Ted Lasso’s third season brings back one of television's greatest comedy series for a new (and potentially final) season, once again delivering a tremendous amount of laughs and heart that with a truly phenomenal cast, will leave a massive smile on your face despite you never wanting to say goodbye to these unforgettable characters.

 

Even having only seen the first four episodes of Ted Lasso’s final season, there is no doubt in my mind that this is shaping up to be another perfect season of one of my all time favourite television series. Instantly, the writing of the series that perfectly blends comedy with an intimate look at the characters and their personal struggles, embracing the fact that it is okay to struggle with your emotions, washes over you and takes you on yet another beautiful and hilarious journey with these characters.

 

Following AFC Richmond’s return to the Premier League at the end of the second season, the season follows Ted as he continues to coach AFC Richmond while Rebecca will stop at nothing to defeat West Ham United which is owned by her ex-husband Rupert. At the same time, Ted and the team navigate new players, steep competition from more talented teams, attacks from their former coach Nate who has moved to West Ham United, who is trying desperately to make a name for himself despite the dark path he is heading down; and their own personal lives with that signature optimistic Lasso view on life that helped make AFC Richmond the team they are today.

 

In just four episodes, the writers have continued lots of great storylines from the previous seasons while setting up new threads to explore over the third season. The effects of Ted’s divorce and his mental wellness are further explored, rounding out his character as more than just the lovable man that everyone sees him as, delivering some truly heartbreaking moments. Nate’s descent into darkness builds upon the events of last season, as Nate embraces his new role and power at West Ham United, even at the expense of those who he used to call friends. It appears to be setting up rock bottom for Nate, hopefully paving the way for a great character comeback because if this is the final season, we cannot have the show end with Nate and Ted at odds. While doing all this, the episodes set the stage for major plot lines for some characters who have not been the prime focus of the previous two seasons, once again tackling important issues, and ensuring that every character gets their chance to shine over the course of the series.

 

As with previous seasons, the performances in the first four episodes are terrific! Jason Sudeikis once again gives an outstanding performance as Ted, capturing the wholesome nature of his character and making for one of my favourite television characters. Sudeikis finds that uncontrollable bundle of energy that makes Ted loveable and absolutely infectious personality on the other characters, while also capturing the internal struggle Ted is facing coming to terms with the end of his marriage and with his mental wellness. It is nothing short of a fantastic performance which should land Sudeikis his third Emmy for this role. Nick Mohammed makes it so easy to be mad at Nate as he plays his character’s spiral into darkness with such precision that your blood boils while Nate is on screen, while also simultaneously breaking your heart as you see his character being used by Rupert and knowing that he will soon enough be kicked to the curb.