Ted Lasso Scores More than Just Goals with Zava

Laura J. Burns
Laura J. Burns writes books, writes for TV, and sometimes writes TV based on books and books based on TV. She will never, however, write a poem. She’s the managing editor of The Antagonist.

While I still love Ted Lasso, I am no longer in love with Ted Lasso. Like many people, I was disappointed in the show’s second season, mainly because it just wasn’t…well, funny.

Don’t get me wrong, Ted Lasso remained well-written and well-acted. It tugged at the heartstrings and brought moments of great inspiration. But a comedy is supposed to make you laugh. And Ted’s arc in season two wasn’t funny. Nate’s arc wasn’t funny. I struggle to remember a single lighthearted moment in either one.

And then Beard got involved in a strangely unhealthy romance. And even Roy and Keeley–fucking Roy and Keeley, sunshine itself!–headed for a breakup. None of this was amusing. A lot of what happened in season two was downright tragic.

So here we are in season three. I love the characters and so I watch the show. But is it even a comedy anymore? Thank god, or rather, Thank Zava, it is!

I was so ready for this primadonna to show up and start throwing tantrums and making rock star demands–which no doubt he will soon enough. What I was not prepared for was his schmooze level.

This is how I will handle every first day at work from now on.

I cackled like a maniac at everything Zava did throughout this entire episode. His energy is infectious. The characters seem awake and lively again.

If Zava is the catalyst for bringing Roy and Jamie even closer together and turning Roy into a true coach? While spurring Jamie on to being the football great he’s meant to be? Fantastic. And can we talk about how much he annoys Rebecca? I adore him even more for bringing back her Glorious Unapologetic Bitch persona. If he can do all this while making Ted Lasso actually funny again? He really is a legend.

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