In what seemed like a series finale, Ted does what he needs to do, Richmond competes for a championship, and Rebecca discovers what she has been looking for.
Everything comes to an end after three seasons of joy and sadness, corner kicks and penalties, bad dads and supporting moms, funny aphorisms, and movie allusions. But it's largely positive.
There are TV finales that leave you in a state of astonishment, sadness, or ambivalence. ("The Sopranos" scored a hat trick.) But "Ted Lasso" was not going to finish that way. It spoke its goodbyes (and so longs, etc.) with the same zest and excitement it had when it first presented itself. Was it a little too much at times? It was, indeed. With one possible exception, it ended wonderfully. If it is indeed over no one affiliated with the program has yet verified that this is the final season.
Were you one of those people duped by the Rebecca-Ted ruse at the breakfast island at the beginning of the episode? Which is to say, were they among the (sane) viewers who were appalled by such a dreadful notion or among the (I'm sure very lovely, if extremely wrong) viewers who felt vindicated? It was a cunning maneuver, but with time running out, there was probably no other way we would have seen Beard lying in a hammock made of bananas. Surprisingly, his performance turned out to be merely the second most testicular of the entire program.
The titles brutally cut Ted off as he was ready to offer Rebecca a "truth bomb" similar to the ones she had given him late in Seasons 1 and 2 of the show. Or actually, was he? One of several allusions to "The Wizard of Oz" in the episode, Brandi Carlile's rendition of "Home" from "The Wiz" may have continued Ted's confession rather than interrupted it.
Indeed, as expected, Ted is departing to go see his son Henry in Kansas. There is considerable ambiguity in the conclusion over whether he and Michelle will reconcile, although it is probable that Dr. Jacob, the world's worst couples therapist, will not be involved. All that's left to happen is for him to lose his license.
The emotions felt in response to Ted leaving the AFC Richmond team vary from sadness to extreme sadness. Ted, it's not that I won't talk about you leaving home, says Rebecca. It's that I find it difficult to understand that you won't be returning.
The episode's goodbyes start off rather literally with a full-squad rendition of "So Long, Farewell" backed by Will, who carries a boom box across the Atlantic like John Cusack. I assumed there might be a "Sound of Music" allusion when I saw the episode's title, but maybe not one quite so direct. Hokey? then some more. Nevertheless, a modest thrill, never more so than when Dani impersonates little Gretl to end the song.
If one had to quibble, one might say that Ted's announcement of his impending resignation couldn't have come at a worse moment. Richmond is in a great position to win the Premier League after a dismal start! All that is required of the team is for Man City to lose their last game while West Ham wins (of course, against the abhorrent Rupert's West Ham club). Ted, why don't you hold off on dropping your truth bomb till after the game?
But this doesn't seem like the right time to pick fault.
The finale spends a lot of time finale-ing in addition to saying farewell. The sequences that we had to expect indeed occur, including Ted performing the "Running Man" dance that initially introduced him in the first episode and the "ussy" youngster re-ussying. Colin also gets to kiss his boyfriend after a victory. And a variety of beloved supporting characters make cameos.
Although not nearly as memorable as she was in Season 2 when she nailed Rupert with one of my all-time favorite "Ted Lasso" lines, the wonderful Sassy is back to taunt him once more: "I think of your death every single day." Oh, I'm really excited. Dr. Sharon is also present, or rather, she is there by herself in what appears to be a hotel room. Really? Rebecca couldn't afford to get a ticket to return to Nelson Road for the important game? She could only get a few phrases of solo speech on the show, I take it? A new agent is required.
We also got a second look at George Cartrick, the former coach of Richmond, and his glaringly exposed crotch. "Put 'em away, George," the referee commands. Additionally, John Wingsnight comes up, using his face as a crucial backstop. If we hadn't already seen a good amount of Phoebe in the previous two episodes, the late appearance of the character would be more distressing. Also returning is James Tartt Sr. At Beard and Jane's Stonehenge wedding, was that not the huge, balding man from "Beard After Hours" who was also carrying a baby in a cuddle carrier?
Deborah, Rebecca's mother, was, nonetheless, one of the episode's favorite cameos. This is in part because Harriet Walter, one of television's greatest actresses, portrays her and in part because many of us recently watched her portray another negligent mother in "Succession" the much-awaited conclusion. Of course, the difference is that although back then she advised her affluent offspring to preserve the family company, today she advises her wealthy daughter to sell it. Acting is unpredictable labor.
It's good to have Nate back in Richmond, but is he really the kit man? What about the kit man's assistant? I mean, maybe they should have just hired him as an assistant coach from the beginning given that they were going to exploit his performance in the most significant time in Richmond's history — oh, of course, another final necessity? (The final montage implies that Roy, the new manager, will have such an effect.) Even yet, the "sorry" moment between him and Ted was wonderful and ended with an embrace that is unquestionably in the Top-5 series hugs.
Which takes me to the actual Big Game. It is, as usual, chock-full of stupid choices. Give Isaac the penalty kick even though he has never taken one in his life. — as well as audience-teasing reversals. Isaac appeared to miss the ball, but it ripped past the goal, and then a West Ham goal was nullified by an offsides call. (Good observation, Ted.)
However, this match at least seemed like it had stakes, and Richmond's victory was as satisfying as it was intended to be for a program that has never given much attention to what happens on the pitch. It is not surprising, however, that Man City won their match, leaving Richmond at No. 2 in the rankings, since "Ted Lasso" is aware that the show is still fundamentally one of the underdogs. And in this manner, the group will continue to have objectives to pursue should Season 4 materialize.
In comparison, this season has been quite inconsistent. First, Roy and Keeley split up off-screen for unidentified reasons. Then Roy showed a surprising talent for painted-rope and genital-string sadism while Keeley dragged her feet through a number of tiresome subplots. The two then appeared to reconcile in Episode 10, but by Episode 11 it was unclear if they had actually reconciled. And the conclusion rushes through Roy and Jamie rekindling their rivalry, acting like idiots, and convincing Keeley she doesn't need any of them. What a disaster.
But let's wrap things up cheerfully, just like the program. How was Rebecca going to locate the relatives she had been promised since Episode 3? Would Sassy abandon Nora to Rebecca's care in the event of a fatal vehicle accident in a storm? Would Ms. Kakes or Bex have a kid that they couldn't bear to raise with Rupert? Would Sam end up marrying Rebecca? along with Ted? With a John Wingsnight who has recovered? No, no, no, no, no, no, as previous Richmond owner Freddie Mercury may exclaim.