“Richmond’s Got Talent” hits Ted Lasso fans with one of its more comedic episodes. Now after the awkward — yet still funny — introductions to the new team in the previous episodes, Ted Lasso finally gets to be the coach in this installment.
In this episode, we have three lines of conflict that will more than likely persist throughout the season. Rebecca is dealing with the overwhelming reality that women’s football can be difficult to make profitable. She is also trying to find time for her relatively new boyfriend, Matt. Meanwhile, Ted, Beard and Alice host an open-call tryout to find their next starting striker after PJ Karafiol reveals she is pregnant.
What the show is doing really well right now is balancing the serious and the funny. As always, Ted Lasso follows two major storylines: There’s drama in the front office, and there’s comedy on the pitch.
Rebecca and Keeley struggle with the business side of the team. We see there’s a real chance the entire operation could go belly up because the Lady Greyhounds are struggling financially. While that storm looms over the team, however, the three coaches have some genuine fun with their tryouts.
It’s entertaining to watch their three separate and distinct personalities interact in comedic ways. For example, Alice’s sarcastic judgments of certain Richmond striker candidates contrast with the optimism of Beard and Lasso particularly well.
As for the third storyline, Matt and Rebecca’s relationship provides some comedic moments, including Matt getting stood up repeatedly while Rebecca tries to make marketing deals. However, the relationship may not serve the episode as well as the other storylines.
The show is called Ted Lasso, after all. We want to see Ted Lasso be Ted Lasso.
All in all, this is the strongest episode comedically so far. Situations such as the tryouts and the football matches create opportunities for the show’s trademark silliness. That’s when the series is at its funniest. Combining those moments with the drama surrounding the team’s success is the formula that makes Ted Lasso work.
Rating: 7.5/10