Fantastic first 2 seasons. Good third season. Plenty of good ideas in season 4 and things to like. (Liked seeing Keely the way she was the first 2 seasons. Liked seeing Tartt return for an episode. Liked Alice’s character and many members of the new team.). However, I think a lot of ideas missed the mark in terms of how they were executed.
(1) Coach Alice’s evolution into head coach. Good character and relatable in life. There
are many assistant coaches in sports and people in jobs with great ideas and passion who simply can’t manage people and understand people. Seeing her learn from the ultimate player relationships coach was fun tk watch, as was his promoting her for the long term good of the team given his personal life (as opposed to just becuase she was a woman)
Cringe: complaint women weren’t considered for job originally. Lasso was a legend and had a book written about his success as a coach. No fan or coach would question the hire. In fact, Rebecca would be celebrated by spending so much to bring in a Famous coach for a brand new team.
(2). Showing players struggle financially. the league in real life loses money and players get paid little - kind of like doing community theater for a career - but it’s a chance to do what they love.
Cringe: when Alice hung the believe sign and they all complained about their problems. They came off as very entitled and sour - these aren’t nurses and doctors being underpaid compared to their male counterparts and demanding equality - these are members of a league still losing millions but trying to soldier on hoping it will one day be profitable (as the wnba has improved the last few years). This was a bad look and didn’t make anyone want to root for them.
(3). Trying to increase interest in the league. The league has poor attendance, revenue, and viewership and they are desperately trying to promote it. This shows the struggle teams in britain have today. I figured they’d be doing inventive promotions, getting the men’s team to promote the women for free, etc (you know, like in the real world)
Cringe: screaming and belittling owners and fans for not investing in it as if it’s a Charity. They are charging money for their games and trying to guilt people into spending money on it. It really was unbelievable.
(4). Player tryouts. Many movies have been made of men down on their luck finally getting a chance at their dream to play. 2nd chances and all that
Cringe: Lizzy. Showing up with her son at tryouts was cringey more than relatable. Starts talking to players like they are kids and shows “leadership” and actually is named captain of the team. This is insulting to the other players and makes it look like the women’s team is pathetic.
(5). Having to balance the dream of football against a chance for a more stable paycheck. It started out looking like this as we see someone in law school trying to be recruited to play football
Cringe: Rather than having to choose between the two, she chooses both. And…..she is the top goal scorer in the league and the TOP student in her law school at the same time to the point she is going to be recommended for the top program. This was insulting all the way around. Actually, this is the worse character In the show this season. Rather than feeling blessed for a football dad and a rich home and opportunities she tries to renounce her parents wealth and privilege saying it’s “their money, not mine,”. All the stars on all the men’s teams were portrayed as lovable idiots - I have no idea what they are trying to accomplish with her but she was universally the least liked character and least relatable.
(6). Ted’s return to dating. I get it - People want to see Lasso happy and move on with his life. The thing is - The man is actually famous and is seeking age appropriate women. Yet, he can’t seem to make a connection with anyone Sad to watch but common in a dark comedy.
Cringe: Focusing on his Father role (again) as an excuse not to date. There was a popular show 60 years ago about a single father (the rifleman) who sacrificed a lot to raise his 8 year old son. The show became less popular as his son became a teenager a few seasons in. Ted shares 50 percent custody with one kid who is now a teenager. While it’s important he makes sure her is there, at this point it almost looks like it’s Ted who needs it more than his son.
Also, it really looks like he is still carrying a torch for his ex and hasn’t moved on. I’m not sure how that can’t be cringe.