Warning: Spoilers for Ted Lasso Season 4
Following a three-year break, Ted Lasso returns to AFC Richmond. This time to lend his positivity and knowledge to the new women’s team.
Main cast Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, Brett Goldstein, and Juno Temple all return amongst other fan favourite supporting characters. New cast members include players Abbie Hern, Faye Marsay, Jude Mack, Aisling Sharkey, and Rex Hayes. Tanya Reynolds joins as assistant manager Alice Chilton and Tracey Ullman as eccentric advisor and villain Zelda Southport.
A New Beginning
While this series acts as a new beginning following the conclusion of the men’s team’s arc, the show harkens back to previous elements. References to the past litter the Kansas-set opener to entice Ted back to London.
Despite the strong connection to the original run, characters are rarely motivated in their actions by their past experiences. Rebecca (Waddingham) fails to see the red flags from Matthijs (Matteo van der Grijn) despite her experience with Rupert for example.
Rebecca’s storyline throughout is one of the biggest downfalls due to her relationship with Matthijs seeming like a fresh, teenage crush when they have been seeing each other throughout the time skip. The reconciliation following a mid-season argument is rushed with it never having any impact until Rebecca proposes in the final episode.
The other relationship between Keeley (Temple) and Roy (Goldstein) drags throughout the episodes until they finally get back together. The romance replaces Keeley’s love and care for the new team which she has poured her heart and soul into. Her pregnancy at the end almost stops her from even experiencing the outcome of her hard work.
These plots from the legacy cast are frustrating because they divert attention away from the interesting new cast. The stigma issues surrounding women in the sport is present throughout the series but is never meaningfully concluded or scolded. Lizzie (Marsay) faces childcare issues as a single parent. Star striker, Gemma Jay (Hern), balances football and law studies. Shannon (Shannon Hayes), who returns from previous seasons, delivers food outside of practice times. The writers don’t present a solution and instead it all works out well anyway.
Coaching and Women’s Football
Ted uses some of his wisdom to encourage and significantly improve the team but beyond his role as manager we see very little of him beyond a brief attempt at joining a dating app. We barely see him interact with Rebecca when the chemistry between Sudeikis and Waddingham is a highlight of the series. Even the revelation scene, that showcases more of Waddingham’s prowess, is delivered in silence. Not letting the audience hear conversations is a common trend to the point that any emotional weight is lost.
Ted’s greatest impact is on Alice who grows to become not only an incredible mentor but also a far greater person as part of the team. Reynolds is a stand out of almost every episode and is the greatest addition to the show. Chilton is the most well-rounded and developed from all of the new cast. Her stepping into Ted’s role will be outstanding for the team and leave room for Ted to support Henry.
In the penultimate episode the sudden death of Mae Greene (Annette Badland), pub landlord and Lady Greyhounds superfan, initiates the traditional Ted and Rebecca revelation scene. It sends shockwaves through the finale making every character rethink their own position in life. Her enthusiasm for the team is infectious at every match and her greater role this season greatly improved it. Her extensive shares also save the team from Zelda.
Zelda’s inclusion in this season is difficult to justify. If developed, the challenges for women’s football could be enough of an antagonist to drive the plot. Zelda’s over-dramatic personality makes it all incredibly obvious right down to the switch by Rebecca and Higgins. Her plan lacked motivation and relevance to the women as she, like so many others, only cared for the men’s team.
Lessons From Coach Lasso
As a whole, the season acts as a transition between the men’s arc and the women’s. Unfortunately it is bloated by uninteresting legacy plots which take away from the far more curious new characters and Ted. But the vibe of the show carries on with cultural humour and references providing the backbone of the motivational speeches. And none of the cast give less than their best throughout. Tanya Reynolds displays a million thoughts without saying a word, Annette Badland shows off her years of experience and Hannah Waddingham is a powerhouse that isn’t given enough.
A fifth season is yet to be greenlit but now that we have foundations for the new and many plots wrapped up it should iron out the issues that were present here.
But this season faced challenges before it was ever announced due to the disdain for the focus shifting. In just 10 episodes they’ve managed to shift attention away from the men’s team. Represented by Brandi Carlile replacing Mumford and Sons as the vocalist over the opening credits in the finale.
The new ‘Believe’ sign growing to include sticky notes from the team is the greatest symbolic message of believing in the change and growth of the series.
Featured Image Credit: Apple TV