Welcome to Wrexham Season 4, Episode 7 Review: ‘Life or Death’

Welcome to Wrexham Season 4, Episode 7, “Life or Death,” focuses on the often sobering realities of a game (and club) built on dreams. The two constantly coexist – never in dissonance – in the season’s penultimate episode. Welcome to Wrexham frequently examines how the game contains highs and lows while emphasizing the same in the lives of those in and around the club.

The docuseries recently explored the legacy of Wrexham AFC fan Arthur Massey and former players James Jones and Anthony Forde. The latter even appears in “Life or Death” and receives a standing ovation when he comes on the pitch for Burton Albion against the Red Dragons. All of which affirms that stories in football – heroic goals, big wins, and historic promotions – resonate because of the people behind them in the club, on the pitch, and in the stands.

MORE: Welcome to Wrexham Season 4, Episode 6 Review: ‘Red Dragons’

The Dream Changes and Takes Time

In a season invested in the building blocks ahead of another promotion, it’s not only logical but beneficial for Welcome to Wrexham Season 4 to focus on the Academy more. Bryn Owen’s story illuminates the scholarship pathway to a spot on the men’s first team. “Life or Death” connects that future to the present through Owen’s friendship with Harry Ashfield and his journey, making Owen’s dreams all the more possible. It feels big – figuratively, life or death. 

As it captures that larger-than-life potential for a dream at Wrexham AFC, it’s fantastic that “Life or Death” ropes the women’s side back into the narrative. However, it circles back to a common occurrence in the docuseries in that it feels as though it consistently plays catch-up with Wrexham AFC Women. For context, “Life or Death” picks up with the men’s side in March, and the women’s side is still in February, fighting for a Top 4 spot in the title race. 

The docuseries captures that moment’s urgency, imploring Welcome to Wrexham to sit with the women’s team for a bit longer. So, it’s exciting when “Life or Death” teases that it will continue to get to know at least one of the players instrumental in getting the women’s team to this point. However, there is only time to mention the broader context – goalkeeper Del Morgan, who announced that she would retire at the end of the 2024/2025 season, has her dream job coaching Liverpool Women’s U-21s and Under-16s. Morgan’s schedule means Wrexham AFC Women sign Liv Craven and win in a true nail-biter.

MORE: Welcome to Wrexham Scores Early Season 5 Renewal at FX

Some Things Are Bigger Than Football

Unfortunately, there’s not enough time in Welcome to Wrexham’s eight-episode (down from 18 in Season 1 and 15 in Season 2) seasons. There are too many interesting developments and important people at the club, and not enough time to give everything and everyone the attention they deserve. It’s a common issue: TV seasons continue to shrink. The docuseries overwhelmingly succeeds at doing as much as possible within those constraints. For instance, “Life or Death” takes a fascinating angle in introducing forward Jay Rodriguez through his unlucky and then very lucky journey to his first goal for Wrexham AFC. 

However, this episode is the first time that Welcome to Wrexham hears from midfielder James McClean. The context is quite nerve-wracking, too, as McClean and his wife, Erin McClean, open up about a car accident he survived. Relatedly, this episode does an excellent job of capturing how football quickly becomes inconsequential yet also not entirely unimportant. “Life or Death” genuinely navigates the truth in community director Humphrey Ker saying, “It’s a horrible reminder of kind of the insignificance of football,” and the sport’s significance in another life-or-death situation with Maurice Jones at the Wycombe match.

MORE: You can read more about learning CPR through the British Heart Foundation here.

“Life or Death” captures the fear and shock, builds suspense, and creates honest relief when Maurice finally appears on camera with his family. It puts the viewer in the moment with Natalie and Jennifer Jones as best and realistically as it can. It’s impactful that Natalie and Jennifer use the platform to compel viewers to learn CPR. Overall, it’s moving to hear Maurice and his family discuss how being at a Wrexham match – in a community of people who love football and the Wycombe staff who moved swiftly to his aid – saved his life. Football, like life, changes so fast. Welcome to Wrexham tells that story wholeheartedly. 

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

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What did you think of Welcome to Wrexham Season 4, Episode 7, “Life or Death?” 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.