Ted Lasso season three opens to MIXED reviews as critics note Jason Sudeikis’ character is ‘in a rut’ and ‘checked out’

Season three of Ted Lasso has received mixed reviews after the hit series starring Jason Sudeikis as the fish out of water soccer coach returned for what may be its final chapter. 

While several reviews were fairly positive and seemed happy to see little departure from the show’s formula, several noted the titular coach seemed directionless in contrast to the supporting characters. 

The tone of the first four episodes did not go unnoticed by critics either, with The Hollywood Reporter sensing the series was preparing to end with its latest installment. 

In their review, THR noted Lasso had ‘probably become the least compelling part’ of the show while The Washington Post remarked the series was ‘treading water.’ 

‘Ted Lasso has become a show in which every character feels worthy of being the star of their own show — which is awesome in a landscape where many series don’t have a single character worthy of anchoring a show — and every one feels as if they’re only being half-serviced,’ THR wrote. 

‘This is amplified because the show’s ostensible main character is in a rut that he partially understands and the show partially, frustratingly, doesn’t.’ 

‘The third season begins to feel like it’s half setting up any or all of those possible spinoffs and half-resolving Ted Lasso’s arc, underlining all the while that Ted Lasso has probably become the least compelling part of Ted Lasso. Everybody else is in this for the long-haul, but Ted has already checked out, whether he realizes it or not.’ 

Overall, The Hollywood Reporter had words of praise for the supporting characters, whose storylines they found more compelling: ‘It isn’t that I dislike Sudeikis’ performance at all, especially the earnest pathos he foregrounded in the second season. It’s just that I love the supporting cast.’ 

The Washington Post remarked the show felt ‘like it’s treading water’ and called many of the conflicts ‘unmotivated and repetitive.’ 

Yet, despite the criticism, they still had praise for the show and for Sudeikis’ portrayal of his complex character. 

‘It retains plenty of what makes it fun — a lovable cast, good jokes and the hilarious inclusion of a rom-com trope or musical lyric where none should be (‘The King and I’ song ‘Getting to Know You’ makes a startling appearance). 

‘A montage of Ted dismantling the play forts and Lego stadiums he’d littered his apartment with during his son Henry’s visit is heart-rending; Sudeikis continues to backstop Ted’s unrelenting positivity with sadness without making the former seem fake. That’s no easy feat.’

The Guardian was a fan of season three, giving the latest chapter four out of five stars. 

‘Thus the audience may breathe a small sigh of relief. The makers have not messed with the formula,’ they wrote. 

‘It purrs along as smoothly as the luxury car with which Rupert rewards Nate for badmouthing Ted at a press conference,’ the review added. ‘It cuts the sweetness with just enough vinegary exchanges to prevent the whole from becoming sickening. 

‘Ted has already checked out’: The Hollywood Reporter had criticism for season three

‘That’s no easy feat’: The Washington Post remarked the show felt ‘like it’s treading water’ yet still praised Sudeikis’ acting 

Preparing to end? The tone of the first four episodes did not go unnoticed by critics either, with The Hollywood Reporter sensing the series was preparing to end with its latest chapter

‘It keeps the main man just the right side of folksy rather than village idiot, and knowing that every tiny glimpse into Coach Beard’s hinterland is worth the price of admission alone. Go team!’ 

They too noted Ted seemed adrift as he questioned his current path. 

‘Ted is … fraying. Not in a way that threatens meltdown (he is still having regular sessions with his therapist Dr Fieldstone, played by Sarah Niles) but homesickness is encroaching along with a feeling that he has probably done all for his team that he can. A revelation by his son Henry, back home in Kansas after a summer visit, torques the situation. A meltdown may not be off the table.’

CNN noted: ‘Ted Lasso doesn’t have anything left to prove, other than perhaps demonstrating that it can finish as well as it started. However the show goes about getting there, the one certainty seems to be that its namesake will be smiling and rattling off odd analogies all the way to the final gun.’ 

‘Go team!’ The Guardian was a fan of season three, giving the latest chapter four out of five stars

Hit series! Since Ted Lasso debuted in 2020, it has become a fan favorite series and the recipient of numerous Emmy awards

Since Ted Lasso debuted in 2020, it has become a fan favorite series and the recipient of numerous Emmy awards.

However, it now appears the show is preparing to wind down. Earlier this month, Sudeikis discussed ending the show after it’s current season.

‘This is the end of this story that we wanted to tell, that we were hoping to tell, that we loved to tell,’ he recently told Deadline.

‘The fact that folks will want more and are curious beyond more than what they don’t even know yet – that being season three – it’s flattering. Maybe by May 31, once all 12 episodes of the season [have been released], they’re like, “Man, you know what, we get it, we’re fine. We don’t need anymore, we got it.” But until that time comes, I will appreciate the curiosity beyond what we’ve come up with so far.’

He also addressed the potential for spin-offs.

‘Yeah, I think that we’ve set the table for all sorts of folks…to get to watch the further telling of these stories,’ he said.

‘Again, I can’t help but take the question as flattery for what all of us that were working on the show has tried to do. It’s really kind of folks to even consider that because you never know what’s gonna happen when you make things. The fact that people want more, even if it’s a different avenue is lovely.’