Much like the football team in the series, A.F.C. Richmond, Ted Lasso’s been the little series that could that started as a series of commercials developed by Jason Sudekis and Brendan Hunt for NBC and since became a breakout hit and critical darling for Apple TV+. Now after three seasons the series has come to a bittersweet end, with its finale wrapping up the story of Ted Lasso on May 31, 2023.

Ted Lasso’s Popularity

In hindsight, Ted Lasso is the kind of series that without a devoted audience early on may have gone unnoticed; however, its debut during a peak period of the pandemic particularly played into its popularity. So many people were turning for cheer and comfort in challenging times, and here was Ted Lasso, a fish out of water coach from America, who went to England to coach a team in a sport he knew nothing about. What Lasso had though was good cheer and positivity and that’s still something that, for many at least, has earned Ted Lasso much love, as the world continues to be challenging even as we’ve eased out of the pandemic.

What I recognized too as a long time fan of sports films in particular, is that Ted Lasso continues the classic setup they have, albeit with all silver linings and no clouds, as coaches provide emotional speeches, the sport serves more as a platform and catalyst for personal growth, and ultimately everyone bonds together and win or lose feels fulfilled by the end.

(We’ve broken down a list of Must-Watch Feel Good Sports Films & TV Series we recommend especially if you’re missing Ted Lasso.)

Thoughts on Ted Lasso’s Final Season

(Spoilers will follow, so heads up.)

Ted Lasso’s final season had a lot riding on its shoulders, and for some critics it was starting to take a dive even before and only continued to do so. I saw complaints this last season was a show that only held our attention because of the pandemic, as this harsh review implies, while another critic essentially said it was too bloated and character focused – in a review calling the third season ‘unbearable’ so no words were minced. While the show’s extended episodes certainly allowed the writers to veer into unnecessary territory, the Zava chapter though fun at times fit this bill for me, ultimately I think the writers recognized the show was never just about the sport and it truly was about the individuals, and now with the season over what I wouldn’t give for more time with each. Likewise we are in a world not much better than the one we were in when this show began in some ways, so this does of niceness is I’d argue still incredibly needed.

For me when the show all come together was the episode in Amsterdam. Perhaps more than any of the episodes which juggled the show’s many characters this did the best job of highlighting Rebecca, Ted, as well as Roy and Jaimie in particular, while perhaps not giving quite enough for Beard and the team. (Keely also felt underserved this season, so I do concur with that complaint.)

Ted’s trip of discovery to an otherworldly attempt at an American homestyle restaurant, though lonely and trippy, was also the journey he needed to find his team’s road to success as well as the first step towards realizing he needed to be home. Likewise Rebecca, who’d struggled with a sense of herself past Rupert, found company with a stranger that provided a wonderful evening that didn’t have to be explicitly romantic (though as we now know trended that way), and gave Hannah Waddingham further opportunity to shine – something I’m always here for. My favorite moments though in this episode were those between Roy and Jamie, as they bonded over bicycling while supporting each other as men. Ted Lasso was often best when it was taking on toxic masculinity head on, and this moment exemplified when it worked.

Final Farewells – Ted Lasso’s Last Episode

Ted Lasso’s last episode began with a tease of the would they won’t they relationship with Rebecca – that was never on-screen as much as it likely was in some fans hearts. Quickly though with the entrance of Beard that was cut, and instead it was obvious that the real heartbreak of the episode would be Ted’s departure home, as time after time characters implore him to stay.

As many of these characters were presented with a chance to tell Ted farewell, or “Auf wiedersehen, goodbye!” in the case of the team, we are also given final moments with so many of these incredible characters we love. Rebecca, whose love and respect for Ted has never been greater buys a first class ticket just to say farewell at the terminal, after almost deciding to sell the team herself before finding that home is where she always was. Roy is promoted to team manager, and he and Jaimie both respect one another, even as they’re perhaps still fighting over Keeley’s affections, though she continues to prioritize her girl bossness as as she pitched a potential spin-off team (in the show if not in real life….Apple TV+ what do you think?”. The team shines as they win their last match, with Isaac leading on the pitch as captain with an equalizer goal. Sam is showing at last joining the Nigerian team he’s wanted to play for for so long. Nate is back in with the team after being forgiven by Beard, and welcomed back with love, and a fine for missing so many team meetings (all in good fun.)

Lastly perhaps, though not least, Trent Crimm wraps up his book, which after nervously letting Beard and Lasso read he gets back with one note from Ted Lasso to change the title from ‘The Lasso Way” stating “It wasn’t about me. It never was.”

Ted Lasso Here and Onwards

That one note from Ted to Crimm, relinquishing the credit, exemplifies to me why this will stand in the greats of classic sports media, as that’s so often the case with great sports films. Coaches at their best bring out the best in their players, and let them try, let them fail, but support them through it all, and Lasso is one of these great fictional coaches who does that perhaps better than any other.

This is also why I think there is the most chance that Ted Lasso in some form may continue, because “the Lasso Way” is intrinsic to this series, and the titular character certainly is, but the feeling of Ted Lasso, his spirit, and this show’s optimism can continue, so I hope even if Sudeikis no longer plays as the beloved dad joke mustachioed coach from the Midwest, we still get more of these characters, and this feeling of joy, hope and belief that so many of us viewers have thanks to this show.