I’m Now a Believer in the Richmond Way
Ted Lasso is not what you probably think it is. Everyone online thinks this show is a sports show, but really it’s a fun sitcom style comedy with lots of drama that just so happens to take place in the world of sports. After winning a trophy in College Football, Ted and his trusty sidekick Beard find themselves in London coaching “proper football” for AFC Richmond. Knowing nothing about the sport, and having no real reason to go (outside of Ted’s marital issues), Ted manages to win over the Richmond faithful and become a staple of the greyhounds team.
Even though Ted manages to win the hearts of the fans and proves after a few seasons that his methodology as a coach is sound, none of that is what makes the show an excellent watch. It’s really about the deep connections the players make with their coach. The players on the team and the coaching staff all have such interesting back stories and are so fun to watch interact.
Key Characters
- Ted Lasso – Head Coach
- Rebecca Welton – Club Owner
- Beard – Assistant Coach
- Jamie Tartt – Star Player (problem child)
- Roy Kent – Captain and Later a Coach
- Nathan Shelley – Assistant Coach
Multiple Story Lines
All the characters above are involved in the main story, but also in their own. What makes the show so great is the ability to tie side stories into the main plot. Characters will have emotional trauma, huge fights, and depressive alcoholic episodes all in time for a league win or loss by Richmond AFC in such a magical and exciting way.
Watching the characters grow and change throughout the series is so rewarding. Jamie going from a prick to a genuinely nice guy, Roy getting progressively more in touch with his feelings that aren’t anger, Rebecca getting over her divorce, Ted developing and overcoming panic attacks, this show really has it all.
I have to address that I am a huge fan of soccer (football), so this was always going to be a hit of a show for me, but it was so refreshing that this was more than just a sports show. I really cannot express how hopeful I am for a season 4 of this soon as I need to see more Ted Lasso in action!
Verdict
★★★★1/2
It’s incredible how much this show captures the essence of Premier League football while also being a wonderful show as a whole. The biggest endorsement I can give it is that my wife loved it and she is not a sports person, so watch Ted Lasso, and most importantly, “you do whatever you like!”
- Overall: 9/10
- Acting: 10/10
- Action: 7/10
- Writing: 9/10
- Visuals and Effects: 6/10
- Music: 8/10
- Humor: 10/10