There are two ways to accomplish a task. The usual way and “your way.” People who aren’t given a chance to participate in the race, often make their own tracks. They are foolish ones, the curious individuals who don’t understand principles, rules, standards. Their instinct is their driving force. Ted Lasso narrates its story through a similar kind of optimistic individual whose humor and will is his greatest weapon. He is not trying to survive but to thrive.
Based on the format and characters from NBC Sports, Ted Lasso is developed by Bill Lawrence, Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly. Jason Sudeikis also plays the lead protagonist, Ted Lasso while Brendan Hunt charmingly assists him on screen as Coach Beard. Their chemistry is whimsical and humorous, as they take you on an amusing ride of English Premier League. Let’s roll the ball further.
‘Ted Lasso’ Summary
An underdog and inexperienced American Coach, Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is invited to coach an English Premier League team, AFC Richmond by the club’s new owner, Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham). Rebecca’s sole motive is to ruin the legacy of AFC Richmond, because her playboy ex-husband, Rupert Mannion loves the club dearly. As per the divorce settlement, Rebecca has total say in the club and therefore she is expecting Ted Lasso to screw up the game and bring shame to the team.
But, her plans fail when Ted Lasso through his charm and dedication thrives as a coach and brings a new spirit to the game. Rebecca conspires a new way to hinder Ted’s motive but his zeal towards the game overcomes all such obstacles. In the end, there remains a man who is hopeful with a strong belief in the word “believe.”
Season 1 of Ted Lasso sets the premise of Ted and Coach Beard’s arrival and their struggle to gel with the team. The later episodes in the season are a pursuit to win the Premier League. The situations may have been experienced before, but the comedy that Ted Lasso brings to the table, is innocent and unique, and he is the strongest pillar, the shining star of the whole series.
Ted Lasso – An Optimistic Underdog
In comedy, the character is the king. A vibrant character placed even in dull situations can supplement radiance to the whole narrative. With Ted Lasso, every bit of it is true. The character of Ted Lasso played and developed by Jason Sudeikis, springs out as a funny, optimistic man, you can’t hate. Though everyone else on the screen underestimates him, he never underestimates himself, that is his superpower, the power of “believe.”
The whole skin of the character is based on his curiosity. He is an American placed in a British situation, but he isn’t judgemental about the culture or their way of doing things. Instead, he is trying to blend it while he makes funny and honest mistakes. Plus point, he accepts those mistakes which makes him charming enough. Ted as a character is never trying to be funny, he is funny because he is honest. Even in the most intense situations, Ted tries to find “his way” out. He sounds stupid to the British people but to himself, he is just truthful. It’s a classic, placing an alien character in an established regime and all his errors will be fun and funny because he isn’t bound by the chains or the rule. He is a bird flying by his own rules.
‘Ted Lasso’ Analysis – Never Underestimate A Misfit
When I started watching the series, I got a little nervous thinking that it would be about football. Literally, I have no idea about the grand game but the same went true with its protagonist, Ted. I connected with Ted Lasso, instantly, because we were the passengers of the same boat, having no idea about football. But he started learning about it, so did I. As soon as Ted hit the screen, he radiated a kind of vibe that was extremely adorable and pleasant. I started craving to see him more. The way he asked the name of everyone in the club to know them, sincerely know them. The way Ted curiously tried to even know the team’s kit man, Nathan Shelley, was overwhelming. I was totally bowled by that groundedness. There are several such instances where he leaves you spellbound but I want to specially mention my favorite season of the whole season 1.
Ted and Rebecca meet her husband Rupert in a club to discuss the future holding of the AFC Richmond. Rupert wants to take charge away from Rebecca’s hand but Ted interrupts in between, while Rupert is playing Darts with his new girlfriend. Ted challenges him that if he wins the game against Rupert, he will not complicate things for Rebecca. Rupert agrees. Here Ted not only defeats Rupert but gives a moment in the entire series which compels you to hoot for him.
Ted while throwing the last three darts to win the game, speaks, “you know Rupert, guys have underestimated me my entire life. And for years, I never understood why. It used to really bother me. But one day, I saw this quote by Walt Whitman ‘Be curious, Not Judgemental.’ All of a sudden, it hits me. All those fellas that used to belittle me, not a single one of them was curious. They thought they had everything figured out. So they judged everything, and they judged everyone. If they were curious, they would’ve asked questions. Questions like, ‘have you played a lot of darts Ted?’ To which I would have said, Yes sir, every Sunday afternoon with my father from age 10 till I was 16 when he passed away.”
Ted throws the last dart and it hits the bullseye. Rupert’s pride is nuked by an underdog American.
Ted Lasso at every interval reminded me of the quote, Steve Jobs popularized, “the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” When Ted implements his own strategy of not being fond of rules and seeing things differently, he brings a totally different outlook to the game. For his last strategy, he combines American touch ball football with English football, an amalgamation of culture, a celebration of human diversity. That is the second-best moment of season 1.
Ted Lasso is not to be missed. It’s innocently funny with no punches but lots of humor. It is not derogatory but honest. It gives you a man who is foolish enough to think that he can thrive. In a generation where we think, “it’s hope that kills you,” he makes you believe that “it’s the lack of hope that comes and gets you.” Makes you cynical and not able to cherish things. Do watch this series to have a different outlook towards things, because Ted is going to change all your negative perceptions.
Ted Lasso Season 1 is streaming on Apple+ TV.
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