ada

- Henry making some of the same soccer/football terminology gaffes that Ted made (since he’s used to U.S. soccer), and in every case it’s word-for-word dialogue from Season 1.

- Ted babysitting Beard’s child at some point, and it’s the same vibe as Mr. Incredible dealing with Jack-Jack’s powers. Henry was a polite baby and did not prepare Ted for a Beardling.

- Phoebe getting Roy and Keeley back together through parent-trap-style shenanigans.

- Ted Lasso gets more hugs. also, let him succeed as a father despite his deepest fears.

- we learn anything about Keeley’s family. or hobbies. or friends beyond those she makes in the workplace. or give us an explanation for why she doesn’t have those things.

- Rebecca in a nuanced but heartwarming stepmom storyline.

- Jamie is gone because he’s being a football god on a dominating Champions league team. he and Roy are explicitly shown/described as still being friends.

- Beard’s relationship is treated as anything other than a punchline. have them break up or don’t have them break up, but no more showing us extremely toxic/abusive behavior and going “haha aren’t they weird.” beyond mistreating my guy, you’re also misrepresenting ethical weirdness.

- some kind of relationship arc between two of the players. featuring the same deeply explored character elements and carefully built up trust and understanding that Roy and Jamie got. but this time the writers let them kiss.

- something that establishes that Roy and Keeley are starting off in a healthier place before they dive Segway-first into a new relationship.

there’s lesbians covered in mud. there’s a mascot that’s 80% awesome and 20% problematic. there’s Chappell Roan over the loudspeakers. there’s legends of women’s athletics throwing the first pitch and little children watching the future unfold from the stands. there’s Springfield, Illinois. there’s misogynistic weather. there’s people in the comments section on YouTube actively explaining the rules to newbies who are interested in the sport for the first time because it exists for them too now. there’s some rough times in the outfield. there’s stars from banana ball and little league and the olympics. there’s insane comebacks in the final inning. there’s commentators breathlessly anticipating a future full of equal access to development programs and athletic specialists. there’s a lot of wind.