Photo Courtesy of IGN
The original Apple TV+ series “Ted Lasso” concluded its second season on Friday, Oct. 8. The series follows Ted Lasso, an American football coach, as he tries to navigate coaching the failing English football team, AFC Richmond. Somehow, as he tries to coach a sport he knows nothing about, he makes his players, coworkers and friends believe in miracles when it seems like all hope is lost. The second season of the series focuses on the team’s growth as they attempt to bounce back after being relegated following a devastating loss in the season one finale. Not only do the characters better themselves in their game and careers, but they also grow as individuals.
Season two doesn’t shy away from exploring real themes including grief, anxiety and general feelings of inadequacy and exclusion. The season begins with the introduction of Sharon Fieldstone (Sarah Niles), the team’s newly hired therapist following the accidental murder of a dog during a recent AFC Richmond game. Fieldstone becomes a critical character during the season, serving as a foil to Lasso.
Touched upon briefly in the first season, the latest season of “Ted Lasso” shows that the kind and bubbly Lasso isn’t as perfect or unbothered as he seems. Things take a turn for him in the sixth episode of the season during an important match. At this game, Lasso’s hidden anxieties become clear when he runs off the field during the game due to a panic attack. The latter half of the season shows Lasso trying to navigate his increasing anxiety while grappling with trauma that he’s tried to bury down deep his whole life. What Fieldstone does, in both her sessions with Lasso and her friendship with him, is show that there is more to Lasso than meets the eye.
Jason Sudeikis, who plays the titular character, makes it impossible for viewers not to sympathize with and gravitate toward his character. While Lasso isn’t as perfect as he’s made out to be, the moments when he falters show his true depth.
Season one shows viewers the outer layers of many characters. What season two did perfectly was peel more of those layers back, revealing the true complexity of every single character. Beyond Lasso, each character really has a moment to shine. Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), the fearless owner of AFC Richmond, falls in love again while simultaneously dealing with the sudden death of her father, whom she pays tribute to with a touching rendition of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.”
Keeley (Juno Temple), who headed marketing for the club, grows from a docile panda into a fierce lion as she finally takes control of her life and relationships. Even footballer Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster), who was a dirtbag throughout the first season, redeemed himself and became a truly likable character.
While many characters blossomed to become endearing and inspiring, it wouldn’t be a successful show if there wasn’t an element of drama. The lovable “Nate the Great” (Nick Mohammed) from season one turns into a power-hungry, ruthless and unpredictable character throughout this season. The final episode shows the climax, or what fans can only hope is the climax, of Nate’s change in character as they see him switching sides to work for AFC Richmond’s rival team. While the series hints at Nate’s character change throughout the season, it’s still heartbreaking to see the difference in his character from season one, episode one, to the season two finale.
The second season of “Ted Lasso” was filled with twists and unprecedented drama. Fans of the series will laugh, cry, get angry and smile until their cheeks hurt – all within the same episode. It’s a beautiful series that, at its core, is about kindness and looking for the best in people. In the AFC Richmond’s locker room hangs a sign that reads “Believe” – and that’s exactly what the series represents. If you believe and you don’t give up, miracles can happen and good things will come your way.
The third and final season of “Ted Lasso” is still in the works, but in the meantime, you can view the first two seasons of the series exclusively on Apple TV+.
