After three heartwarming seasons, the question of whether Ted Lasso season 3 finale would be its last still remained unanswered. Nonetheless, it had all the hallmarks of a definitive conclusion.
In a surprising twist, it seemed like Ted Lasso was on the verge of derailing its season—and possibly the entire series—in its finale, even before the opening credits. The unexpected coupling of Ted and Rebecca, two characters whose connection has always been characterized by respect and fondness, with no trace of romantic tension, threatened to end things on a sour note. (Interestingly, there’s another Apple TV+ series named Platonic, but Ted and Rebecca had already explored that territory.)
Even so, it turns out to be a clever misdirection, only revealed later when a scene suggests the possibility of Ted, Rebecca, Beard, and Jane being involved in some ambiguous situation—leaving the true nature of their involvement up to the viewers’ imagination.
Ted Lasso takes a somewhat predictable but deeply sentimental journey in its final moments. “So Long, Farewell” bids farewell to the series through profoundly emotional scenes.
Rather than taking a sudden turn towards polyamory, Ted Lasso opts for a much more anticipated route filled with sentiment. The season 3 finale episode titled “So Long, Farewell” concludes with a series of profoundly emotional scenes.
As the Greyhounds gear up for a crucial match against the formidable West Ham, which could potentially secure them the Premier League title, they also prepare to bid farewell to Ted, who hinted in the previous episode that he’s headed back to the United States.
While Beard’s departure is also mentioned, the focus remains primarily on Ted, capturing most of the attention.
Ted Lasso Season 3 Finale Best Moments
In one of the finale’s most fascinating moments, Rebecca finds Ted alone in the stadium, mirroring the iconic opening credits scene. They engage in a quiet conversation where she lays bare her feelings, confessing, “If you go, I go,” before making a direct plea for Ted to stay.
Although the conversation ends on a positive note, with Rebecca envisioning a carefree life of adventure that she dubs “Drink, Sleep, Fuck,” she acknowledges that it may not be her destiny. This interaction between Ted and Rebecca stands out among the handful of intimate Ted talks in “So Long, Farewell.”
Nate, having returned to the team and seemingly reverting to his season one self, offers Ted a heartfelt apology, which Ted humbly rejects, deeming it unnecessary. Later, Beard also apologizes, aware that his love for Jane will keep him from accompanying Ted back to the United States. However, it’s Ted’s one-way exchange with Trent about his manuscript that truly captures the essence of the show: “It’s not about me. It never was.” This simple statement exposes the core of Ted Lasso’s message.
Remarkable Characters In Ted Lasso Season 3 Finale
Amidst the array of notable plotlines, there are certainly plenty of other characters swirling around in the finale. While most of the team only receives fleeting moments in the spotlight, such as Dani and Van Damme’s reconciliation and Colin publicly embracing his boyfriend on the pitch after the game, the finale dedicates ample time to the Roy/Keeley/Jamie situation.
However, the execution of this love triangle feels rushed and somewhat contrived, considering the significant time spent developing Roy and Jamie’s deepening friendship and personal growth. It’s a fleeting conflict, promptly defused when Keeley responds with offense at being put in the position to choose between them.
While Keeley’s reaction is understandable, the hasty resolution makes both Roy and Jamie appear less astute than they’ve been portrayed.
To his credit, Roy acknowledges this and seeks guidance from the Diamond Dogs. In the end, he decides to join them, symbolizing a summation moment for a series that prioritizes men expressing their emotions and striving for personal growth.
Ted Lasso reminds us that perfection is uninteresting in people, though it may be found in movies, Billy Joel albums, and Trent’s hair. As Higgins wisely puts it, the key is to “always be moving toward better.”
With that resolved, the stage is set for the expectedly dramatic match. The team enters the field with tears in their eyes from Beard’s introspective video and struggles through the first half until Ted’s motivational locker room speech at halftime.
Initially feeling obligatory, given the show’s affinity for halftime moments, the reassembly of the “BELIEVE” sign serves as a fitting conclusion. The Greyhounds have always cherished grand gestures, and this one required less coordination than the staging of “The Sound of Music” song, which lends the episode its title, during the team’s last practice.
With Jamie Tartt’s contribution, along with the collective efforts of the entire team, they achieve a remarkable victory, though one that is primarily remembered for the drama unfolding off the field.
Rupert, already humiliated due to the scandalous revelation of his inappropriate relationship with his former assistant, Ms. Kakes, is in an irritable state. His frustration reaches a point where he steps onto the field, demanding the coach to remove Tartt from the game. When his request is denied, he resorts to shoving the coach before leaving the pitch, only to be taunted by the crowd, labeling him as a derogatory term. As the ultimate antagonist in Ted Lasso, alongside Edwin Akufo, Rupert receives a fitting outcome for his actions.
Ted Lasso had its ups and downs, especially in this third season, which initially revealed Ted’s destiny and then gradually unfolded the path to that destiny over twelve episodes, often taking detours and elongated runtimes. Nonetheless, Ted Lasso will be remembered for his exceptional qualities, such as his ability to deliver genuinely heartwarming moments that felt earned, not forced, and its central character who embraced his flaws as much as his infectious enthusiasm.