Ted Lasso viewers have expressed surprise and satisfaction with the premiere of season four, quashing earlier fears that the show had lost its creative momentum. The latest installment, which began airing on Wednesday, has been met with positive online reviews, with many fans hailing the first episode as a success.
The premiere offered viewers a glimpse into Ted's life in Kansas two years after his departure from Richmond AFC, showing him working in a grocery store and co-parenting his son, Henry, with his ex-wife Michelle. The episode takes a turn when former Richmond teammates arrive, inviting Ted to coach the newly launching Richmond Women's team.
While some viewers found the shift to an American setting jarring, the episode concluded with a suggestion that Ted would return to Richmond, with Michelle and Henry agreeing to join him. This development has been a significant talking point among fans on platforms like X.
Fans took to social media to share their reactions. Comments included "TED LASSO IS BACK and it's not a failed comeback" and "Jason Sudeikis returns to his hometown of Kansas City in the heartwarming premiere of Ted Lasso season four." Many noted the episode's emotional impact, with some viewers reporting they were moved to tears. The series' exploration of women's sports and a stadium designed for women's soccer was also highlighted.
Despite initial concerns about the necessity of a new season, particularly after the third season's mixed reception, the first episode has managed to win over many skeptics. Some critics noted that the episode appeared to address narrative threads left unresolved from the previous season. "First episode of Ted Lasso was good but it was also downright an episode trying to fix all the mess they made with s3," one fan commented.
Rebecca Cook of Metro awarded the episode four stars, describing it as "decidedly less c**p than the World Cup halftime show" and appreciating its lighter tone compared to the "patronising monologues" of recent seasons. Benji Wilson of The Telegraph gave it three stars, observing its characteristic "surprisingly delicate balance between the sickly-sweet and the smutty."