#FIRSTLOOK: “TED LASSO” SEASON 2

By Amanda Gilmore

Ted Lasso is finally back! And coming off the Euro Cup it feels more immediate than ever. It’s rare that Television Series is able to effectively expand on their world, but that’s exactly what Lasso does. This time around, the world of football and quintessential British institutions have expanded. We immediately see into the world of football with mentions of rivals Man City and United, along with playful nods to British reality TV shows. This may not seem that different from the first season, but it is. This is thanks to the strong choice to force Ted Lasso and his group of loveable mates to tackle their mental health like they do the game.

This time around, all the quirky humour is there but we get to dive deeper into these characters. From the first episode, the Creators drop us into belly-aching laughs that lead us to the importance of therapy. Their message hits harder because this is a show that’s anchored in the optimistic Ted. They make him a sceptic to therapy which places him into the shoes of a skeptical viewer. Although from the first episode we don’t know how Ted’s therapy storyline will evolve, it’s clear that therapy isn’t solely for those who visibly appear to need it.

This may sound like a dramatic turn for this comedic series. But don’t fret! Season Two is a riot. All the brutal British humour from the players and fans, along with the often ridiculous and hilarious “words-of-wisdom” from Ted are still here. This is still a story of the underdogs battle for the big win laced with some of the best comedic television writing today. And they’re using that talent to bring a bigger awareness to issues we are all facing today.

One thing is for sure…We all need Ted Lasso in our lives.

Ted Lasso Season Two streams on Apple TV+ starting July 23, 2021, new episodes arriving weekly on Friday.

(Photo credit: Apple TV+)