Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 11 Review: Best Episode Yet?

The eleventh episode of Ted Lasso season 3, called “Mom City,” has been widely regarded as the best of the season so far. The episode focuses on the characters’ family histories and their past trauma in different ways, including Ted’s (Jason Sudeikis) reunion with his mom, and Jamie’s (Phil Dunster) emotional breakdown as he confronts his past. But the standout moment belongs to Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), who offers Nate (Nick Mohammed) a second chance, mirroring the show’s overall theme of redemption and the power of positive thinking.

Overview of Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 11

The episode begins with Ted holing up at the pub, playing an Oz-themed pinball machine as he faces his mom’s unexpected arrival. Meanwhile, Coach Beard goes looking for Nate after the latter’s emotional outburst. Roy coaches Jamie, Keeley (Juno Temple) gives Jamie advice, and Zava (Maximilian Osinski) is an impetus for Roy to coach Jamie. The episode is introspective and offers insight into the characters’ past traumas, but also features plenty of fun moments.

Parallel to Season 2 Episode: “Man City”

“Mom City” is a necessary and parallel episode to the season two episode “Man City,” where Jamie confronts his abusive father and Ted reveals that his father committed suicide when he was a teenager. The episode once again confronts the characters’ past traumas as they are confronted with symbols and family from their past and meant to reckon with what it means.

Ted and His Mom’s Reunion

Ted’s reunion with his mom is handled with grace, as it allows him more closure with her and himself. Ted confronts his mom, telling her off for letting him down while thanking her for all she did to ensure he grew up loved in the fallout of his father’s death. It’s a significant moment for Ted, and it shows that even traumatic events can be resolved with open communication and empathy.

Coach Beard’s Second Chance

Coach Beard’s storyline is a parallel to Ted’s, in that he goes to find Nate and offers him a second chance to make something better of himself. The moment works because of the way Hunt acts, leaning into the character’s livewire bravado and his dedicated performance. It’s a reminder that everyone deserves a second chance, but it’s up to the person given one to take hold of it and make something of themselves.

Jamie’s Emotional Breakdown

The standout moment of the episode, however, belongs to Jamie. Dunster has been great week-to-week with his lovable character growth and off-kilter line deliveries. Still, he hadn’t had a complete episode to sink his teeth into until now, and he tears into it! From the first moment, we see him at the podium during a press conference, and it’s only later that we see how emotionally fragile he is. He cries as he laments the loss of his wings and conditioning hair treatment, and it takes a trip to his childhood home to unravel the pieces. It’s a powerful moment that showcases Dunster’s tremendous acting abilities.

Critique of Season 3

The episode highlights how much better the season would have been if it had been more tightly scripted and focused on the characters’ development. While some of the storylines work well, others feel half-baked and do little to advance the characters or their relationships. The episode showcases what could have been if the writers had given the characters more attention and depth.

FAQs About Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 11

1. What is “Mom City” about?

“Mom City” is the eleventh episode of Ted Lasso season 3 and focuses on the characters’ family histories and past traumas, particularly Ted’s reunion with his mom and Jamie’s emotional breakdown as he confronts his past.

2. Who shines in the episode?

Coach Beard, played by Brendan Hunt, shines in the episode as he offers Nate a second chance, reflecting the show’s overall theme of redemption and positivity.

3. What is the standout moment of the episode?

The standout moment of the episode belongs to Jamie, played by Phil Dunster, as he has an emotional breakdown and confronts his past trauma.

4. What is the episode’s main critique?

The main critique of the episode is that it highlights how much better the season would have been if it had focused more on the characters’ development and had tighter scripting.

5. Will there be a season 4 of Ted Lasso?

As of now, there has been no confirmation of a season 4, and Jason Sudeikis has stated that season 3 was always intended to be the end of the series.

Final Thoughts

“Mom City” is one of the best episodes of the season, showcasing some of the best acting and storytelling of the show. However, it highlights the season’s dropped ball when it comes to character development and past traumas. Despite this, the episode is worth a watch for fans of the show and serves as an excellent showcase of the characters’ emotional depth and acting talents.