There is one common thing you hear among students in California these days; what happened in the last episode of Ted Lasso. I arrive at my house with a new found satisfaction, the long and endless week had finally come to a close.  I drop my overflowing backpack off to the side ready to spend the evening relaxing with my family all together.  After dinner we all parade downstairs to spend the night watching a TV show or movie.  Even in this time of family unity eventually things began to spiral out of control.  My family and I begin to squabble about what we should watch, everyone throwing out their opinions and shutting down the suggestions of others.  However I found a clear choice that everyone can all enjoy in each other’s company. A show that gives viewers a chance to “Be a Goldfish” and forget about their worries.  Heck, the solution is simple; it’s the hottest show on Apple TV and the winner of seven Emmy awards this year, Ted Lasso.  

The show starts off with a unique twist where Ted Lasso (played by Jason Sudeikis), an American College Football coach, is hired by Rebecca Welton (played by Hannah Waddingham) of English Premier League Football team AFC Richmond.  Ted thought that his new position in England was a job as a professional coach for a football team but it turned out to be a job as manager of a professional soccer club. Even though he knows nothing about soccer, he decides to take the job saying “Hey takin’ on a challenge is a lot like ridin’ a horse.  If you’re comfortable while you’re doin’ it, you’re probably doin’ it wrong”.  Moments like this are what I believe make this show so fun and brilliant. Ted’s humor makes you want to keep watching because it’s so distinctive and a great way for you to pick yourself up and let optimism take over.

 

 Producer Bill Lawrence did an excellent job creating a wide cast of different complex characters all with different hardships, mistakes, hopes, and aspirations. This creates not only an environment full of unity but the show also does an excellent job at addressing issues of mental health while keeping up with a feel good vibe.  Each character fits a unique puzzle in the fight for AFC Richmond’s success in the English Premier League. First, there’s Coach Ted Lasso who is the most positive person by a wide margin on the show. He gives off an infectious charisma that he uses to bring all the members of AFC Richmond together.  Then there’s Rebecca Welton the owner of the club who is headstrong and extremely resourceful.  She keeps careful watch over the team and makes sure that everything is running smoothly.  Then we have the two main players of AFC Richmond.  The hot-headed veteran midfielder and captain Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) and the young, snobby, striker Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster).  The rest of the Richmond family is rounded out by different players, staff, and family providing a spark to the structure of the program.  Each of the characters have distinct relationships with one another and each of their journeys helps the viewer learn about how to overcome lifelong challenges. Viewers follow along storylines that involve divorce, retirement, a difficult relationship with one’s father and so much more.  The development of the characters is what reels the viewer in every week. You can’t help getting attached to them because of their background and their uniqueness and how they fit in with AFC Richmond. 

Ted Lasso focuses on a majority of problems that we all experience and prompts us all to follow his cheery, spunky lead and “Believe in hope and Believe in BELIEVE” as we ride AFC Richmond’s horse toward the sunrise.