The Apple TV sports comedy “Ted Lasso” has made a comeback three years after its third season, which received mixed reviews yet maintained a large viewership. The decision to bring back the show stems from a profit motive, as streaming services often capitalize on their popular hits. The new season, akin to a standard sequel, aims to address past criticisms of excess and lengthiness. In a genre known for offering second chances, “Ted Lasso” has an opportunity to refine its story.
Season 4 presents a new storyline for Jason Sudeikis’ character, the American football coach turned British football coach. Two years after leaving AFC Richmond and returning to Kansas City, Ted is approached by Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), Keeley (Juno Temple), and Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift) with an enticing offer: to coach a newly formed women’s team. This team, starting as underdogs known as the Greyhounds, faces challenges similar to those encountered by their male counterparts, especially given societal biases against women’s sports leagues.
The new season juggles the ideas of a class reunion and a fresh start, with the latter proving more engaging. Despite leaning on nostalgia, “Ted Lasso” introduces a promising character in Alice Chilton, portrayed by Tanya Reynolds from “Sex Education.” Alice’s stern demeanor provides a contrast to Ted’s optimism. However, among the ten episodes, only five of which critics have previewed, she stands out as the sole new character fully developed, as the series continues to focus on its established ensemble.
Actor Brett Goldstein, like Sudeikis, plays a significant role behind the scenes, which may explain why his character Roy Kent remains prominent despite shifts away from the men’s team. While it makes sense to emphasize Rebecca and Keeley due to the focus on women’s sports, the on-again, off-again romance between Roy and Keeley has lost its appeal. Characters like Roy and Beard, Ted’s long-time assistant played by co-creator Brendan Hunt, continue to take up significant screen time, sometimes resulting in rushed storylines. For example, a major decision by Ted’s ex-wife Michelle (Andrea Anders) is hurriedly resolved without her perspective, and a storyline about team cliques is introduced too late.
On the positive side, Season 4 episodes are shorter than the previous season, which often exceeded an hour. While the show’s earnest social consciousness and relentless positivity may not appeal to everyone, these elements remain intact. The focus on the women’s team prompts more feminist commentary, an area where the series has previously struggled. However, the new season trims some excesses and introduces interesting new characters, such as a walk-on player who is a single mom, a goalie who refuses gloves, and a new mentor for Rebecca played by comic legend Tracey Ullmann. The series would benefit from giving these fresh faces more prominence.
