#because I'm still going to add my ship to my meta so sue me

[singaroundelay]

Ted Lasso Season Finale Thoughts

Because for fuck's sake, Apple, if this is the series finale — I really need to teach y'all about how to do proper marketing. For fuck's sake.

I have *thoughts* for the last episode and I want to put my prediction out there now. Oy is it long...

So we know a lot of this show is a mirror of Sudeikis' life (and we know where he is in the breakup/custody battle based on Ted's emotional state.) taking that premise...WHAT IF...

Let's look at the facts:

Dottie said about Henry missing his dad

When Henry visits he's just so sad and how much he hates having the most frequent flier miles

problems in school (Failing Science, I sympathize Henry)

the bullying (even if that was solved)

Ted's decision to go back to Kansas isn't a permanent move whatsoever — it's to bring Henry home to Richmond.

With how the penultimate episode ended, we assume that Ted's truth bomb is he's leaving. What if, instead, he asks for a brief leave of absence. Leaving but not permanently. Nate is coming back, so the team for their last game is in good hands.

What happens next can go one of three ways:

Mirroring JSuds's life: Ted sues for custody. He gets Henry during the school year; Michelle has him during the summer. And Henry gets to be raised by Ted and Trent and the rest of the himbos. (Probably NOT what will happen, but, bears being included).

Ted arrives in Kansas, and is greeted by Michelle. A Michelle who has done some soul-searching and realizing that Henry needs his dad. After Henry snubs Dr Jake... she does what's right for Henry even if it's hard for her to say goodbye.

Michelle has finally come to her senses about Jake and decides it's time to move to London.

No matter which way they go, the last episode is about bringing Henry home... not Ted returning. Because Ted's home is Richmond. That's where his support system is. This where Henry can thrive. There's no place like Richmond home.

So Long, Farewell — it's not Ted saying goodbye to Richmond; It's Henry saying goodbye to Kansas.

There's the satisfying ending to S3 that's been built up since the pilot. The show has paid off everything it's said it's going to do. But it sets up for a S4 if we get one. How? If Ted's not there when they win... he wasn't there to win the whole fucking thing.

Guess they'll just have to go for back-to-back EPL wins and win the whole fucking thing... again!

AND, because of course I have to throw some Tedependent vibes here...

The episode can still end with a lovely voice over by Trent reading from his book. It pulls back to Trent having a book signing and being swamped by adoring fans. With his partner, Ted, right at his side. 💖 And who knows, Trent might even go back to Kansas with Ted as some moral support.