Season 2 of Ted Lasso introduces a love triangle between three characters that proves the show doesn’t lack drama. The Apple TV+ dramedy series follows the titular coach (Jason Sudeikis) as well as other key members of the fictional club, AFC Richmond, as they navigate the perils of professional football (soccer), complex relationships, and personal growth. Early episodes of season 2 received criticism from audiences who felt that it lacked any real conflict and was relying solely on its established feel-good reputation.
The latter half of season 2, however, has been wrought with drama. From dark revelations about Ted Lasso’s father, to Dr. Sharon (Sarah Niles) being hit by a car, to Nate’s bitterness bubbling up in the form of cruelty, it has become clear that the relatively unfettered positivity from the start of the season was merely a brief reprieve before the show went diving into dark narrative waters. In season 2, episode episode 10, “No Weddings and a Funeral,” Jamie (Phil Dunster) professes his love for Keeley (Juno Temple) who, despite having dated Jamie in the past, is in a loving and happy relationship with Roy (Brett Goldstein). The moment comes at the peak of some tension between Roy and Keeley revolving around their different methods of coping with death. Making it worse, it happens just before Roy comes forward and apologizes to Keeley while also telling her he loves her.
This moment proves that Ted Lasso season 2 is not lacking in drama, and it even provides a different type of conflict to what the season has presented so far. Whereas most of the major conflict in the second season has revolved around characters’ internal struggles, this is the first potentially serious, conflict between different characters at the club. It’s also unique in that it’s the first discord of the show in which the audience may disagree on how it should be resolved.
The only other example is Ted Lasso‘s Nate (Nick Mohammed) taking his anger out on Will (Charlie Hiscock) which, although horrible, has yet to create any real ripples in the club. The love triangle, however, is between the club’s star striker, head of media, and coach. It’s difficult to imagine an outcome that wouldn’t dramatically affect AFC Richmond as a whole. This grounds the show’s conflict in its original setting, a football club, and creates stakes that the audience haven’t seen since season 1. While some characters have had severe drama with others in season 2, it has only really been between members of the club and outsiders. The most notable example is between Jamie and his father, but this type of conflict primarily serves to unite Ted Lasso’s AFC Richmond crew against the opposing force.
The love triangle is also singular in Ted Lasso season 2 because it creates a conflict that will divide viewer loyalty. In the show’s previous drama, the desired resolution has been fairly clear. Audiences knew that Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) needed to confess to Ted in season 1, that Jamie needed to grow up, and that Ted needed to open up about his mental health. The love triangle, however, will leave many divided because both options could now be happy endings for all three characters. Jamie has finally heeded her advice from season 1 and learned to take responsibility. He has morphed from a childish bully into an honest and likeable young man. Roy has also experienced a lot of personal growth in season 2 of Ted Lasso, largely due to Keeley’s influence. Both men have put in the work to become the type of partner that Keeley deserves, and who viewers hope she ends up with will spark some debate.
Whether audiences end up on Team Jamie, Team Roy, or somewhere in the middle, Keeley certainly has a big decision to make. Spurning the affections of either suitor could have major ramifications both for her relationship with them and for all of AFC Richmond. The love triangle brings a welcome level of complexity to the show’s conflict, and it undoubtedly proves that there is no lack of drama in Ted Lasso season 2.
