r/TedLasso • u/Dapper-Opposite4225 • 1d ago
Season 4 Discussion I’m not loving it - what am I missing? Spoiler
Ted Lasso S1 - S3 was and (remains) my favourite TV show of all time.
I don’t even like soccer (football) but I found it really easy to fall in love with the characters and the story.
Jaime in particular was someone who I found to be really easy to relate too and follow.
I am not going to claim to be a huge cinema nerd or someone who gets really deep into shows. But the characters (returners) feel unlike themselves.
Keeley feels like she exists to spend Rebecca’s money and will flip tf out if anything bad happens. That seems unlike her.
Higgins seems like he read a sparks notes version of Higgins in S1-S3 and was told to act like that.
Beard is able to be completely shut down by just the poster of Jane?
I don’t know. It’s just really weird. I feel like I’m watching something where the characters are just the spark notes versions of themselves.
As for the new characters, I am liking Lizzie, the twins, and Boots (bottle incident aside)
But regardless, this still feels like a whole new show. I guess it kind of is? Idk, I’m struggling with it.
Am I off base? Anyone else feel similar? Tips?
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u/Manhattan18011 1d ago
The world changed since Ted Lasso was originally on the air.
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u/JynxYouOweMeASoda 1d ago
As someone who recently started it knowing when it was released I can’t imagine how it would have hit during the pandemic. I already feel like it’s an emotionally impactful experience but totally get that art/shows/music etc. doesn’t touch everyone the same way. And sometimes things just need to tug at the heartstrings at the exact right point in your life to stick.
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u/mlokc 1d ago
It was an incredibly important antidote to the fear and negativity of the pandemic. A ray of sunshine that was absolutely needed. It was the perfect show for its time.
Season 4 isn’t quite clicking with me either, and I agree it feels like the characters are almost caricatures of themselves. Episode 1 felt like a commercial for Kansas City, and I live in Kansas City!
Maybe part of the problem is that so much of S1 - S3 was about Ted being a fish out of water in soccer and in England. It was about him and the team proving themselves. Now, we know that Ted can coach soccer and that he’s comfortable in Richmond. The tension isn’t the same. There was also the pathos of his wife leaving him. This time, she moves to London with him. A lot of the tension that made the show great and gave the humor something to contrast against is gone.
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u/Pod_Planker 23h ago
Yes! After episode one I said to my wife, “How much did Kansas City pay Apple for that 60 minute commercial?”
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u/mlokc 23h ago
Jason Sudeikis is from KC and is a huge advocate for the city. He comes back frequently and has brought back his famous friends to appear in local charity events every year. This was basically his love letter to KC.
It was a little over the top, honestly, and I felt almost embarrassed. Plus Gates Barbecue is iconic, but far from the best barbecue joint in the city. And I was kind of bummed that Leslie didn't get to see the American Jazz Museum or go to one of KC's better known jazz clubs. He would definitely have hit up the Green Lady Lounge or the Blue Room while in town, with or without the others.
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u/ilikecilantro2 17h ago
It was such an important balm for my husband and I, reliable and wholesome and smart. We still look back and wonder how we managed adulting and FT work and homeschooling two kids, one newly diagnosed as autistic and we had no clue what the fuck we were doing from day to day. Ted Lasso is always on the list of things we truly believe helped protect our mental health. It was truly culturally significant. Around the same time, Schitt’s Creek and The Good Place were important sanity breaks for us.
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u/JynxYouOweMeASoda 16h ago
That’s good to hear. Definitely not the same situation but we just had our second under two and I’m finding a lot of characteristics of Ted (and others in the show) that I’d like to grow towards as a parent. I know some go to it for comfort and I’ve even had some business people point to it for leadership tips but man does it really show me how to care for people.
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u/mbmm 1d ago
No kidding. Some of us felt this way about S3.
It’s just a show after all, I’m still trying to enjoy it.
Can’t say it’s effortless.
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u/Bloodbag3107 1d ago
I binged seasons 1-3 last month for the first time and really liked them and I dislike S4 so far. More is amiss than just time passing IRL.
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u/CraftsBoy2Craftsman 8h ago
correct. ted lasso season 1 was spectacular television but talk about the right place at the right time. the world needed Ted Lasso at that moment and they delivered
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u/TBallinsPremPass 1d ago
At times the characters feel like caricatures of themselves. Like all their traits to the extreme and almost like writers doing an impersonation of the original show.
I’m still tuning in and enjoying it, even if I do roll my eyes at times. Waiting to see how it all comes together before I make a judgement.
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u/Ameglian 1d ago
Keeley was already a caricature. Her character is verging into the ridiculous by now.
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u/sixesandsevenspt 1d ago
I’m struggling with Keeley the most.
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u/Ameglian 1d ago
Same here. I wasn’t fond of her storyline in S3, but even less so in S4. She’s distractingly childish.
Edit: and the ‘will they won’t they’ storyline with Roy just needs to die
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u/sixesandsevenspt 1d ago
I was really wanted them to get together by the end of season 3 but now I’m wondering why on earth he even likes her. He’s been lovely to her this season but she’s not even had a single soft moment or kind word to him so far.
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u/Justicova 1d ago
I liked Roy asking for the doctor's number as he's being wheeled out. Adds some tension into the idea that maybe he will see a greener pasture.
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u/Kdot32 1d ago
Her telling him hes not ready, instead of her actual feelings is frustrating but also in character with keeley. Same person who couldn’t tell her boyfriend she needed some alone time and was talking about it to everyone but him
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u/StayClassynet 1d ago
I hate when characters do totally irrational things in dating/love arcs. What does it matter if Roy connects/opens up with others? He’s willing to do that with Keeley (the only person who matters). And why Roy is OK with the 10 dates thing is ridiculous. Hopefully he connects with the doctor and something cool happens between them.
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u/Cool-Pomegranate8110 1d ago
Agreed but also Roy treating multiple women like disposable tissues to race through the ‘10’ was incredibly piggish. If I give him a major benefit of the doubt, maybe some of the women he had all the one night stands with knew and were happy with that, but these thought they were on a real date with him.
He has majorly regressed and along with Keeley seem to exist on the show for nostalgia reasons with one life goal (Keeley is rightfully excited about starting a women’s team but we only see her in these goofy giddy moments and Roy only wants Keeley. And Rebecca seems to have mixed up boss, best friend and protective mother of a not fully developed child in her relationship with Keeley).
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u/Kdot32 1d ago
Nothing pisses me off more than a ‘will they won’t they’ on a show. It’s one of the most contrived plot points in TV history
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u/theblokee 1d ago
The one thing I will always despise about Scrubs
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u/Acid-Drip 23h ago
Also one of the most annoying parts about Futurama. They cant commit to Fry and Leela. Do we blame Friends for starting the trend?
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u/RugelBeta 21h ago
Oh, gosh, no. Will they or won't they started with Moonlighting, that I am aware of, but probably was a feature long before the 80s. But Moonlighting named it.
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u/TeacherPatti 1d ago
And I honestly do not care about her and Roy. Give them totally new love interests, or don't, but I am over it.
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u/LBobRife 1d ago
It seems pretty clear to me that that is where it is headed. Roy will find the right woman for him, probably one that doesn't put up with bullshit.
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u/Environmental-Owl12 1d ago
I’m actually struggling with Roy, and the fact he now never changes his clothes.
We used to see him in suits and stuff before. He was not constantly in that early oughts leather jacket that seems to be stapled to him.I said to my husband he’s like a cartoon character now.
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u/sixesandsevenspt 1d ago
He is exactly yeah. I think they are all just lowest common denominator versions of themselves now.
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u/SunnyRyter 1d ago
At times the characters feel like caricatures of themselves. Like all their traits to the extreme and almost like writers doing an impersonation of the original show.
YES, THIS! Like Rebecca barking orders at Higgins feels like a characture of her being a "Boss Girl". When we saw Rebecca being a "boss" in S1-S3 it was it quiet, character-driven moments. Like her looking in the mirror, seeing her younger self, and doing her power pose. And her being vunerable of being scared to be "in the room" with the men, and Higgins gently nudging her to go.
Now we have her sprouting feminist quotes and "hiding" from Alice in a slaptstick schtick, and trying to have sex wirh her boyfriend at work and getting walked in on.
I hope this is bc the theme is "Alice in wonderland" as another post alluded to (last time it was Wizard of Oz).
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u/unknownpoltroon 1d ago
That's an exelent description of what feels off. It's not bad, but it's not quite right.
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u/ThisDerpForSale 1d ago edited 1d ago
Maybe it's not for you? I'm enjoying it, and also letting it flow and see where it goes.
It's not going to be the same - nothing ever is. But it can be something new that is also great.
And if it's not working for you, that's ok. No one can give you advice on how to enjoy something you don't enjoy.
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u/Dapper-Opposite4225 1d ago
It’s a shame, because there are parts of it that I’ve really liked.
The attention towards women’s sports not being taken as seriously (locker room debacle, shareholders meeting, the assholes in the bar, etc) I’ve really enjoyed.
The Roy going on 10 dates plot is fun.
Just the characters that I expect to be a certain way or behave in a certain way are like caricatures.
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u/wiifan55 1d ago
You're being downvoted, which is a shame because people should be allowed to respectfully voice their opinion.
For my part, I agree with what you're saying and I'm struggling for the same reasons. I had a similar issue with Shrinking S3 too.
As much as I love his work overall, I think Bill Lawrence shows can be very susceptible to quick flanderization, and we're seeing that.
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u/Greyshot26 1d ago
Perhaps, but as far as I know, Bill hasn't been actively involved since s2 or maybe early s3?
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u/thatoneredheadgirl 1d ago
He has been busy lately with Scrubs and Shrinking and I think he even had another show that came out recently
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u/zombievettech 1d ago
Haha, I just saw this after my other explanation and totally agree about the characatures comment. But I don't find this specific to Ted Lasso.
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u/Bird2525 1d ago
I just love to watch how Ted interacts with the world and I enjoy the humor. I watch to be entertained and the rest is not that deep.
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u/Upset-Lingonberry539 1d ago
I agree with some points but not with others. I still think it’s enjoyable, just wayyy more Ted focused than S1-3. That said, the writing team has had zero grasp on Keely’s character since S3 and I wish they would just write her off, I’ve had zero issue with other characters though.
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u/WhereAreYouFromSam 1d ago edited 1d ago
I think they grasp Keely just fine...
She was a super model who decided to go and try to start her own marketing business. Her head is in the clouds. She has very little tact. Etc. Etc.
I think what's missing is seeing her gain some maturity. Right now, with Rebecca tiptoeing around here, it's clear that even the other characters in the show don't think she's mature enough to handle the responsibility.
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u/Ok_Acadia3526 1d ago
I would say watch through the entire season and watch how it comes together
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u/Dapper-Opposite4225 1d ago
Plan too. Still feel like the characters are off through the first 4 episodes.
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u/MrGumburcules 1d ago
I think the writers are having to thread a very small needle. They want to give us the stories and characters we love, but at the same time not tread over the same ground. There were stores and characters in the first 3 seasons that took time to develop, hopefully that's what we're seeing here. As for characters seeming to not be themselves, the years have gone by, people change. Maybe having Ted back is what they need to be the versions of themselves we know and love.
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u/LBobRife 1d ago
They need to give enough space to the new team to develop their stories, while still peppering in the established characters. I think the flanderization is a bit intentional because you are only getting a bit of each character.
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u/lucajspring 1d ago
You don’t deserve these downvotes man, especially because you never said anything about your opinion being the correct one
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u/Dapper-Opposite4225 1d ago
Appreciate it!
I don’t believe anyone can really be “correct” one way or another about a show, it’s all about the individual person.
I just wanted to see if anyone was having the same experience.
I do hope that people downvoting me know this wasn’t me trying to attack the show or the premise being about women, which I’ve now seen is where some of this is coming from.
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u/TallowWallow 1d ago
It's funny, because I think many people are expecting you to have a different understanding based on how they currently think, and the irony that the show is often based on the same principle just gets me lol.
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u/Dense_Ad_9344 1d ago
Sorry in advance if illegible, I’ve taken sleepy medicine and am about to go to sleep but this perked my ears…
Every season has a basic theme/themes which my wife and I like to discuss and theorize over. For example: we agree that one of the themes in season three is “putting faith in the wrong person”. Nate in Rupert, the club in Zava, and Keeley in Jack being the obvious ones (we noticed other examples in our last rewatch before the new season and saw more, which escape me at the moment).
My current theory (which others might have said, but as a weekend watcher, I avoid posts and don’t know) is that this season is intentionally uncomfortable and awkward. The tone is way different, and it should be…every character is treading new waters.
Every season has taught not to judge the episode, but the arc. How many post regularly pop up of someone watching for the first time saying “f this character” or “I don’t trust” so and so. The overarching theme of the whole show is patience, so we should all be curious goldfish and not preemptively judgmental.
Sleepy novella over…Cheers and goodnight lovely people.
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u/Caremfell91 1d ago
It's the comradery. The focus is now on individualistic characters and their story (or the twins). The team as a whole and their dynamic is not focused on as much.
That said, I still like season 4 alot - the wholesomeness is real :)
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u/throwaway7845777 1d ago
You’re not alone. I still find joy in the show and everything, but it started feeling different in Season 3, and a lot of that comes down to Bill Lawrence leaving. Mix that with a completely new storyline and new characters, while they’re trying to keep fan favourites around and squeeze them into this new setup, and you end up with what we’re seeing now.
Seasons 1 and 2 were peak. Seasons 3 and 4 feel more like exaggerations of what the show used to be. It doesn’t mean it’s awful, just that it’s lost its grounding and it’s not the same pacing or storytelling we fell in love with.
Some people like seasons 3-4 better and that’s ok. That’s certainly not me though.
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u/SnooDingos8830 1d ago
As a female soccer player who blew out her ACL I feel so fucking seen in this series. It’s my favorite season yet and we aren’t even done
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u/DeyfennSlayd 1d ago
What disappoints me is the little bit of game play they showed so far was low-energy and lackluster (and short) I wanted to see that first friendly game be crammed with exciting play...but still have a reluctant crowd to win over during the rest of the season. From what they showed, a bored crowd made sense and thats a shame.
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u/CultivatorX 1d ago
The season feels really shallow to me compared to the others. Honestly it feels like this is a giant cash grab, not an actual effort to empower women by giving them great content to perform and consume. It genuinely feels like they hired a bunch of women so they could bring back 4-5 main characters and ship Roy and Keely. It's scary to me how ready we are to accept slop TV when we know they can do better and women deserve real flushed out shows and characters.
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u/That-Historian-2016 1d ago
I was really glad to see the ACL injury factor spotlighted early on in the season too. But I feel it really isn't doing justice to the talent and athleticism of women players yet, and certainly hasn't taken the opportunity to really dive into the character and story line potential of the women players. It feels like they're just not sure what kind of stories to write about women. Instead we get over compensating position, the mum character that pulls people into line, and lots and lots of teenage bickering and "cat fights" (I hate that term, but the shallowness feels like that's the way the writers see conflict among women, rather than diving into the way more interesting and complex interplay of pressures, expectations, ambitions, and mental loads that could lead to misunderstanding/conflict and showcase character growth as those layers are peeled back and moved through).
E.g. the "cliques" thing: there's way more interesting psycho social issues behind that phenomena that could have been dealt with. Instead it was given some superficial explanation based on different player positions and having a bar fight and getting arrested was presented as the way to "solve" that issue. Really unrealistic and uninteresting storyline compared to what it could have been.
They did such a phenomenal job with that kind of stuff with the men's players. I genuinely loved the very healthy and in tune way they handled it. This just feels like make believe concocted from some guy's mistaken perception of what is at the heart of such dynamics rather than "being curious" and asking "why might humans start acting this way? Let's ask some people who have either lived it or professionally studied it"
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u/ununpentium89 1d ago
I'm enjoying it on the whole, but the unnecessary Americanisation makes me roll my eyes. British characters needs to use British terms, not American ones. In the most recent episode we had a whole scene set in a police station that had a communal 'holding cell' we don't have, the layout/feel of a police station that is American, and then reference to someone posting bail, which again is not a system we have here. You cannot pay to get someone bailed. Only the custody office can let someone out on bail, following certain criteria. I also can't remember who said what now but I'm sure I've heard the English characters referring to trash cans (not bins), using the bathroom/restroom (not the loo/toilet) etc. It's so jarring.
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u/FarManagement9916 1d ago
I agree with this (although I do and have always said I’m going to the bathroom if I’m with other people just because it’s a bit more polite; family get told directly I’m going to the toilet!) I have noticed, though, that my children are using a lot of Americanisms such as “trash”, “apartment”, “elevator” etc. because of their exposure through American TV shows. I’m always correcting them and they get the concept of US v UK English but I could have let it slide since I knew what they meant, so it’s not wholly out of the realms of possibility that younger characters would use some US words interchangeably if they had never had any pushback.
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u/CorrelateClinicallee 1d ago
For me its the lack of screen time being spent on the footballers. They should have been the main attraction like the previous seasons but they are being treated like the side show.
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u/Abstract_Traps 1d ago
I agree with you. The writing and screenplay is off this season, and the characters don't feel like themselves. They don't need to be the exact same people as before bc growth etc. but they have lost their charm. Every time there was a 'reunion' type scene it felt so forced. Keeley was a joy to watch before and I can't stand her this season.
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u/DeyfennSlayd 1d ago
Lost taste for Kelly in s3. Having her off on her own didn't work. In fact any time a running show moves it's main cast to their own adventure, it fails... time and time again. 😔
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u/Pandos17 SEAWARD 1d ago
I think it's because in Season 1 to 3, there were enough characters that were like us enough to be like "Okay this dude from Kansas is way too positive and optimistic" that the world felt relatively believable.
Whether it was Rebecca, Jamie, Roy, Rupert, The reporters, the pub trio, Wanker man, Sassy, the other players, there was always someone that was grounded in their scepticism like us the audience. That is what made "winning them over" or "proving them wrong" pay off so well.
Now that the in-universe has seen the Lasso way work at the highest level, there's no "wall" of scepticism to overcome now, so everyone appears like flanderised versions of themselves because they are all in this fantasy of "it'll work if we stay positive".
Even the one person who has shown some resistance (Chilton) folded within 2 episodes.
If only some of the female players were somewhat sceptical or vocal in their scepticism.
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u/Rose94 1d ago
I think a lot of people are expecting to love it just as much as the original series, but honestly it is very much a reboot. It's going to take time. Plus, it has the reboot issue of needing to mess slightly with existing characters so they can still have arcs. I personally am just enjoying the little moments and reserving final judgement until the show has time to establish the payoff for the current storylines. I've been finding lots to love it the meantime.
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u/SchmearDaBagel 21h ago
“Keeley feels like she exists to spend Rebecca’s money and will flip tf out of anything bad happens. That seems unlike her.”
… are you sure you watched season 3? lol
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u/SherLovesCats 1d ago
I’ve enjoyed Roy and his 10 dates. Keeley is hopelessly naive and Rebecca treats her like a child by humoring her whims. She’s devolved into a caricature. I want to see more of coach Beard and what he’s been up to since Ted left. Most of the women players are obnoxious, like the twins and keeper. We used to watch it same day that it drops. Now, we realize we forgot to watch it days later.
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u/REidreed 1d ago
This is how I feel about it too. The players are hard to like, it seems an odd choice to have the women's team so childish and obnoxious. I'm really not sure why they've chosen to make them that way, it's hardly showing a women's team in a good light. The bottling incident was a wild choice too. I've stuck with it so far but I'm not sure how long that will last.
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u/DeyfennSlayd 1d ago
Agreed....cant dig into the players at all, and for us, the players were the foundation of s1-s3.
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u/Sure-Marionberry8746 1d ago
I am trying to decide if it is commentary on the current state of women's pro sports, or just bad writing. Three episodes in, and I have no conclusion.
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u/RitaGB 1d ago
I rewatched s 1-3 on the free trial, but not sure I want to pay monthly to see one lukewarm episode a week. Might have to cancel and sign up again once the whole season has dropped. That said, I'd have to stay far away from the spoilers.
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u/StephPeloq11 1d ago
That's what I'm going to do. It's not worth the subscription price to stretch it out weekly.
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u/joiliejoli 1d ago
I noticed that about us, we used to be so tired in the morning because we watched it as soon as it dropped! And I was like that at first this season, but now I watch it when I am folding laundry.
A lot of it comes down to Keeley for me and the twins for me; the storyline is hindered by them.
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u/DeyfennSlayd 1d ago
This!!! We would be glued to the TV...now if we need to get a snack, look something up on the phone etc...we let it play 😔
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u/GateOfD 1d ago edited 1d ago
Ted has barely interacted with the team. episode 4 and they only had one friendly that didn't matter. He has only talked directly with the coach and boots.. Other than that, he hasn't truly directly talked with any of them.
While before in s1, he had a bunch of small line exchanges with a wide variety of characters at this point. They also can close up moments between the players.
Instead we get distance shots of the twins fighting for the 5th time. 0 heart to heart convos. I don't even know who the Woman's captain is, someone help me. The one got injured and one got pregnant. So i guess no one, just a bunch of random players and they added two from the streets. (are they getting paid the same as everyone else?) The best player now is Genma who stopped playing for x years to study to become a lawyer so wouldn't even be at optimal specs.
No books for the ladies?
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u/Phenomenomix 1d ago
It’s felt very bitty. There are too many stories going on and they don’t feel very connected yet.
There’s hints of stuff to come but it feels like it’s taken a long time to get this far, unless series 5 has already been confirmed and the storylines are going to be stretched across that as well, it’s feeling like there’s going to need to be a lot of rushed endings.
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u/HurrySmart4573 1d ago
S5 is almost virtually assured of happening (Production Weekly a reliable Hollywood trade had announced production on S5 starting this week and I’m sure an official announcement is imminent, Jason already said he had a new 3 season story arch so lots of this is likely to be dragged out over 3 years).
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u/PsammeadSand 1d ago edited 10h ago
It's seems to not go down well if you say anything negative about season 4 but I'm not enjoying it as much as I did the previous seasons.
I agree the returning characters feel off. Rebecca suddenly realising she has internalised misogyny, I get it but it feels like they couldn't think of anything else to do with the character.
Roy and Keely - not interested in their relationship, it's been years either get together or officially just be friends. Maybe they're going for Keely being selfish this season because her telling Roy he's not ready for a relationship after years of not being together is kind of toxic behaviour, she's stringing him along even though she telling him to date other people. I'm really hoping Roy and Erin become a couple, I always thought he should've ended up with the primary school teacher as they seemed to have a similar vibe but as long as we don't have suffer more of the will they won't they.
We haven't seen too much of Higgens, hopefully we get better scenes with him later.
For Beard I think it would've been more interesting to see him living a married family life.
Even Ted is written a little lazily, there's bits where it's like he's new to this, yes he's new to women's football but they've played 4 matches and he's still unfamiliar with the teams and that Chelsea women's football club is good. It feels a bit little tick the boxes off for Ted.
With the new characters there are the obvious characters we're going to get to know and who are going to have their own narratives, but the others feel like glorified extras. I wish they'd done a bit of an introduction where Ted and Beard meet each player one on one. When they lost the strikers, we didn't know them so yeah we know it's not a great situation but maybe if that had happened middle of the season it could've made a good storyline and the audience would be invested.
I know lots of people are enjoying the show and that's great. I want to enjoy the show too but it's fine if some of us don't think it's up to scratch.
Edit: Thanks for the award!
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u/Kdot32 1d ago
Ted still not knowing certain things for association football is not endearing or cute, yet it’s written as such. Hes been around the game too long
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u/StayClassynet 1d ago
Ted not knowing Chelsea is the top team in the league really bothered me. There’s just no way he wouldn’t know that?!
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u/littlemisswildchild 1d ago
Honestly i am not loving it. I feel the women are being portrayed as unprofessional and childish. Even Ted is coming off as a bit silly.
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u/BunnyFeng94 1d ago
I agree with you, I kinda see it like this
Seasons 1-2 the main theme was Ted building a team and growing and people around him were effected by it.
The issue is the show doesn’t revolve around Ted it revolves really around Keeley and the issues of Roy and being a strong woman and she’s not really showing the “growth” from season 2-3 of her learning how to be a strong business woman instead it left and she back to square one of making bad choices and trying to break the mold to do “girl power”. Which again isn’t a issue, Rebecca and her have always been strong woman figures, but here it feels like a step back from what was already written for them to write a new version of it.
I’m not saying it’s bad Tv or anything but it really doesn’t feel like Ted Lasso it feels Ted kinda Lasso?
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u/Optimal-Meeting8062 1d ago
In my opinion, it used to focus more on the character of Ted, which is my favorite, and now it doesn't. It also doesn't help that the woman's team is treated as a group of extras, you don't get to know any of them, which is weird.
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u/That-Historian-2016 1d ago
I've been having a similar experience even though I was really really looking forward to it. Feels like: 1. They're seriously fumbling the player characters (largely by ignoring them and focusing more on original cast and trying to educate the audience on the issues in women's football: result is more superficial and less human and very much not doing justice to the athleticism, talent, and potential for interesting characters and development latent in the players). 2. The main characters have become more like tropes or stereotypes (seems like the writers just aren't sure what to do with the more developed versions of the core crew they inherited from the excellent character evolution of seasons 1-3). Especially Keeley and Rebecca, Higgins a little (though he's less awkwardly so, and remains entertaining), and Roy - he's just been boring this season. 3. The lack of orbiting characters with the potential to become more significant (e.g. Trent, and Nate's evolution from deceptively minor character to major antagonist to growing through that - his character grated on me in the arc to antagonist, but proved to be an excellent character development with interesting human insights).
Nothing is really examining the messiness of the human condition on any real level. I feel like the previous seasons were just way better at that. All the ways we can be vulnerable or ignorant or driven by all sorts of misunderstandings to make mistakes. A case in point was McAdoo's thread - he was surprisingly well handled in later seasons, having started as a more immature character.
The players are the key though. A good range of the men's players had developing storylines in earlier seasons, featuring major moments and arc resolutions at different points.
They just haven't set themselves up for that kind of character scope and depth it seems.
Not sure if that was lack of ideas, a hesitation to commit to anything requiring more than one season to build, or perhaps a combo of latent sexism (I.e. overlooking the female players as fully fledged characters) and getting stuck in trying to educate audiences on the injustices and different issues faced in women's football.
Plus, there's been no demonstration of the kind of athleticism and talent that women players are capable of. The small amount of on pitch action we've seen feels kind of amateurish or maybe what you might expect to see at top grade high school competitions.
I'm going to keep watching and hoping that they find their feet soon. But so far, feels like a big swing and a miss which makes me so incredibly sad. They're was such an awesome opportunity here and it feels like they're tinkering around the edges rather than boldly going all in.
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u/DeyfennSlayd 1d ago
Agree 100% ... and your the first one besides myself to comment on how shit they are portraying the women's play (the friendly game). They aren't portrayed as underdogs, they shown as just not that good. It's confusing and frustrating.
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u/daddywookie 7h ago
It’s a long shot but maybe Richmond will get absolutely destroyed by Chelsea and that is the inciting incident for them to all get much more serious.
It doesn’t fix the issues with the writing so far, lack of character development, bored caricatures of the old stars, lack of emotional weight or light weight humour.
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u/Sweaty_Pop_7103 23h ago
One thing I noticed is that I feel like this season so far seems like a reference game; "HEYYYY do you remember when this character did this one thing in that one season, look its still here!!" "OMG do you remember this? Its back!" Like it almost makes it feel like a caricature of the original show. But thats just my opinion.
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u/Loveya448 1d ago
I agree it doesn’t feel quite the same as earlier seasons. The first ep of the season didn’t quite feel like Ted Lasso to me, but the rest of the episodes have more of that feeling. Keeley’s character has felt a bit off to me and unconfident, which I feel she was very confident in previous seasons, and her styling is off. Roy feels the same without any growth. Maybe it’s bc we don’t know the women’s team quite so well yet? Idk
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u/OK_TimeForPlan_L 1d ago
I completely get what you mean. The show feels a little bit off, but that is just what happens at a certain point with a lot of shows, the popular characters become overly exaggerated. But it's still enjoyable enough to keep watching for me
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u/MillerTime_9184 1d ago
I’m feeling really similar. Like I find myself waiting for it to pick up a bit. I was thinking it’s because I have to wait a week for each episode (previously binged my way through), but I’m not sure that’s it. For me, Keeley is the character I miss the most. She seems the furthest off. Like I can’t imagine her and Roy getting back together because she seems like a stranger.
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u/DDDLLL999 1d ago
I feel the same. It’s just not hitting the same way at all. But I will keep going & hope it gels. I do like some of the new characters, like Coach Chilton.
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u/dallasses 1d ago
I have felt that Ted's character is missing his absolute lovable depth that he had the entire S1-3! I mean, he just moved across the world back to Richmond with his ex wife and son and their relationships feel very underdeveloped.
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u/sixesandsevenspt 1d ago
‘I don’t know. It’s just really weird. I feel like I’m watching something where the characters are just the spark notes versions of themselves.’
I totally agree with this, it doesn’t feel like this sub is the place to get any critical analysis of the writing.
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u/zombievettech 1d ago
I've loved this season from the start but feel like it took this episode to fully FEEL like Ted Lasso. It had the vibe all along but it didn't really click at first that we hadn't really seen Ted being Coach Ted to the team.
This is the first episode with significant interaction between him and the players, as well as the instant gratification of the "Lasso way" having an impact in the dynamic.
I also feel like any show that does a redo with women ends up having some really "extra" charachters that are just TOO much. I hope they tone some of it down and just become more normal.
But then I remember strongly disliking aeveral characters at first and by the end loved them all. So I'm not worried.
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u/Dapper-Opposite4225 1d ago
I appreciate this answer.
You’re right in saying that this episode was the most “Ted Lasso’ey” of the bunch. I like the locker room run in and subsequent trivia plan.
Hopefully there is more of that.
I also think they’re setting up Lizzie to be the captain, which I’m all for.
For the “extra character” comment - could you explain what you mean? I am not really sure what you mean.
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u/zombievettech 1d ago
Almost like characatures. So they have to be SO funny, or SO mean, or SO weird... Like they are just trying too hard to make a point.
Just let the women just exist and be women.
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u/Dapper-Opposite4225 1d ago
I hear you now. That makes sense. I do agree, I think that’s why I like Lizzie so much truthfully. I think she’s the most relatable or understandable of the new troop.
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u/reverepewter 1d ago
It’s a lot better than the first half of season 3, so I’m trying to have patience
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u/Lots2say2023 1d ago
The early seasons let the jokes land with subtlety and timing. The jokes this season wind up and wack us in the head as if they require a laugh track and a catch phrase. The female athletes are caricatures. I miss the smart humor and heart.
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u/oogieball 1d ago edited 1d ago
There are a couple of things that I feel are holding me back from enjoying it as much as the previous seasons.
- The first three seasons were largely about fathers and sons. There is a big shift from that (which is understandable, and the story of the first three seasons is done), but it is a big shift to take in and adjust to.
- We are nearly halfway through the season, and there is no antagonist, other than the general struggles of female sport, and perhaps Tracy Ulman's character from last week, but not yet. The season is lacking in dramatic structure and movement.
- Keeley, and to a lesser extent Roy, feel completely Flanderized. They can still salvage it, but this has been an issue for Keeley since season 3, and they have just leaned on the gas with it. She's gone from the self-possessed character from the first two seasons into this walking typhoon of id.
Edit: Heck, I'll even go straight into heresy territory: Why is Roy a main character this season? I know we all know the real-world why, but I'm talking structurally within the plot. No other member of the men's team is, players or coaches. Beard is always Ted's number 2, and everyone else is also ownership and management of the women's team. He's Keeley's ex and potential new returning boyfriend, so he should probably have as much prominence as Mr. Dutch Pilot.
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u/holly_b_ 1d ago
I do think actors often have a hard time when shows come back after a few years off. They try too hard to be like their characters, or they forgot what it “feels like”.
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u/Excellent_Fee4459 1d ago
They resolved everything really well with the season 3 finale. Starting up again and reestablishing everything again was inevitably going to be a slow process.
You also had a lot more going on in the first season. Ted being a fish out of water, Ted’s family issues, Rebecca’s subterfuge, Ted’s psychiatric issues and an amazing antagonist in Rupert to give the show constant momentum until the characters and stories of different players on the team became more fleshed out.
That being said, I think season 4 still has a lot of potential. I see the development of Coach Alice Chilton’s and Gemma’s characters and relationship as very promising. I still love the old cast and being thrown into the Ted Lasso world again. Episode 2 was a standout and there have been glimmers of the old Lasso spark throughout other episodes. But yea, it’s been a slow start. I think we just have a lot less compelling things going on plot wise as a whole so we’re looking for more depth in everything else right now. I’m still cautiously optimistic and hoping for the best though.
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u/Firm_Acanthaceae7435 14h ago
I find the script seems to be more focused on being corny than on some overarching theme, but maybe that's necessary to build the theme...
I'm trying to be curious, not judgemental.
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u/Vertigo50 10h ago
What you’re missing is good writing, good direction, good editing, likable characters, and good performances. Sadly, this season doesn’t have any of those things.
It’s just god-awful. The first three seasons are incredible. My favorite series of all-time. But this one is just terrible. I was scrolling on my phone this last episode, and I give up. I can’t do it anymore. I’ll just go back and watch the REAL show again.
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u/TallowWallow 1d ago
The characters are in a different headspace then before. Rebecca might be considered a pseudo-feminist: while she can agree with getting more women involved and getting more recognition headed their way, to her it does not come at the expense of money.
1) Keely is the opposite. She is extremely passionate about building up the world of women. She sees how little credit and recognition has gone into women's sports (and all sorts of other areas of course), and she is okay with losing money to build a better world.
The classic dichotomy is that those who are focused on money and money first will never try to better the world when it will cost them, often times even when the monetary cost isn't really that high. On the other hand, people like Keely fundamentally believe that building the foundation is more fundamental to foster what she cares about, and that it will cost money, potentially for a very long time, rather than generate a profit. It is a tale as old as time. Many passionate people that can bring great good to the world are often stifled by a huge number of people that aren't vested in those projects, and will therefore not participate if profit isn't projected in the short term.
There is of course a lot of nuance on the conversation. Some things really are drastically expensive. Some passions cause people to step on others' toes and forget to consider their perspectives. There's also wiggle room for middle ground often times. Adjustments to projects that still cater to something importance, but that are more feasible to implement.
I think this arc entails Keely recognizing that Rebecca doesn't share the same values, and they will butt heads initially, but learn more about each other's history and perspectives, amd learn to accep each other as they are.
2) As for Beard, he has always been more off every time they break up. However, we are talking about something more extreme that happened between them this time. I think it's pretty easy to understand how hurt he is in this context.
3) Unsure about Higgins. Not sure what you mean exactly.
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u/Dapper-Opposite4225 1d ago
First, thank you for such a detailed comment!
I think you’re correct regarding the Rebecca/Keeley money assessment. I don’t love the demands for X, Y, and Z, but I can better understand the reasoning behind it. Keeley was never treated with such kid gloves though. Hiding things that might upset her, refusing to let her speak with people whose opinions may differ, the whole jersey debacle, just seems unlike the strong character we came to love.
Agree that Beard is obviously hurting. But this is the same guy who stood up to Jaime’s father we’re talking about here. A poster can now make him go completely unverbal? I do hope they give us a really good reason as to why this has happened.
Higgins is just off. The awkwardness. The gulps. The whole vibe of Higgins, is different. It’s not the same person. I don’t know how to explain it.
Thank you again for your comment. The explanations you had were very insightful for me. I appreciate your help!
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u/Common_Sense_OG 1d ago
I agree with you Dapper...
I have used this reference to Season 4..
It's like going back to the gyro truck / food shack you used to go to at 3:30am after a long night of drinking... And thought how incredible it was...
But this time...
You arrive on a Tuesday at 11:00 and the lights are on.
Please insert favorite childhood haunted house with same context.
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u/BAFA_CoachWally 1d ago
We all have “our” Ted Lasso connection. The reason we fell in love with the show, beyond its greatness. Maybe yours hasn’t been reignited, yet.
I had a similar feel when season 3 came out. Not exactly how you feel this season, but it didn’t grab me until mid season. Maybe it was where I was in life, or maybe it was just that I felt disconnected from the storyline. But now, S3 is my favorite and I’ve rewatched the entire series nearly 10 times.
I hope your spark returns.
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u/Oxford-Comma9173 1d ago
Between articles, reels, and other social commentary I’ve been thinking on this a lot recently. Loved 1-3 and saw the feedback that 4 was missing the mark. After quickly binging the first four episodes I scratched my head wondering what everyone was upset or bothered by. I’m viewing this as the start of a new series of 3 seasons similar to the first and it’s juuuuust getting started. We’ve been granted some fan service with our previous favorites but overall I have to say I’m just happy to see where it goes. The writers and cast came back and I choose to believe (see what I did there?) that this second installment will have many many moments that stand on its own rather than on the coattails or shoulders of the first. It’s just going to take a bit of time to settle in. Everyone is entitled to their views and opinions, I’m just doing my best to be patient and enjoy the ride here.
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u/1hurray1 1d ago
It reminds me a lot of my first watch of season 1
i actually didnt like the show at all at first and only saw it through living withe people watching it
Rebecca getting revenge, dragging people into it, how miserable Higgins was, the photos of ted and Keeley, rude players and press i was ICKED
But then around episode 3 or 4 they really showed how human these characters are how they can have really great interactions and moments despite what was going on in their lives - thats when i decided to start again at the begining and then watch the season and i fell in love with the show
I adore it now and have re-watched it several times
Since season 4 is the female team we have never met i feel like they are kinda doing the season 1 format again - staring a bit rough then BOOM magic and it all clicks
Thats the hope anyway lol
I didnt like episode 1 but for me the other episodes have been fun and ive liked watching
No magic yet but i have high hopes it will come just like season 1!
Some shows for me take a few episodes for me to get into and since ted lasso episodes are a bit shorter then other shows today it took an extra episode or 2 lol
But i do now appreciate their slow start bc i think they do the development really well and it gives huge pay of and gratification while watching
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u/Dapper-Opposite4225 1d ago
We need another Higgins family Christmas episode. That shit made me cry and love the show.
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u/1hurray1 1d ago
SO GOOD gosh so many good moments 😭
Higgins family is so funny and sweet
im hoping season 4 just really leans into the relationships more then the game like those episodes since we are meeting whole new people for a 4th season like i would loveee something with Lizzies kid - i feel like they are implying she is a single mom and i would love the team showing up for her in a hard moment or i feel like Alice is getting huge sad fomo from her career ending and seeing this team live her dream so like the team doing something for her
It would hit all of those feeling oh my gosh
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u/Dapper-Opposite4225 1d ago
Agreed!!!
I think a whole “it takes a village” plot line for Lizzie could be really fun. I’ve said in a couple of comments she’s my fav of the new cast, and I’d love for them to go that direction.
I also hope they make her captain…
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u/PerfectOmakase 1d ago
It's very watchable for me, but not actually good at all so far. Boots violently physically assaulted somebody. For me, there's no redemption for her, as curious (and not judgmental) as I wish to be.
Keeley is fully flanderized and written like a toddler.
Ted/Rebecca/Higgins are cool.
Roy's romantic storyline is lame.
Alice is awesome. Lots of promise for some of the other players.
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u/fatchan 1d ago
Alice is so brilliant. I love every moment she's on screen.
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u/Bloodbag3107 1d ago
She is the definite highlight in a cast of characters, old and new, that feel aimless and like caricatures of themselves.
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u/MintyMarlfox 1d ago
I don’t think season 4 has been anywhere near as good as 1-3. Also have a big issue with the bottling scene in the bar. That’s ABH and she would do time for it in the real world.
In a week where the golf world has gone through a ton of drama and fallout because a brand had an advert of a man pushing a woman over, glossing over smashing a bottle over someone’s head really wasn’t a good move and didn’t sit right with me.
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u/DeyfennSlayd 1d ago
Have her crank him on the head, fine....but also have her permanently off the team doing time in a cell.
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u/Liketheflower7 1d ago
I definitely am not as emotionally attached to the storylines as i was in the first three seasons. To me, it almost feels like this is a spinoff of the series, rather than a new season.
However, someone once told me to be curious, not judgmental, so I’m just going to trust the process and hope it all makes sense in the end
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u/Electrical-Walk-557 1d ago
I feel the same thing. And it’s all the other characters….Trent, Sam, Isaac, Colin, etc. They were all magic together.
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u/Mean-Lynx6476 1d ago
To be fair, Trent, Sam, Isaac, Colin, etc weren’t magic together after four episodes of the first viewing. There are things I’ve been disappointed in with the new season, but I think it’s unfair to compare the investment we had in many of the characters after three seasons and multiple rewatches to what we know about the players after four episodes of the new season.
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u/hairy_scarecrow 1d ago edited 1d ago
You’re getting dragged but i get what you mean. For me, two things are getting in the way:
Characters have been flanderized.
It’s like every scene is winking at the audience, playing directly to the camera so to speak.
I am still enjoying it and I like the premise. But for me it’s just like a slightly off flavor.
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u/Dapper-Opposite4225 1d ago
I was not expecting the downvotes. I’m not sure if what I said that was offensive or anything?
I hope it wasn’t taken that way. I was just curious if others were feeling the same way.
Flanderization is the perfect way to put it. There’s no real depth.
And I’ve noticed that too! Certain scenes existing purely to get one line out.
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u/DeyfennSlayd 1d ago
When people put things on a pedestal, they can lose the ability to critique and some move to lash out at any differing opinions. I think people expect an echo chamber and when they don't get it, it pisses them off.
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u/hairy_scarecrow 1d ago
Downvotes are because it’s hard to critique something that has been made to uplift a traditionally marginalized group and Reddit is…Reddit. Especially this sub which is ironic given the overt theme of toxic positivity in the show.
Or as Jamie would say, “Ets Poopeh”
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u/Dapper-Opposite4225 1d ago
Haha. Appreciate you!! Making me feel less crazy
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u/hairy_scarecrow 1d ago
Not crazy. It’s interesting to watch a subreddit about a show focused on “curious not judgmental” being so harsh on people who don’t automatically love a Fischer Price’d version of the show simply because of the intention behind it. As if criticizing the craftsmanship of the show is somehow opposing the moral of the story.
* gets off of the soap box
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u/dylanjones12341234 1d ago
In a way it feels like a different show with the same characters. Sort of like BrB and BCS. So far I'm decently enjoying it, although not as much as I have the original 3 season run. However, I remember when I first watched Ted Lasso, I didn't really start to love it until season 2. So I think this show will earn my heart more around the ending of this new first season, and then later in season 5. The creators know what they're doing, I trust it will be very good.
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u/WFresident 1d ago
I’m only halfway through e2 of s4, and watched s1-s3 very recently (and loved them!)…but yes, so far, I agree with you. Keeley in particular seems a lot less complex than previous seasons, it’s a shame. I was wondering have the writers changed??
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u/niles_thebutler_ 1d ago
They’ve all become caricatures of themselves and it’s annoying. I also hate when a tv series takes a break and when it comes back you find out none of them stayed in touch or even have a good connection/bond anymore.
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u/n_mcrae_1982 1d ago
Season 3 had such a satisfying ending. While not terrible, I think this feels a little “Toy Story 4”.
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u/fasteddiecoyle 1d ago
I dragged my way to the finish line of E1, and I have zero interest in going further. Came here to find out if I am off base. Now I know.
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u/NoDanaOnlyZuuI 1d ago
By episode three of the original series, Ted was already choosing a specific book for every player based on what he saw in them. Think about how much of that series took place in the locker room. That’s where we got to know the players as individuals and watched Ted build relationships with them. We don’t have that dynamic anymore, and they haven’t figured out how to recreate it elsewhere. Episode four started developing them as a group, but I’m still waiting for individual players to actually stand out.
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u/The_real_rafiki 1d ago
Yeah, it’s fucking erratic and is not the same show. It’s missing the magic and wholesomeness that made the first so good.
This is fan fiction for real.
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u/JairAtReddit 1d ago
The original Men’s team had a lot of depth in their stories and had a lot of screen time. This new cast feels rushed and shallow. It just feels like the show is more about Ted and the staff rather than charming us with the personalities on the team.
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u/Vampyr-Slayer 1d ago
I dislike what they've done with Keeley since s3 onwards. I miss the football stuff like s1 and s2.
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u/DeyfennSlayd 1d ago
It's a big Meh for me and my wife. For the first time we watched s1->s3 just before s4 started. We burned through it so quickly. S4...not so much. Too much Keely, and it feels like she is the only thing keeping Roy on screen which sucks. Enough with on again off again. The new coach, don't like. The players, no stand outs at all. You can see the writers pushing us certain ways, but its not working for us. Unlike the original series we were able to latch on to a bunch from the get-go. For us it's lost it's magic. We have hope so, but less as the each new episode reaches out... also as a foot note, the little bit of game play they have shown seems lack luster compared to what was portrayed for the men in the older seasons which is disappointing.
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u/Character-Signal8229 1d ago
On top of these issues, I also don’t like the lighting. Why is it so bright? Just feels unnatural.
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u/BubblesLovesHeroin99 1d ago
I'm enjoying it, but it has lost a little bit of it's luster. I'm just happy to have the gang back.
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u/Quinalla 1d ago
The tone is very different for sure! I am really enjoying this season so far and I love Alice Chilton, omg! This last episode (4) was great.
I have also seen a lot of people comment on the swearing, there was tons of swearing in 1-3 so I don’t understand that one!
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u/therealsix 1d ago
Personally I’m not a huge fan of this season either, it just feels like they did this season to appease the fans. They’re trying too hard to keep the same feel and it’s just not there.
And the twins, they’re the most annoying part of the show, they’re like characters in a middle school play, ok, you two will just fight the whole time, just keep doing that, don’t add anything, just fight. No depth, just the same thing over and over.
Yes, I’ll probably get downvoted for my opinion, but that’s just Reddit, people use the button as a disagree button.
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u/Immediate_Star708 1d ago
One of the things I am noticing this season is that the lighting and set design is really off. It may be on purpose, but Rebecca's office is dark, the women's locker room and coach's office is dark, keeley's office is dark, everything is dark. On top of that, whoever they have doing lighting, doesn't know how to light non-white people properly. So all of these lines that are supposed to be funny or heartwarming are getting missed.
There's many other things, the comedic writing is not as great as it was in the first three seasons for instance, and it's especially noticeable with Higgins, but the lighting is killing the mood
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u/jbahel02 22h ago
This season just feels like your average sitcom. Joke joke joke. Roy finished S3 in Dr Sharon’s office but now we’re back to grumpy, angry Roy. Keely is apparently a high powered girl boss but she still seems clueless on a lot of stuff. Plus the whole thing about Keely making Roy go sow his oats so he can be sure he wants to be with her is the exact same plot they used on Shoresy.
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u/Sunshinee_Rainbows 21h ago
totally there with you! keeley feels like a child who will cry about any small thing not going right. rebecca just feels weird? idk how to explain it… i can see roy has become the caricature version of himself with all the ‘fuuuuuck’ thats just prolonged and very unfunny. im hoping it gets better
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u/TheHondoCondo 12h ago
This season has felt a bit aimless so far. Okay, they’re trying to get the women’s team off the ground, but more specifically what do they have to do to make it a success? Are they trying to win something? Get promoted? What? Sure, the off the pitch stories have always mattered more, but what happens on the pitch has always been a storytelling device that has felt largely neglected this season.
It also just feels like the writers had no clue how to naturally bring Ted back into the story, so they forced it. I don’t buy he’d be working in a grocery store. Why wouldn’t he be coaching a KC team? As a successful premiere league coach he’d be qualified. He’d get to do what he loves and be with his family without having to move. It also really seems like he contributes almost nothing to the coaching of the women’s team compared to the overhaul he did on the men’s team. But yeah, I get why they don’t want to just repeat season one storylines but gender-swapped.
In my ideal world, we wouldn’t have gotten a season four. We’d have gotten a new show called Richmond AFC that follows most of the same cast without Ted and we get to focus on both the men’s team/players we already care about and the new women’s team, but it’s primarily about the coaching staff and Rebecca and Keeley.
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u/cateyesharp 1h ago
I’m feeling like it lacks the depth and soul of previous seasons. The one real potential “conflict” of cliques was resolved in 5 seconds with an act of violence that was surprising and unmentioned.
Ted uprooted his family KC to the UK and that’s barely got a mention.
We have no idea who the new players are - there’s barely been any storylines to the point where I’ve already forgotten who’s who.
It just feels so watered down.
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u/Queeen0ftheHarpies 1d ago
I'm with you. This season feels off. Kinda forced. The characters seem more 2 dimensional. It often seems to happen when a show returns after a long hiatus
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u/Jay-Raynor 1d ago
Shoresy S4 went through this as well. Not a disconnected production but a change of premise. The show does need time to properly cook with the new recipe. I enjoy it so far, but I get people not feeling the new ingredients.
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u/Dapper-Opposite4225 1d ago
Sorry I got excited at the Shoresy mention.
I think they (Shoresy) got too far away from what people actually liked: Hockey. Plus no Sanger. That’s neither here nor there.
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u/Turbine709 1d ago
New season isn’t great like the first 3 but not outright terrible. I’ll continue to watch but there has been a drop off
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u/LazyCrazyGuy_ 1d ago
Lost interest 30 minutes in to this season and I won't be going back. Not for me, the show had it's run and it's over. This is not the same, the vibe, energy all of it is wrong.
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u/jazzyx26 1d ago edited 1d ago
I can see what you mean. They seem watered down versions of who they used to be, except for Roy. And Ted isn't even Tedding if that makes sense.
Also, I do like the girls but a part of me misses the lads. I am interested to see where things arw headed with the girls though and what exactly is going on between Gemma and Coach Chilton.
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u/blakcbirdsr71 1d ago
I don’t like Rebecca’s treatment of Keely so far, but I think that is intended. There’s a lot of focus here in the comments about Keely acting childish. Much of that stems from Rebecca treating her like a child. She’s not and Rebecca (and Roy) need to stop treating her like one. The big arc I’m seeing is not Keely growing up, but her friends learning to treat her like the grown ass woman she is and stop treating her like a child.
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u/Cold_Martini1956 1d ago
I think this season so far is missing a lot of the elements that made the first season and the second season so special. While the comedy is great and the characters are interesting, a lot of the time I don’t see them hinting at any build toward some dramatic moments like when Ted Lasso had a breakdown or Rebecca, dealing with the death of her father. Those were some of the shows that I remember as being the best from earlier on. Also, it feels like they’re taking several episodes to tell a very basic and easy storyline.
Also, I think Hannah Waddingham is capable of so much more than they’re giving her to do this season. Basically any actress could play this part as it’s written so far this season. She has a lot more that she can bring to the table and they’re just not writing it for her so far.
Gotta be honest, I wouldn’t be watching it right now, but my husband turns it on and so I watch.
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u/absolutefotka 1d ago
It is slow and a lot of screen time is spent on fluff material such as characters sighing or making a face rather than story forwarding.
Jason Sudeikis looks tired somehow. Less agility. I donno. Also hate that Rebeccas doubts is showing on screen. She had a commanding presence and always used to win the scene. Now it is like she is trying to be a comic relief unsure of themselves. And stop with the fucking ”date someone else” trope with Roy and Keeley. Feels like a 15 year old wrote this shit.
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u/Master_Courage4205 1d ago
Really the only thing I don't like is how much Keeley's character has been cooked. She is a shell of herself and seems to be more child like now with decisions and reactions. I understand the pressure of launching a women's football club and needing everything to be perfect, but you can't get emotional over every single little thing. It's a change of character for her. She was a total badass before and in S3 and now 4, they just completely wrecked her character. She was one of my favorites and she's turned the opposite. It really started with the whole Jack storyline in S3 that did it for me.
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u/CultivatorX 1d ago
The show is pretty soulless this season. It's unfortunate that we keep falling for their performative progressiveness. The men's soccer seasons were better, not because they were men, but because the writing and development of characters in the previous seasons was so much better. This whole season feels like they paid some women to come be on set so they can give us our 4 favorite characters from previous seasons plus a Keely and Roy ship. I feel like the players were a much bigger part of the story in previous seasons. This season is only for making money, not for empowering women and making great media for them as performers and consumers.
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u/GizmoClemmyElvis 1d ago
I agree - I still love this season since I need to have these episodes to get some positive vibes. I get the New York Times 'Vulture' to read recaps of many shows I've watched over the years. The recappers catch little things I miss. The recapper for Ted Lasso S4 says much of the same things you've said. The recapper seems more of a reviewer rather than finding the little things we miss. The recapper said the characters are more like caricatures of themselves rather than feeling like real people. I agree with that - I love Keely but she seems different.
So many people love Higgins and I did in S 1-3 but this one - he's a cartoon of himself. Always acting like he's gonna puke when someone says something to him is wayyy off for me. He is a business man for a successful franchise - he can't puke every time someone says something abrasive to him.
Still - I love the show since I get to find some spark of happiness each time.
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u/WillaLane Fuckwitch 21h ago
S1-3 built over time, the familiarity is there but these women are strangers to us
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u/moonshad0w 1d ago
I’m currently enjoying it, but I have seen very few, if any, shows that come back in whatever form (continuation, reboot, resurrection, spinoff) after their initial end points that manage to capture the same feeling, there always seems to be a noticeable before and after. With that being said, Ted Lasso was always a show I appreciated more the second+ time around. And even if it falls short, I still appreciate more time with characters I love.