‘Ted Lasso’ was probably the most beloved show to come out of the beginning 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 League soccer team took off in enormous fashion, earning critical and commercial buzz throughout its entire run. 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 brought a much-needed dose of kindness to the cynicism of modern television.
Everybody’s favorite soccer coach returned for its third (and ultimately final) season in 2023. The premiere episode was as tight, as moving, and as laughably adorable as it had ever been. The only difference was that, this time around, there was an added layer of darkness to some of the characters’ trajectories. The setup for the rest of the season’s plotline and the characters’ evolving relationships played a huge part in how the show would bring its story to a close.
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Things are About to Get Dark
In terms of plot, the premiere episode picked up where the second season left off. After winning the defining game that promoted them back to the Premier League, AFC Richmond was now a contender with Rupert’s West Ham United. Ted was already presented with some major challenges that season. Not only did he have to fight an uphill battle with the press and the team’s laughable public image, but he also had to contend with new personal drama in his family. The first episode detailed the soccer coach’s guilt for the lack of time spent with his son, Henry. The final scene involved a FaceTime between the two where Henry showed off his cool toy from his mom’s “new friend.” Already, there was darkness threatening to infect Ted’s normally cheerful demeanor.
The second major plotline in the first episode involved Rupert and Nate. It seemed that Nate Shelley, aka “Nate the Great,” had become anything but, as he constantly made emotionally stunted decisions in his professional career. He became Rupert’s assistant coach and number one fan in a very misdirected approach to alleviate his anger toward his father’s continual neglect. This was evident through a few of their key interactions, mostly different versions of Nate desperately vying for Rupert’s approval at every opportunity. There was even a scene confirming this: when Nate was giving a press conference, he had a panic attack. Here, he thought 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 showed just how much he was hurting and how much he needed to change to get back to living a happy and healthy life. Both these plotlines were portrayed as the two major sources of drama that defined the season.
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Characters Were Forced to Handle Their Most Difficult Challenge Yet
These two complications pointed to an evolving show with evolving characters and evolving relationships. ‘Ted Lasso’ had always been sweet and sincere, even as it managed to balance this out with heavier moments. However, season 3 made it clear that things were changing. Ted’s relationship with his family (and his ex-wife Michelle’s “new friend”) was explored further, and it was not an incredibly positive experience at first for him. He struggled with a lot of guilt in not being present enough for his family. Nate and Ted’s personal lives took turns for the complicated, and the show managed to maintain its identity while pushing its characters in more challenging directions that were sometimes hard to watch.
It was a fairly big departure for the show to make. The difference was 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 the characters’ personal lives and how they unfairly affected 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 Tartt’s abusive father, Nate’s constant rejection by his parents, and, of course, Ted’s father’s tragic suicide. Season 3 carried those threads forward and gave them finality.
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Merging the Old With the New
While it felt like the show was going in a different direction, the first episode proved that long-time fans and new converts alike had nothing to fear. The newer challenges the characters were presented with were 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 wove its sad stories with its happier characters to create a graceful and holistic approach to examining life.
And just because the final season’s stories seemed gloomier, it didn’t mean the show lost its trademark shield from cynicism. Ted decided to hold a press interview in response to Nate’s mean-spirited comments toward him. Of course, he doled out his usual principled empathy that audiences had come to know and love. He praised Nate as a competent coach and deserving of his new position. He even ended up poking fun at himself, elevating the atmosphere around him and making the journalists laugh and participate in his jokes. It was this measured and entirely self-sustaining compassion that allowed Ted to come out of most bad situations unscathed. Here existed one of the bigger-picture lessons of the show that it trumpeted since the beginning: in the face of a chaotic or confusing situation, it’s courageous to be kind.
‘Smells Like Mean Spirit’ was a triumph of a season premiere and set the tone for a final season that was heartfelt, bittersweet, and ultimately fulfilling. Now that Ted Lasso has officially ended, the show stands as one of the most important and uplifting series of its era — a reminder that kindness, even when tested, has the power to change lives.
Created by: Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt and Joe Kelly
Actors: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein
Director: MJ Delaney
Writer: Leann Bowen
By Zachary DePiore
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
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Zachary DePiore graduated from Ohio University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. He’s loved writing his entire life, from creating picture books when he was seven to learning how to write copy, scripts, audio stories for radio and more in college. The Hollywood Insider’s dedication to combining deft storytelling and positivity made him realize that this had to be his next step forward. Some of his hobbies include traveling, tv shows, and movies. His favorite show is Avatar: The Last Airbender. As of right now, he’s a charity fundraiser in Cincinnati.
Zachary DePiore graduated from Ohio University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. He’s loved writing his entire life, from creating picture books when he was seven to learning how to write copy, scripts, audio stories for radio and more in college. The Hollywood Insider’s dedication to combining deft storytelling and positivity made him realize that this had to be his next step forward. Some of his hobbies include traveling, tv shows, and movies. His favorite show is Avatar: The Last Airbender. As of right now, he’s a charity fundraiser in Cincinnati.
