However underdogs can shock you: Overwhelmingly optimistic word-of-mouth turned Ted Lasso into an unlikely sensation, and it grew to become one in every of final 12 months’s most acclaimed collection. (Immediately, at each occasion, you’d hear somebody saying, “Have you ever seen Ted Lasso? I loooove Ted Lasso!”) That’s lots to reside as much as in Season 2 — which premieres Friday, July 23 on the streamer — however having seen the primary three episodes, I’m completely happy to report that the brand new season is simply nearly as good as you’re hoping… although it has a extra melancholy tone than you is perhaps anticipating.
Actually, she has loads of psychological points to type via right here. Season 2 has a mournful, uneasy really feel to it total; it’s virtually like an emotional hangover after final season’s sugar excessive. Practically each character has hit a tough patch of some type: Former rivals Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) and Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster) are each humbled by varied setbacks and are within the technique of constructing their means again as much as their former glory. Even the relentlessly upbeat Ted is haunted by demons that he hasn’t absolutely processed but. If Season 1 was all about Ted successful everybody over with the facility of positivity, Season 2 is extra like, “OK… so now what?”
What’s it about Ted Lasso that made us all fall so laborious for it, although? Perhaps it simply hit us on the good time: Debuting throughout a pandemic when all of us felt disconnected and wired, this present is heat, and comfy, and life-affirming. It reassures us that individuals are primarily type… even the individuals who appear the least type at first. Like Friday Evening Lights, the sports activities setting is nearly irrelevant. At its core, Ted Lasso is a human story — and a pleasant reminder that, via victory and defeat (and even ties), we’re all on the identical workforce.
THE TVLINE BOTTOM LINE: Season 2 of Ted Lasso nimbly avoids the sophomore stoop with a pivotal new addition and a extra introspective tone.