‘Ted Lasso’ Season Finale Recap: Family

Season 3, Episode 12: ‘So Long, Farewell’

So, it’s a wrap!

Last week, “Ted Lasso” completed or semi-completed many of the story lines still lingering as it neared the close of its three-season run. Nate received the necessary permission from a terrifying Coach Beard to return to AFC Richmond. Jamie rediscovered his confidence on and off the pitch by letting go of his hatred of his father. (Rebecca had achieved a similar measure of emotional peace by letting go of her hatred of Rupert an episode earlier.)

Roy and Keeley, who had seemed reunited in that prior episode, now seemed … maybe reunited? After a stunning win against Man City, Richmond, originally picked to land at the bottom of the Premier League standings, was now on the verge of playing for the title. And it was finally acknowledged, explicitly and irrefutably, that Trent Crimm’s hair is “fabulous.”

As the episode closed, Ted was preparing to offer Rebecca a major “truth bomb” of the kind she had given him near the close of Seasons 1 and 2. Alas, he was interrupted by the credit sequence. Or was he? Brandi Carlile’s cover of “Home” from “The Wiz”— one of several references to “The Wizard of Oz” in the episode — was perhaps more a continuation of Ted’s confession than an interruption.

Which brings us to the finale itself, which sure seemed like a series-ending episode even if no one associated with the show is willing to confirm that it is. I guess we’ll have to wait to see whether Beard, Roy and Nate carry forward “The Richmond Way,” to quote Trent Crimm, now that Ted is back in the States.

To offer a quick roundup:

• Yes, the title had me wondering about “Sound of Music” references, too. That said, I did not expect anything quite so literal as a team performance of “So Long, Farewell.” It was fun nonetheless.

• Ted decided to return to Kansas, and to Henry, as we all knew he would.

• Nate rejoined AFC Richmond — as the kit man? No, scratch that: the assistant to the kit man? That said, the happy-ending montage suggests he will be getting a promotion from Roy, Ted’s replacement as Richmond’s manager.

• Roy and Jamie acted like complete idiots, and Keeley seems glad to be done with both of them. What a mess.

• Did you fall for the opening fake out with Rebecca and Ted? Not me. I never lost faith. And with every minute of the finale that passed, I knew we were getting closer and closer to our reunion — yes, ours — with the Dutchman.

I will have more to say about all of this as quickly as I can sort out some thoughts and write them down. (Don’t wait up!) But in the meantime, feel free to begin the weekly discussion that has been such a large part of this “Ted Lasso” experience.

More soon!