Ted Lasso is a show that takes its audience on an emotional rollercoaster, with incredible characters, moving stories, and a number of surprises.
Summary
- Ted Lasso surprises viewers by revealing Rebecca's dark side and her intention to destroy AFC Richmond.
- Ted's first panic attack shows his vulnerability and the challenges he faces in balancing his personal and professional life.
- Nate's betrayal by leaving Ted and AFC Richmond to become head coach at Westham is a shocking and heartbreaking moment.
Ted Lasso is full of beautiful moments and surprises from the first episode to the series' conclusion. One of the most successful shows from the Apple TV+ platform, Ted Lasso follows the titular coach (Jason Sudeikis) from America as he is hired to coach a British soccer team. While Ted has zero experience with the game of soccer, his unique coaching style makes him someone who can bring AFC Richmond a new lease on life and rejuvenate a struggling team.
Ted Lasso may appear to be a sports show on the surface, but the show quickly reveals much deeper and more emotional resonance as the story develops. The show constantly shifts and evolves as the characters become more familiar with each other and aspects of their personal lives are explored. Rather than focusing on just the surface-level tension or sports stories, the show delivers constant surprises by looking at the larger narrative.
10 Rebecca Wants To Destroy AFC Richmond
Season 1, Episode 1 "Pilot"
The show's premiere episode did a great job introducing the premise with Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) inheriting AFC Richmond from her ex-husband, Ted being hired as the new coach and the locals worried about the club's future. The stage is set for an exciting show, but just when audiences think they know the story and Ted's role in reinvigorating the team, Rebecca reveals her dark intentions. She hired Ted because she firmly believes he will fail to impact the club in any positive way, and she wants to see it ruined to spite her ex-husband.
9 Ted's First Panic Attack
Season 1, Episode 7 "Make Rebecca Great Again"
By episode 7 of the first season, Ted's character is well established as being incredibly positive and inspirational. He can find insights into what rattles the team and how to draw out their full potential both personally and professionally. However, the first hole in his armor is revealed in episode 7, when the stress of Ted being asked to sign divorce papers from his wife, struggling to turn around the team, and his life feeling unsteady, causes Ted to have his first panic attack of the series.
10 Ted Lasso Moments That Made Fans Cry
Ted Lasso is remembered as a hilarious comedy series, but there was also a handful of times that the show made audiences cry their eyes out.8 Ted Tells Rebecca He's Going Home
Season 3, Episode 12 "So Long, Farewell"
Ted Lasso is certainly one of the most popular shows to come from Apple TV+, and the entire cast delivers an incredible performance throughout. With that in mind, as the series was approaching the conclusion of season 3, it was a shock that Ted would be leaving Richmond to go back to America. Sure, Ted missed his son terribly, but he also made a huge difference to the team, and giving up the position that he had finally made his own meant the show was unlikely to continue, or at least if it did, it would be completely different.
7 Roy Asks To Be A Diamond Dog
Season 3, Episode 12 "So Long, Farewell"
Roy Kent may have a tough exterior with his growling voice and intimidating presence, but he proves himself to have one of the biggest hearts at Richmond. Much of the show focused on the rise and fall of his relationship with Keeley Jones. Ted and his friends often gathered to form a group called the Diamond Dogs when they needed advice, and Roy actively chose to exclude himself from the group, writing it off as too silly. However, the show's finale sees Roy finally let his guard down with his friends and become an official Diamond Dog, showing how far he has come, and surprising his friends.
6 AFC Richmond Loses
Season 1, Episode 10 "The Hope That Kills You"
For a show focused on a sports team and their coach, the expectation is that the team will become better and eventually win more games. However, the season 1 finale decided to delay the success of the team and in a key match, they lost, playing against Manchester City and their former teammate Jamie Tartt. AFC Richmond's loss was certainly shocking, but the episode also highlighted how growth was happening for some of the show's most stubborn characters, like Rebecca and Jamie, proving Ted's presence was making a difference to those around him.
5 Roy And Jamie Hug
Season 2, Episode 8 "Man City"
Jamie and Roy have a bitter rivalry in Ted Lasso. Both are brilliant soccer players, and their romantic feelings towards Keeley and their stubborn characters lead them to frequently argue and lash out at one another. However, during season 2, episode 8, Jamie shows a more vulnerable side when his father berates him in the locker room after a match, and Jamie Tartt finally explodes and punches his father. As his father is escorted out, Roy comes in and holds Jamie in his arms, allowing Jamie's emotions to rise to the surface, and he weeps in his rival's arms, showing complete solidarity and respect for each other.
7 Characters Who Should Return If Ted Lasso Season 4 Happens (And 3 Who Shouldn't)
Speculation is rampant about a potential Ted Lasso season 4, but if it ends up happening, 7 characters should return, while 3 should not.4 Ted's Father Commit Suicide
Season 2, Episode 10 "No Weddings And A Funeral"
Ted Lasso season 2 had some heavy moments with Rebecca's father's funeral and Rupert crashing the event. It also revealed a significant piece of Ted's backstory when he sat down with the team therapist, Sharon, when he provided details about his father's suicide. The story Ted tells reveals a fragility and vulnerability about the character that adds so much context to how he dealt with stress and anxiety up to this point. As well as how he repressed those emotions, choosing to always put on a brave face and smile while hiding terrible trauma in his past.
3 Rebecca And Sam Get Together
Season 2, Episode 8 "Man City"
Both Sam and Rebecca are feeling alone, and seeking some sort of companionship in the latter half of Ted Lasso season 2. When they both organize a secretive date through the dating app, Bantr, they are surprised to find out they matched with each other. However, the pair have some great chemistry and, despite the working relationship, they form a connection, and end the date with a kiss. The sexual chemistry between the two continues to build, but seeing the pair couple up for the first time was a big shock.
2 Nate Leaves Ted And AFC Richmond
Season 2, Episode 12 "Inverting The Pyramid Of Success"
One of the biggest betrayals of the entire show comes at the end of season 2 when Nate chooses to leave his team and Ted behind to take up the position of head coach over at Westham. Of course, it makes sense for Nate to apply his considerable skills to a coaching position and choose to advance his career, but the betrayal comes from how he chose to sneak away, put his friends down, and join the rival team owned by Rebecca's ex, Rupert.
1 They Put The Believe Sign Back Together
Season 3, Episode 12 "So Long, Farewell"
The show's final episode was packed with surprises, and this was potentially one of the most heartwarming. In the Ted Lasso season 2 finale, when Nate tears up the iconic "Believe" sign, it's a moment that shows how far he has fallen and his desire to hurt his former team. The sign was placed by Ted as one of his first acts of business as the new coach, and while it initially caused snickering and negative comments, the mantra became something much bigger for Richmond. This is proven as the whole team reveals that they have each kept a piece of the sign since it was torn down as a lucky token, reminding them of what Ted has taught them.
