What Ted Lasso Understands About Redemption

Published: Oct. 15, 2021, 4:45 a.m.

Season 1 and Season 2 spoilers ahead.\nThe second season of Ted Lasso ends with an image of Nate. The once kitman, recently promoted Greyhounds assistant coach is not wearing Richmond attire as we see him lead team exercises on the pitch. Instead, he\u2019s in all black, staring at the camera, as we realize he\u2019s the head coach of Westham United, the team recently purchased by season one nemesis Rupert Mannion. Just minutes before, we\u2019ve watched Nate verbally berate Ted during halftime in a game that could put Richmond back in the Premiere League.\nNate\u2019s arc, from neglected staff member to dismissive and arrogant coach, who struggles with self-loathing and insecurity, is just one of the themes we want to discuss. But a show known for the kindness and forgiveness of its characters also had much to say this year about toxic masculinity and father and son relationships. The program has also had much to say about actions and consequences, except that we feel that there were a few oversights here this season.\nMarybeth Baggett is professor of English and Cultural Apologetics at Houston Baptist University and an associate editor for Christ and Pop Culture. Her 2019 book Morals of the Story received a CT Award of Merit in our Book Awards. And she\u2019s working on a book about the philosophy of Ted Lasso with her husband, who is also at Houston Baptist.\nBaggett joined global media manager Morgan Lee and editorial director Ted Olsen to discuss how the show defines redemption, why it focused so much on father-son relationships, and what Nate can teach Christians about love.What is Quick to Listen? Read more.\nRate Quick to Listen on Apple Podcasts\nFollow the podcast on Twitter\nFollow this week's hosts on Twitter: Morgan Lee and Ted Olsen\nRead Morgan\u2019s Ted Lasso article: \u2018Ted Lasso\u2019 Won\u2019t Settle for Shallow Optimism\nFollow our guest on Twitter: Marybeth Davis Baggett\nMusic by Sweeps\nQuick to Listen is produced Morgan Lee and Matt Linder\nThe transcript is edited by Faith Ndlovu\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices