'Ted Lasso' Season 3 Premiere: Bad Rankings and Breakups Make for a Melancholy Return to Richmond

etonline.com:

finally returned on Wednesday, debuting the first episode of its third — and likely final — season. However, for a show that's built a reputation on gentle, feel-good comedy, it seems like the final part of the journey might be a bit heavy, as nearly all of our favorite characters start out the season dealing with some darkness in their lives.First, there's Ted (Jason Sudeikis), who is starting to have some existential questions about why he's still across the pond after all — especially after a long visit from his son, Henry (Gus Turner), and a viral moment when he's spotted taking the AFC Richmond team down into the London sewers. (It's a metaphor!)Then there's Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), who's become obsessed with the fact that Richmond is last in nearly every pre-season ranking, while West Ham United is toward the top of each list, headed up by the sinister combination of her ex-husband, Rupert (Anthony Head), and former Richmond kit man Nate (Nick Mohammed).

And finally, Keeley (Juno Temple) and Roy (Brett Goldstein) save the biggest heartbreak for last, confirming that the tension between them at the end of season 2 did ultimately lead to a split — though it seems they don't see eye to eye about whether it was a «break» or a «breakup.»Ultimately, by episode's end, there are some things to feel good about.

Ted refuses to play ball when Nate calls him out in a live press conference, instead turning the joke back on himself and killing his former assistant with kindness.

And Rebecca realizes that the best way to deal with her anxieties about Rupert are to «let Ted be Ted» — at least for now.As for the final reveal that Ted's ex-wife has a new «friend» who is giving Henry expensive gifts?