Welcome to Wrexham Season 4, Episode 3 Review: ‘Disney FC’

Wrexham AFC co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds use popular Disney tropes to address a common perception of the club in Welcome to Wrexham Season 4, Episode 3, “Disney FC.” The episode that shuffles the docuseries’ usual structure situates McElhenney and Reynolds as the narrators, with sharp senses of humor, of this story. They bring the perfect, albeit biased, energy to a story that isn’t always told in the most favorable light.

Even as it pokes the antagonistic bear of prevalent headlines and dominant conversations, Welcome to Wrexham keeps its optimistic heart intact. In part, “Disney FC” pulls that off by introducing new people and diving deeper with familiar faces. The episode is often silly and usual, but the docuseries remains clear-sighted and moving. Like Disney movies and football clubs, “Disney FC” finds opportunities for growth in its weaker moments. 

MORE: Welcome to Wrexham Season 4, Episode 2 Review: ‘High Hopes’

Welcome to Wrexhamland

Likely, casual fans of the sport and viewers of Welcome to Wrexham are aware of the conversations around this particular football club. In fairness, McElhenney and Reynolds lay out why that is – the ties to Disney are plentiful and undeniable. Consequently, it’s more fun for “Disney FC” to lean into it rather than deny it. Why not draw comparisons with clips? That edit supports Welcome to Wrexham’s ability to cut through the absurdity to spotlight the sincerity. 

It also helps that Welcome to Wrexham can find its footing in proof of the magic. Their progress until “Disney FC” alone – back-to-back promotions – confirms that this club is, for all intents and purposes, a fairy tale. The docuseries knows this, and it illuminates evolving pieces on the business side that assist in that incredible progress. It’s interesting and hilariously meta that “Disney FC” features a Cosm event with Disney and FX executives, including John Landgraf, and McElhenney’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia costar Danny DeVito in attendance. It’s almost too many layers of Disney wrapped around the football.

MORE: Welcome to Wrexham Season 4, Episode 1 Review: ‘All In?’

This Magical Episode’s Key Players

Then again, it’s hard to fault those Disney details when the story and its key players are this good. “High Hopes” teases the club’s new signings, and “Disney FC” hears from a few. Forward Jack Marriott’s comeback story preceding an injury highlights the importance of his support system and prioritization of mental health care. Welcome to Wrexham gains context of Marriott’s injury through midfielder Ollie Rathbone, calling back to hearing about Paul Mullin’s injury from midfielders Elliot Lee and Anthony Forde. That choice draws further connections between the players that Welcome to Wrexham could utilize in even more team-building coverage, extending beyond game-time footage.

“Disney FC” also offers a closer look at goalkeepers’ experiences, with a commonality in their comments about opportunity. Whether it’s Arthur Okonkwo staying on with an injury or Callum Burton and Mark Howard stepping up, their insight contributes to understanding a player’s mindset. So, Welcome to Wrexham continues to illustrate the highs and lows of professional football in the simple but essential strength in of ensuring the players are seen as people. “Disney FC” misses that chance with the women’s side, who are noticeably absent from this Disney-inspired story, but it finds an(other) inspiring angle with executive director Humphrey Ker’s marathon prep.

MORE: Welcome to Wrexham Season 4 Brings Wrexham AFC to League One

Wrexham’s Happy Ending — For Now

The result for Ker remains a mystery for those who don’t follow him on social media. The same is true for those who don’t follow Wrexham AFC throughout their season. However, as always, Welcome to Wrexham is good at making the journey count for those who know how this ends. The edit in “Disney FC” brings weight to that false sense of security that Reynolds tees up. All of the injuries, wins, losses, and new minority investors pay off. Well, the latter has a longer road ahead, but Eric and Kaleen Allyn’s investment in the town and its people, as well as the football club, adds to the optimism of “Disney FC.”

For Wrexham AFC, this Disney-paralleled story finds payoff in a win against Barnsley. Even that doesn’t come to its storybook ending without a few hurdles. Burton’s injury and Howard’s return feel like one last twist to test the fortitude and resilience of this club. Wrexham AFC keep their heads up to deliver a win that captures the magic that earns “When You Wish Upon a Star” playing over Tinker Bell, setting fireworks off above the Racecourse. Again, it’s a bit outrageous, but sports – Wrexham AFC, included – make moments like those feel magical, as long as one is not too jaded to see it, to feel it.

MORE: Welcome to Wrexham Season 3, Episode 8 Review: ‘Down to the Wire‘

—

What did you think of Welcome to Wrexham Season 4, Episode 2, “High Hopes?” Let us know in the comments below!

New episodes of Welcome to Wrexham Season 4 air on Thursdays at 9/8c on FX and stream the next day on Hulu.