For many, mental shelter during the long months of lockdown was found under a canopy slung between two televisual poles; Schitt’s Creek and Ted Lasso. Both became unexpected hits for the precious escapism on offer. I never wholly took to Schitt’s Creek – perhaps watching another clan stuck in an isolated location not of their choosing resonated unhappily. I propped up that end of the canopy with rewatchings of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
But Ted Lasso’s warmth and gentle charm – plus growing semi-religious belief in the magnificent Hannah Waddingham (playing club owner Rebecca) as a real-life Brienne of Tarth who would restore order to our crumbling universe – had me from the get-go.
The tale of Ted (Jason Sudeikis), the folksy, idealistic college American football coach who knows nothing about soccer but ends up leading AFC Richmond to victory thanks to his unbreakable optimism, unflagging energy and other good things in short supply on this septic, sceptic isle, is now back for its third and – strong rumour has it – final season.
Erstwhile kit man turned assistant coach Nate (Nick Mohammed) has followed through on the betrayal on which we ended series two and is now head coach at West Ham, owned by Rebecca’s evil ex-husband, Rupert, (Anthony Head having a whale of a time, as most of the actors seem to be). They are widely predicted to win the Premier League, while AFC Richmond are predicted to come last. It is clear Nate is not happy with his choice and that all his behaviour stems from insecurity. But he will have to work hard for my forgiveness, which will be less forthcoming than, I suspect, Ted’s in whatever showdown between them season three is planning on delivering.
Ted has his work cut out to bolster the team’s morale and bring them to a place where they believe they can, if not win, then at least remember how to kick a ball. Meanwhile, Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) and Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) get on with making that actually possible.
Thus the audience may breathe a small sigh of relief. The makers have not messed with the formula. Which is not to say things aren’t happening or seeds of change aren’t being sown. Rebecca is pursuing star Juventus striker Zava (Maximilian Osinski), partly to strengthen her club, partly to outmanoeuvre Rupert who wants him for West Ham. Zava’s diva-ish reputation promises to land like a bomb in the down-to-earth environs of Richmond, and we must all make sure we have popcorn to hand for his first face-off with Roy.
The marvellously awful Trent Crimm (James Lance) is back, this time embedded with the team to write a book about them. Roy is – how can I put this? – not keen. “No one says a fucking word to this prick unless they want my forehead through their fucking skull.” The fact that he and Keeley (Juno Temple) have made their breakup official is not helping his mood. Jamie (Phil Dunster) tries to hug him when he finds out and nearly gets punched. “You came at me too fast!” “Sorry,” says Jamie, rolling his eyes. “I forgot how skittish the elderly can be. Because of the war.” I love this programme.
Keeley’s PR agency is going from strength to strength, and the addition of Katy Wix as her CFO Barbara promises, as Wix always does, many good things as accommodations between their different approaches to life – where Keeley thrives – and running a business – where Barbara, it is safe to say, has the edge – must be made.
Ted is … fraying. Not in a way that threatens meltdown (he is still having regular sessions with his therapist Dr Fieldstone, played by Sarah Niles) but homesickness is encroaching along with a feeling that he has probably done all for his team that he can. A revelation by his son Henry, back home in Kansas after a summer visit, torques the situation. A meltdown may not be off the table.
Ted Lasso knows what it is doing at all times. It purrs along as smoothly as the luxury car with which Rupert rewards Nate for badmouthing Ted at a press conference. It cuts the sweetness with just enough vinegary exchanges to prevent the whole from becoming sickening. It keeps the main man just the right side of folksy rather than village idiot, and knowing that every tiny glimpse into Coach Beard’s hinterland is worth the price of admission alone. Go team!
Ted Lasso is on Apple TV+ now.
