This will be a review with spoilers. They are impossible to avoid.

After half a positive season, Ted Lasso turned the corner a few episodes ago and in the penultimate season puts us in check with characters we’ve learned to love. And typically Lasso, in a sweet way makes reality even crueler.

The Desires and Frustrations of a Shy Assistant

Like everything on Ted Lasso, there’s a pop reference. Ted starts the episode still not noticing the increasingly obviously impatient, arrogant, and frustrated Nate and proceeds to rehearse a routine with the players. By this point, everyone but Nate loves Ted, and it shows. So the fact that the group is out of sync (the N’Sync prank) is short but important.

Nate has been the densest and most dissonant character of the season. The shy and frequently humiliated assistant was “discovered” by Ted in Season 1, rising professionally and gaining respect from everyone but his father. Toxic parents were an important issue this season, precisely to give perspective on the negative impact on people’s lives. Jamie, for example, became an abuser. Or was. Nate, it was a blackout. Ted secretly deals with panic disorder. Rebecca chooses the wrong men like her father and avoids the good ones like Sam. So it goes.

In Nate’s case, there was hope that – as in all films – he would gain the confidence to face his abuser, not become one. And here, once again, the brilliance of the screenwriters enters. Good people can turn bad.

For Nate wrapped up in his problems, Ted seems to take things too easy. I understand that he resents that in his second year as coach, Ted still hasn’t bothered to learn the basics. And honestly, so far we haven’t seen a game decision from you that has helped Richmond FC. Ted is a motivational coach, but not a sports coach, as far as we can see. He thinks of jokes, and arguments to improve everyone’s lives, but he doesn’t think about the game. So when Nate plans the moves and manages to perform the miracles, he wants the recognition that he has done ‘everything’ there. Except he chose a stab in the back over a heart-to-heart. Ted is usually kind, he was even with Jaime and Rebecca, whom he forgave without resentment for their betrayals. Will he forgive Nate? And more importantly, does Nate want her forgiveness?

Nate is in such a mess that even trying to kiss Keeley seems like a worthwhile attempt. The chat was weird and close, but she is the girlfriend of another friend who always defended him, Roy. Still, Nate wants fame, women, money, etc. Valid and achievable desires, but because Nate deals with the lack of paternal love, he doesn’t believe in himself, falling into the trap of envy, self-centeredness, and aggressiveness. That Rupert whisper is yet to be revealed, perhaps at the conclusion of the season.

The Encouraging Silence of Those Who Already Got the “New” Nate

As I said, Ted has been through so much trouble that it’s easy to see that his mind is not on his work. If he doesn’t even watch the game, imagine if he would notice Nate. Or even realized, but root for the best friend, it’s uncertain. However, Beard, Roy, and Higgins have already seen the “real” Nate. It’s not like he’s hiding. His mistreatment of poor Will couldn’t just be watched by Beard without some interference. Beard is above Nate, isn’t he? His decision not to interfere is contributing to the monster. To see how the issue will be resolved.

Every time Trent Trimm, from The Independent, appears it is to hold his breath and after all, he is the one who sends the bombshell of the season: he wrote an article about Ted’s panic attacks. It is a story that sells and is true. How does he know? Because Trent’s source is reliable. However, since Trent is a fan of Ted’s (but a terrible journalist?), he knows there’s another story to be written, and he gives Ted the chance first: he reveals that the source of the article is Nate, so the assistant is someone the coach no longer trust. Ted doesn’t fall for the trap, but we end the episode with Radiohead‘s Karma Police alluding that Nate will have his return. It will be?

Rebecca and Sam’s drama doesn’t excite me. He’s wonderful, but it’s unethical as a team owner to have a relationship with your star player. Keeley’s romantic quadrilateral, with Roy, Jaime, and now Phoebe’s teacher… for what? People can be happy in a relationship where they complete each other. Keeley and Roy must enjoy the happiness they deserve. Boring the path they risk getting in there.

Watching the final episode. Nervous!