Ted Lasso and the obvious Wizard of Oz parallels, re: the start and end of season zooms.
Very loose thoughts as I get distracted from work...
All three of Dorothy's companions believe themselves to be in need of something, and all three together make up aspects of self worth and self confidence. The things that Ted both tries to impart on others AND what he needs to see in himself.
Season 1: Rebecca is The Tin-Man. She's reminded she has a heart, reconnects with her emotions in rejection of cold revenge.
Season 2: Nate is the Cowardly Lion, who found his courage—but at a cost.
Season 3: Which scarecrow needs a brain? In the book this is more about wisdom than straight up smarts, and the wizard leaves the Scarecrow in charge when he leaves.
So who will be the scarecrow? aka Season 3's zoom in/out?
Although I'm firmly hoping for Beard, this theory would go with a very popular choice in the Fandom: Roy Kent, who has been slowly developing as a wise leader of the Richmond team across three seasons with aid from Ted, Keeley, Jamie and (of course) Phoebe.
With Season 2's ending for Keeley and Roy, Jamie and Roy, and Nate's departure, Roy will be set up for an interesting arc that will challenge how we've come to know him. Perhaps this is exactly how he becomes the wise leader he needs to be, and takes on the mantle of Richmond when Ted returns to Kansas.
