‘Ted Lasso’ 3×12 Review: “So Long, Farewell”

Ted Lasso 3×12, “So Long, Farewell,” provides closure for some of AFC Richmond’s best while testing how long curiosity is feasible before it’s okay to be a bit judgemental. The show’s third and seemingly final season has been a rollercoaster of bloated episodes with near feature-length runtimes, and to that extent, this finale doesn’t miss the mark. However, unlike how much of this season struggles to maintain a through-line, most of “So Long, Farewell” work as a season — or series — finale.

The story hits plenty of emotional beats, and nearly every scene is chock-full of Easter eggs for eagle-eyed Ted Lasso fans. “So Long, Farewell” has so many cameos from the show’s three-season history that it’s easy to point at the screen and smile whenever another familiar face pops up. There are parallels from as far back as Ted Lasso 1×01, “Pilot,” in Ted’s locker room turned football pitch celebratory dance.

Beyond the finale’s subjective success, “So Long, Farewell” deserves a rewatch if only to catch every detail that brings this series (bittersweetly) full circle.

The Game Before the Dream-Like Storm

With Ted Lasso 3×11, “Mom City,” bringing closure to Richmond’s white whale, Man City, it’s understandable that the show’s finale would turn the team’s sights on West Ham United. The team-building in and around the game (the musical number!) is a sight after a season where the ensemble scenes have been mostly few and far between.

Though the team revealing they’ve all had a piece of the beloved BELIEVE sign is a bit cliche, it’s the kind of cliche that Ted Lasso has come to harness over the years. It works in “So Long, Farewell” because of the culture that the show cultivates within the team, which makes the episode’s misses all the more apparent.

Nevertheless, meaningful callbacks to Ted Lasso‘s history are baked into the game, creating an engaging watch beyond how well the team plays during the second half. Though it is an odd choice to end the show without seeing Richmond “win the whole fucking thing,” it’s rewarding to see Rupert crumble in real time during that match. Anthony Head is such a great performer that Rupert’s destruction comes with a response of fury and desperation rather than a one-note exit.

Although, the best part is the aftermath when Colin Hughes kisses his fella Michael in front of everyone, just like any other guy on the team does with their girlfriend. Out of all the payoffs, that scene after Ted Lasso 3×06, “Sunflowers,” is one of the most celebratory.

Did Someone Ask for a Love Triangle?

That beat with Colin and Michael is a shining example of a romance in an episode that subverts expectations in a less-than-best way.

Jamie Tartt’s series-long trajectory has been predominantly unparalleled, yet “So Long, Farewell” manages to challenge and regress elements of his development by repositioning him, Keeley, and Roy in a love triangle. It’s a bizarre choice that brings the trio back to a storyline that hasn’t persisted beyond Ted Lasso 1×04, “For the Children.” In doing so, the finale also falls back on toxic masculinity after a series of dismantling it whenever it can.

It’s strange that after a season dedicated to Jamie and Roy strengthening their relationship, they would sit at a bar and use their sexual relationships with Keeley as chess pieces in a game to see who would win her — before resorting to literally fighting over her. It’s no wonder that Keeley shuts the door in their faces. Still, even that doesn’t quite feel earned because there has been so little insight into how Keeley feels about anyone or anything — let alone a romantic relationship with either Jamie or Roy.

Beyond the narrative turn’s strangeness, Ted Lasso has little to no support for it because Keeley is so far removed from everyone else for much of the season, even in the flash forward (if that is to be believed as reality). It’s a series finale, and Keeley’s handful of lines favor a romantic storyline rather than striking a balance with her new business KBPR, which apparently is thriving with next to zero context.

Nate the Great Is Back — at AFC Richmond

This season often misinterprets which valuable parts of the story should be seen instead of said, and Keeley’s latest business venture is one of them.

Similarly, Ted Lasso 3×10, “International Break,” reveals that Nate quit off-screen and “Mom City” shares that the team unanimously decides to welcome Nate back off-screen. So, any resolution to Nate’s arc on screen starts to feel like a lost cause. Luckily, this finale delivers a much-needed yet brief conversation between Ted and Nate that spurs Nick Mohammed‘s vulnerable performance that persists until the episode’s end.

Ultimately, the perception of Nate’s forgiveness, redemption, or second chance will be subjective to the viewer.

However, “So Long, Farewell” proves that Ted Lasso is confident that Nate’s journey has been successful. It would be easier to side with the show’s conviction if some of Nate’s biggest, most pivotal scenes happened on-screen this season. Instead, this finale requires further connections of missing pieces to agree that Nate’s journey is complete and fulfilling in bringing him back to Richmond after so many off-screen developments.

Ted Gets a Happy Ending — Or Does He?

Alternatively, “So Long, Farewell” never really entertains the idea that Ted will stay in London, expressing a resounding confidence in Ted’s decision to return home to Henry in Kansas. But the episode does entertain the romantic undertones of Ted and Rebecca’s dynamic without any followthrough. That cold open isn’t a misread of the situation after a season of clues pulling the characters together.

Regardless, Ted finds his way home, but only after instilling the hope of a few spin-offs and spurring a dream-like flash forward that creates some fascinating endings for the characters. Ted’s story ends with “So Long, Farewell,” but ideas for other stories remain open-ended. For instance, Trent’s book going from The Lasso Way to The Richmond Way signals that this Apple TV+ series, too, can evolve into something new. Plus, the flash-forward after Ted falls asleep on a plane (something he mentions he can’t do in the pilot) sees Keeley bring the plan for AFC Richmond’s Women’s Team to Rebecca, inspiring a new era there, too. This football-loving found family can (and probably will) live on.

However, it will look very different if everything after Ted gets on the plane isn’t a dream. The implications of Ted not being at Beard and Jane’s wedding is already far too much to unpack. Rebecca’s romantic storyline finding its conclusion with a man whose first name remains unknown is another can of confusing worms. However, some things work in that flash-forward, like Mae, Paul, Baz, and Jeremy being shareholders in the club, Roy being AFC Richmond’s head coach, or Sam playing for the Nigerian national team at the World Cup. But the Ted of it all remains more than bittersweet, especially after “Sunflowers.”

This season allows Ted to realize that he doesn’t have to be in Kansas to feel and be at home, yet that’s where he ends up. It’s always been clear that Ted would be with Henry at the end of the series. Still, Ted doesn’t consider Rebecca’s reasonable alternative in inviting Henry (and even Michelle) to move to London. Instead, Ted sacrifices the new home he’s built over the last few years to return to Kansas and be a good father to Henry. While that may be a lesson in parenthood, it begs whether this move will jeopardize Ted’s overall happiness when there could have been a compromise that satisfactorily values Henry and Ted. Perhaps that’s a story for another day in the Ted Lasso universe.

Until Apple TV+ announces one way or another, Ted Lasso bids its loving Greyhounds adieu with “So Long, Farewell.” With it, the show leaves an overwhelmingly positive parting message that kindness, curiosity, and believing in believe aren’t fruitless in our world. This show carved permanent spots in the hearts of so many people, including myself, for providing light and levity when some of us needed it most. That’s something I know I’ll never forget; it changed me for the better. Until next time, Richmond till we die!