows that its story has to have evolving components if it wants to have a sense of realism. ‘Ted Lasso’ elegantly weaves these sad stories with its happier characters to create a graceful and holistic approach to examining life.
And just because the upcoming stories seem like they’ll be gloomier, doesn’t mean the show has lost its trademark shield from cynicism. Ted decides to hold a press interview in response to Nate’s recent mean comments towards him. Of course, he doles out his usual principled empathy that we’ve come to know and love. He praises Nate as a competent coach and deserving of his new position. He even ends up poking fun at himself, elevating the atmosphere around him and making the journalists laugh and participate in his jokes. It’s this measured and entirely self-sustaining compassion that allows Ted to come out of most bad situations unscathed. Here exists one of the bigger picture lessons of the show that it has always trumpeted since the beginning: in the face of a chaotic or confusing situation, it’s courageous to be kind.
‘Smells Like Mean Spirit’ is a triumph of a season premiere. ‘Ted Lasso’ is in excellent shape, and I’m excited to see what comes next. ‘Ted Lasso’ is streaming now on Apple TV.
Created by: Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt and Joe Kelly
Actors: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein
Hollywood Insider Ted Lasso Review Apple TV Plus, Jason Sudeikis
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