In defense of Ted Lasso season 2

In defense force of Ted Lasso flavor two

(Epitome credit: Apple)

Alarm: this article contains spoilers for the showtime six episodes of Ted Lasso season 2

Later on its first season, Ted Lasso became something of an cyberspace darling. The Apple tree Tv Plus original serial received rave reviews and enthusiast recommendations from just about everyone. Even the most cynical viewers were quickly won over by Lasso's unwavering optimism.

The anticipation surrounding Ted Lasso season 2 was meaning. Yet, the show'south sophomore run has go surprisingly divisive. The internet can be a fickle identify and a not-insignificant amount of viewers are blasting the serial for not living upwardly to the hype.

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This growing criticism came to a head when Daniel Radosh, a senior writer for The Daily Show, composed a lengthy Twitter thread explaining his reasoning for why the "might be the steepest refuse from S1 to S2 in TV history." This post got so popular that one of Ted Lasso's co-creators and current showrunner, Bill Lawrence, fired back with a tweet of his own defending his cosmos.

With episode six dropping this week, we're at present exactly halfway through Ted Lasso season ii and I nonetheless firmly believe. Allow me to explain why I'yard very much nevertheless on the Lasso hype railroad train…

Kindness never goes out of fashion

Ted Lasso season 2: Tea time vs team time — (Image credit: Apple TV+)

The key attraction of Ted Lasso has ever been its wide-eyed optimism. The eponymous graphic symbol is unflappable in his ability to run into the best in people and find the silver lining in even the bleakest state of affairs. We should all inspire to exist a bit more like Ted in our daily lives.

Season 2 of the evidence hasn't lost this crucial element. Information technology'due south double-downed on it. Fifty-fifty with AFC Richmond now slumming it in the second tier of English football, Ted is his usual optimistic self. Turning team squabbles into teachable moments and e'er having a polite response to anyone who doubts his abilities as a soccer motorcoach.

I've previously described the show every bit the tv set equivalent of a comfy blanket, and that remains true in season 2. Ted Lasso is the series I turn to when I want an like shooting fish in a barrel sentry that will instantly option my mood upwards, that hasn't changed over the concluding few weeks.

Going in a different direction

1 of Radosh'due south principal criticisms of the show is that the first flavor worked because practically the whole world was rooting against Ted. You had an over-arching story that had tension and drama, and as my editor points out, that'southward non exactly equally present this time. Instead, the first half of the season explored Richmond's winless weeks, building to something else. And with that change, Ted Lasso season 2 got better.

The players, fans and local media were quick to characterization him a fool and were drastic to see him sacked from his position every bit coach. Fifty-fifty his boss was scheming behind the scenes, employing Lasso as an human action of revenge rather than because she thought he could do the task well.

Ted slowly winning everybody over was the courage of the show's debut season. In season 2 sees the bulk of these people are on Ted'southward side, offering him support and actively working with him rather than looking to undermine him. According to critics, this is a problem every bit it's too boring watching everyone be supportive.

Personally, I would have establish it extremely jarring if all of Ted'southward working winning everyone over last season was suddenly undone at the start of season two. Plus, I'd rather not see the aforementioned plot points repeated again.

Ted's already proved himself to his critics, I'm glad the bear witness is now exploring fresh character relationships and narrative arcs. And every bit the terminate of episode half dozen showed, Ted's optimism doesn't always beat his other emotions.

New stories to tell

Ted Lasso season two has thankfully avoided the urge that some shows go to retread the aforementioned ground as its get-go season, and is exploring new arcs and putting the spotlight on its splendid supporting bandage.

For much of the second season, Roy Kent'southward struggle to deal with his retirement from football game has been the focus. We've seen him resistant to take up a punditry job, giving information technology a shot only finding information technology hollow and and then ultimately discovering that coaching is his new true calling. Hardly the most original graphic symbol arc, sure, but it was an enjoyable journey in a fantastic episode.

I've seen some people claim the show isn't telling solid stories across multiple episodes, but once more I'd have to disagree. For the concluding few episodes, we've been teased with the identity of Rebecca's mysterious suitor, and the sixth episode ends with a pretty fantabulous reveal that she's actually been messaging Sam all this time — I didn't encounter that coming!

Assistant charabanc Nathan has besides enjoyed more screentime in season 2. Nosotros've seen him proceeds some much-needed confidence but there take too been hints that he's not very pleased with Roy Kent joining the coaching staff and seemingly usurping him. This is a storyline that could play a big part in the back one-half of the flavour.

Let'south non overlook that Ted'southward ain personal struggles are coming to a head, as the heartbreaking catastrophe of the latest episode shows. From where I'm standing, there's enough going on in Ted Lasso season two. Ted himself isn't always at the heart of the action, but I'g enjoying the supporting cast being fully utilized.

Consistency is central

Apple TV Plus Ted Lasso — (Image credit: Apple)

Consistency is a remarkably underrated quality when it comes to television. Even the all-time shows tin struggle with disappointing episodes or later on seasons that just tin can't match upwards the brilliant start. Any testify that can maintain the same level of quality throughout deserves plaudits.

Halfway through its 12 episodes second run and Ted Lasso season 2 has been extremely consistent. The show isn't a masterstroke, but it wasn't in season 1 either, information technology'due south only wholesome entertainment as information technology'due south ever been. If yous tin't see that, well you're a chip of a Trent Crimm I'd say.

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Rory is a staff writer at Tom'south Guide based in the UK. He covers a broad range of topics including tech news, deals, gaming, streaming and more. When he's not writing hot takes on the latest gaming hardware and streaming shows, he can be found watching a borderline unhealthy amount of movies and being thoroughly disappointed past his terrible football team.