AFC Richmond just keeps getting better
Teddy Lasso Season 3 begins with an trepidation that’s natural given the stakes, but as the AFC Richmond players find their footing, so does the show. Known for his unrelenting positivity in a television landscape of darkness and gloom, Season 3 of Teddy Lasso encourages the less than enthusiastic moods that can overcome even the biggest optimist. It undoubtedly fits at a time when Ted himself is still grappling with the end of his marriage, is raising his son from across the Atlantic, and there’s a very real possibility his team will be relegated late next year. Teddy Lasso Season 3 keeps her hope and crazy one-liners, and at times gets even crazier than necessary, but she’s also learned to play with nuance.
When the second season ended, Richmond were finally back as a Premier League team but lost their assistant manager Nate to West Ham in the process. Teddy Lasso on the eve of their first game of football season, and no one seems to feel that loss more than Ted himself. The season three premiere begins with a more somber Coach Lasso, though he tries to hide his hesitation for the benefit of his son and colleagues. Actually masking what multiple characters are doing in their respective storylines – which contributes to an overarching theme that happiness isn’t guaranteed, no matter how far success has taken you so far.
Luckily a set of Teddy Lasso Characters who are alive and well despite the circumstances are the players themselves. Unlike previous seasons where one or the other soccer player was given a special spotlight so the audience could better understand them, in season 3 they see that they grow together as a team and achieve a refreshing “us against the world” mentality. Of course, that doesn’t change the fact that a new player joins the team. Zava, played by Maximilian Osinski, is a superstar who confuses many but awes everyone – yet his presence serves more as a centrifuge, making every character spin around him. Some of the more goofy gags involve his character and others’ reactions to him, but the show makes sure to stay away from the fringes most of the time.
The internal journeys of AFC Richmond coaches and owners appear to be taking center stage Teddy Lasso early in the season, particularly when Rebecca’s renewed determination to defeat her ex-husband Rupert and his West Ham team collides with Ted’s unusual passivity. They’re not the only ones going through minor crises, as new coach Roy Kent is going through his own bouts of self-doubt. His problems are compounded by the current state of his relationship with Keeley, whose problems at her start-up PR firm are beginning to overwhelm her.
Once again, all of the uncertainty that crops up has a bright side Teddy Lasso Season 3. Keeley and Rebecca have a chance to lean on each other more than ever, making their fabulous friendship one of the highlights of the first few episodes (which have been posted for review). Each woman empowers the other, and the lack of petty bickering between them is a key argument as to why conflict doesn’t always mean quality content. Romance takes a backseat in Season 3 (save for a surprise ship that’s sure to delight viewers), but the value of platonic friendships has never been better shown.
As for the villain everyone is talking about and the character that audiences tend to hate, Teddy Lasso cleverly continues his balancing act with Nate the Great. Just when it looks like he’s a man with no regrets and no redemption in sight, a twist comes from left field to even the score. Best of all, his arch fits perfectly with what was shown in Season 2, but also further expands on why his previous heel turn was so annoying.
Teddy Lasso Bringing as much joy as possible to as many people as possible this season may not be in the business, but it strives very hard to deliver enlightenment. Whether it succeeds or not will be decided once the (supposedly final) episode has aired, but for now the game playing it is well worth the price of admission.
Teddy Lasso Season 3 starts March 15 on Apple TV+, with new episodes releasing every Wednesday.
https://screenrant.com/ted-lasso-season-3-2023-tv-review/ AFC Richmond just keeps getting better
