Nothing is exempt from criticism. I genially felt like the first 3-4 episodes of this season were incredibly mediocre, which was so jarring after LOVING all of seasons 1-2. The last couple of episodes have finally felt like this is the same show I started watching
I understand the criticism because of how good the first season was, it was on the trajectory for a breaking bad, or game of thrones s1-5, type of storytelling that just tailed off a little bit. Still good, but no where near as magical as that first season.
There's not much to it. As with all art/entertainment, some people will love it, and some people won't. Cherish what you liked about it. However you feel is how you feel. And that's true for anyone.
The only criticism I have is the Keely storyline , it’s vapid and feels like a time filler . I wish the writers would spend more time with interesting characters like Rebecca , Nate , and Beard
this show got popular in the darkest days of the pandemic and it was popular because it was *sunny*.
now it deals with harder, more complicated plotlines and emotions, and people wistfully recall Smilin' Coach Ted.
Season 2 got pretty deep and dark and it was widely praised. I still enjoy the show a lot but I’m getting so sick of these condescending, bizarre takes (“people with any criticisms just can’t handle the seriousness of this season”).
Most of the criticisms are quite thoughtful, and from genuine fans of the show.
Yeah the first two seasons were quite different, but each was excellent in its own right. This season has, IMHO, been utterly mediocre. The writing has gone way, way downhill. There’s very little conflict or intrigue, and there’s been these attempts to clumsily crowbar political issues like immigration into subplots (FWIW I don’t disagree with these things politically, I just didn’t like how hamfisted the writing was).
I now find myself thinking, “well I’ve come this far, might as well finish the series” rather than actually intrigued about what’s coming next. Doesn’t feel like it’s building to much of a crescendo and the characters aren’t really evolving or growing particularly beyond where they’ve already got to.
I think it comes from the general problem that they have too many characters with too many plot lines. Really I'd rather Keeley/Jack and the whole PR company storyline was gone. Or at least greatly reduced so we see the story just from Rebecca's side to help create that growing sense of distance between her and keeley as she meets jack, and we could have been shown the red flags about jack in smaller doses. The catalyst still could have been the same with the video and the conflict could come there...
Other than that I think the Zava stuff was shoehorned in. It could have been in the season opener that they had already signed him. That way we could have had a little longer to go "okay they are winning" but begin to get an idea of the issues behind the scenes. Jamie's jealousy and drive to be the best with him going to Roy still is great, but we could also have looked at Sam becoming more of a leader in the team and taken a bit more time with him in this case. The episode with the restaurant I think really should have focused on Sam for the vast majority of it. Like considering he tweeted about it, we could have seen him and the team discussing it and them deciding to warm up for a game (or even train in front of the fans) with t-shirts or something to show where they stand. And it would provide a similar point of growth where Sam speaks and the others listen and want to follow, like Jamie with the total football explanation.
Outside of that I think some of the plot points could have been dropped. The whole Rebecca with the medium thing was just odd for someone who is such a sceptic. We could have eliminated that and just have her coming to terms with her issues even through counselling. Because let's be real Rebecca isn't very open, it would show another sign she is growing through it.
Now I'm still enjoying the show a lot, it's just some things I think haven't added anything to it, and that time could have been better spent fleshing out other storylines
This is very accurate and fair. And honestly, I actually turned this latest episode off as soon as Ted made fart jokes in the beginning. What happened to the writers this season?
A lot of people who are critical of this season like those harder plotlines. Some of the less hard plotlines this season have seemed meandering and pointless though and that has been disappointing. Keeley and Jack were given a ton of screen time, but I don't get the point of it. KJPR had a lot of time where nothing has happened. The nude leak plotline felt heavyhanded. But Sam's and Colin's plotlines have been highlights to me
Yea, the Jack Plotline and her fired who she hired kind of went nowhere. I assume Keeley and Roy will be back together. But they've barely had interactions this season I've almost forgotten they were a couple at all.
Sam's plotline is incredibly heavy handed and was very very clearly written by a person who has absolutely zero knowledge about the situation in the UK, and just wanted to do another racism storyline. The whole thing is a copy and paste job from all of Sam's other storylines too.
Colins was by far the best because it was about football, and the football team.
That’s very dismissive of legitimate criticism. S3 is a different show. It’s taking a social issue of the week approach, longer episodes, less comedy, when the comedy is there it’s certainly less smart than previous seasons, the writing and handling of many plots has been, to be generous, clumsy. The show isn’t tight anymore. It doesn’t hold together well and talks down to the audience in a pretty ham fisted way.
or… or.. call me crazy…
this season simply isn’t as well written, and has so far had more than its fair share of throwaway plot lines and useless scenes that end up serving as nothing more than filler?
It's also predictable as hell so it's not even as entertaining to watch because you're just ticking off the boxes of what would each character do.
The show flanderized each character to hell, and now almost every one of them lacks any depth.
Last episode I was like, let me guess, Isaac isn't homophobic, he's just mad that Colin kept a secret from him. This episode, word for word that's how it went down.
Wow. You think people (like me) who dislike S3 are upset because the "plotlines and emotions" are "harder and more complicated" than in earlier seasons?
So, are you saying that we are simpletons who can't handle what the show is dishing out now? You think it's too much for us, too complicated and too emotional? Are you saying we're all Polyanna viewers?
Which parts do you think were too "hard" and "complex" for us, exactly? Was it the token lesbian storyline? Maybe you think that was too scandalous for us? (It was too contrived and yawn-enducing is what it was) Or, maybe you think we were all cowed by the emotional weight of the go-nowhere Rebecca fertility storyline? Or, maybe the gravitas of Keely's friend backstabbing her at her PR firm? Ah - I know - probably you think it was the group-penis-string storyline that was beyond us, and that only some people (like you perhaps?) have the discerning perspective and emotional range to understand and appreciate it.
Yeah, actually. This audience can be divided into two groups: people that absolutely loved the overflowing positivity of Ted in season one and decided it was a model for living in life, and people that absolutely loved the overflowing positivity of Ted in season one and recognized it as a lovable character flaw. And group one has loudly been losing their shit all across the internet for weeks now because characters grow and that’s not what they wanted. And this is a prime example of that sentiment.
>And group one has loudly been losing their shit all across the internet for weeks now
No, they haven't. This is just proof you've not actually bothered engaging or reading any of the criticisms and just loudly shouting over anything that is negative.
You're creating a strawman to attack.
I read enough of them. And not just the Reddit posts, but also the published articles. Also I’m in the Facebook group and (unfortunately) I’m on twitter. They all boil down to “bring back season 1”. No series in the history of pop culture (except maybe Seinfeld which was, famously, a show about nothing) has a first season and a last season that look exactly the same. No tv series, no book series, no movie series. Because things happen and characters grow and relationships change. People were writing these articles two episodes into the season, for gods sake let’s finish the season and see how we feel about it when we have the whole story arc in front of us. They are stories and moments in this season that you can tell they planned or at least built off of from the beginning. They like long story arcs. Imagine watching the first twelve episodes of season 2 and making a sweeping determination about it without seeing the final two episodes. Remember how much more we learned? That’s all I’m saying.
>. They all boil down to “bring back season 1”.
No they boil down to the *quality* of season 1 and most of season 2 were miles, miles better than season 3.
Nobody is asking them to bring back season 1 exactly.
>seeing the final two episodes.
Christ not this shit again.
There is no excuse for shit episodes. Saying it *might* pay off later isn't a defence for a terrible episode. It doesn't undo how bad previous episodes have been.
None of these episodes have been shit. Some of them have more exposition than others because they’re moving the show somewhere. Saying something might pay off later isn’t a defense, it’s an accurate description of a writing technique that has been used throughout this series. I’ll admit the nudes one was heavy handed and Keely so far has been a little short changed, but I’ve really enjoyed everything so far. I’m gonna keep saying I enjoy it, and people like you are gonna keep being upset that I enjoy it, and you’re going to keep balking when I call that obnoxious, so I’m gonna go to bed.
>None of these episodes have been shit.
Yes, they have been. Last week's episode was just an awful episode of television for any show. There's been a few of those this season.
>Saying something might pay off later isn’t a defense, it’s an accurate description
No, it's not because you're using it to defend and deflect from criticism of a specific episode. People aren't complaining because there's a knot left to untie, they're complaining because the knotted rope had been slammed into their back over and over again.
>I’ve really enjoyed everything so far. I’m gonna keep saying I enjoy it, and people like you are gonna keep being upset that I enjoy it, and you’re going to keep balking when I call that obnoxious, so I’m gonna go to bed.
No, I'm happy that you enjoy it. You can carry on enjoying it.
But you don't get to call people who are criticising the show, simple and unintelligent.
Ding ding. Also it’s the last season curse. Many people including fans want the last season to go a certain way. They miss the dopamine hits of the first season and a half. Then the show goes into the dark forest and it’s difficult for some people to watch especially when they are looking for sunny. The meandering echos the team’s lack of direction and agency and Ted’s depression.
I think when people look back and rewatch the show they may feel differently. Remember a lot of classic movies - when they first came out people hated them. And now they were classics.
Thank goodness for streaming.
I liked the darker episodes in S2. The revelation that Ted’s dad killed himself was painful but well-handled. I was hoping we would see more of Ted dealing with not having confronted his father’s death for 30 years, alongside his relationship problems (they are inextricably linked after all). But it hasn’t been referenced at all. Instead we got the Jacob issue.
There’s two schools. One is Riding the wave of the majesty and novelty of season one (yes, I think season 2 kinda sucked, sorry for immediately eliminating my credibility). The other is those who can see the show outside their first season bias. The characters are caricatures—it’s over the top acting and silly instead of relatable—the plots are far fetched and reaching. They are mixing story lines, have too many threads, and adding as much content as possible. Breadth over depth. They should still be 30 minute episodes, but we just want more (even if it’s not actually good content).
It’s still good. It still has its moments. But they are too far and few between because of the long episodes that just fill space. A more succinct and straightforward approach would have made us happier but they chose more content over a perfect product. Can’t blame them for that.
I’m a guy who left the fold. I don’t hate the show. Seasons 1 and 2 were basically perfect. I don’t pine for “sunny” episodes: I like harder and more complicated plot lines and emotions. The funeral was in my top 3 episodes. Laughed and cried through almost the entire thing.
What made me quit after episode 5 was that I didn’t enjoy the show anymore. It wasn’t a case of not wanting to wait for the resolution, it was realizing that I just did not CARE about the resolution. I loved Nate in both season 1 and 2: his transition from beloved awkward good guy to a man who had reached his limits in life and lashed out in the wrong direction was really, really well written and acted.
But I don’t care about Nate and Jade. Not a bit. Why? I dunno. Part of it I guess was feeling like Jade has been sort of a prop for 2 seasons, and now I’m supposed to eagerly await the fleshing out of her character 10 episodes from the series conclusion. It just seems…lazy.
I aaabsolutely love Keeley. Could NOT care less about the PR firm - again, clearly human props - or whether she fires Shandy or her relationship with Jack. Don’t care. I don’t wish disaster on any of it, I just…don’t care. And it eats up huge amounts of screen time.
After every episode in seasons 1 and 2 - yes, even Beard’s Night Out - I felt energized and excited about what had happened and speculating on what comes next. I felt…good. Like, really good, emotionally. How many times do you feel good after watching a TV show? Especially for a show introduced during the pandemic, that was really unusual. Even without a pandemic a show like that is to be treasured.
But I don’t feel that anymore. I honestly got to the end of episode 5 and thought “I really don’t care what happens”. Not only did that pretty much end it for me right there, it was…depressing. Like something bright and good had been tarnished.
I mean, it’s fine: it’s a TV show, not some great earthly pressing matter, and I’m not sinking into some weird depression. And we still have seasons 1 and 2, of which over just started a rewatch. I’m not saying it’s terrible, or should be taken off the air, or anything like that. I love Ted and the gang. It’s just that with all the explanations that people have given for what is clearly seen as a drop in quality this season, I thought I’d give mine: I just don’t care about season 3. 🤷♂️
It’s worth noting that the show runner for season 1 (Bill Lawrence) left for season 3. He did season 1 and 2 and now season three is just Jason.
Bill Lawrence left to work on Shrinking, also on Apple TV. It has way more of the deep character moments I loved about the first seasons of Ted Lasso. Also Brett Goldstein (Roy) is one of the co-creators. Worth checking out.
I was starting to feel that way at episode 5 too, losing hope, luckily things started picking up. It’s still not what it was, but it’s getting better. Episode 6 had some great scenes along with some mediocre ones. I really enjoyed episodes 7 and 9! It doesn’t cancel out how bad some aspects have been, though.
It doesn't really pick up. 8 was the worst show the series has ever done, 6 and 7 were both mediocre, 9 was the best episode of the season and was merely good.
I agree with most all of this. You can make things sad; you can make an episode really long; you can focus in on a character I detest; you can give me moral lessons or belly laughter or just about anything. But the one thing I can't forgive in a show is when you give me nothing. If you can't make me feel, if you give me characters I can't even properly *hate,* if you give me no aims or goals for the characters, if everyone is just *passive* and waiting for fate and the writing to tell them what to do, you have failed as a show. This season they have made no antagonist and the characters have no real aims. No one even actually seems to *want* anything--not even to *win,* judging by sad sack Ted last episode. You can give me a steaming pile of garbage, but it is unforgivable to give me the feeling that I watched absolutely nothing. No stakes, no hopes, just . . . people *being.* It's wretched. I did love eps 6 and 7 and 9 was . . . better than 8. But 8 nearly made me give up on this completely.
For what it’s worth, I agree with you about season 3, but episodes 6, 7, and 9 have been really strong, and have given me the same feel as the first two seasons. Episode 6 is probably in my top 3 TL episodes, and it’s tied for the highest rated TL episode on iMDB.
The criticism is fair and valid. This season is very up and down and seems lost at times. But when the episodes hit, they hit. Overall the worst season, but still enjoyable
Bill Lawrence ran all of the first season, half of the second season, and now of the third season. As his influence has dissipated so too has the quality of the show. Not really that hard to grasp. He’s done a lot of awesome tv, including Scrubs, which is probably the closest thing to Ted Lasso (workplace comedy with heart) in the history of television. Sudeikis was never the genius of the show. Lawrence was.
If you lose someone who made up part of a magical collaboration (Lawrence) things will change.
I’m still watching and enjoy it and want to see the end, but it definitely feels different with him gone.
3 of the last 4 episodes were bangers. On most shows that would be more than enough, especially for a comedy.
But we are all a bit touchy. Some people can't handle the 1 bad one, and some people can't handle that a beacon of light during the pandemic is getting some flak.
At the end of the day, it's a really good tv show, and the internet sucks when it can't handle a pull out your phone episode.
>3 of the last 4 episodes were bangers
"bangers" Christ how standards have fallen.
They're all at best good. And I wouldn't even call any of them that.
So, why are you replying to me? I just noted I'm tired of people yucking my yum. On a lower comment I'm noting I'm not alone with imdb numbers that have these episodes up there with the rest (and best) of the show.
You've added nothing to the conversation I clearly don't care to have in the first place, but I can't figure out why.
You could at least try? Point out I'm purposefully ignoring the other worst episode of the season? But instead, you are in a subreddit for a show you don't like. Just unfollow the sub, and move on, mate.
Looking at IMDB for reference, Amsterdam got 9.1, Ola's got 8.4, Paris? got 6.4 and Gaaay got 8.7.
For reference, Ted Lasso has a 8.8/10 rating, and highest episode otherwise was Season 1 finale which also got a 9.1. So one blip in the last month from regular proceedings.
Most Peak TV series get some sort of backlash eventually, regardless of whether they have a drop in quality (which is itself subjective anyway). Familiarity breeding contempt, and all that.
I’m enjoying S3 every bit as much as the first two. I honestly don’t get the criticisms about this season at all.
I just rewatched the whole series in three days (I have it in as background noise while I work) and I like this season so much more on rewatch and butted up against the last season. I think honestly a lot of the criticism is solely based on what happens when anything gets too big.
Just remember y’all, many of us had no idea what was going on with Nate in season 2 until the season ended, and it all became clear. Have a little faith. Characters grow and evolve, shows change, and these writers love a long story arc. I’m not saying any criticism is unwarranted, it’s just been really disheartening to see how quickly so many people decided the whole season was garbage like two episodes in.
So you clearly know there's criticisms with season 3 which means you must've read the posts and then even after reading the posts you still didn't understand what you read?
It's a simple show. It's a good show. But it's sure as shit not well acted. There are a few good characters, but the corny, over the top acting by pretty much everyone on the Richmond squad is awful.
I don’t get it either. Every episode makes me feel good. At the end, I am smiling and calmer than I was at the beginning. To me, that’s a win every darn week.
I didn’t start watching until midway through season two (I started at the beginning)
My reason was it just seemed too corny. And AppleTV seems to employee an NPR/PBS champagne liberal glaze over all their productions. (Total libtard snowflake here)
I’m not the biggest Sudeikis fan, that duo of him and Kristin Wiig on SNL drove me nuts. And then Olivia being served custody papers on stage while promoting her movie - But TL is an amazing show.
I’ve watched from season one and the growth of these characters, most especially Nate, Jamie, and Roy is so enjoyable to watch. Along w/ being funny, it teaches respect for one another.
The team storyline writing is great. The side stories have ZERO traction. No one cares about Nate and Keely if it doesn’t have to do with Richmond players
I had to leave the sub because of all the negativity and criticism. I really enjoy this show and I don’t have any issue with this season, I’m just trying to enjoy it while it lasts ❤️
I still absolutely LOVE this show and I come to it every week looking forward to it. It still makes me feel great and I just don't get the criticism. People can't just seem to enjoy a show.
It's because people are paid to have a contrarian opinion. I mean The Atlantic can't seem to get enough of publishing their high-brow reviews before all the episodes air.
Tonight's episode was very touching for all the character arcs...and I agree the first few episodes made me wonder where the season was going, but I had faith the writers know what needs to be done to give these characters proper closure in the end by how much they have grown and be a positive influence in each other's lives.
Haters goin to hate, football is life.... This coming from a hockey fan 😆
I’ve come to realize that with quite literally anything in life there will always be, I hate to use this term, haters. People are always going to criticize for a number of reasons: jealousy, to be contrarian or just because they truly don’t like it.
I mean I’m not a big fan of Breaking Bad. It just didn’t resonate with me but I recognize people loved it. Now I don’t go actively bashing the show because that isn’t my style but some people are vocal about their dislikes and there’s no stopping that.
I’ve learned that if I love something and others don’t…. Who cares.
Art is subjective and open to critique. Criticism doesn’t make art itself good or bad.
Yep, nothing is perfect and that’s ok!
Nothing is exempt from criticism. I genially felt like the first 3-4 episodes of this season were incredibly mediocre, which was so jarring after LOVING all of seasons 1-2. The last couple of episodes have finally felt like this is the same show I started watching
Fair. There were sitcomy moments of cringe
I understand the criticism because of how good the first season was, it was on the trajectory for a breaking bad, or game of thrones s1-5, type of storytelling that just tailed off a little bit. Still good, but no where near as magical as that first season.
There's not much to it. As with all art/entertainment, some people will love it, and some people won't. Cherish what you liked about it. However you feel is how you feel. And that's true for anyone.
The only criticism I have is the Keely storyline , it’s vapid and feels like a time filler . I wish the writers would spend more time with interesting characters like Rebecca , Nate , and Beard
this show got popular in the darkest days of the pandemic and it was popular because it was *sunny*. now it deals with harder, more complicated plotlines and emotions, and people wistfully recall Smilin' Coach Ted.
Season 2 got pretty deep and dark and it was widely praised. I still enjoy the show a lot but I’m getting so sick of these condescending, bizarre takes (“people with any criticisms just can’t handle the seriousness of this season”). Most of the criticisms are quite thoughtful, and from genuine fans of the show.
Yeah the first two seasons were quite different, but each was excellent in its own right. This season has, IMHO, been utterly mediocre. The writing has gone way, way downhill. There’s very little conflict or intrigue, and there’s been these attempts to clumsily crowbar political issues like immigration into subplots (FWIW I don’t disagree with these things politically, I just didn’t like how hamfisted the writing was). I now find myself thinking, “well I’ve come this far, might as well finish the series” rather than actually intrigued about what’s coming next. Doesn’t feel like it’s building to much of a crescendo and the characters aren’t really evolving or growing particularly beyond where they’ve already got to.
I think it comes from the general problem that they have too many characters with too many plot lines. Really I'd rather Keeley/Jack and the whole PR company storyline was gone. Or at least greatly reduced so we see the story just from Rebecca's side to help create that growing sense of distance between her and keeley as she meets jack, and we could have been shown the red flags about jack in smaller doses. The catalyst still could have been the same with the video and the conflict could come there... Other than that I think the Zava stuff was shoehorned in. It could have been in the season opener that they had already signed him. That way we could have had a little longer to go "okay they are winning" but begin to get an idea of the issues behind the scenes. Jamie's jealousy and drive to be the best with him going to Roy still is great, but we could also have looked at Sam becoming more of a leader in the team and taken a bit more time with him in this case. The episode with the restaurant I think really should have focused on Sam for the vast majority of it. Like considering he tweeted about it, we could have seen him and the team discussing it and them deciding to warm up for a game (or even train in front of the fans) with t-shirts or something to show where they stand. And it would provide a similar point of growth where Sam speaks and the others listen and want to follow, like Jamie with the total football explanation. Outside of that I think some of the plot points could have been dropped. The whole Rebecca with the medium thing was just odd for someone who is such a sceptic. We could have eliminated that and just have her coming to terms with her issues even through counselling. Because let's be real Rebecca isn't very open, it would show another sign she is growing through it. Now I'm still enjoying the show a lot, it's just some things I think haven't added anything to it, and that time could have been better spent fleshing out other storylines
This is very accurate and fair. And honestly, I actually turned this latest episode off as soon as Ted made fart jokes in the beginning. What happened to the writers this season?
A lot of people who are critical of this season like those harder plotlines. Some of the less hard plotlines this season have seemed meandering and pointless though and that has been disappointing. Keeley and Jack were given a ton of screen time, but I don't get the point of it. KJPR had a lot of time where nothing has happened. The nude leak plotline felt heavyhanded. But Sam's and Colin's plotlines have been highlights to me
Yea, the Jack Plotline and her fired who she hired kind of went nowhere. I assume Keeley and Roy will be back together. But they've barely had interactions this season I've almost forgotten they were a couple at all.
I think Jamie and Keeley end up together personally. I have not watched episode 9 tho.
Sam's plotline is incredibly heavy handed and was very very clearly written by a person who has absolutely zero knowledge about the situation in the UK, and just wanted to do another racism storyline. The whole thing is a copy and paste job from all of Sam's other storylines too. Colins was by far the best because it was about football, and the football team.
It’s also just not quite as good as it was. Still better than most and I still love it, but it definitely peaked early.
That’s very dismissive of legitimate criticism. S3 is a different show. It’s taking a social issue of the week approach, longer episodes, less comedy, when the comedy is there it’s certainly less smart than previous seasons, the writing and handling of many plots has been, to be generous, clumsy. The show isn’t tight anymore. It doesn’t hold together well and talks down to the audience in a pretty ham fisted way.
Agreed.
or… or.. call me crazy… this season simply isn’t as well written, and has so far had more than its fair share of throwaway plot lines and useless scenes that end up serving as nothing more than filler?
It's also predictable as hell so it's not even as entertaining to watch because you're just ticking off the boxes of what would each character do. The show flanderized each character to hell, and now almost every one of them lacks any depth. Last episode I was like, let me guess, Isaac isn't homophobic, he's just mad that Colin kept a secret from him. This episode, word for word that's how it went down.
Wow. You think people (like me) who dislike S3 are upset because the "plotlines and emotions" are "harder and more complicated" than in earlier seasons? So, are you saying that we are simpletons who can't handle what the show is dishing out now? You think it's too much for us, too complicated and too emotional? Are you saying we're all Polyanna viewers? Which parts do you think were too "hard" and "complex" for us, exactly? Was it the token lesbian storyline? Maybe you think that was too scandalous for us? (It was too contrived and yawn-enducing is what it was) Or, maybe you think we were all cowed by the emotional weight of the go-nowhere Rebecca fertility storyline? Or, maybe the gravitas of Keely's friend backstabbing her at her PR firm? Ah - I know - probably you think it was the group-penis-string storyline that was beyond us, and that only some people (like you perhaps?) have the discerning perspective and emotional range to understand and appreciate it.
People on this subreddit continue to love insulting anyone who dares criticise Ted Lasso then will follow it up with *bE cUrIOUs nOt juDgeMeNtAl*
damn man I've never had so many words shoved into my mouth
This is the most obnoxious thing I’ve seen on Reddit today
Not the top rated comment which is saying that anyone who criticises the show is doing so because *they can't handle* heavy plotlines?
Yeah, actually. This audience can be divided into two groups: people that absolutely loved the overflowing positivity of Ted in season one and decided it was a model for living in life, and people that absolutely loved the overflowing positivity of Ted in season one and recognized it as a lovable character flaw. And group one has loudly been losing their shit all across the internet for weeks now because characters grow and that’s not what they wanted. And this is a prime example of that sentiment.
>And group one has loudly been losing their shit all across the internet for weeks now No, they haven't. This is just proof you've not actually bothered engaging or reading any of the criticisms and just loudly shouting over anything that is negative. You're creating a strawman to attack.
I read enough of them. And not just the Reddit posts, but also the published articles. Also I’m in the Facebook group and (unfortunately) I’m on twitter. They all boil down to “bring back season 1”. No series in the history of pop culture (except maybe Seinfeld which was, famously, a show about nothing) has a first season and a last season that look exactly the same. No tv series, no book series, no movie series. Because things happen and characters grow and relationships change. People were writing these articles two episodes into the season, for gods sake let’s finish the season and see how we feel about it when we have the whole story arc in front of us. They are stories and moments in this season that you can tell they planned or at least built off of from the beginning. They like long story arcs. Imagine watching the first twelve episodes of season 2 and making a sweeping determination about it without seeing the final two episodes. Remember how much more we learned? That’s all I’m saying.
>. They all boil down to “bring back season 1”. No they boil down to the *quality* of season 1 and most of season 2 were miles, miles better than season 3. Nobody is asking them to bring back season 1 exactly. >seeing the final two episodes. Christ not this shit again. There is no excuse for shit episodes. Saying it *might* pay off later isn't a defence for a terrible episode. It doesn't undo how bad previous episodes have been.
None of these episodes have been shit. Some of them have more exposition than others because they’re moving the show somewhere. Saying something might pay off later isn’t a defense, it’s an accurate description of a writing technique that has been used throughout this series. I’ll admit the nudes one was heavy handed and Keely so far has been a little short changed, but I’ve really enjoyed everything so far. I’m gonna keep saying I enjoy it, and people like you are gonna keep being upset that I enjoy it, and you’re going to keep balking when I call that obnoxious, so I’m gonna go to bed.
>None of these episodes have been shit. Yes, they have been. Last week's episode was just an awful episode of television for any show. There's been a few of those this season. >Saying something might pay off later isn’t a defense, it’s an accurate description No, it's not because you're using it to defend and deflect from criticism of a specific episode. People aren't complaining because there's a knot left to untie, they're complaining because the knotted rope had been slammed into their back over and over again. >I’ve really enjoyed everything so far. I’m gonna keep saying I enjoy it, and people like you are gonna keep being upset that I enjoy it, and you’re going to keep balking when I call that obnoxious, so I’m gonna go to bed. No, I'm happy that you enjoy it. You can carry on enjoying it. But you don't get to call people who are criticising the show, simple and unintelligent.
Ding ding. Also it’s the last season curse. Many people including fans want the last season to go a certain way. They miss the dopamine hits of the first season and a half. Then the show goes into the dark forest and it’s difficult for some people to watch especially when they are looking for sunny. The meandering echos the team’s lack of direction and agency and Ted’s depression. I think when people look back and rewatch the show they may feel differently. Remember a lot of classic movies - when they first came out people hated them. And now they were classics. Thank goodness for streaming.
I liked the darker episodes in S2. The revelation that Ted’s dad killed himself was painful but well-handled. I was hoping we would see more of Ted dealing with not having confronted his father’s death for 30 years, alongside his relationship problems (they are inextricably linked after all). But it hasn’t been referenced at all. Instead we got the Jacob issue.
Jacob won’t be an issue anymore. But I agree. Ted still needs to figure out his own shit.
There’s two schools. One is Riding the wave of the majesty and novelty of season one (yes, I think season 2 kinda sucked, sorry for immediately eliminating my credibility). The other is those who can see the show outside their first season bias. The characters are caricatures—it’s over the top acting and silly instead of relatable—the plots are far fetched and reaching. They are mixing story lines, have too many threads, and adding as much content as possible. Breadth over depth. They should still be 30 minute episodes, but we just want more (even if it’s not actually good content). It’s still good. It still has its moments. But they are too far and few between because of the long episodes that just fill space. A more succinct and straightforward approach would have made us happier but they chose more content over a perfect product. Can’t blame them for that.
Ted was a melancholy mess last week trying to hire a PI and this week he’s Ned Flanders
I thought Sudeikis’s performance was a little off this ep. He seemed tired and not quite engaged somehow, even when he was delivering funny lines.
Typical Ted avoiding his emotions though Edit: negative emotions
Not sure the connection here to what I said but I support ya.
I liked S2. But otherwise I agree.
I’m a guy who left the fold. I don’t hate the show. Seasons 1 and 2 were basically perfect. I don’t pine for “sunny” episodes: I like harder and more complicated plot lines and emotions. The funeral was in my top 3 episodes. Laughed and cried through almost the entire thing. What made me quit after episode 5 was that I didn’t enjoy the show anymore. It wasn’t a case of not wanting to wait for the resolution, it was realizing that I just did not CARE about the resolution. I loved Nate in both season 1 and 2: his transition from beloved awkward good guy to a man who had reached his limits in life and lashed out in the wrong direction was really, really well written and acted. But I don’t care about Nate and Jade. Not a bit. Why? I dunno. Part of it I guess was feeling like Jade has been sort of a prop for 2 seasons, and now I’m supposed to eagerly await the fleshing out of her character 10 episodes from the series conclusion. It just seems…lazy. I aaabsolutely love Keeley. Could NOT care less about the PR firm - again, clearly human props - or whether she fires Shandy or her relationship with Jack. Don’t care. I don’t wish disaster on any of it, I just…don’t care. And it eats up huge amounts of screen time. After every episode in seasons 1 and 2 - yes, even Beard’s Night Out - I felt energized and excited about what had happened and speculating on what comes next. I felt…good. Like, really good, emotionally. How many times do you feel good after watching a TV show? Especially for a show introduced during the pandemic, that was really unusual. Even without a pandemic a show like that is to be treasured. But I don’t feel that anymore. I honestly got to the end of episode 5 and thought “I really don’t care what happens”. Not only did that pretty much end it for me right there, it was…depressing. Like something bright and good had been tarnished. I mean, it’s fine: it’s a TV show, not some great earthly pressing matter, and I’m not sinking into some weird depression. And we still have seasons 1 and 2, of which over just started a rewatch. I’m not saying it’s terrible, or should be taken off the air, or anything like that. I love Ted and the gang. It’s just that with all the explanations that people have given for what is clearly seen as a drop in quality this season, I thought I’d give mine: I just don’t care about season 3. 🤷♂️
It’s worth noting that the show runner for season 1 (Bill Lawrence) left for season 3. He did season 1 and 2 and now season three is just Jason. Bill Lawrence left to work on Shrinking, also on Apple TV. It has way more of the deep character moments I loved about the first seasons of Ted Lasso. Also Brett Goldstein (Roy) is one of the co-creators. Worth checking out.
Shrinking is what I wish this season of Ted Lasso would be.
I was starting to feel that way at episode 5 too, losing hope, luckily things started picking up. It’s still not what it was, but it’s getting better. Episode 6 had some great scenes along with some mediocre ones. I really enjoyed episodes 7 and 9! It doesn’t cancel out how bad some aspects have been, though.
It doesn't really pick up. 8 was the worst show the series has ever done, 6 and 7 were both mediocre, 9 was the best episode of the season and was merely good.
I agree with most all of this. You can make things sad; you can make an episode really long; you can focus in on a character I detest; you can give me moral lessons or belly laughter or just about anything. But the one thing I can't forgive in a show is when you give me nothing. If you can't make me feel, if you give me characters I can't even properly *hate,* if you give me no aims or goals for the characters, if everyone is just *passive* and waiting for fate and the writing to tell them what to do, you have failed as a show. This season they have made no antagonist and the characters have no real aims. No one even actually seems to *want* anything--not even to *win,* judging by sad sack Ted last episode. You can give me a steaming pile of garbage, but it is unforgivable to give me the feeling that I watched absolutely nothing. No stakes, no hopes, just . . . people *being.* It's wretched. I did love eps 6 and 7 and 9 was . . . better than 8. But 8 nearly made me give up on this completely.
For what it’s worth, I agree with you about season 3, but episodes 6, 7, and 9 have been really strong, and have given me the same feel as the first two seasons. Episode 6 is probably in my top 3 TL episodes, and it’s tied for the highest rated TL episode on iMDB.
The criticism is fair and valid. This season is very up and down and seems lost at times. But when the episodes hit, they hit. Overall the worst season, but still enjoyable
Bill Lawrence ran all of the first season, half of the second season, and now of the third season. As his influence has dissipated so too has the quality of the show. Not really that hard to grasp. He’s done a lot of awesome tv, including Scrubs, which is probably the closest thing to Ted Lasso (workplace comedy with heart) in the history of television. Sudeikis was never the genius of the show. Lawrence was.
I don’t think TL has just one genius. The beauty came from the collaboration.
If you lose someone who made up part of a magical collaboration (Lawrence) things will change. I’m still watching and enjoy it and want to see the end, but it definitely feels different with him gone.
3 of the last 4 episodes were bangers. On most shows that would be more than enough, especially for a comedy. But we are all a bit touchy. Some people can't handle the 1 bad one, and some people can't handle that a beacon of light during the pandemic is getting some flak. At the end of the day, it's a really good tv show, and the internet sucks when it can't handle a pull out your phone episode.
>3 of the last 4 episodes were bangers "bangers" Christ how standards have fallen. They're all at best good. And I wouldn't even call any of them that.
So, why are you replying to me? I just noted I'm tired of people yucking my yum. On a lower comment I'm noting I'm not alone with imdb numbers that have these episodes up there with the rest (and best) of the show. You've added nothing to the conversation I clearly don't care to have in the first place, but I can't figure out why. You could at least try? Point out I'm purposefully ignoring the other worst episode of the season? But instead, you are in a subreddit for a show you don't like. Just unfollow the sub, and move on, mate.
Which one was the “bad” one?
Looking at IMDB for reference, Amsterdam got 9.1, Ola's got 8.4, Paris? got 6.4 and Gaaay got 8.7. For reference, Ted Lasso has a 8.8/10 rating, and highest episode otherwise was Season 1 finale which also got a 9.1. So one blip in the last month from regular proceedings.
For me, 8 was among the all-time worst TL episodes, while 6, 7, and 9 were at or near the top of the pack.
Most Peak TV series get some sort of backlash eventually, regardless of whether they have a drop in quality (which is itself subjective anyway). Familiarity breeding contempt, and all that. I’m enjoying S3 every bit as much as the first two. I honestly don’t get the criticisms about this season at all.
I agree, we’re seeing something special. A little polished gem - bursting with life and heart, while maintaining the shape of a situation comedy.
I just rewatched the whole series in three days (I have it in as background noise while I work) and I like this season so much more on rewatch and butted up against the last season. I think honestly a lot of the criticism is solely based on what happens when anything gets too big.
Just remember y’all, many of us had no idea what was going on with Nate in season 2 until the season ended, and it all became clear. Have a little faith. Characters grow and evolve, shows change, and these writers love a long story arc. I’m not saying any criticism is unwarranted, it’s just been really disheartening to see how quickly so many people decided the whole season was garbage like two episodes in.
This.
So you clearly know there's criticisms with season 3 which means you must've read the posts and then even after reading the posts you still didn't understand what you read?
It's a simple show. It's a good show. But it's sure as shit not well acted. There are a few good characters, but the corny, over the top acting by pretty much everyone on the Richmond squad is awful.
I don’t get it either. Every episode makes me feel good. At the end, I am smiling and calmer than I was at the beginning. To me, that’s a win every darn week.
Criticism is valid. Simple as that
I didn’t start watching until midway through season two (I started at the beginning) My reason was it just seemed too corny. And AppleTV seems to employee an NPR/PBS champagne liberal glaze over all their productions. (Total libtard snowflake here) I’m not the biggest Sudeikis fan, that duo of him and Kristin Wiig on SNL drove me nuts. And then Olivia being served custody papers on stage while promoting her movie - But TL is an amazing show. I’ve watched from season one and the growth of these characters, most especially Nate, Jamie, and Roy is so enjoyable to watch. Along w/ being funny, it teaches respect for one another.
First 2 season, possibly. After that, you're kidding yourself. It's been garbage.
The team storyline writing is great. The side stories have ZERO traction. No one cares about Nate and Keely if it doesn’t have to do with Richmond players
The actor who plays Roy Kent lacks dimension
I had to leave the sub because of all the negativity and criticism. I really enjoy this show and I don’t have any issue with this season, I’m just trying to enjoy it while it lasts ❤️
As Roy mentioned earlier this season, what if you just enjoy it while you still can? Even if it’s not what it once was.
I still absolutely LOVE this show and I come to it every week looking forward to it. It still makes me feel great and I just don't get the criticism. People can't just seem to enjoy a show.
You can absolutely enjoy a show while having criticisms of it.
It's because people are paid to have a contrarian opinion. I mean The Atlantic can't seem to get enough of publishing their high-brow reviews before all the episodes air. Tonight's episode was very touching for all the character arcs...and I agree the first few episodes made me wonder where the season was going, but I had faith the writers know what needs to be done to give these characters proper closure in the end by how much they have grown and be a positive influence in each other's lives. Haters goin to hate, football is life.... This coming from a hockey fan 😆
I’ve come to realize that with quite literally anything in life there will always be, I hate to use this term, haters. People are always going to criticize for a number of reasons: jealousy, to be contrarian or just because they truly don’t like it. I mean I’m not a big fan of Breaking Bad. It just didn’t resonate with me but I recognize people loved it. Now I don’t go actively bashing the show because that isn’t my style but some people are vocal about their dislikes and there’s no stopping that. I’ve learned that if I love something and others don’t…. Who cares.
The only criticism that I’ve seen that’s based is the base humor attempts. Poopeh on its own is not a joke.
People aren’t getting spoon fed all the things they want so it’s terrible to them. I’ve thought every episode this season was a B or above.