Ted Lasso is an original Apple TV+ series developed by Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt and Joe Kelly. The series stars Sudeikis as Lasso, Hunt as Coach Beard, Hannah Waddhingham as Rebecca Welton, Jeremy Swift as Leslie Higgins, Phil Dunster as Jamie Tartt, Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent, Nick Mohammed as Nathan Shelley, Juno Temple as Keeley Jones, and Anthony Head as Rupert Mannion alongside others.
Premiering on March 15, 2023, Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 1, titled ‘Smells Like Mean Spirit’ opens the third instalment and has a runtime of 46 minutes with a synopsis that reads, “The newly promoted AFC Richmond face mockery as pundits predict they’ll finish dead last this season.”
-Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 1 Review Contains Spoilers-
Jumping right in, the third season’s first episode has Henry, Ted’s son, heading back to the United States after his brief stay-in with his dad. The opening scene sees Ted in a different light than usual as he’s not his chirpy self but more so a concerned man who doesn’t want to let go of his son yet, and is also questioning his stay on the British side while having an existential crisis. He’s still clawing at accepting that his relationship with his ex-wife is over. Yet, he’s still equally awkward about this change and keeps in touch with the lovely therapist we met last time, Dr Sharon Fieldstone, but over the phone, unlike their usual personal sit-ins in Season 2.
A clear rivalry is set up between West Ham United, now owned by Rupert Mannion, and Rebecca Welton, the owner of AFC Richmond. While the latter has moved on from being frustrated with her ex-husband, she’s now trying her best to beat him at this game, which often pushes her into her fidgety moods that Ted’s self-deprecating humour can only cure, but even that takes time to settle in. Rebecca’s demeanour is relatable and understandable, and I can’t stop myself from rooting for ‘Da Boss’, as Ted would have it. It’ll be quite a vision to see her at loggerheads with Rupert now that Anthony Head is also a season regular this time.
However, on the flip side, Rupert barely sees her as a worthy opponent because he already feels like he’s on top of the world, with early takes from both fans and pundits claiming that West Ham is bound to be a definite winner in the League. In contrast, no one’s supporting Richmond, despite its recent promotion back into the game.
Nathan, the former assistant coach by Ted’s side, has now gone over to the other side with Rupert and stepped up as the new manager of West Ham. The well-set-in and established conflict between him and Lasso, which is more of a conflict with himself, finds its ground yet again as Shelley sits down to take questions at a press conference alone (with Rupert watching him on the sides, of course). As opposed to Ted’s witty dad jokes directed at himself in a following press conference, Nathan throws spiteful comments at his former team players. Yet, it all significantly rouses from his own insecurities swelling inside his chest. The same is represented in the way he can still be seen glossing over the Twitter feed, much like his Season 2 origins as the ‘Wonder Kid’.
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There’s a stark difference in how he handles himself as opposed to Ted leading by example that even at the press conference, it feels like he’s having a reunion with his old set of friends instead of journalists. While Rebecca may have pushed him to do the conference as a means to refute the claims made by Nathan earlier, he only follows it up by being himself. If Nate chooses to joke at the expense of others, then Ted tends to do it on his own, making him all the more loveable despite him being still very much in pain.
Waddhingham, as Rebecca, is the most delightful performer of all, and if you thought nothing could top that off, then you’re wrong. Her friendship with Juno Temple’s Keeley (both on and off screen) is the best thing to happen to this show. And thankfully, it’s been carried forward with Rebecca going in to meet her best friend at her new office instead of just cutting off those ties since Keeley’s moved out of the Richmond space.
We may not have seen that much of Richmond players in the premiere, but it’s a long road ahead, so there’s nothing to worry about. Also, we need to talk about Jamie Tartt’s new hair! However, the one thing I’m truly worried about here is how Sarah Niles’ Dr Fieldstone will fit into the action. It looks like she’s moved out of the Richmond umbrella for good but is still keeping up with her job with Ted over the phone. I’m not too fond of these events, especially having witnessed her usual run-ins with Ted in person. We’ll all have to wait and see how this charts out ahead.
Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 1: Final Thoughts
A great collection of quotes pour in with the new episode that is but, of course, lessons in disguise – “Crying is like an orgasm of the soul”; Hate comments are nothing but “poopy”, so just let it flow away; “One man’s grope is another woman’s gain” and “I’ve had more psychotic episodes than Twin Peaks!” – the pop-culture hits keep coming in when you start following this show.
It’s great to see my favourite characters back in full swing, even if they’re all rough on the edges right now. But that will make the journey ahead even sweeter (hopefully). One can’t help but love Ted Lasso, both the show and the character. His dropping by to give Rebecca the all-powerful and healing remedy of the pink box of biscuits is just what I needed after all this time.
Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 1 is now streaming on Apple TV+.
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