Top 10 Times Ted Lasso Tackled Serious Issues
#10: Roy Copes With Retirement
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The first part of “Ted Lasso” sees Roy Kent showing us his amazing soccer skills as A.F.C. Richmond’s captain and veteran. But ultimately, an injury forces him to retire. Understandably, he’s a bit lost as to what to do next. He starts off coaching his niece’s football team, and then reluctantly takes a gig as a broadcaster. But it’s clear to everyone around him that he’s struggling and unhappy. In the end, Roy accepts that he’s no longer a player and joins Richmond’s coaching team. His story is proof that even unexpected life twists, like early retirement, can lead to truly wonderful things. We were so happy seeing him sprint across the city back to his old football club!
#9: Ted Deals With His Marriage Ending
“Tan Lines” & “Make Rebecca Great Again”
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When Ted’s wife and son come to visit, we see that things are rocky between the married couple. By the end of the trip, they part ways for good. Ted’s true feelings about the split surface later, when the team goes to an away game. He gets drunk and emotional in his hotel room, while struggling to sign the divorce papers. It’s a rare instance where we see him become less than kind while working through the troublesome feelings that come with ending a marriage. Of course, this isn’t the only break-up the show depicts – Rebecca’s divorce is the reason Ted became the coach, after all! Though the characters handle separations in different ways, their experiences speak to a pain that many can relate to.
#8: The Characters Face Career Changes
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While Roy was essentially forced to retire, many other characters deal with changing career trajectories. Ted and Coach Beard are obvious examples, as they had never helmed an English football team before. We also see Nate get promoted to a coaching position, but the new job leads to drastic behavioral changes nobody saw coming. Keeley, on the other hand, swerves into PR, even starting her own firm at the end of the second season. While it’s undoubtedly exciting, she has to find a new work/life balance, the implications of which have only just started to be explored. There’s no doubt that promotions and career shifts have their perks. But we can always trust “Ted Lasso” to paint an honest picture of the pitfalls, too.
#7: Rebecca’s Father Dies
“No Weddings and a Funeral”
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We don’t know much about Rebecca’s relationship with her father until his sudden passing, which shines a light on grief in ways we don’t often see. This episode features a heart-wrenching moment where she reveals that she witnessed her dad cheating on her mother. Naturally, she’s struggled to forgive him as a result, and must now face her feelings. It all culminates in her eulogy, where she sings “Never Gonna Give You Up.” As her emotions take over, she’s touchingly lifted up by Ted and all her other loved ones. Death can trigger complex reactions, and Rebecca’s process is a perfect example of that.
#6: Sam Takes a Stand Against the Team Sponsor
“Do The Right-est Thing”
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Sam Obisanya has quickly become a fan-favorite character, and for good reason. He’s actually the one who tackles one of the most significant – and large-scale – issues in the show. When he learns that Richmond’s sponsor, Dubai Air, is owned by a company that’s polluting the water in his native Nigeria, he’s faced with a choice. After all, he was in the process of doing an ad campaign for them. He takes a stand by covering up the sponsor’s name on his jersey before stepping onto the pitch, and everyone has his back. The storyline provides a deep look into the corporate side of sports. And Sam’s choice to stick to his convictions powerfully proves that we should always fight for what’s right.
#5: Rupert Tries to Put Rebecca Down
Various
Rebecca was the boss that we loved to hate at the beginning of the series, as we watched her try to sabotage Ted. But after learning more and more about her ex-husband Rupert, we came to understand why she wanted to ruin his football club. Even after their divorce, we see him go out of his way to embarrass and belittle her. He actually has a baby with his new partner, despite having told Rebecca that he didn’t want children. Luckily, she has friends like Ted and Sassy who aren’t afraid to knock him down a peg when he’s out of line – which is often. More importantly, she gradually realizes that she – and so many other women in similar situations – deserve way better.
#4: The Team Employs a Sports Psychologist
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Sports psychologist Dr. Sharon was a welcome new addition to the show when she helped Dani cope with accidentally killing the team’s mascot. When he gets “the yips” and is unable to play, she helps him through it. Soon, virtually every Richmond player books a session with her. Ted is pretty skeptical about the new doc at first, but he eventually sees how valuable her contributions are. It’s safe to say that mental health in general is often overlooked, and the problem looms large in men’s sports. Many athletes think they’re supposed to be tough, and don’t realize they don’t have to face the hard times alone. Dr. Sharon is proof of that, and the whole team benefits from her presence.
#3: Jamie’s Father Mistreats Him
“The Hope That Kills You” & “Man City”
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Jamie Tartt is introduced as the cocky rookie on the team who butts heads with his new coach and captain on a daily basis. When he joins Manchester City, Ted is close to giving up on him. But then, the coach sees Jamie’s dad berating him after a game, and realizes that his attitude is a result of his father’s mistreatment. After the player rejoins Richmond, his dad drunkenly confronts him in front of his teammates. So Jamie ends up punching him, and leans on former rival Roy Kent for support. Who wouldn’t sympathize with him here? It just goes to show that we never really know what’s going on with someone, and that there’s often a reason for bad behavior.
#2: Ted Talks About His Father’s Death
“No Weddings and a Funeral”
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Ted is usually the wildly optimistic guy who doesn’t seem to let anything get him down. But Dr. Sharon knows that there’s more going on with him. After having told her that his father took his own life a few episodes prior, Ted finally reveals what happened all those years ago. We learn that he heard it unfold, and was the one who found his dad’s body. As a result, he’s been angry with him ever since. This episode is significant for a number of reasons. For one thing, it finally helps us understand who Ted is. But more than that, it brings issues of unresolved grief and trauma to the fore, and tackles them with the grace and complexity they demand.
#1: Ted’s Mental Health Struggles
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As we mentioned, “Ted Lasso” doesn’t shy away from talking about mental health struggles among a number of its characters. And we get to see the titular protagonist go through many ups and downs. Notably, Ted has a panic attack when he’s out at a karaoke bar with the team, and Rebecca helps him through it. We see him have another episode during a game where he runs off the field and basically disappears. Dr. Sharon finds him in her office, where he finally confesses to needing help. The show’s willingness to spotlight Ted’s struggles and the treatment he receives with honesty, nuance, and care is crucial. Through these storylines, it destigmatizes talking about mental health – and normalizes asking for help!
