Fans of Ted Lasso are left with burning questions: Is there more to come for AFC Richmond, or has the story reached its conclusion? In this article, we delve into the finale, dissecting the ending to determine if it sets the stage for another season or a potential spinoff.
Back in 2020, Apple TV introduced a delightful sitcom centered around an oblivious coach taking charge of an English football team. With its light-hearted humor and heartwarming moments, the show struck a chord with audiences on an unprecedented scale, quickly becoming a phenomenon over its initial two seasons.
As the third season kicked off, fans were eager for answers: Would Richmond win the coveted championship? Could Roy and Keeley reconcile? Would the Ted/Rebecca romance become a reality?
Now that Season 3 Episode 12 has been released and is available for streaming, we finally have some answers (sort of). But there may still be lingering doubts about whether Ted Lasso has truly come to an end. Let's explore what happens and what we know.
Explaining the Ted Lasso Ending
The final stretch of the episode is packed with significant events. Here's a recap: Ted returns to the US after Richmond secures second place in the league, Rebecca sells 49% of the club but remains the owner, Rupert is ousted from West Ham, Roy Kent takes on the role of Richmond's new manager, and Trent Crimm finishes writing his book. However, a last-minute twist occurs.
The season's final game is a nail-biter, with Richmond staging a remarkable comeback from a 2-0 deficit in the second half. They needed a victory to have a chance at the trophy. Drawing inspiration from Nate's decoy tactic in the first season, Sam scores a crucial goal, clinching the win. Fans storm the pitch, and players celebrate with their partners, including Colin and his boyfriend Michael.
Unfortunately, the episode fast-forwards, revealing that it wasn't enough. Ted encounters the "ussie" guy at the airport once again, who discloses that Richmond finished second in the league.
While Rebecca had previously threatened to sell the club if Ted left, uttering the words, "If you go, I go," she ultimately decides to stay with her family as Ted returns to his own. This means that the Ted/Rebecca romance, much to the disappointment of their devoted fans, does not materialize. Coach Beard, on the other hand, confesses to Ted that he doesn't want to leave and fakes a manic episode to be allowed off the plane. Before departing, he reveals his real name: Willis.
As Rebecca leaves the airport, she encounters a young girl running toward her, who stumbles and falls. While helping her up, Rebecca looks up and sees the girl's father, the Dutchman, who happens to be a pilot. "It's you," he says, and they exchange smiles.
Jumping ahead once more, Trent Crimm is signing copies of his book, fulfilling Ted's request to change the title from "The Lasso Way" to "The Richmond Way," chronicling the remarkable season of a Premier League underdog.
Keeley returns to her PR firm, while Roy Kent is officially announced as Richmond's new manager, with Beard and Nate serving as his coaching staff. Roy also begins therapy with Dr. Sharon. We catch a glimpse of Sam playing for Nigeria's national football team, Jamie reconnects with his father, and the entire group gathers for a barbecue at Higgins' home, where it is confirmed that Rebecca and the Dutchman are now a couple.
Additionally, Keeley pitches the idea of a women's team for Richmond, while Roy, Nate, and Beard put the iconic "Believe" sign back up. Finally, we witness Beard and Jane getting married at Stonehenge, surrounded by their teammates.
The episode concludes with Ted returning home, noticeably without Dr. Jacob. It ends with Ted coaching his soccer team, encouraging a player to "be a goldfish" after a missed shot. Ted smiles as his son eagerly runs back onto the pitch, and the screen fades to black.
So, Is Ted Lasso Truly Over?
While we believe that Ted Lasso's main storyline has come to a close, there's still ample room for spinoffs.
The cast and creators of the show seem to agree that this marks the end of the core series. In an interview with Deadline, Jason Sudeikis stated, "This is the end of this story that we wanted to tell, that we were hoping to tell, that we loved to tell."
A few years ago I hopped on a plane with Coach Beard headin' to a little town in London. Tonight we play our final match.
— Ted Lasso (@TedLasso) May 30, 2023
It's like what I say about the films of David Lynch. I can't tell you what's happenin', but I sure as heck don't want it to end. https://t.co/6BZss7vh3q
The show's official Twitter account also hinted at the finality, with a tweet that read: "A few years ago, I hopped on a plane with Coach Beard headin' to a little town in London. Tonight we play our final match. It's like what I say about the films of David Lynch. I can't tell you what's happenin', but I sure as heck don't want it to end."
However, Sudeikis added, "I think that we've set the table for all sorts of folks to get to watch the further telling of these stories. Again, I can't help but take the question as flattery for what all of us that were working on the show have 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."
While we bid farewell to Ted Lasso in its current form, fans can still enjoy Seasons 1-3 on Apple TV+. And who knows, there may be exciting new ventures and narratives waiting to be explored in the future.
