TED LASSO Review: ‘All Apologies’

Hello, TED LASSO fans!

Those of us who love and watch serial TV shows know that the penultimate episode is often the one to wrap up many storylines of any given season. It’s meant to allow a season finale to set up the next season or series with good cliffhangers or open questions.

This episode, “All Apologies,” was no different, and the writers took the time to deftly bring several storylines forward and to close with enough room to continue growing toward next season. Rupert drives Rebecca to a breaking point in her inner conflict of personal morals against desire for revenge. Roy starts coming to terms with an end to his starting spot on the team, and Ted learns that as much as he wants to focus on building character in his players, it’s important to respect the investment they & the coaches have made and focus on winning.

Bonus—any episode that name-drops Willie Nelson, praises Alfonso Ribeiro/The Carlton and disses the Westboro Baptist Church is a hit in my book.

Let’s talk it over!

The Plot:
Threat of relegation looms over the team, and they have one big match coming up against Manchester City to prevent that from happening. Rebecca asks Ted how the morale is on the team. Ted feels good about it, but Coach Beard and Nate make it clear to him that Roy’s performance is not up to par and he needs to be taken from the starting line up to the reserves. Ted disagrees, as he wants his captain’s mental strength all there to lead the team.

Keeley continues to pressure Rebecca about telling Ted she hired a paparazzo to ruin his reputation. When Rebecca asks what would help by bringing it up now, Keeley rightly states it will change how she feels about their friendship.

Rebecca gears up to talk to Ted, but she can’t quite do it. She’s then intercepted by Rupert, who’s come to brag that his fiancée Bex is pregnant. He twists his verbal dagger in deeper by insinuating he wanted to be a dad, just not with Rebecca. He leaves in a cruel and smug way, leaving Rebecca at the breaking point. She realizes her bitterness and hurt has caused her to hurt others; she talks to Ted and confesses she set out to ruin him, to humiliate him, and to use him to hurt the team & Rupert in turn. This includes the paparazzo, the Trent Crimm interview, and the biggest cut—transferring Jamie Tartt back to Manchester City against Ted’s wishes and lying about it when he approached her. Instead of getting angry, Ted simply forgives her and commiserates that divorce is hard, no matter if leaving or getting left.

Coach Beard doesn’t let up on Ted about the decision on Roy. When Coach Lasso points out they are trying to help young men be successful, Coach Beard disagrees. That was fine in their college coaching days, but these men are professionals and want to win. He points out there is a lot on the line (relegation) and taking one player’s emotional needs into higher consideration than the professional success (and emotional needs) of a team and town is actually selfish. Luckily for Ted, Roy comes to a similar conclusion on his own after some self-reflection, yelling, advice from Keeley, and ice cream. As the episode ends and the team is preparing for practice, Roy pulls on the jersey to indicate he’s on the reserve/bench squad and talks some smack to the starters.

The Players:
Most of the focus was on Rebecca, Ted and Roy in this episode as mentioned above. But I wanted to call out the small story arc that had Higgins returning to the group after quitting in the previous episode. Rebecca apologizes to him (in his home, as he self-admires his new goatee and plays the upright bass) and Ted is glad to have him back as part of the team.

The Purpose:
Keeley hits it on the head in her statement to Rebecca; our actions affect our friends, yes…but it’s our willingness to come clean or apologize when we’ve done wrong that keep those friendships solid with integrity. It’s a great callback to an early episode scene where Rebecca asks Keeley to consider accountability as a quality in the men she dates.

And like integrity and coming clean, being able to forgive and extend graciousness to friends, co-workers, and teammates is so tough, but so important. The show manages to weave jokes and plots in with moral messages. And Jason Sudeikis’ ability to do this through Ted demonstrates empathy and a deft touch.

With one episode left in the season, the team and fans anxiously await the team’s fate against Manchester City and relegation. We’ll review it next Friday!

RELATED:

• TED LASSO Review: ‘Diamond Dogs’
• TED LASSO Review: ‘Make Rebecca Great Again’
• TED LASSO: What to Know (and Why) to Watch

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