The highly anticipated Season 4 premiere of "Ted Lasso," titled "Home," has debuted, bringing with it a host of familiar callbacks and subtle references that have become a hallmark of the series. The episode finds Ted back in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, three years after leaving Richmond. His reunion with his son, Henry, is interrupted by visits from Rebecca, Keeley, and Higgins, who aim to persuade him to return to coach the new women's team.

"The Wizard of Oz" Parallels Continue

Fans have long noted the influence of "The Wizard of Oz" on "Ted Lasso," and the season opener reinforces these connections. Show creator Jason Sudeikis described the premise as mirroring the classic film, with the Richmond trio acting as the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion traveling to Kansas to bring Dorothy (Ted) back to Oz (Richmond). Keeley's attire, complete with bows in her pigtails, a gingham dress, and custom ruby crystal heels, directly evokes Dorothy's iconic look. Ted's greeting of "Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!" further solidifies the "Wizard of Oz" theme. The episode's title, "Home," also echoes the sentiment of "There's no place like home."

Kansas City Celebrated

Set in Kansas City, the episode incorporates numerous local landmarks and references. A montage showcasing the city's sights as Ted drives reflects the show's grounding in real-world locations. A prominent Easter egg is the "THUNDERGONG!" marquee at the Uptown Theater, referencing an annual charity event hosted by Sudeikis to benefit the Steps of Faith Foundation, an organization supporting amputees. This is not the first "THUNDERGONG!" nod in the series, which has previously featured shoutouts to Sudeikis's friends and collaborators from his Kansas City improv days.

Homages to Classic Cinema and Comedy

The premiere also features several cinematic references, most notably to the 1942 film "Casablanca." Dialogue in scenes at Gates Bar-B-Q and on the airport tarmac allude to the classic romance, and Ted has a "Casablanca" movie poster displayed by his front door. This aligns with the episode's theme of Ted facing a choice between his two homes. The series also continues its tradition of embedding references to names significant in the comedy world. "Ms. Halpern," the grocery store clerk Ted serves, is likely a nod to Charna Halpern, a legendary improv coach and mentor to Sudeikis, or possibly Emily Halpern, who co-wrote the film "Booksmart" in which Sudeikis starred. The recurring mention of "Derek" also continues, appearing in dialogue related to Ted's ex-wife Michelle's workplace.

A Tapestry of Callbacks

"Home" is rich with callbacks to previous seasons. Viewers might have spotted Ted's old dartboard and a copy of "Johnny Tremain" in his childhood bedroom, a book his father read to him. Richmond-related memorabilia, including a Shockers pennant, appears in his office. Ted's evolving phrase "Change Your Mind" echoes his previous use of "let me sleep on it," and his Joe Arthur Gatestack shirt reappears, having been worn in the pilot episode and when he signed divorce papers.

Musical Moments and Recasting

Complementing the visual and narrative references, the episode's soundtrack includes "Kansas City" by The New Basement Tapes, a supergroup featuring Marcus Mumford, Jim James, Elvis Costello, Taylor Goldsmith, and Rhiannon Giddens. The song plays over the Kansas City montage, with lyrics relevant to the episode's setting. Fans also noted a recasting in the role of Ted's son, Henry Lasso, with Grant Feely now portraying the character previously played by Gus Turner.