S03.E12: So Long, Farewell

[Capricasix]

Also, one of the commentators at the beginning is Gary Lineker, who is a Very Important Person in English football for reasons which somebody more knowledgeable than me can explain here!

[mrc12671]

I thoroughly enjoyed it.   Most things were paid off and wrapped up neatly, but that's what the vibe of this show is and has always been.  I will say finishing with Father and Son was unfair on a personal level because that song hits me in a deeply personal way so, needless to say, I needed to rehydrate afterwards.

I did wanna shout out Higgins because he got the "perfect" line for the end of the Diamond Dogs meeting and I love in the final montage how everyone gathered again at his home, so much so that the party went out into the street.  I've just always loved that quirky, low-key character and loved how the finale did right by him.

The only real gripes I had were having a song from The Sound Of Music (I HATE The Sound Of Music.  It's not some male macho thing as I love musicals...I just HATE The Sound of Music.  I know, me and Christopher Plummer, party of 2) and, while I get it from a dramatic perspective to give Ted the final moments of the final montage, there's just no universe Ted isn't at Coach Beard's wedding (Just like, if there's any old ER heads like me, there's no universe Doug Ross isn't at Mark Greene's funeral.)

I know this season got a lot of criticism, some of it rightly so.  And while I agree of the three seasons it's the one I'll return to least, I'd still put Amsterdam and this finale amongst the top 6-7 episodes of the series.  What a balm of hope this series was in a world of cynicism.

[Good Queen Jane]

To me, the finale was perfect. So many great moments, so many call backs, so many plotlines resolved. But the best part was when all the players pulled out the pieces of the Believe sign they had been carrying around and put it back together. Unrealistic as hell, but let's face it, the whole show was unrealistic. The main reason I loved this show was that it showed a gentler, happier, quirkier existence than could ever really exist.

Ted's story is done. I now look forward to when Ted's hitherto unmentioned sister, Tracey Lasso, shows up to coach the Richmond Lady Hounds (better known as the Richmond Bitches.)

 

 

Edited May 31, 2023 by Good Queen Jane

[Capricasix]

The Tedbecca shippers on Twitter are losing their minds 😄😄😄

[Dame sans merci]

3 minutes ago, Capricasix said:

The Tedbecca shippers on Twitter are losing their minds 😄😄😄

Watching this episode, I couldn't help but remember the discussion I had online about the Ted/Rebecca relationship where I was snottily told to 'learn some media literacy' because I didn't think it had a romantic endgame. 

Am I a petty, petty bitch who allowed herself a chuckle thinking about that snotty shipper after the finale? Yes, yes, I am.

[Harvey]

He did the dance! 🫠

[DEL901]

I didn’t notice it, but the People magazine recap says the guy Ted does the selfie with in the airport he ran into at the airport arriving three years ago.  

[Jeddah]

Well, I loved (almost) everything about it. I never stopped loving this show, and I’m sad it’s over.

I like so many of the random callbacks like the “Shut up, Thierry Henry” in the beginning. The tickets being under female country singer names. The ussie guy. The crowd chanting Wanker. I love a show with good continuity! I guess that’s the benefit of keeping it to 3 seasons. The writers can remember what they wrote before!

I cracked up at the flight attendant thinking Ted, the nicest guy in the world, was an asshole for not getting off the plane with Beard.

It always bugged me so much that Ted lived so far away from his son. In the end Ted chose Henry, which is what he should do.

Loved seeing Ted do the dance! 

I wanted them to win the League Championship! That’s my main complaint. I was so very happy to see Colin kiss his fella.

As a UNC fan I’ve always loved Ted wearing Carolina blue Jordans, and then tonight “Play Hard. Play Smart. Play Together” was a direct Dean Smith quote. My Carolina heart could barely handle it. I think Trent’s book being named “The Richmond Way” was a Carolina reference too. 

 

Edited May 31, 2023 by Jeddah

[Schweedie]

4 minutes ago, DEL901 said:

I didn’t notice it, but the People magazine recap says the guy Ted does the selfie with in the airport he ran into at the airport arriving three years ago.  

Ussie guy! He’s popped up several times during all three seasons. Roy and Keeley ended up at his house in the Christmas episode. :D

[mrc12671]

Quote

I cracked up at the flight attendant thinking Ted, the nicest guy in the world, was an asshole for not getting off the plane with Beard.

I thought this was a great, subtle, humorous way to hit on the "Be curious, not judgmental" mantra that's pretty much served as the theme of the entire series.

[marcee]

Someone in another forum mentioned a callback to Shandy's Starf*cker app - but I missed it. Anyone catch it?

[BUGGAL]

Ted's note to Trent on his manuscript is the perfect tagline for a Ted-less spin-off.

[HelloooKitty]

I feel like there were so many callbacks that I could tell were references but couldn’t remember to exactly what. I’ll need to do a binge rewatch but I think I just want to sit with the finale a while. (Also, season two was so upsetting to me and Nate made me so angry I am hesitant to experience that again. )

[Sailorgirl26]

1 hour ago, SHD said:

Such a dumb throwaway thing that made me laugh: When the “ussie” guy said “Wicked!” and Ted replied “Kinky Boots” - responding to one title of a Broadway musical with another. 

Ted’s only note for Trent - change the title. “It’s not about me. It never was.” The show was always about Ted’s ability to effect change in those around him. Which is why I never minded the episodes where Ted was not the focus. We were always seeing his influence, even if he wasn’t present.

The Kinky Boots throwaway line was hysterical.

I couldn't agree with your second paragraph more -- I wasn't bothered by Ted being a background character this season as so many others were -- that was the entire point of everything Ted brought -- that it wasn't about any one individual, it was about the team. Of course he became more of a background character -- he'd done the work to build up the others and the team -- this season was the time to let them shine.

His book note to Trent was the overarching theme of the entire third season -- "its not about me -- it never was." 

Agree with everyone else about Nate and Jack's storylines taking up too much time and wish Roy and Keeley were endgame, but overall, I'm content. 

And of COURSE Rebecca's reconnection with hot boat dude was a Rom-Com meet cute. With this show, how could it have been anything else??

Even though Ted going back to the states was end game, I was really hoping that Ted was going to change his mind and bring his kid and ex-wife to London.  

Futbol is life! 

 

Edited May 31, 2023 by Sailorgirl26

[Seelouis]

Confirming that I am clearly the world’s biggest sucker for sappy, happy endings because I sobbed through this. Putting the believe sign back together piece by piece-sobbing. McAdoo scoring-sobbing. Rebecca and Ted in the airport-sobbing. Rebecca meeting Dutch guy at the airport- sobbing. Colin getting to kiss his fella- sobbing. Etc. etc. 

[scenicbyway]

57 minutes ago, Capricasix said:

The Tedbecca shippers on Twitter are losing their minds 😄😄😄

To be fair, we weren’t wrong in that Rebecca did everything (without revealing feelings)a romantic lead would do to get Ted to stay and he didn’t go for it.  He even told her she was acting like she was in a romcom chasing him at the airport.

I also don’t have male friends spend the night and find them walking around the kitchen in their underwear the next morning, so I guess Beard doing made it seem normal Ted was doing it.

I found her story overall to be pretty pointless. And I find Ted’s story of a return to Kansas alone to Michele and Henry depressing. I can’t help but think that Jason’s own personal life changed the direction of the series. So many of the Ted/Becca things in season 1 were things Jason and Olivia experienced that she’s talked about in interviews. They’ve also been in a custody battle that has forced him to return to California vs where he’d like the kids to live.

[Good Queen Jane]

1 minute ago, Sailorgirl26 said:

And of COURSE Rebecca's reconnection with hot boat dude was a Rom-Com meet cute. With this show, how could it have been anything else??

And OF COURSE it happened at the airport. What a cute twist to the typical romcom ending.

I like the callbacks when Isaac took the free kick. First Jamie handing the ball to Dani and then Dani handing the ball to Isaac, who tried to give it to Colin, who refused to take it. Then Isaac seeing the greyhound mascot (look out, little doggie!) Finally Isaac kicking the ball through the net, with the power he used when he did the corner kick during the Dani/Isaac exchange in practice. Great scene!

[DEL901]

Borrowed from TooFab….btw, Jason Sudekis’s uncle played Norm. 

Another Easter egg

[Schweedie]

1 hour ago, Capricasix said:

The Tedbecca shippers on Twitter are losing their minds 😄😄😄

To be fair I understand better how they feel now. 😅 I cannot get over that they broke up our favourite couple off-screen in between seasons, made us think they got back together (and let us think that for a week), and then ended the show with them still broken up. I'm actually surprised at how gutted I am!

[dmeets]

57 minutes ago, marcee said:

Someone in another forum mentioned a callback to Shandy's Starf*cker app - but I missed it. Anyone catch it?

One of the magazine covers while Ted was browsing in the airport showed that Shandy had launched the app. Another showed that Zava had decided to unretire and was joining the Los Angeles Football Club.

Edited May 31, 2023 by dmeets

[SoMuchTV]

2 hours ago, SHD said:

Such a dumb throwaway thing that made me laugh: When the “ussie” guy said “Wicked!” and Ted replied “Kinky Boots” - responding to one title of a Broadway musical with another. 

I think the first comment I ever made on this show here, back in early season 1, was about this exchange:

Someone else:  "Cheers!"

Ted:  "Night Court!"

Edited May 31, 2023 by SoMuchTV
removing duplicate post

[luna1122again]

I never ever got a romantic vibe from Rebecca and Ted, not for a second, so I don't even understand how people are so upset or feel betrayed. But the heart wants what it wants, I guess. 

[BUGGAL]

8 minutes ago, dmeets said:

One of the magazine covers while Ted was browsing in the airport showed that Shandy had launched the app. Another showed that Zava had decided to unretire and was joining the Los Angeles Football Club.

Another showed Ms Kakes was going to be on Lust Conquers All and Bex wrote a placenta cookbook.

[Enigma X]

Maybe I watched too late and was tired. Maybe I was too sick with this horrible cold I have. Maybe I just am devoid of joy. But I hated most of this episode.  It seemed as if they went full-on parody at some points.

[AheadofStraight]

5 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Ted's dance:  isn't that the same dance he did on SNL in the What Up With That skit?

It is but he also did it in the first episode of this series.

At the bottom of Trent's book:

"A very brief forward by Roy Kent"

Maybe it's just "Fuuuuuuuck??!?"

[DEL901]

6 minutes ago, AheadofStraight said:

It is but he also did it in the first episode of this series.

At the bottom of Trent's book:

"A very brief forward by Roy Kent"

Maybe it's just "Fuuuuuuuck??!?"

And possibly “Oi”

[Schweedie]

7 minutes ago, AheadofStraight said:

At the bottom of Trent's book:

"A very brief forward by Roy Kent"

Maybe it's just "Fuuuuuuuck??!?"

"I didn't read this fucking book."

[Dandesun]

3 hours ago, Capricasix said:

Also, one of the commentators at the beginning is Gary Lineker, who is a Very Important Person in English football for reasons which somebody more knowledgeable than me can explain here!

Lineker is one of the top international goal scorers for the English national team. He was a regular top scorer during his club years and the only player to be top scorer for three different clubs. He won the Golden Boot in the 1986 World Cup. He never received a yellow or red card during the entirety of his career.

He started his professional career at Leicester (he was born there) so it was a huge thing when they won the league a few years back. He was the guy that organized a consortium to invest in the team and save it from bankruptcy and was named honorary vice-president for the team as a result.

And he also played at Barcelona for a few years under the management of who? Johann Cryff.

He's also the one who coined the phrase: Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win.

[AD55]

46 minutes ago, luna1122again said:

I never ever got a romantic vibe from Rebecca and Ted, not for a second, so I don't even understand how people are so upset or feel betrayed. But the heart wants what it wants, I guess. 

No judgment on anyone who shipped Rebecca and Ted, but I also never felt they had romantic chemistry. 

This episode was packed with fan service, which I appreciate. I liked the callbacks to previous episodes. I'm glad that HDG showed up and that his daughter had her own meet cute with Rebecca. I don't believe commercial pilots typically bring their small children to work with them, but who cares? As someone up thread said, I don't watch Ted Lasso for its strict adherence to realism. Still, a fantasy world should have more internal consistency than we've seen in series 3. I love the characters so much that I'm willing to handwave hard enough to generate waves on a nearby lake.

The casting director hit gold when they brought Nick Mohammed onboard. I look forward to following his career. One of the benefits for me was being introduced to actors I had never heard of--some of whom have been working for years.

If they had redeemed Rupert on the basis of one less-than-cruel encounter with Rebecca, I would have spit nails. Anthony Head is a fantastic villain, and I'm glad he's had a great career since Buffy.

I loved that we saw the unethical therapist, whose license should be revoked, behaving like the jerk he is during the game. I'm happy Michelle was finally able to recognize his true character. I don't think Ted and Michelle got back together, but it was nice to see them co-parenting like mature adults. Michelle is a bland character, but I did always appreciate that she never tried to undermine Ted with Henry and continued to support Ted. Divorce is tough, but unless there's abuse, it doesn't mean the couple can't transition to a different--maybe better--type of relationship.

Still hurting over the Roy and Keeley situation. Good on Roy going into therapy, but I'm angry at the writers for pulling the bait and switch. Roy and Jamie behaving like gits doesn't jive with how both have grown and matured over the past 3 years. I would have liked to see Jamie recognizing that Roy and Keeley are a better fit for each other.

[Trillium]

Watched it on my lunch. No it’s wasn’t HIMYM awful, but the Roy and Keeley stuff was close. Like what the fuck show? It really didn’t fit with the first two seasons. While Roy talking to Dr Sharon is absolutely something I wanted to see…that should have happened in episode 5 or something. Not at the end. And we never got anything much from Keeley’s feelings on it. It was just not a well done “I choose me” ending that I can’t imagine this is where they intended it to go all along. It seemed like at the end of last season there were a lot of people who suddenly hated Keeley and Roy and the writers thought that was the prevailing opinion, but didn’t want to completely undo everything so they went with this nonsense of a story.
 

They weren’t the whole show so it’s not ruined as a whole because most every else worked on some level, even if it wasn’t perfect. It does certainly bring the series as a whole down a bit, every wonderful about them seems to be for nothing. Happy endings are cliche, but they work because non-happy endings that don’t piss people’s off are hard to do.

Edited May 31, 2023 by Trillium

[KittenPokerCheater]

I'm very unhappy that Keeley and Roy did not get back together.  In my head, they do.

 

[jynni]

1 hour ago, Enigma X said:

Maybe I watched too late and was tired. Maybe I was too sick with this horrible cold I have. Maybe I just am devoid of joy. But I hated most of this episode.  It seemed as if they went full-on parody at some points.

Same, and I was neither sick nor tired. Complete shit ending to a mostly shit season. It has retroactively ruined the rest of the series for me. Like almost HIMYM/GoT levels of ruined. S1 &2 was some of my favorite TV ever and I have no desire to watch any of it again. These last two episodes felt like they were written with no connection to the previous 10 episodes. Then to make it feel somewhat relevant to the series and cover the fact that there's no actual substance, they cover it in callbacks to the earlier (and better written) seasons. Chat GPT probably could've written a better final season.

Sudeikis being a KC fan and, based on how the KC Royals 2014-2015, and Chiefs 2019-2020 seasons went, I had a feeling they were going to go with the almost win it all ending and I hate it. I get it, the lead up in the almost win it all seasons was exhilarating and the 2014 Royals run probably goes down as more exciting than the year they finally did win it, but I still hate it. We already did this in real life, let us have the full fairytale damnit! Maybe it would've worked and been more fun if, I don't know, maybe they actually showed some of the excitement in the winning streak rather than just a throw away line?

And the whole Roy/Keely/Jamie thing has me still chasing my eyeballs across the floor. God that was stupid. Keely went through a complete character assassination this season and I felt like this was some hack job edit to make her look like a strong, independent woman cause somehow being in a relationship is a sign of emotional dependence? I don't understand how we go from heavily implied hot makeup sex to "we're just friends" to a forced love triangle with no lead up.

I really withheld criticism on this season cause I had faith they had a plan for tie it up and stick the landing but it's painfully obvious that Sudeikis was in over his head as show runner and Bill Lawrence was the one responsible for most of the magic. 

[AD55]

35 minutes ago, jynni said:

Sudeikis being a KC fan and, based on how the KC Royals 2014-2015, and Chiefs 2019-2020 seasons went, I had a feeling they were going to go with the almost win it all ending and I hate it. I get it, the lead up in the almost win it all seasons was exhilarating and the 2014 Royals run probably goes down as more exciting than the year they finally did win it, but I still hate it. We already did this in real life, let us have the full fairytale damnit!

Keely went through a complete character assassination this season.

Sudeikis was in over his head as show runner and Bill Lawrence was the one responsible for most of the magic. 

Yes! to the team winning the whole fucking thing! If you're going to clutter the finale with callbacks, don't undermine one of the more important ones.

What they did to Keeley reminded me of the character assassination of Cordelia in Angel.

I also think losing Bill Lawrence was huge, and Brett Goldstein may not have had his head fully in the game. He has significant creative control over Shrinking, so the work is likely more satisfying.

The series isn't ruined for me. I will rewatch the first 2 series and a handful of series 3 episodes, but the mishandling of so many characters and plotlines will affect my enjoyment.

 

Edited May 31, 2023 by AD55

[TeapotWakeen]

I lost track of the "Believe" sign somewhere in season 3. Wasn't it taped together and rehung at the beginning of the season? When and by whom did it get ripped into so many pieces for the jigsaw re-assembly?

[Girl in a Cardigan]

4 minutes ago, TeapotWakeen said:

I lost track of the "Believe" sign somewhere in season 3. Wasn't it taped together and rehung at the beginning of the season? When and by whom did it get ripped into so many pieces for the jigsaw re-assembly?

Isaac goes to touch it before playing West Ham and it falls in two (then he touches Jamie to see if he has powers 😂). Trent finds the surveillance footage to see that it was Nate. Beard and Roy show the footage to the team during halftime and they lose their minds in a flurry of red cards. When they get back to Nelson Road, Ted gives a speech that Believe is more than a sign and rips it up. Apparently, after that, the boys each took a piece instead of it being thrown away. 
 

I never paid attention to that spot above the door to notice it was missing until last night but I assume it was. 

[Sailorgirl26]

2 hours ago, DEL901 said:

And possibly “Oi”

Whistle!!

[debraran]

On 5/31/2023 at 10:33 AM, mrc12671 said:

The only real gripes I had were having a song from The Sound Of Music (I HATE The Sound Of Music.  It's not some male macho thing as I love musicals...I just HATE The Sound of Music.  I know, me and Christopher Plummer, party of 2) and, while I get it from a dramatic perspective to give Ted the final moments of the final montage, there's just no universe Ted isn't at Coach Beard's wedding (Just like, if there's any old ER heads like me, there's no universe Doug Ross isn't at Mark Greene's funeral.)

 

ER fan here, just watched a few the other day when I was bored and I agree, Doug was there. Sometimes you just have to write it for them. And Doug went to Doctor's without Borders for a year until Carol met with him again, not a hosptial.

Beard after all he said about Ted would have wanted him there but maybe he didn't mention it to him until then and getting another ticket would be expensive.

It is odd with TIU and other shows, how the writers seem to write quickly to end a series and tie things up, off to something else.

Being around in the 70's I didn't see that with other shows, the last one was usually a big deal. Now with streaming, it's hot and cold. I remember ER and MASH were watched by millions and people still talk about it.

Edited June 3, 2023 by debraran

[mellotune]

I've been on the fence about Season 3 and if I'm honest, the finale was just ok. I was resigned to Nate so his story was ok but still wondering why we had to have Jade. Beard and Jane was also a plot I never liked. I thought the musical number was too corny and cheesy and definitely did not make me cry.

I would have preferred to have Ted stay in the UK and bring Henry there to live but Jason Sudeikis is done so Ted had to go back to Kansas. I think the whole season suffered from lack of Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein's new stake in "Shrinking", and possible drama from Sudeikis/Wilde breakup. It just didn't seem to have the same heart.

Too many scenarios took place off-screen: Roy/Keeley breakup, Nate quitting West Ham, team vote to get Nate back, and Ted telling Rebecca he's leaving. 

After reading what I just wrote, I think I was just underwhelmed by this season and the finale was not enough to right the ship.

[scenicbyway]

It makes no sense that Ted wouldn’t be at Beard’s wedding. He would’ve been Beard’s Best Man even. Ted has just presumably made millions as a Premier League Manager, he probably doesn’t even need to work.

So many wasted storylines and time this season. Rupert’s fall should’ve come mid way through the season. Jack’s story should’ve been eliminated all together, I get wanting to show a lesbian storyline but it went no where (like most of the relationships on the show). Shandy showed us how unprepared Keeley was for the corporate world. If Rebecca is a billionaire why didn’t she just fund her and continue to mentor her in the first place? Why did we need to see Keeley outside of Richmond? So Roy (who it appeared she took back 2 episodes ago) and Jaime could fight over her in the end again?!

I feel like the whole Beard’s wedding thing was just a middle finger to marriage in general from the writers (I’m looking at Jason) we get it, she broke your heart, it doesn’t mean it can’t be mended. But to have Beard marry his abusive girlfriend was bizarre.

And most of all, why show Ted and Rebecca as mirrors of each other for three years, why the dumb signs placed against the biscuit boxes, why the 12 texts etc in Amsterdam, why the music lyrics of “let her into your heart” right as she texted him if it was for him to say, thanks and bye?  Just show them eating biscuits or not, they really didn’t need to interact. 

[BUGGAL]

One comment about Beard's escape, you can tell he'd spent three years around pro- footballers, he'd really learned to sell that fake injury.

[Sakura12]

Was it perfect, no. As discussed on the show it doesn't have to be. There are still some things I didn't like, the whole Nate arc and Keeley's side story. Other then those I enjoyed this finale and actually cheered when Richmond won. Even if they didn't get the title.

I'm glad Roy asked for help and is seeing Dr. Sharon. Rebecca found her Dutch guy again, sold shares to the fans and started a girl's league with Keeley. If she can fund Keeley and buy first class tickets out of habit she doesn't really need 2 billion dollars. 

I guess Keeley went with the Kelly I choose me route. 

I'm also glad Ted was at the litte party at the end with his kid. I don't want Ted with Michelle again but I hope she dumped the unethical doctor. 

I'm surprised we didn't get a Trent Crimm narration like they did with his article about Ted in season 1. It wasn't about just Ted, it was about how positivity rubs off on a people and that was the Lasso way. 

I haven't watches sports since the 90's Chicago Bulls. So who knew I'd like a show about sports. I'm glad I watched and will miss this sometimes cheesy, sometimes heartfelt, sometimes humorous, sometimes annoying, sometimes cringe and sometimes emotional show. 

[Kabota]

I’m still processing. After a season of meandering, sometimes maudlin episodes, the tonal shift and pacing in this one was almost jarring. Fast paced, and light, it just felt more season 1 to me but chaotic? So many wonderful small and large callbacks! I enjoyed it, with reservations.

I never expected Ted to end up anywhere but Kansas. Henry is his home. I suspect that Michelle was set up with Dr. Jacob because then she can be seen as less culpable and having been taken advantage of? He's clearly gone now. I kind of assumed she and Ted were co-parenting and seeing where things land. Ted accepting that he doesn’t need to be a perfect parent and that he needs to risk loving his son was his journey. He’s been so out the door emotionally with the team this year, I was like is this the character or Sudeikis being bored? Had Ted even spoken privately with any player all season before last week, with Jamie on the sideline?

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Rebecca’s Amsterdam interlude from a reality standpoint, but I did love seeing how it brought out the real Rebecca that Sassy alluded to in season 1. So for that reason, I was cool with Dutch Pilot Guy and daughter showing up. Their chemistry was real. Rebecca deserved her fairytale. And, oi, romcommunism.

Selling the 49% to the fans, Mae and PB&J's pride -- again, good on you, Rebecca!

I loved seeing Jamie be the superstar Ted told him he could be if he played for all the right reasons. “Sky’s the limit.”

Isaac tearing the net. Nate’s decoy play. Colin and Michael.

And sappy predictable, yes, but the Believe sign puzzle, The Beautiful and the Damned, and the Kintsugi. Loved.

Roy with Sharon, and she a full-time employee, it appears, YES.

I’ve expected all season that Rupert would pull a Karate Kid and demand to “swipe the leg.” I thought that would play into Nate leaving. Certainly didn’t expect it to happen on the pitch but. Rupert being “wankered,” by the fans and Sassy! was a fitting exit. Lol at the cape of darkness.

Lots of cringe, as well, but I've been listening to Ed Sheeran's fantastic contribution to the soundtrack, A Beautiful Game, and I'm going with positiviteh today.

Edited May 31, 2023 by Kabota

[DearEvette]

Ok, so they did not whiff it, imo.  But they also did not 100% stick the landing.  As a finale I think it worked well.

Overall, I think in one episode it embodied the best parts and worst parts of the season.  And there were some nice call backs,

I loved the The team stuff.  Everything with the guys --  the game, their interactions with each other, the video, the crying, them singing -- I watched all of it with a stupid grin on my face.  I enjoyed these guys and each one built a personality that even when some had very little screen time.  I mean, Jan Maas has probably said the rough equivalent of ten sentences ovefr the entirety of the run of the show, but I know Jan Maas.  And Cumberbatch.  And the full circle of Zoreaux becoming "Zorro".  And how apropos that Dani gave  Zoreaux his Zorro mask? And a great payoff with Colin getting to kiss his fella.

I loved that no matter how uneven the season was, Higgins stayed Higgins and was a delight from start to finish.  I loved him and Keeley trying to get the tea from Rebecca about Rupert's divorce.

The Pub crew was perfect.  From them buying Rebecca's lunch to them buying shares.  All three also had very distinct personalities.

Trent's existence.  Also his reaction to Ted and Beard reading his book.

"I want to be a Diamond Dog."  Probably the one scene that got the biggest laugh from me the entire episode.

The end tag seeing where everyone was.  I admit, I am a sucker to know that everyone was in a good place. 

And the one thing I wanted to happen was Rupert getting his comeuppance.  The episode delivered this and did me one better, they did it publicly.  His humiliation was public like Rebecca's was.

But I think the reason it didn't 100% percent work was three-fold.

First is Ted.  I know we've all griped about how absent he seemed all season.  But he also just seemed subdued.  There was a real lack of energy about him this episode which made it feel heavy.

Second is Keeley/Roy.  They really damaged Keeley's character arc for me.  And they fucked over her and Roy for no reason with no real satisfactory payoff. 

And third is Nate.  I am resigned with how they brought Nate back.  I will give credit, his apology to Ted was good (but Ted still ended up comforting him...).  But ... yeah... it still didn't satisfy me.  His return should have felt triumphant for the viewers and it just kinda whimpered for me.  There was one point when he came shuffling in as the assistant Kit man and he kinda looked like Biff from Back to the Future after Marty came back and changed everything.  I feel like of all the storylines they whiffed Nate's the most.

But like I said overall, the finale was fine. 

For me, Ted Lasso is one of my absolute favorite literary tropes.  The trope where the outsider comes into a closed system (a family, a community, a team etc.)  and acts as an agent of chaos and change.  They typically make the people inside that system examine themselves, see themselves in a way they never had before, learn about themselves,  and evolve and end up in a happier and better place.  Ted is 100% that and in the end succeeded for what it was. And for that I feel like the finale was a success.

[TeapotWakeen]

3 hours ago, Girl in a Cardigan said:

Ted gives a speech that Believe is more than a sign and rips it up. Apparently, after that, the boys each took a piece

Thank you! I remember now!

[lasu]

7 hours ago, Jeddah said:

As a UNC fan I’ve always loved Ted wearing Carolina blue Jordans, and then tonight “Play Hard. Play Smart. Play Together” was a direct Dean Smith quote. My Carolina heart could barely handle it. I think Trent’s book being named “The Richmond Way” was a Carolina reference too. 

As an NCSU fan, I've loved the Valvano poster in Ted's office since episode one!!

Sorry, absolutely couldn't resist, I'm just being cheeky, I promise. And I'll fully admit I was hoping they would have Ted run around the field trying to find someone to hug, a la Valvano after the '83 championship. Even though I'm a State fan, I do have a ton of respect for Smith unlike some *other* former head couches 'round here. 

[Quickbeam]

I’ve now watched this twice….Jane looked pregnant at the Stonehenge wedding. That didn’t seem necessary or advance the story at all. I liked the football scenes…the rest was just ok. 

[AD55]

1 hour ago, DearEvette said:

For me, Ted Lasso is one of my absolute favorite literary tropes.  The trope where the outsider comes into a closed system (a family, a community, a team etc.)  and acts as an agent of chaos and change.  They typically make the people inside that system examine themselves, see themselves in a way they never had before, learn about themselves,  and evolve and end up in a happier and better place.  Ted is 100% that and in the end succeeded for what it was. And for that I feel like the finale was a success.

I love this take!

[MissLucas]

Ah well, show pulled a CTMW on me *grabs tissue box*

Was it perfect? Nope, but like others I'm just grateful for a show with a thoughtful optimistic vibe. I'm with Conan, too much cynicism in this world. 

On a shallow note: I want Rebecca's black coat with the lace sleeves!!!

[Trillium]

Watched it again with my husband and knowing Roy and Keeley didn’t end up together ahead of time made me hate it less. Still really dumb and unnecessary. 
 

But moving on…Everything with the team was great, and that was what always made the show great. I wish they won the whole fucking thing, realistic or not. But Colin got to kiss his fella so that was worth it. Loved all the callbacks too. Didn’t love that Nate never really had to deal with the consequences of his actions. And I would have loved if Dr Sharon had been more involved all season. With Nate, With Roy. I think I’m just disappointed that they could have had a better season that didn’t waste time on KJPR. 
 

I did love that Rebecca realized that the team was her family. Her, Keeley, Sassy, yet another thing we should have had more of.  I did laugh so hard at the very gleeful “wanker” chant by Sassy. 

Overall it ended well, but could have been better. 

 

 

Edited June 1, 2023 by Trillium

[DEL901]

And now we know why Danny went psycho and injured Zorreau…I mean van Damme.   You just know they have been waiting for three seasons to do the Zorro joke.