Ted Lasso's latest episode leaves its women characters underserved
The fifth episode of Ted Lasso's fourth season centers on Alice Chilton's internal embarrassment over Ted's rapport with players, while other female characters receive scant development. The review criticizes the show for spending time on a tedious subplot involving Jane's one-woman play, which fails to add meaningful depth. Alice's storyline stands out as the episode's only saving grace.
The episode, titled "Riches Of Embarrassment," marks the fifth installment of season four and received a C+ grade from critic Saloni Gajjar. Alice Chilton's internal conflict stems from witnessing Ted's natural rapport with players she has known longer, highlighting her struggle with vulnerability. The review notes that Jane's one-woman play subplot, which involves a fake pregnancy reveal, was used to explain Beard's emotional state but fails to land as comedy or meaningful character development.
Keeley's storyline continues a troubling pattern, with the writing reducing her to a "bumbling damsel in distress" despite Juno Temple's strong performance. Rebecca's relationship with Matthijs faces new tension as he considers relocating from Amsterdam to London, which she fears will disrupt the comfortable distance of their romance. The episode also features Roy admitting he completed his ten-date assignment, though several dates were with the same woman.
This review reflects broader audience fatigue with long-running series that struggle to maintain character depth across expanded seasons. Viewers invested in Ted Lasso's original ensemble may feel alienated when beloved characters like Keeley receive diminished writing, potentially affecting fan loyalty and discourse around the show's legacy. The criticism could influence how streaming platforms evaluate creative decisions, though individual reactions will vary based on personal investment in specific storylines.