The Season Has Begun

After an exciting premiere last week, Ted Lasso Season 4 is finally underway, bringing characters back together, but the real excitement seems to kick in during the second episode, which feels a bit too familiar, to be honest.

Ted, played by Jason Sudeikis, wakes up in his new London apartment, conveniently located above a pub he used to visit regularly. There’s a nod to the Wheatabix joke from season one, but it’s a bit more subdued, reminiscent of the American version.

Dressed in his signature blue V-neck sweater layered over a collared shirt and with a backpack slung over his shoulder, Ted meanders through Richmond as though it’s still 2021. He even encounters an old supporter who used to annoy him consistently.

This nostalgia ends with a heartfelt reunion in Rebecca’s office. Ted brings a little pink box, not filled with trinkets, but with barbecue—seems like Rebecca has developed a taste for it since her time in Kansas City.

Then, a twist: Alice Chilton, the current Lady Greyhound coach, resigns after Rebecca offers her a new role. Alice embodies a mix of Beard’s indifference, Roy’s tough demeanor, and Nate’s insecurities, coming from Richmond herself.

However, it doesn’t stick—Alice and Ted only collaborate for a week before she splits. Following her departure, Rebecca finds herself rattled after Alice accuses her of being anti-feminist for not hiring women as head coaches. Confused, Rebecca compensates by ordering books from bell hooks, certain that’s what a good white feminist does. Taking Ted’s advice, she considers hiring a woman for the assistant coach position, but the situation between Ted and Beard is complicated because of Beard’s beard.

As Ted slowly becomes aware of the struggles female players encounter, he’s impressed by Alice’s thorough analysis of the team. She also shows him the girls’ locker room, which is just a small closet with a single shower that they all have to share. It’s clear these players aren’t seen as equals to the male team.

Ted’s first press conference reveals how the media treats the women’s team secondary to the men’s. When asked about the players, questions dwell on Jamie Tartt’s transfer to Barcelona and Richmond’s prospects for the Champions League—nothing about the women.

Throughout season four, Ted learns just how underappreciated female soccer players are. From locker room issues to the dismissive attitudes of certain fans, it’s a glaring mix of a bygone era and present-day absurdities. For instance, Beard mentions that true passion for the game is found in the fans who care, while challenging Ted’s notion of coaching women akin to college teams, pointing out they actually earn more.

Leah Williamson, Arsenal and England captain shared insights this season too, indicating an injury epidemic in women’s sports. Alice informs Ted about their “fair share” of injuries, and the stark reality is that female athletes face a higher risk for ACL tears. After all, Williamson herself was sidelined for two months before a major tournament, missing out as England reached the finals, a substantial event for women’s soccer.

The locker room upgrades delight the team, as they now have easy access to tampons, and Ted’s reaction to a romantic moment between two players sparks humor. “You don’t see that often in men’s soccer,” he observes, to which Alice quips, “That’s not for you to know.” It’s these relatable experiences from female athletes that truly resonate in their banter.

Alice’s straightforwardness comes through during a conversation with Roy, who perceives her as fascinating, whereas most find her rude. There’s a subtle hint that she might hold valuable lessons for Ted, and even though she has the stats, she struggles with grasping why he wants to connect with the players personally. Ted’s request for Alice to remain as an assistant coach creates tension; he’s not taking “no” for an answer.

This ongoing conflict within the soccer realm highlights how Ted Lasso might have softened its earlier sunny optimism, but it still addresses essential truths about women’s soccer. The series clearly touches on serious issues, while also showcasing the sometimes absurdities of sports narratives.

Take Richmond keeper Katie “Boots” Quinn as an example—she plays without gloves, embracing the pain that comes with her role. Her philosophy raises eyebrows, especially when it’s revealed she’d previously admitted to not being able to save a shot without them. There’s a palpable contradiction; her method may harm her performance overall.

Boots’ perspective about feeling everything reflects a central theme of Ted Lasso, although it risks undermining her skills as a keeper with her insistence on experiencing everything raw. But then again, who really sees the world the same way as her?

As the season progresses, Ted Lasso has to navigate a tricky landscape. If the series genuinely wants to address the real-life challenges of female soccer players, it will need to strike a balance between entertainment and authenticity. It’ll be interesting to see how Sudeikis, Burditt, and their team handle this complex narrative.

Game Memo

• This week, Higgins’s task involves reviewing a report from a consulting firm about the women’s team’s economic impact. Their alarming conclusion? The women’s side could potentially jeopardize the entire club. Roy interjects, saying, “Budgets aren’t real. They’re just made-up numbers.” Still, Rebecca persists, doing it not just because she can, but because it’s the right thing.

• The writers inject humor into Rebecca’s evolving self-awareness regarding feminism. However, her condescending reprimand of Alice at the episode’s close creates an uncomfortable dynamic. This show appears to be walking a tightrope—keeping Rebecca in trouble while also asserting her authority over Alice, which contrasts with Higgins’s notion that “strong women uplift one another.”

• Amidst it all, Tanya Reynolds shines as Alice Chilton, the assistant coach. Some may recognize her from her role on Netflix’s Sex Education, and in this series, she brings a vibrant authenticity that stands out against her sometimes trope-heavy castmates.