My Thoughts on Ted Lasso

Work commitments, endless notifications, and the demands of personal life leave me with very little time to devote to my blog and watch TV. However, I do thoroughly enjoy both and when I do get a moment, it is easiest to combine these two things. Also, last week I read a comment on my recent short story (which won the contest it was written for, btw!!) that the story was a refreshing change from my regular content. Now, obviously I have to earn a living. So when I get sponsored content, I take it on – BUT I always put non-sponsored content between two sponsored posts. So, if you’re looking for some honest-to-god writing where I’m just rambling on (kind of like I’m doing now), then make sure to subscribe to my blog 🙂

The subject of today’s post, as the title suggests, is the hit TV show on Apple TV called Ted Lasso. This Emmy-award winner released in 2020 when the world was grappling with the effects of a global pandemic. Perhaps the reason for the tremendous success of this feel-good show was its timely release. The world needed to feel happy, and Ted Lasso allowed it to. Currently only two seasons of the show are out but filming for the third (rumoured to be last) season has begun.

THE PLOT:

The show’s premise is a simple one – Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is an American Football Coach who is hired to coach the A.F.C. Richmond English Premier League Football team, by the club’s sassy owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham). The reason she hires a man who has no idea about the game is because she’s secretly attempting to sabotage the club to get back at her philandering ex-husband who really loved the club. And the only reason Lasso accepts this unusual job which he’s clearly not qualified for, and which is located halfway across the world, is because of his troubled marriage, and the marriage counsellor’s advice to give his wife some space.

Against all odds, however, Lasso proves to be a phenomenal coach – not strictly in terms of the actual game, but as a coach of life. With his untiring optimism, he buoys almost all the characters on the show, even while battling his own personal problems.

THE COMMENTARY:

I’m going to attempt to write this section in a slightly different manner than usual. Here is why I liked Ted Lasso so much:

• FABULOUS CHARACTERS

This is hands-down the biggest strength of the show. The lead characters are of course brilliantly written, but the supporting cast members too get their time in the sun. Their many layers are revealed slowly, adding to their relatability. For example, on the face of it, Ted’s character is too good to be true – how can anyone be happy ALL the time despite the adversities he’s facing in life. But with time, his vulnerabilities are revealed as is the reason for his shiningly optimistic approach. His character has the potential to be annoying, but I’d challenge you to find a single person that doesn’t like him. Rebecca too is a brilliant character who undergoes immense personal growth through the show. Nate, a kit boy who rises to be a coach, has the most progression in terms of a character, and he is played very well by Nick Mohammed. Football stars Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster) and Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh) are all extremely likeable despite their many idiosyncrasies. The actors are all first-rate – I can’t think of a single person who is anything less than excellent at playing their roles.

• THE UNDERDOG STORY

Who doesn’t love a good underdog story? But bear in mind, this isn’t a traditional ‘the-team-sucks-yet-goes-on-to-win-the-championship’ story. Far from it. The team is actually relegated in Season 1 (SPOILER ALERT: fortunately fighting its way back in Season 2!). The underdogs here are the fabulous characters whose life situations have you rooting for them, as if they were your own family members. An emotionally broken Ted, a wounded Rebecca, a power-hungry Nate, an ageing Roy, a discarded Jamie, a fish-out-of-water Sam, a confused Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) who plays the team’s PR strategist and Roy’s girlfriend. Each of them is an underdog with an inspiring story of rising from adversity.

• THE ADRENALINE OF A SPORT

Thrown into the mix is the popular sport of football. I’ve always enjoyed this game – it’s a quick and adrenaline inducing sport. And when you’re invested in the players’ personal stories, watching the game becomes even more pleasurable. A huge aspect of European football is the fan frenzy for the sport (Indian cricket fans pale in comparison). The football team you support encompasses every aspect of your life – everything happens as per match schedules, and major life decisions also depend on the sport. Ted Lasso captures the adrenaline of the sport well, without ever overdoing it or making it seem like a purely ‘sports’ show.

• EXCELLENT STORY PROGRESSION

Hats off to the writers of the show for a story that progresses in a subtle and real manner. By the time you end Season 2, you are amazed at the number of changes that have happened in 2 seasons at a very believable pace. It’s the kind of show where nothing really happens, but so much happens in the little nothings – do you know what I mean?!

• VERY RELATABLE

I’m no football player from the Premier League, nor am I the owner of a football club or the hot girlfriend of a football player. Even though the premise of the show is so limited in its scope, its handling makes it universally relatable. Humans actually do react to situations the way the show depicts those reactions. I just love it. I just love Ted Lasso.

THE VERDICT:

Is there even any need for this section now? Hahaha! If you’re looking for a show that makes you happy and is easy and quick to watch, definitely add Ted Lasso to your list. There are a couple of issues that I would like to highlight though – it is only available on Apple TV (which doesn’t have many other great shows!) and their accents (Ted’s Kansas City drawl and the heavy Brit accent of the others) are hard to understand. So, you will definitely need subtitles.

That’s it from me, happy watching!

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This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla, in collaboration with RRE Studios. and ShowCase Events.

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*This is not a sponsored post.

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