The moment when Ted (Jason Sudeikis) announces his departure from AFC Richmond and England to return home to Kansas City was not shown between the last two episodes. While some people feel a bit sad about it, that’s alright. This is the story of a man who shaped the club into what it is today: a place where people genuinely care about each other and are in touch with their emotions. They came close to winning the title, just as Ted promised in the season 1 finale. However, Ted Lasso can take comfort in knowing that it has transformed its characters into better individuals who can openly discuss their feelings. Sadly, this “growth” came at the expense of the show’s overall quality.
When Ted Lasso first premiered in 2020 on Apple TV Plus, it felt like a breath of fresh air, providing a break from the pandemic and capturing viewers’ hearts. With its half-hour comedic approach, the show effortlessly tackled various issues, ranging from personal conflicts among the characters to soccer drills. Despite the challenging situations faced by the Richmond team (an owner deliberately sabotaging the club and a coach going through a slow divorce), the solutions always emerged organically from the characters’ development. Ted exemplified the idea that optimism is a conscious choice, even in the face of adversity. Some of the most impactful moments in the first season, like the darts monologue or Rebecca’s confession, resonated deeply because they showcased the instructive power of Ted’s philosophy. These triumphs were not flashy but meaningful, and they worked. If only others would follow his lead and believe, the world could be a better place, as the sign in the show suggested.
However, in contrast, season 3 of Ted Lasso became increasingly smooth to the point where it’s difficult to trust anything anymore. Almost every plot development feels contrived with minimal payoff. The introduction of superstar Zava to the roster had little impact on the show or the football season. Nate’s move to West Ham only led to a predictable realization about his unpleasant boss. The issue is not that these developments are reversed but that they lack meaningful outcomes. They become less compelling as the show rushes through them, transforming into a cultural guide for positive masculine behavior. This approach becomes tiresome, sidelining important character growth and major developments that occur off-screen in the final season. Nate resolves his lifelong disappointment with his father when he realizes that his father’s only wish was for his happiness. Rebecca briefly believes that Rupert has changed, only to discover that he remains unforgivably cruel, which is consistent with his character throughout the show. Roy and Keeley reunite after resolving their problems, which occurred off-screen and between seasons, and Roy acknowledges that the issues were never about Keeley but about himself.
As a result, when the finale presents a montage of happy characters, it feels fitting for a show that has lost interest in exploring the true meaning behind their choices or the consequences of those decisions. Each character now speaks as if their thoughts have undergone thorough review by a therapist. The exploration of who the characters are, how they navigate their troubles (or choose not to), and how their conflicts can be productive takes a backseat. Goodness has become synonymous with neatly resolving and articulating one’s emotions that everyone simply does so.
In this context, it’s understandable that everything falls neatly into place in the finale, from Nate’s return to Richmond to Jamie reconciling with his toxic father. Both instances involve grappling with messy emotions and allowing characters the space to respond imperfectly. However, in its final season, Ted Lasso dedicated ample time to many things but failed to make time for this crucial aspect. Despite the significantly longer run times compared to the first season, the show prioritized being a platform for the importance of feelings and emotions over.
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