We’re only a few episodes away from Ted Lasso Season 3 wrapping up its sports dramedy saga for once and for all, at least that’s what the show runners have been putting across so far. However, its story seems far from over. Having picked up several concerning matters to be addressed in the third and possibly final season of the show, the series has completely deviated from its original tone and upbeat looks. Some heartfelt sub-plots have definitely moved the audience along the way due to their relatability and symbolic storytelling, but unlike the first two seasons, the third one hasn’t quite hit the bull’s eye.
The original Apple TV+ series has been developed by Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt and Joe Kelly. It stars Sudeikis as Lasso, Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard, Hannah Waddhingham as Rebecca Welton, Jeremy Swift as Leslie Higgins, Phil Dunster as Jamie Tartt, Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent, Toheeb Jimoh as Sam Obisanya, Nick Mohammed as Nathan Shelley, Juno Temple as Keeley Jones, and Anthony Head as Rupert Mannion, with Billy Harris as Colin, Kola Bokinni as Isaac, James Lance as Trent Crimm and Cristo Fernandez as Dani Rojas.
With the final episode of the season (and the series) concluding the loving chapter on May 31, 2023, it’s safe to assume that we’re in the endgame now. Nevertheless, with the way some subplots have been dealt with in the third instalment, and a lacking overall major plot (or a merely refurbished one reflecting the same overarching conflicts as the last season), the show hasn’t been the same for a long time. Here are some things that struck me as painfully troubling aspects of this season. I love this series and its characters, but it had to be done.
Things That Went Wrong in Ted Lasso Season 3
1. Ted Took the Back Seat – ‘The Lasso Way’ is Deeply Missed
With the season nearing its end, there are a lot of speculations in the air about how Ted could possibly head back to Texas and rekindle his marriage with his ex-wife, Michelle – not something that I would be a big fan of. I, personally respected the way they parted ways initially, and it even left us (as well as Ted) with the message that he was merely holding on to something that wasn’t there. His own realisation on that part was executed seamlessly and it made us as the viewers respect his character even more that he amicably and respectably decided to let go of Michelle.
However, the recent treatment of both of these characters has been so ambiguous. If they end up together, it will render all of that positive growth in vain. Moreover, as much as I love Ted, it keeps hitting me that his behaviour towards his ex-wife has been borderline obsessive. He should have no say in who she’s dating, and the past few episodes’ writing has nearly portrayed Michelle’s character as an antagonist as well, which she shouldn’t have been.
Third season’s entire energy has gone into making Ted race after what he’d long left behind. While it only makes him human to feel a sense of longing towards their old tender relationship, we’re past that point now and it’s merely coming off as lazy writing and taking away all the goodness that we adored about Ted. It’s okay to feel cheated, especially after finding out that the person who was supposed to help them get back together is now in a relationship with his ex-wife, but it’s been dragged far too long that Ted has barely executed his duties as the same charming coach he was before.
2. Keeley’s Character Arc
Her individual character arc just went down once this season began. While the first two seasons chronicled her personal growth into becoming the girl boss she always aspired to be, Season 3 has reduced her character to a punching bag that’s only reserved for romantic side plots. As if the ambiguity of her being reeled into a supposed love triangle with Roy and Jamie wasn’t enough, Jack also got pulled into this, only to leave Keeley a crying mess. It’s disrespectful to the kind of character Keeley was originally posed to be. (I’m really counting on Barbara becoming her good friend after this and backing her up.)
3. Roy’s Character Arc
While racing to portray the idea that he’s still struggling with his insecurities, and that he continues to sell himself short, the show has also ripped off his sense of “accountability”. Asking Keeley that question about who the leaked video was for originally was so uncalled for, and out of character for him. It was even more of a jarring step considering his reactions flipped over the very next episode, again painting him as a hero for the sake of it and marking his inconsistent storyline. How could this Roy be the same person who said that it wasn’t anyone’s business to know why Isaac got angry at the fan, especially since they’re all “not just footballers”?
You could say that he’s learnt his lesson, or that his feigned growth is merely being pushed for so that the fans can again witness his happy ending with Keeley.
Also read: Netflix Cancels Lockwood and Co; Fans Feel Betrayed, Want Any Other Network to Pick the Show
4. Jamie’s Story Hasn’t Been Fully Explained
There’s no denying that he’s come to be one of the most loved characters of the show considering his growth, as shown in Season 3. However, it has completely erased his backstory, leaving bits of it as only side notes in short conversations. The only time that we’ve seen Jamie is when Season 3 has tried to push for his friendship/ mentorship – relationship with Roy. And I can’t claim that I don’t love this dynamic either, because this is exactly what Season 1’s Ted was pushing for.
However, with a multitude of storylines about several characters just entangling with each other, the main stories that this series began talking about have been brushed aside without any notice.
5. The Entire Main Cast That We Fell in Love With is Barely Ever Together in the Same Room
Again, with Keeley moving out, and the main cast being dispersed at different locations, their interactions just don’t align and hit in the feels the same way they used to. Even Lesley Higgins has completely been turned into a side show despite him being one of the main characters in the first two seasons. There seems to be no acknowledgment of what his role is anymore (no offence to Jeremy Swift who plays that endearing character).
Even Dr Sharon’s character was barely seen in the first few episodes of the season – as if only to remind us that she’s still there and supporting Ted. But, other than that, she’s been forgotten half way down the season, which is a shame given how her friendly dynamic with Ted shaped up last season.
6. No Longer Following the Sitcom Format
So, we have more episodes in a season and each of those have a longer runtime as compared to the first season when it all began and proved itself as a warm surprise amidst all the mishaps that had surrounded us during the pandemic. Season 3’s tone hinges more on drama and seriousness, which is all good, but not in sync with how the show began its journey.
Important topics are being discussed, but the comedy has somehow just slipped out of the series, which shouldn’t be the case especially since the show initiated as a sitcom. The balance that it created with its somber and profound discussions and its comical tone has been severely subdued. One can really count on fingers the number of times this season presented us with moments of situational comedy.
7. Nathan’s Story No Longer Interests Us
Even if it’s all been designed to push for his redemptive arc, it just feels like an out of the picture storyline that many of the viewers can’t help but feel bored with.
8. Not Enough Rebecca and Keeley Moments Together
9. Coach Beard’s Abusive Relationship With Jane Hasn’t Been Addressed Yet
It’s been three seasons and only Mr Higgins had the guts to talk to Coach Beard about it. Yet, since then, it’s again been radio silence. If one closely looks at the text message chains that Jane sends Coach, no one would be able to put up with that emotional abuse, but somehow it’s all turned into a gag for the show.
10. Not Enough Football
The last few episodes still granted us with some games, but the overall season has been a lost case in this department.
11. Is TedBecca Actually Happening Or Not?
With an ample number of hints laid out for this as another possibility, the series has barely made any overt moves in this direction. Now that the last three episodes remain, it’s far too late to jump on this bandwagon, regardless of how many of us may have been waiting for this to happen. If the series does move in that direction, it’ll be an uncalled for rushed conclusion to both Ted and Rebecca’s romantic tracks. It pains me to say it, but either way it’s a lose-lose situation.
So much is left to be wrapped up (with the possibility of Keeley and Roy getting back together too), but not enough episodes are available at hand to clear these stories efficiently. Somehow so much has happened this season, and yet it feels like we’re stuck at one place. A lot of symbolic and meaningful storylines and shots made it to the third season, but looking at the whole picture and contemplating that all of this is supposed to be the final end of the series for good is a thought that hurts me profoundly.
Have you spotted any other faults with the season so far? Which character arcs have troubled you the most this time around? Let us know your opinions in the comments section below.
Also read: Our Reviews of Ted Lasso Season 3