Ted Lasso is worth the cost of (Apple+) admission

If you're late to the game on Ted Lasso, there's never been a better time to catch up. The first two seasons are now available for streaming on Apple+, which means if you play your cards right, you can binge it all in the span of a free trial. But even if you don't, it's certainly worth the cost, which is more than you can say for the rest of Apple+ programming. Ted Lasso tells the story of the fictional AFC Richmond soccer (or football, depending on your country of origin) team. When I first started watching, I was worried it would just be Jason Sudekis in a mustache doing bits, but there's a reason it's gotten so much acclaim. It's full of humor, heart, surprises and a delightful cast of characters. Jason Sudekis is brilliant in the title role, playing with the many layers of Ted as the characters in the show and the audience members themselves learn more about him. The show masterfully digs into the reasons behind Ted's happy-go-lucky attitude, without devaluing it or implying that it's a ruse. Ted makes mistakes. Ted learns. Ted takes steps out of his comfort zone. Ted heals from marital troubles and past trauma. Ted is someone that most of the characters admire. Ted doesn't know the many complicated rules of soccer (who does?). Ted is a great coach. Sometimes TV comedies don't lean into these complexities, but it in the world of Ted Lasso, everyone is complicated, filled with good and bad impulses, and ultimately trying to do their best. A perfect example is Hannah Waddingham's take on the brilliant but guarded Rebecca, who is reeling form her own marital troubles. She's revealed to have a villainous side to her midway through the first episode, but on this show, the "villains" aren't decidedly villainous (or perhaps not until season two...).  It's one of the many reasons Ted Lasso is a cozy watch, even when tackling more serious topics around mental health, as it does during season two. Rounding out our characters, you've got the quirky, ambitious Keeley; the gruff, lovable Roy Kent; the flaky, talented Jamie Tart; quiet, wise Coach Beard; nervous, caring Higgins; shy with an edge Nathan; and sweet and savvy Sam. Each one is delightful and compelling and watching the cast pairings come together in different combinations is always a treat. And it's funny. The humor is sharp and quick, filled with a mix of laugh-out-loud lines, chuckle-worthy quips and jokes coming at you so fast and crammed into conversations that it will take you a second watch to truly appreciate them. While I'm eagerly awaiting season three, I encourage you to watch (or rewatch) the first two seasons of this wonderful show.