Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 10, “Being Alive,” confronts and embraces change (some good, others confusing) as another new era begins at AFC Richmond. This episode, written by Brendan Hunt & Jason Sudeikis and directed by Matt Lipsey, moves at such a pace that it packs a season of stories and resolutions into 52 minutes. It’s also quickly evident that this season finale can also function as a series finale – more than the Season 3 finale does.
Similarly, this episode finds itself in a similar position as that one. Once again, it’s unclear if this is the end of Ted Lasso. That said, “Being Alive” plays with the idea of closure but doesn’t really clear the bar all that cleanly. Even so, there are a few sequences that really work – that align with what this show has always been. It’s only that they’re all too fleeting or sandwiched between moments of utter confusion, which seems to be a similar theme this season. But, when the dust settles in “Being Alive,” it feels like Ted Lasso finally finds happy(ish) endings for (most) of the characters, which is an improvement from Season 3.
MORE: Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 9: Everything Has Changed
The Truth Is Revealed About Zelda
The biggest question heading into “Being Alive” revolves around Zelda’s plan, the shareholders, and Mae’s shares. Strangely, it all plays out quite predictably – down to Zelda verbalizing her entire plan which has unfolded on-screen over the season. It’s actually so straightforward that it feels like Ted Lasso may throw in a surprise twist, but it doesn’t. Even Zelda’s motivation lacks any depth.
She wants to be heard by men in football, so she scams her way to owning a Premier League team. The irony is that the show, as this episode reinforces, has no interest in the men’s team anymore. So, it all feels a bit silly in the end. Sure, Rebecca’s forgiveness of Zelda speaks volumes of her character, but it’s not at all satisfying. Some characters are unforgivable, and that’s fine. Rupert, who had moments of humanity and nuance across his three-season arc, proves as much.
The best part of this storyline’s conclusion is Paul, Jeremy, and Baz finding out that Mae left the pub to them. The worst part is Zelda’s comments about marriage contributing to Rebecca proposing to Matthijs. Ted Lasso Season 4 gives no reason to see this as a win, especially with their last on-screen interactions. There is more general chemistry and sentiment in Rebecca and Roy’s final scene, which is truly excellent and very Ted Lasso, by the way.
MORE: Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 7 Review: Is the Power of ‘Believe’ Enough?
Roy and Keeley Take Risks on Changes
For better and worse, Ted Lasso has invested in Roy and Keeley’s relationship. It’s almost surprising how much those two characters feel like themselves if they didn’t spend three years apart in “Being Alive.” Regardless, Roy’s new job at Chelsea is a believable progression for this character. It’s also incredibly rewarding to see him, a rather self-destructive character, say that he deserves good things. This job, though, seemingly phases Roy out of the show a bit.
He will still be in London, but if the show continues, it’s likely that Brett Goldstein’s Roy Kent won’t be as heavily involved. I haven’t really begun to process that. I’m still stuck on the questions. For instance, “Being Alive” provides no clear explanation about what’s next for Keeley. Assumedly, she continues her work at Richmond. But what will that mean for the capacity of Roy and Keeley’s relationship – as a couple, as parents – on-screen if Goldstein appears less often? Will Juno Temple also be more of a guest star? Also, Roy’s leaving the club makes everything with the men’s team more unclear.
Nick Mohammend’s return as Nate is delightful – he sets up one the best Diamond Dogs scenes. Still, the reveal that he’s coaching the Polish national team confirms that Roy has been doing the impossible – coaching the men’s team by himself since Beard left. Now, with Roy gone, there is even more uncertainty around the team’s future. Yes, the men aren’t the focus of the season, but they are an important part of the show. It’s why their cameo supporting the women’s team (and Isaac cutting Beard’s hair with the assist of Will) means something. The first three seasons endeared them to us.
MORE: Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 5 Review: The Greyhounds Redefine Embarrassment
The Women’s Team Still Deserves More
The women’s team is only starting that journey, if this isn’t the end of the show, but “Being Alive” doesn’t do them many favors. The season builds to this final, sold-out match at Nelson Road, and the season finale skips right over it. There’s no real dialogue about what happened. Margy’s hairline fracture is casually revealed when it would have mattered more to see her play in the game.
That scene is also frustrating because it relies on a dynamic with Beard that doesn’t really exist in the show’s context. There are so few interactions between Beard and the team this season. Similarly, “Being Alive” delivers a few, really engaging scenes about Lizzie’s personal/professional balance, but the season doesn’t do enough with it. Then again, that’s true of most of the new characters, who this season has, sadly, barely gotten to know.
Alice remains the most clearly defined, and that works in favor of her becoming the women’s team manager. It’s more surprising that it happens so soon. Ted Lasso sets up arcs like Alice’s and Zelda’s that could span multiple seasons but reach their resolutions in “Being Alive.” Regardless, Alice becoming manager is deserved, and it’s a win that Ted Lasso shows it, unlike the game.
MORE: Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 4 Review: The Greyhounds Unite at Trivia Night
Ted Takes on a Supporting Role
The name tag at the start of the season revealed where Ted Lasso – the character and the show – would go. Still, it’s shocking to see how quickly the titular character has become more of a supporting one. This season shows so little of his personal life. The relationship with the stage manager ended as quickly as it started, and the season doesn’t suggest Ted tries dating afterward. Ted’s relationship with Henry is practically nonexistent to the effect that Ted saying he’s sorry for missing Henry’s games doesn’t land.
“Being Alive” finally gives that father/son dynamic a substantial scene when Ted opens up about Jim, but then the show cuts away from their conversation. Even Ted and Rebecca’s final (of few) Biscuits with the Boss scene has so little interpersonal communication, reflecting a weakness of the season. Ted and Rebecca’s dynamic used to be a load bearing relationship for the show. Now, it doesn’t really exist on-screen, which is such a letdown. Moreover, Ted’s speech to the team falls flat compared to past seasons – or the one earlier this season.
So, it’s a little unclear how happy one should be with Ted becoming assistant manager. There’s been so little insight into this character this season. If it’s for Henry and a better work/life balance, Ted will do even more in this new role. It also doesn’t do anyone any favors that, confusingly, Ted’s demotion comes after he inquires about the men’s team coaching absence. Regardless, Ted seems content with this ending, and the show seems to be with all the endings. Only time will tell if this is the end of Ted Lasso (Again, I haven’t processed that. This show means a lot to me!) or the beginning of something new…again.
MORE: Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 3 Review: Take a Chance on the Lady Greyhounds
Other Winning Moments:
- Richard coming to Mae’s memorial
- HR being Hugo
- Alice liking Gemma’s “weird face” in the photo
- The twins singing “The Parting Glass”
- Boots’s pint of milk
- “I just wish that she could help me with my homework again” – Henry
- Brandi Carlile singing a new version of the theme song
- Lizzie with her sons, Sean and Archie
- The new promotional video and the way Juno Temple delivers every line in the lead-up to it
- Nate and Jade are married, and they named their baby Athena – the Taste of Athens reference!
- Barbara laughing at the video while getting her nails done
- Roy getting super nerdy about the exorcist
- Beard reading 89 by Amy Lawrence
- “Congratulations, you both just met a cool person” making a comeback
- Alice wanting to be The Cat People within The Diamond Dogs
- “End of the day, love wins, and if you can surrender to the emotion of it, that informs the decisions you make, head catches up with the heart” – Nate
- Everyone, including Rebecca, wearing black arm bands for Mae
- Jenni, Phoebe, and Phoebe’s team showing up for the match
- Elaine Pinter being there, too
- The men’s team showing up to support the women’s team
- The reveal that Sam transferred to Manchester United
- Keeley’s “Referee!”
- Rebecca and Roy’s impressions of the each other
- Ted knowing exactly what happened in Rebecca and Roy’s scene even though he wasn’t in the room
- “Being messy just means being alive.” She’s like thrilled with life. “And we could all do with being a bit more alive. So what are you waiting for?” – Rebecca
- Emma Stone starring in Jane’s play with Richard Schiff
- The guys putting the photo of Mae up at the pub
- Roy keeping Phoebe’s drawings, as well as the red string
- Roy getting a note and a green army man from Ted because the Roy/Jamie parallels are important to me
- Alice was messing with Ted’s chair all along
- Mae reading Mary Oliver’s “When Death Comes”
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