‘Ted Lasso’ 3×08 Review: “We’ll Never Have Paris”

Ted Lasso 3x08, "We'll Never Have Paris"

Ted Lasso 3×08, “We’ll Never Have Paris,” instills hope that perhaps this show won’t hear its final whistle — at least not anytime soon. Instead, the narrative turns in this episode land as though Ted Lasso is gradually approaching something other than a series finale with four episodes left. The confirmation, one way or the other, likely won’t become evident until Season 3 concludes later this month.

Consequently, the lack of clarity regarding the show’s future increases concerns about the show’s pacing. While that could be a tool to encourage a more patient viewing experience, it clashes with the irony that Ted Lasso struggles to extend that same patience. “We’ll Never Have Paris” kicks off with another significant time jump that spans at least four winning matches for AFC Richmond. While Ted Lasso can only showcase so many games, the characters and their relationships lose meaningful time within every flash forward.

The Devil’s in the Ambiguity – Or Is It?

Because of his narrative prominence, the timeline’s obscurity mainly works in Ted’s favor. “We’ll Never Have Paris” turns the show’s pacing into another turning point for Ted with Henry, from whom Ted often feels disconnected. The ambiguity is frustrating regarding Ted’s dynamic with Michelle (That final shot could mean anything! Hopefully, Ted continues to move constructively from here.), but it works with Henry. Ted’s concerns about Michelle moving on culminate in a heartfelt conversation between Ted and Rebecca about Henry. That character-driven discussion is honest, necessary, and long-awaited.

Ted and Rebecca haven’t shared “biscuits with the box” since Ted Lasso 3×01, “Smells Like Mean Spirit,” and they haven’t shared a more extended conversation since Ted Lasso 3×04, “Big Week.” That level of delayed satisfaction makes it easy to lean in when Jason Sudeikis and Hannah Waddingham finally share the small screen again.

Rebecca agreeing to help Ted and realizing the guidance he needs is not to take another step away from The Crown & Anchor but to move toward his son is good stuff, whether the writing results in Ted and Rebecca as romantic partners or not.

It’s just as great as every word that Beard says to Henry. It only takes three seasons to see the dynamic between Beard and Henry, and the wait is worth it for Beard to meet Henry where he’s at, offering advice to help him through this tumultuous time. Brendan Hunt is excellent — so present — in those scenes. It’s a treat to see Rebecca and Beard look out for Ted and Henry, beautifully contributing to the chosen family Ted Lasso crafts with care.

Diamond Dogs and Love Hounds

One person with whom Ted Lasso‘s timeline unravels is Nathan Shelley. “We’ll Never Have Paris” loses weeks to develop Jade and Nate’s relationship, only catching up with them when they’re ready to define their relationship. Yet, the episode never concretely explains why the couple would be a good fit, and the vignettes into their dynamic aren’t sufficient.

Jade speaks only about Nate’s accomplishments, leaving little room to understand her and her motivations at A Taste of Athens or beyond. Her relationship with Nate works to soften the character, pulling out semblances of Nate from Ted Lasso‘s past, but it does nothing to know Jade. While she is understandably a supporting character in Nate’s arc, it would only benefit said arc to understand Jade’s characterization more.

Instead, Jade’s individuality unnecessarily remains lost in Nate’s redemption arc. Ted Lasso doesn’t need to take such an approach with her because “We’ll Never Have Paris” finds touchstones of Nate the Great in him missing the Diamond Dogs so much that he tries to replicate them with the Love Hounds. Of course, it falls short, but that yearning for the people at his previous club is a large enough, well-intended gesture. It’s another step in the right direction, but again, not knowing if this is the final countdown for Ted Lasso puts a damper on the feelings these moments elicit.

It’s fantastic to see Nate in a relationship that supposedly works, miss the Diamond Dogs, and ponder pushing back against Rupert about Ted, but there are four episodes left in the season — possibly, the series. Nate hasn’t spoken to Ted — or anyone else — since “Big Week.” That episode also serves as a reminder that Ted isn’t the only person impacted by Nate’s actions, and the success rate of his redemption becomes increasingly more questionable the longer these (potentially final) episodes isolate him from everyone else.

Team Building and Toxic Masculinity

Ted Lasso works best when its ensemble interacts. “We’ll Never Have Paris” utilizes its cast’s chemistry best when the team has a serious conversation after the leak. Their conversation exemplifies the best of Ted Lasso in its heart and humor and highlights the effectiveness of a streamlined story. The episode introduces this leak through Keeley’s perspective because, within the show’s characters, her perspective is the most valuable in this story. She is affected by this leak, but Ted Lasso expresses awareness that the AFC Richmond players can be complicit in another one like it.

Their dialogue is authentic to the players (Some speak for the first time!), refreshingly honest, and delightfully accountable. It will never get old seeing Ted Lasso confront toxic locker room talk and transform it into something better — something constructive. Therefore, it works that Isaac steps up as a captain to encourage his teammates to be better and delete any photos that don’t belong to them (Richard crying as he does!), only to catch himself overstepping boundaries with Colin. For the script to foreshadow such a nerve-racking moment with Colin flippantly saying, “It’s my stuff. Don’t touch,” is gold.

Hopefully, Isaac won’t react in any homophobic way, but his comment in the locker room in Ted Lasso 3×03, 4-5-1 proves that Isaac still has some toxic masculinity to unlearn. Ideally, that development won’t come at the expense of Colin’s journey.

That optimism (based on the little Ted Lasso reveals about Isaac over the years) doesn’t steal the anxiety of this scene. Colin Hughes may be sitting still at that moment, but Billy Harris‘ performance vibrates off the screen as he embodies Colin’s fear. It’s impossible not to get swept up in the live-wire emotions and hold your breath alongside him, only sighing when he does. For one of the only times this season, time finally stands still.

Keeley Jones Deserves Better

It’s great that team’s discussion leads Jamie to Keeley’s doorstep to be accountable. But, while a sure sign of his development, it’s more meaningful that Jamie’s apologies aren’t selfish. Instead, they find their roots in ensuring Keeley is okay, which visibly resonates with Keeley after an episode of most people shaming or shunning her.

It’s brutal to see Roy and Keeley’s first substantial conversation since they shared the news about their break-up with Phoebe end the way it does. It’s a flashing-light reminder that Roy still has much work to do (in the next four episodes!) to unpack what he breaches in Ted Lasso 3×02, “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea.” Until then, it’s becoming more of a challenge to see any reconciliation between Roy and Keeley in the future.

Likewise, Ted Lasso struggles to make a longstanding case for Keeley and Jack. After episodes of off-screen development and vignettes into their dynamic, “We’ll Never Have Paris” finally gives Jack and Keeley the quality time they need, only to frustratingly and gradually unravel it after the show’s opening minutes. It’s a shame that the rise and fall of their relationship occur in such quick succession because the beginning of the episode shows how much they care about each other. But that isn’t enough.

Outside of her romantic relationships (past or present), it’s a joy to see Keeley Jones be so confident in her choices and draw distinct lines for her boundaries. Juno Temple plays this character with an equal measure of heart and humor on Keeley’s sleeve. Furthermore, it’s moving to see Keeley and Rebecca chatting on the couch in Rebecca’s office again — and Keeley in the football club again. Even with its heartbreaking turns that point to the rampant sexism embedded in society, “We’ll Never Have Paris” brings Keeley’s words from “4-5-1” back to mind — “there are better things ahead than any” she leaves “behind.”

None of those things, these characters, their stories, and Ted Lasso exist without writers who deserve support and fair and livable wages. That is always imperative to remember, especially the day after the first day of the WGA’s strike.

Other Winning Moments:

Mae rigging the pinball machine so “Prince Henry” can play without coins
Beard, Trent, and Roy watching Will and Henry

Everything with Will and Henry
The team playing football with Henry
Roy being annoyed Trent joined the Diamond Dogs

Roy begrudgingly being a Diamond Dog from a distance — through a window
Beard barking over the phone, and Higgins racing to make the meeting
Trent’s woof

Ted high fiving the tree in Rebecca’s office tree with less enthusiasm than before
Rebecca telling Keeley, “I’ve got you”
Ted reading Marcus Rashford’s The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Beast Beyond the Fence to Henry