Following the gradual run of victories in its first season in terms of show's popularity, less so with matches, season two of Ted Lasso finds AFC Richmond yearning for a promotion whilst playing on a level below Premier League. Led by the titular head coach (played by Jason Sudeikis, also a co-showrunner alongside Bill Lawrence), the team is stuck playing draws and Ted also feels uneasy about the team's new psychologist Dr. Sharon Fieldstone (Sarah Niles). Meanwhile, Roy (Brett Goldstein, also a writer) and Keeley (Juno Temple) are in their honeymoon period, Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) is searching for a new spark, Jamie (Phil Dunster) is conquering a dating show instead of football and Nate (Nick Mohammed) is adapting to his new coaching gig. Oh, and a few other storylines are going on too but we only have 90 minutes here.
The series' sophomore run isn't afraid to veer away slightly from the ''feel good'' comedy traits as it also starts to pay off some seeds planted later in the first season, further improving the already incredibly interesting set of characters. Ted going head-to-head with Dr. Fieldstone gives a great arc for Sudeikis to develop throughout the season as does Roy and Jamie's strained rivalry, Dunster really coming to limelight of the two actors which is shown best in episode eight. Different kinds of friction between Rebecca and much younger player Sam (Toheeb Jimoh) also field great results, once again proving that there's a deep bench in the show since Jimoh is certainly the standout of season two, giving a really charismatic performance while the character digs deep into his Nigerian roots.
Season under the lens really only deserves a yellow card bordering on red during the ninth episode which is an intoxicated side adventure of assistant coach Beard (Brendan Hunt, also a writer). Everything about the episode looks and feels off, from the writing to tone, cinematography to pacing, none of it being up to standards. That episode aside, there's still infectious energy in the storylines and acting because editing continues to be at the level of champions (contributions from Melissa McCoy and A.J. Catoline). Can Ted Lasso score three in a row when the next season arrives?
Smileys: Characterisation, editing, Toheeb Jimoh, Phil Dunster
Frowneys: One terrible episode
Absolutely Royded up.
