Why the ‘Ted Lasso’ Pilot Works So Damn Well

Ted Lasso is back, Diamond Dogs! Ow ow ow ow ooooooooo!

The feel-good sports comedy helmed by Jason Sudeikis and Bill Lawrence wrapped up its story in three short-but-sweet seasons but the world begged for more, resulting in a resurrection debuting summer 2026, this time centered on a female football team. 

To celebrate, let’s go back to the beginning and check out the refreshing pilot that brimmed with surprisingly effective dad jokes, British zingers, and charm. 

OPENING IMAGE

It didn’t take fans long to notice that each season began and ended on the character who would go through the most significant journey. In season one, it is Hannah Waddingham’s REBECCA WELTON, the wounded owner of the Richmond Greyhounds, determined to sabotage the team so beloved by her ex-husband. 

The first few lines gave us a glimpse into Rebecca’s cold demeanor when she offers a three hundred thousand pound painting to the gentle HIGGINS before snatching it away again. She has her reasons for punishing Higgins, the man who had enabled her ex’s cheating. 

Lest the audience lean towards disliking Rebecca, in the very next beat she savagely fires GEORGE CARTRICK, the team’s (now ex-)manager, a man who sweats misogyny and aggression. It’s beautiful to watch.

More significantly, every other line has a joke. This show is absolutely packed with them and is a masterclass in modern comedy.

And just like that, Richmond needs a new manager — and Rebecca (with a “sparkle in her eye”) knows just who she wants for the position.

Enter Ted Lasso, an intermediate college (American) football coach, a man who, by all appearances, is the complete opposite of what a Premier League English Football coach should be. Which was, of course, exactly Rebecca’s point. She hired him so he would ruin the team and torture her ex-husband. 

It’s the perfect set-up for comedy stakes: the fun-loving goofball underdog in the fanatically serious world of British football.

INCITING INCIDENT

We meet TED LASSO (“a Jason Sudeikis-type” — cheeky character description for a script co-written by Sudeikis) and COACH BEARD on their flight across the pond. Ted is (seemingly) unphased by the daunting task ahead of him, something even a random English teen recognizes. 

But that’s okay. Ted is the heart behind the operation. Beard, meanwhile, is the brains. He’s studying up on English football rules and strategies. Their partnership is friendly, intimate, and honestly precious. It’s a refreshing platonic depiction of male friendship. 

This scene also has one of my favorite Ted Lasso lines in the series. Before they agree to nap on the flight, Ted says to Beard, “Hey, if we see each other in our dreams, let’s goof around and pretend we don’t know each other.” 

It’s one of the most random jokes I’ve ever heard anyone tell. It’s exactly the kind of thought Ted Lasso would have. It’s whimsical. It’s surprising. It’s completely out there. And so is he. That is why he is our hero and our leader. That is why, in spite of Rebecca’s machinations, we will not lose hope in him. He is our coach.

FUN AND GAMES

Ted and Beard make their way to the Richmond clubhouse, charming drivers and freaking out the “put-upon clubhouse attendant” NATHAN by arriving unannounced and walking right onto the pristine pitch. Rebecca smiles to his face then throws him to the wolves, also known as the press.  

Ted speaks to the press with his now-we-are-learning customary candor. They’re charmed. The scene is laden with great callback jokes. But the bottom line is that everyone is wondering, as TRENT CRIMM from “The Independent” put it, “Is this a f***ing joke?”

And that’s the point: Rebecca has set Ted up to fail. 

MIDPOINT

Time to meet the team. This is an Apple TV+ show, so swearing is allowed and colorful. ROY KENT (battle worn, intimidating), Team Captain, rips into his teammates on the field. 

JAMIE TARTT (handsome, talented, aware of both) executes a beautiful bicycle kick then knocks away an enthusiastic teammate’s hand trying to help him up. 

Moments later in the locker room, KEELEY JONES (former Page 3 girl, used to having her book judged by its cover) lets herself in and Jamie promptly leaves with her, giving zero consideration to Ted’s introduction speech. 

The rest of the team follows suit, but in traditional comedy form, we end even low moments for our heroes with jokes. 

BAD TO WORSE

There’s great character insight quickly and sublimely done in the next few moments. Ted, alone in the locker room, discovers a topless poster of Keeley in Jamie’s locker. He covers her breasts with tape just as she barges in and assumes he’s gawking. She startles him, has an easy chat, pretends to help him straighten his “BELIEVE” poster (but actually directs him to tilt it the opposite way — very amusing), and then notices the tape. 

It’s a moment where two characters we like start to like each other. Keeley could easily just have been a side-piece character, but she will become one of the show’s many beating hearts. 

Meanwhile, members of the team nonchalantly bully Nathan, which will be a major contributing factor to his journey from someone emasculated to, well, I don’t want to spoil anything for you, but pay attention to this easy-to-underestimate character.

Rebecca “accidentally” fails to provide a car for Ted and Beard to get to their lodging so they cram themselves into Nate’s mini. 

Rebecca gloats, forcing Higgins to undermine Ted with her, something Higgins feels increasing torture over. 

ALL IS LOST

Ted and Beard head to the local Greyhound haunt, the Crown and Anchor, where Ted is being mocked on television by ex-manager George. 

Unfortunately, some local fans hard agree and confront Ted about “coming here and f***ing up our club.” Tension is released by MAE, the intrepid and badass owner of the pub. She does equate Ted-as-Richmond-manager with the Blitz, IRA bombings, and Brexit…but also reassures him that they’ve been through worse. 

FINALE

Finally, Ted and Beard make it to their new lodgings and bid each other a good night. 

Ted enters his home and looks around. Without anyone to put on a smile for, he deflates a bit, “appears anxious for the first time since we’ve met him.” He takes a call from “HOME” and talks to his young son, whom he left behind, before asking to talk to “mom”.

And now, we find the root of Ted’s secret pain: his wife wants this separation. She doesn’t love him anymore. The man putting on a smile for the world has a heart that is breaking. 

He hangs up, exhausted, finally is able to get into bed after traveling, jet lag, changing time zones, eviscerating himself with a foreign press and a team that doesn’t respect him…

…and can’t sleep.

And that’s the end of the episode. Nowhere to go but up!