The premiere of Ted Lasso season 4 made it clear that the show had many more stories to tell and made a bombastic return to the small screen. But things are different this time around, and some familiar names are nowhere to be seen. Honestly, that made a lot of sense because the show is trying to do something different and put the spotlight on Women's Football now. In the first episode, it was established that Ted (Jason Sudeikis) was returning to the UK to do what he loves the most: coach a football team. But this time, it's not the men he will be training with; it's the women.

Yes, Ted has been recruited to coach the women's team of Richmond. Although we did not know more about the group during the premiere, it seems that the newly appointed coach would have to overcome many obstacles to transform a struggling side into a united, competitive squad. If the premiere was all about Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) trying to bring Ted back to the UK, the second episode is all about the coach's introduction to the team and meeting all the important members of the squad. This week's episode takes us where it all begins: the UK. Ted has finally returned to the place that gave him fame, money, and most importantly, happiness.

He is happy to coach the team once again and cannot wait to train with the team. Well, we all know how this begins and how the world learns about the new coach: a press conference. As a result, a press conference is held to confirm the new coach, and as soon as the conference begins, it becomes clear that the media doesn't really want to know about women's football. Instead, they want Ted to talk about how the men's team is doing. From asking him about the season opener to men's salaries, the media also puts female players in the back. So, no points for guessing that the press conference was a disaster. However, what is worse to see is how female footballers are treated.

They change in a very small room, and they have only one shower. Nevertheless, Ted doesn't want those things to hold the team down and would work to make things better, while making Richmond's women's team a force to be reckoned with. But, as I said in the beginning, it is going to be a challenge for Ted, and that's what Higgins (Jeremy Swift) tells Rebecca. According to his report, launching a women's team would pose a lot of challenges, and the team might crumble if things go wrong. However, she doesn't listen to him and plans to go ahead with her plan

While others try to deal with the logistics, Ted tries to get to know his players and realizes that this team is different than the men's team, meaning he would have to make adjustments to his coaching style to earn their trust. But before he could even do that, one of the primary members had decided to part ways with the team.

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Before Ted Lasso came in front of the media as the new coach of Richmond's women's team, assistant coach Alice Chilton (Tanya Reynolds) confronted Rebecca about her decision to appoint Ted as the new manager. Alice has been part of the team since the beginning and has played a key role in moving it forward. So, it doesn't come as a surprise when she believed that she would be considered for the position of the team's new manager. However, when Rebecca told her she was not considered for the aforementioned role, she simply handed in her resignation and stunned everyone in the room, including Keeley. Rebecca accepted her resignation before Alice told her that she would stay till the end of the week so that she could help the new coach in his transition period. She even made a dossier filled with all the information about the players and what makes them an integral part of the team.

As a result, Ted tells Rebecca that he cannot wait to work with her. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much time to work with her, and as soon as he gets to know that, he makes it clear that he wants to know about the team through her. In their first meeting, Ted doesn't shy away from being truthful to Alice and tells her what others think about her. She is considered rude and a cynic, but as the episode progresses, we realize she is an amazing human being. She cares about the team and wants the side to win major titles. However, Alice feels that the management does not see her as worthy enough to lead the team, and hence, doesn't want to waste her time.

Ted understands Alice's frustration and doesn't stop her from leaving. In typical Ted Lasso style, he gives her a goodbye present, making her feel a little emotional. However, the real gut-punch moment arrives when Ted tells Alice that he knows everything about her and the reason why football meant so much to her. Alice was considered to be one of the shining names in the world of women's football. She was the next superstar, but everything came crashing down when she got injured at a very young age, prompting her to leave the game she loved the most. That is one of the primary reasons why she loves her job, because it keeps her close to her dreams.

Once Alice realizes that Ted deeply cares about her aspirations, she decides to stay with the team. Ted happily takes the present away from her and makes it clear that Richmond's team is in good hands. That is what Ted Lasso has always been about. Not every situation needs to be dealt with strategy; sometimes genuine feelings matter more than any game plan.

The world of Ted Lasso is incomplete without Coach Beard. He has not only been a mentor to the men's team, but he has also been one of the strongest supporters of Ted. They both worked really hard to make Richmond's men's team a world-class side. But things are different this time around. Beard is not talking to Ted, and his physical condition makes us believe that time has not treated him very well. Ted would love to get back with Beard and coach the women's team. Right now, Coach Beard is busy helping Roy Kent handle the men's side, and that is why he cannot work with him.

Although Coach Beard cannot work with Ted, he escapes to meet with his former best friend in a pub. However, things do not go as planned, and their meeting quickly changes to an awkward exchange. Meanwhile, Roy gets to know that Beard met Ted and realizes that it is hard for him to separate Beard from Ted. After talking to Keeley about it, Roy stitches up a plan and meets his colleague. Roy talks to him and tells him that he would have to leave the men's team because he violated the rules of the team. On the other hand, he told him that other teams might be more lenient in their approach to the guidelines. This decision gives Coach Beard the freedom to work with Ted without losing his honor.

In the ending moments of the episode, Coach Beard reunites with Ted and tells him that he cannot wait to work with him again. As they dance and jump around, it is confirmed that Ted will have Coach Beard and Assistant Coach Alice Chilton take Richmond's women's team to greater heights.

The second episode of Ted Lasso season 4 is exactly why this show became such a massive success. It is not just about humor; it is about simplicity, honesty, and true feelings. It is nice to see positivity back on the screen. With everything happening around us, we could use some of that in our lives. A magnificent episode filled with funny exchanges, positivity, and Ted Lasso's signature American accent.

The first two episodes of Ted Lasso Season 4 are streaming exclusively on Apple TV+.

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