Ted Lasso season 2 went in new directions compared to the debut installment, but incorporating the mental health plot propelled the sports show to new levels. After premiering on Apple TV+ in August 2020, the critically acclaimed series starring Jason Sudeikis as the titular character returned for season 2 in July 2021. Though the streamer didn’t make the first three episodes available on debut day, which was the case with season 1, Ted Lasso season 2 gifted viewers with a longer story, consisting of 12 total episodes. Those two additional episodes were much needed considering the heavier themes and number of subplots, specifically focusing on various characters’ mental health.
AFC Richmond encountered relegation at the end of Ted Lasso season 1 after losing to Jaime Tartt (Phil Dunster) and Manchester City. Season 2 then picked up multiple games into the following season, with a struggling football club with Ted Lasso (Sudeikis), Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), and Nathan Shelley (Nick Mohammed) still leading the team. After Dani Rojas (Cristo Fernández) accidentally killed the team’s beloved mascot, Earl, the greyhound, Richmond brought a sports physiologist, Dr. Sharon Fieldstone (Sarah Niles), onboard. Ted wasn’t a major fan of the move, hinting at previous distrust with any kind of therapist, but Dr. Sharon’s presence wound up giving Sudeikis’ character a chance to face his own mental health struggles.
Despite Ted’s cheery and upbeat persona, it was clear the man had his own demons, considering his crippling panic attacks introduced in Ted Lasso season 1. His recent divorce and separation from his young son were presumably responsible for the anxiety, but Ted was obviously holding onto other secrets. Ted Lasso season 2 featured the return of Ted’s panic attacks with more severity before putting a spotlight on his past. The series also allowed other characters to dive into their struggles, whether related to football or not before Ted himself addressed the important discussion of mental health in sports, which is an extremely timely topic in the present day.
Ted Lasso’s Plot Has Always Been More Than Just Sports
One of the most appealing aspects of Ted Lasso has been the fact viewers don’t need to be experts in sports to enjoy the series. Sure, fans of football (or soccer for US viewers) get a kick out of the scenes set on the pitch and the strategic dialogue when Ted and the coaches prepare for matches. Still, Ted Lasso has never been purely about football despite being often categorized as a sports show. At times, the series would even bypass game sequences to jump into the locker room reactions or post-game interviews. To appeal to more general viewers, the show quickly leaned into becoming very character-driven with an array of real-life conflict.
Through two seasons, Ted Lasso has done a good job balancing the notion of sports and drama. Aside from Ted’s struggle with relocating and the effects of his divorce, the series put an early focus on the workings behind the scenes of a professional club with tensions between the players and the owner, Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham), harboring a dark truth regarding Ted’s hiring. And still, some viewers thought those lingering plots of drama weren’t enough. After the Apple TV+ show drew criticism for the lack of conflict, season 2 upped the stakes by introducing several storylines. The follow-up season featured romantic conflicts, workplace squabbles, the team’s relegation status, and of course, a deeper dive into the effects of poor mental health.
Mental Health Struggles Took Focus In Ted Lasso Season 2
As mentioned above, the notion of mental health was in play with Ted’s season 1 panic attacks. However, the true cause of those events wasn’t revealed until Ted Lasso season 2. Before then, the series laid the groundwork with the addition of Dr. Sharon. She was initially hired to assist Dani after he experienced the “yips,” a genuine situation in which athletes suddenly forget the fundamentals of their respective sport. Ted Lasso‘s incorporation of sports psychology was relatively accurate and proved just how much Dr. Sharon’s services were needed. More importantly, it opened the door for Ted to face his past, which was affecting his current mindset.
After suffering another severe panic attack during a match, Ted sought help from Sharon. It took a few encounters, but Ted eventually revealed how his father took his own life when Ted was just a teenager. The event caused Ted to hate for his father because he felt the man betrayed his family. But after airing out the truth, Ted came to terms with his past while realizing he has some of his own to handle. Ted also shared the truth with his friends and colleagues, discussing the real reason he disappeared in the middle of the game. Sadly, Nate used that truth against Ted, but it would go on to create a bigger discussion.
Mental health struggles also came into the spotlight with several characters. Rebecca was tasked with coming to terms with her feelings toward her father following his death, while Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) struggled with his worth after retirement. Jamie, on the other hand, found another opportunity with AFC Richmond, but it led to a tense reunion with his abusive father. Nate also had issues with his confidence throughout Ted Lasso season 2 before his thirst for recognition got the best of him, putting him on a villainous path.
How The Mental Health Discussion Makes Ted Lasso More Relevant
In the Ted Lasso season 2 finale, Ted’s panic attacks were made public thanks to Nate. Though reporter Trent Crimm (James Lance) warned Ted about the forthcoming headlines, it led to a portion of the public criticizing Ted’s mindset and ability to lead a team. Granted, Ted got out in front of the discussion by speaking on the matter during the post-game press conference. He instantly brought up the article from Trent Crimm to share the truth about his own recent struggles with anxiety. Most importantly, Ted shared his “overall concern about the way we discuss and deal with mental health in athletics.” The scene cut before the character could expand on his opinions, but the fact that Ted felt the need to address the matter showed growth in Ted’s journey. The discussion also made Ted Lasso even more relevant, further elevating it as a sports drama series.
The correlation between mental health and sports is a very timely topic in today’s world. There has always been a stigma that athletes and even coaches should separate themselves from reality in the hopes of performing to the best of their ability. Letting outside factors affect performance has often been seen as a weakness, but that’s no longer the case. Real-life figures like gymnast Simone Biles and tennis superstar Naomi Osaka have used their voice to prove how mental health and self-care should come before sports and careers.
Of course, with those brave truths came criticism from those who can’t understand how sports are more than just forms of entertainment. Ted Lasso season 2 even allowed Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) to briefly diss controversial TV personality Piers Morgan, who has been a criticizer of athletes who take time away from their sport to work on mental health issues. Ted Lasso, however, used the plot to build a tough but meaningful discussion. With a need for sports psychologists on the rise for professional teams throughout all sports, the Apple TV+ seems to understand how important it is to portray all aspects of athletics, whether positive or negative.
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