The following contains spoilers from Ted Lasso Season 3, Episode 1, "Smells Like Mean Spirit," now streaming on Apple TV+.
As Ted Lasso rolls on, one of the show's most impressive, aspirational aspects is the unwavering optimism Jason Sudiekis' Coach Ted continuously embodies. He's always a positive ray of sunshine, which he imparts to colleagues at AFC Richmond, causing them to want to be better. For example, his boss, Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), has become quite virtuous, buoyed by Ted's energy, after being vengeful early on when she inherited the club.
Leslie Higgins has improved, too, reinforcing that even in the darkest times, Ted's what the club needs. Of course, his players and staff would agree because even after relegation, Ted kept lifting their spirits -- to the point they're back up in the Premier League. However, Ted's resilience and go-lucky attitude may have just been dented as the whistle blows to begin Season 3.
Ted Lasso Has Tons of New Problems
Season 3 is heaping misery on Ted early on from many fronts. Rebecca's placing pressure on him to remain in the league, going so far as to question training methods, team-building exercises and losing control over what the media have to say. It doesn't help that Nate's turned toward a darker side and bashing Ted in public, not to mention Rebecca's ex, Rupert, has that Palpatine aura, manipulating Nate to use West Ham to hurt Richmond.
Throw in the players questioning themselves, and Ted takes on a lot mentally. But while one would bet on him to overcome these rigours of the job with flying colors, his ex, Michelle, has seemingly moved on, which could trigger depression in Ted. He's had a history of panic attacks and saw the club therapist Sharon for a bit last season. But with Sharon in Australia, unless Ted finds a new therapist, this season may be too much for him.
Ted Lasso's Homesickness May Kick into Overdrive
At his core, no matter the crisis, Ted always believes in the idea of family. Ted's relentlessly shared this ethos at Richmond, which makes it special when he does get time with Henry, who flies over for a vacation. But with the kid back home, knowing Henry's spending more time with Michelle's new beau could distract the coach. This can erode his positive outlook, massively muddying Ted's personal and professional life.
In the process, it'd shake the show up drastically where fans are accustomed to Ted being the optimist. With compassion as Ted's power, he's kept spreading the idea of happy endings, but this time, Ted may end up being more human, asking himself if it's all been worth it. Part of him does believe there's something to salvage back home, after all, even if it's just to be there with Henry more. He's given so much to the job in England, and knowing his life back in America is fading away might leave Ted feeling like he has to head back, connecting to the homesickness he had early on in the show.
Couple this with him possibly thinking he might be inadequate amid all these new pressure situations on the job, and it's certainly a recipe for Ted's most daunting challenges yet, leaving fans wondering if he may flee or if he can rise above, finish the job and then try to get back to see if he can repair things back home. Ultimately, such an approach would subvert Ted's disposition as a go-lucky guy, but it would feel organic to Ted Lasso addressing mental health and how to hurdle over adversity in Ted Lasso Season 3, Episode 2 and beyond.
Ted Lasso debuts new Season 3 episodes Wednesdays on Apple TV+.