My Thoughts Going into the Season (and possibly series???) Finale of Ted Lasso

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Love this.

The cast of ‘TED LASSO’ on the picket line for the writers strike.

(Source: @hanwaddingham) pic.twitter.com/jX1r9EtMwk

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 30, 2023

Before the finale, just wanted to say
by u/RoxaSora in TedLasso

The season three and potentially series finale of Ted Lasso drops at midnight, and while excited to watch, I'm sad that this is likely the end of one of my favorite shows. There's been plenty of contempt and backlash on social media regarding Ted after being beloved because that's how the world works, but I thoroughly enjoyed this season. I've watched every episode at least five times, and that's not hyperbole. I love the characters, and this show makes me feel things.

I have no issue with the extended run times whatsoever. Hating on that is such a lame take. What do you have going on that's so important that an extra 10-30 minutes of Ted Lasso is a BAD thing?? Like you're mad that a show is giving people more. Don't get me wrong; there are parts I didn't love. We could've totally gone without Jack (cu next Tuesday). Nate's relationship with Jade feels forced AF, but they're not significant enough issues to make me stop liking the fucking show. People are so weird.
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There's no denying the writing forced some social issues into the storylines this year. I'm a woke cuck pussy who believes in freedom and democracy, so it didn't bother me, but I think it's fair to say some themes felt forced. My qualm is more with the execution than the content itself. The "shut up and dribble" storyline worked, but the dialogue about post-break-up nude deletion etiquette in episode 8 felt as natural as Christina Pushaw's (one of Ron DeFascist's lackeys) skin and face. ​

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HOW WAS SHE BORN IN THE 1990s????

Not to S my own D, but I've been pretty good at calling what's gonna happen in Ted Lasso. I knew Issac would be mad at Colin for lying (not because he's gay!) and that Nate wouldn't finish the season at West Ham. That could be more proof of the show's demise, but I'll chalk it up to my big weird brain. It doesn't take a psychic (where's she been the rest of this season?) to guess that Ted will leave Richmond to return to his son and that Nate will take over. Since that feels so obvious, I hope there's some sort of twist.

I've said it a million times, but I love this entire cast. It's strong enough to support a spin-off without Ted or a reduced Lasso prescience in the next season. I think it's idiotic to end this show now. It's AppleTV+'s biggest hit by a mile. Why wouldn't they want it to continue for at least another year? There's soooo much meat left on the kabob. Why would you throw it away?

Here are the OFFICIAL DOL thoughts going into tonight's finale.

• Are Ted and Michelle gonna get back together?
  • As a child of divorce, I always root for this plot. Even though Henry is annoying (in his defense, he's a kid), I don't want any children to live with split-up parents. It felt like her trip to Paris with the scuzzy, unethical marriage counselor didn't go well, and there was the Dave Grohl pillow-drum easter egg. If Ted goes home to Kansas (which feels inevitable at this point), could he and Michelle reconnect? Maybe she realized leaving him was a mistake?

 

• What's gonna happen with Rebecca's love life?
  • Will Sam and her finally start making that sexy chocolate vanilla swirl again, or will that bald Dutch zaddy come back into the picture and sweep her off her feet (that he wants to rub)? 
    • Could we see her ending up with Ted? To me, that's the lamest possible outcome, and feels forced. Yes, they're close, but it's not that type of relationship.
    • Even though I'm not a fan of that potential storyline...it wouldn't shock me. I mean, have you seen Hannah Waddingham? I'd trade a year of my life for a weekend away with her in some villa where I know she's DTF the Doz man. She is absolutely gorgeous and seems like a genuinely lovely person. I'd love to find out for myself! (so much for rapid fire, huh?)

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• What will happen with Nate at AFC Richmond?
  • After Beard reveals his checked past and all Ted did for him, he forgives Nate and offers him a spot on the coaching staff. This entire season's been building up to Nate and Ted's big conversation/possible reunion. I can't wait to see the emotions on display. I hope Ted tells Nate he has the picture at home.

 

• Are Jamie and his dad gonna be alright?
  • I low-key forgot about Jamie's scumbag dad and how he got his block knocked off in the Wembley locker room. Last week, we saw our first glimpse of him since he and his lads nearly killed Coach Beard in an alley. He was clearly in some sort of rehab center, but I'm more concerned with how he looked and clapped. Did this dude have a brain injury or something? The way he clapped and barely spoke legit looked like a mentally challenged person or someone with a traumatic brain injury. Maybe it's from years of drugs and booze? Idk but he looked FUCKED UP in that brief scene time. Also, the actress who played Jamie's sexy mom is 43, and Phil Dunster is 31 (but his character is like 25). Sorta weird!

 

• Why is Bumbercatch anti-democratic??
  • I didn't love that little wrinkle last episode!

 

• What's Roy and Keeley's future?
  • They're back together (finally). I'm glad Roy's been working on himself. He's been my favorite character since before it was cool. I just love his and Keeley's dynamic.
    • ​It was great to see Phoebe and her mom in the last episode for Uncle's Day. Phoebe is adorable and hilarious. She always steals whatever scene she's in.
    • Jamie was right; Roy's sister is fit af. Side note...Phoebe's dad must've been H1tler's wet dream if this is her mom, but she came out blonde and pale AF.​

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• What's going to happen to Rupert?
  • Late in episode 11, Bex and his former assistant go to Rebecca's home unannounced for legal advice. Is that piece of shit finally gonna get his comeuppance? I surely hope! It's wild he survived #MeToo in the first place. What a slimeball!

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• ​Where is Jane?
  • Have we even seen her in person once this season? I didn't mind looking at her be weird/cute af. I'm not the biggest Beard guy (he gives off major "keep calm and chive on" vibes), but their relationship can be funny. 
    • ​Also, I need more details about his time in prison STAT.

 

• Does Nate have a dead sister?
  • When he was going through the old photo albums at his parent's house, another child was in *some* of the photos? What happened to this person?? Am I just taking a dark leap? Could she simply be out of town?

 

• Is Richmond gonna win the Premier League?
  • Neither outcome would surprise me. I could see them going the worst to first angle with Ted leaving on top OR them losing the final match on some heart-breaker that ends up being a lesson for all. We know it's never been about winning or losing for Ted.

 

• What's going on with Trent Crimm's book?
  • I love Trent and am glad we got more of him this season after he left The Independent, but are we gonna get to see what happens with this book he's writing? Hopefully, that's addressed NEXT season.
    • Is Trent gay, bi, queer or something else? We know he's not straight based on his interactions with Colin, but how he explained his situation made things unclear. Obviously, I'll still like him whatever the label is (if there even is one) but I'm more so curious...I think he's still married, so does he like swinging? Is there some arrangement? This is juicy tea that must be spilled. 

 

• Are more people gonna find out Colin is gay?
  • He said he doesn't want to be a spokesman, but between Isaac's scuffle with the homophobic fan and Ted Lasso juggling like 38 storylines at once, Colin's journey is far from over.

 

• Where is Julie (Higgins' wife)??
  • I loved the Christmas episode where they opened their home to the entire team. Their love story is adorable. If this is really it for Ted Lasso, she deserves at least a goodbye moment on screen. I hope her absence was just an oversight and not trouble between these lovebirds!

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• If this is really the Ted Lasso finale, will there be any spin-offs?
  • Plenty of rumors have circulated about potential Ted Lasso spin-offs; I've been saying for months that the show could go on without Ted. Could the show become centered around AFC Richmond? Maybe Roy gets his own show? Sam? Rebecca? Mae? 
    • Idk/c I just don't want tonight's episode to be the final time we get to see any of these characters. Three seasons were simply not enough! I understand why an NFL player may retire in his prime to avoid injury, but this is a fucking beloved TV show. Sure, people have bashed this season, but that's to be expected with how universally beloved the first season was. People love to build things up to tear them down. If anything, you should come back for one more year to prove the haters wrong.

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I feel like I'm totally forgetting something; oh yeah...what's good with Sharon? We briefly see and hear her in the first episode, but she's basically gone now outside of a few sessions we see with Ted.  Will she get a proper send off?

I'll be back sometime after the finale to discuss what happened/the future of Ted Lasso. If this is the final episode, I've loved this show since the beginning and will be sad to see it go. It can get a little corny sometimes, but in this fucked up world, it's a show trying to make a difference while entertaining, and I'll always admire that.

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P.S.

Barbara grew on me this season (which I'm sure was intended) and she can fill out a JUICY sweatsuit quite nicely. Her clothes definitely tell the truth.