Last week, Ted Lasso and AFC Richmond returned for a new season on the pitch and on our screens. As perennial underdogs, the group have a big task ahead of them just surviving the English Premier League. However, in true fashion, they are all ready to prove the naysayers wrong.
“(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea” does a great job building upon the characters we already love. In a series with talented performers, Brett Goldstein is the standout of the episode. He plays Roy as the usual closed off and surly guy we know. Yet, the actor can seamlessly shift to being vulnerable. Goldstein is so gripping when Roy opens up his soul whether it’s explaining his beef with Trent Crimm of The Independent or discussing the first moment he wrestled with his mortality. For the former, the fact he kept the reminder in his wallet makes the impact much more significant.
Other Ted Lasso favorites have their time to shine as well. Jamie Tartt has mellowed out and matured since when we first met him. He tries to lend a sympathetic ear and comfort his assistant coach after hearing of Roy and Keeley’s break up. The scene is comedic gold with a testosterone filled athlete exhibiting his sensitive side towards an reluctant recipient. It’s awkward, manly, and the surprise gag in the end takes it to another entertaining level.
You really want to believe Jamie has turned over a new leaf and not just seeking permission to date his ex. What’s more interesting is his less than enthusiastic arrival of a possible transfer. The potential addition plays the same position and comes in with higher regard. How he’ll respond could affect the club chemistry if he embraces it and fuels him to work harder or if he sulks and becomes a distraction.
The other half of Ted Lasso’s former power couple, Keeley, is still adjusting to heading her own firm and the stuffy environment. But she perseveres and does it the right way. Keeley takes advantage of her position and props up those that follow her. As a boss, she’s stern yet able to keep things positive, and she proves how quick thinking she can be turning a co-worker’s unique collection into a way to connect personally. It’s an innate ability to be so observant and read a person so well. She might encounter rough times, but Keeley doesn’t let that change who she is.
Despite a strong and amiable main cast, Ted Lasso still manages to bring in new and intriguing characters into the mix. The aforementioned co-worker, Barbara, doesn’t have much screen time but the writing is efficient enough to provide a sympathetic backstory with the opportunity of growth working together with rather than against Keeley.
The more outrageous addition is Zava, who definitely draws inspiration from Zlatan Ibrahimović. Both are charismatic, larger than life, and unpredictable. It’s understandable that the man they call “Ibra” is ripe for parodying, and let’s hope the fictitious version can live up to the legend. In Zava, AFC Richmond has a true wild card that has the promise to make the club a legitimate threat.
For a grounded show, Ted Lasso still has ridiculous moments. From the way Zava pees at a urinal to creating a dance club party for a little lamb as a commercial, you can’t believe it’s part of the storylines, but you go with it for the fun ride. The attention to detail including the coaches’ little superstitions and who else participates adds to the appreciation.
Season three’s second episode highlights the characters that makes the series so endearing while also keeping things silly and enjoyable.
New episodes of Ted Lasso are released Wednesdays on Apple TV+.
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