I can’t be alone in feeling my heart tug a little bit tighter following the very last episode of Apple TV Plus’ Ted Lasso. The Emmy-winning comedy hit series went out with a bang, serving fans with an epic episode of highs and lows — but mostly highs.
Each character’s arc was nicely concluded, in more or less uncontroversial ways, in an hour and 15 minutes of emotional scenes, Easter eggs, callbacks to earlier episodes, and a fantastic rendition of “So Long, Farewell” by the Richmond lads.
Jamie adds extra money to the team piggy bank
Jamie’s arc has been one of the most satisfactory among all of the show’s characters. This tiny but very telling moment where he puts an extra bill into the team’s piggy bank is a perfect example of his evolution from a selfish, greedy player to an attentive and smart teammate.
The incredible The Sound of Music musical moment
This might just be the very best moment in the entire episode. The Richmond lads carefully rehearsed a performance of The Sound of Music‘s “So Long, Farewell” as a present to Ted on his last training session and I kind of want to rewatch it forever. Their effusive reaction to Ted’s approval also made me belly-laugh.
Nate and Ted’s scene in the locker room
Nate has had quite a rough time during the show’s three seasons. Love him or hate him, his apology to Ted was a long time coming, and the writing for this scene totally delivered. Jason Sudeikis, but especially Nick Mohammed’s acting brought so much emotion to this dialogue that I could feel Nate’s relief myself.
Roy finally joins the Diamond Dogs
Woof woof woof! The Diamond Dogs is one of Ted Lasso‘s best running gags. It started just with Ted, Beard, Nate and Higgins, and evolved with the addition of Trent. Roy never allowed himself to be vulnerable enough to air out his troubles with his colleagues, so the moment he finally did felt very much full circle for his character.
Dani Rojas gives Van Da- sorry, Zorro a new mask
You do not want to mess with Dani Rojas when he is playing for the Mexican National Team, and Zoreaux experienced that firsthand by getting a ball kicked directly into his face this season, forcing him to wear a face mask like Petr Cech’s. Dani, in form of a peace offering, gave Zoreaux a new superhero-looking mask, and Van Damme became Zorro.
The lookback video
The video Coach Beard made for the team as a compilation of all their best moments across the prior three years was a bit cheesy, but it actually felt very realistic. Highlight reels are a big thing in soccer/football, and the addition of personal videos shot on cell phones was the perfect touch. The team was left in shambles as they headed into the match, and so was I.
Ted’s halftime speech and the “BELIEVE” sign
You can’t have a sports show without a proper motivational speech at halftime when your team is two goals down. Sure, Ted Lasso doesn’t always fall into those formulaic traps, but for their last episode the show decided to go there — and rightfully so. Ted delivered a great emotional speech, but the true climax of the scene was when each player brought out a piece of the torn-down “BELIEVE” sign that used to hang in the locker room.
The team uses Nate’s play
I might or might not have a soft spot for Nate, but regardless, his reaction to Ted using his play, which he pitched to the coaches all the way back in season one, was really wholesome. Nate truly is a great connoisseur of football even if he isn’t exactly ready to manage a team. Ted’s approval — or anyone’s, really — has always mattered heavily for the character, making this moment an emotional one.
Colin kisses his boyfriend on the pitch
Colin’s storyline was one of season three’s best. While Ted Lasso fights not to indulge in easy clichés, homophobia really is a huge problem in football and therefore should be addressed in a show that is as positive and uplifting as this one. Colin wasn’t actually ashamed of his sexuality, but keeping it private was a matter of safety in the world he inhabited. After his teammates made him feel comfortable enough to share and be himself, the natural next step was to take his relationship public. In the real world, this could hardly happen without major hate speech from fans, but that’s why we watch TV — to imagine a better place.
Ted and Rebecca’s final scene
The Ted Lasso viewership can be split neatly into two groups — those who really wanted to see Ted and Rebecca end up together, and those who appreciated their friendship as just that. It’s undeniable that Jason Sudeikis and Hannah Waddingham became the faces of the show, so this scene felt as much like an homage to the characters’ relationship as one to the two actors who made Ted Lasso what it became.
Roy becomes manager
The Ted Lasso season three finale wasn’t all that great for Roy. I mean, what the hell was that scene with Jamie at the pub where he pretends like he has ownership over Keeley? We get that it was resolved in the end, but that still felt very much out of place. Even still, with Ted out of the picture, and Nate and Beard neither being fit to run Richmond, Roy was the perfect choice of successor. I kind off wish we could see what he does next.
Sam makes the Nigerian National Team
Sam was crushed when he found out he hadn’t been called up for his National Team during the “International Break” episode this season. His roots and his country are extremely important to the talented forward, so for the show to grant him that one last wish was a really nice touch. Plus — he looks amazing in green!
Jamie visits his dad in rehab
Ted Lasso was never scared to get really dark when a particular storyline called for it, and Jamie’s relationship with his dad might be the prime example of that. Realizing Jamie had an abusive, alcoholic father came as a shock in season two, especially when we saw Jamie’s confident exterior crumble into pieces. Season 3’s penultimate episode revealed that the man was now in rehab and Jamie was ready to forgive him and lift the load he had placed on his shoulders. This little scene in the finale was a great last nod to that storyline.
Mae and the fans get a share of the club
Let’s be honest, Mae Green is Ted Lasso‘s best character. The owner of the Crown & Anchor pub has been there for virtually every member of the team, the coach, Rebecca, and especially the three most devoted Richmond fans, Baz, Jeremy, and Paul. There are a ton of characters on this show, but Ted Lasso never forgets the fans, so Mae and the lads have gradually become more and more important. Rebecca giving them a share of the club as a present only serves to cement that.
Keeley’s woman’s team
Spin-off idea anyone? Everyone involved in the show has said Ted Lasso‘s story ends with season three, but they have left room for a possible continuation, however. Brendan Hunt has said “Closure is not necessarily the end,” and we think we might have found the perfect vehicle to take the show into its next chapter. Richmod’s women’s team — Keeley’s passion project as she presented it to an excited Rebecca — is something I’d very much like to see.
All three seasons of Ted Lasso are now streaming on Apple TV Plus. Check out We Got This Covered’s review of the final season.