Since its debut in 2020, Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso has been a cultural phenomenon, featuring humor, heart, and sports in a way very few shows manage. After the heartfelt finale of Season 3 in May 2023, many of us assumed the story had ended, but in March 2025, the network surprised its fans by renewing the show for a fourth season.
Across its 34-episode run, Ted Lasso has done it all. It has performed remarkably well, receiving critical acclaim, plenty of awards, and, of course, endless fan love, yet not every episode was equally praised.
Sure, most of its episodes are highly rated, but there are a few that drew lower ratings despite carrying meaningful themes and crucial character arcs. And by “lower-rated,” we mean the outings that often showcased tonal shifts, risks, or slow pacing that divided the fans, but still deserved more appreciation. So, we lay out five lowest-rated episodes of Ted Lasso that deserved better than what they got.
1. Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 8 (IMDb 6.7/10)
Juno Temple in Ted Lasso (Credits- Apple TV+)
Titled We’ll Never Have Paris, Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 8 balanced several threads in one episode. After AFC Richmond rides its winning streak, Ted (Jason Sudeikis) gets hopeful as he learns his ex might not be engaged. Meanwhile, Keeley (Juno Temple) deals with her messy past and a leaked intimate video, and Nate (Nick Mohammed) feels the emptiness of life without Ted.
Honestly, this episode was more about feelings than football, and perhaps that’s the reason viewers hung the episode. However, it did earn its keep with the character seeds it planted that set up major arcs for the season. It surely deserved better for giving us the emotions and chopping the pieces instead of jumping the character’s storyline.
2. Ted Lasso Season 2 Episode 9 (IMDb 6.9/10)
Brendan Hunt in Ted Lasso (Credits- Apple TV+)
Titled Beard After Hours, this episode follows Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), who wanders all night after Richmond’s loss. After skipping the team bus, he visits pubs and an exclusive club, loses his pants, gets beaten up, and eventually finds cheer in a basement dance party where he meets Jane. Well, this whole episode is built around the mood of a single character.
No doubt viewers saw it as a self-indulgent mood-piece, but it did risk the shifts to deepen Beard’s character and also gave Brendan Hunt a chance to shine more. This episode breaks from its usual plot to explore loneliness, joy, and quiet redemption, showcasing Ted Lasso’s emotional range.
3. Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 5 (IMDb 7.2/10)
Titled Signs, season 2 episode 5 of Ted Lasso centers around a rough week for AFC Richmond as they lose badly, Zava retires, and Ted wrestles with his son’s bullying issue. Meanwhile, Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) gets her fertility test results, Keeley bonds with Jack after cleaning up a ridiculous mess, and the team revives after tearing down the ‘BELIEVE’ sign.
Overall, the episode featured scattered subplots, but it surely deserved better. Though it wasn’t loud, it quietly delivered important character work like Rebecca’s painful moment, Keeley’s growing independence, and Ted’s leadership, setting up a tour for later payoffs.
4. Ted Lasso Season 2 Episode 1 (IMDb 7.6/10)
Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Swift, and Sarah Niles in Ted Lasso (Credits- Apple TV+)
Titled Goodbye Earl, the second season of Ted Lasso opens chaotically after Dani (Cristo Fernández) accidentally kills the team’s mascot during a penalty kick. Meanwhile, Richmond’s endless streak of draws continues while Ted brings Dr. Sharon to help Dani cope with his guilt. On the other side, Roy (Brett Goldstein) struggles after his retirement, while Keeley is pushing him towards new opportunities, and Rebecca realizes she deserves better than her bland boyfriend.
Well, this episode definitely deserved more praise, especially because it perfectly sets up season 2’s deeper themes. It brings in comedy and introduces us to a game-changing character, Sharon.
5. Ted Lasso Season 2 Episode 7 (IMDb 7.7/10)
Juno Temple and Brett Goldstein in Ted Lasso (Credits- Apple TV+)
Titled Headspace, this episode follows Ted, who begins his therapy with Dr. Sharon; however, he struggles to open up, which frustrates her. Meanwhile, Roy’s constant presence post-retirement starts to suffocate Keeley until she finally accepts that she needs space, creating tension in their relationship.
Though Nate’s enjoying the media attention, he later takes out his frustration on the teammates and staff, revealing his deep insecurity. In the end, Roy resolves issues with Keeley, and Ted takes a small step towards therapy.
The entirety of this episode revolved around uncomfortable truths. It highlighted toxic behavior, personal insecurities, and the messy side of relationships. Instead of showcasing the flashy wins or feel-good moments, this episode of Ted Lasso delivered raw growth, definitely worthy of more recognition.
Ted Lasso Lowest-Rated EpisodesRelease DateIMDbSeason 3 Episode 8May 3, 20236.7/10Season 2 Episode 9September 17, 20216.9/10Season 3 Episode 5April 12, 20237.2/10Season 2 Episode 1July 23, 20217.6/10Season 2 Episode 7September 3, 2021 7.7/10
What are your thoughts on the lowest-rated episodes of Ted Lasso?
Ted Lasso seasons 1-3 are currently streaming on Apple TV+.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
