Ted Lasso just sank to a new low
A surprise character death turns "Ted Lasso" into its worst, most emotionally manipulative self.
Ted Lasso Season 4's ninth episode, Mae Rides the Bus, reached a new low with its abrupt and jarring conclusion. The episode, primarily celebratory, features the team's victory and the introduction of Alice, the Lady Greyhounds' first female player. Mae (Annette Badland), the show's main older female character and Richmond's proud supporter, is killed off during this joyous moment.
This move, which comes right after Mae's final, exuberant performance, is considered jarring and cruel. Her death, which wasn't shown onscreen, was preceded by a heartfelt tribute to Anthony Head, the actor who played Mae's ex-husband, Rupert Manion. Critics argue that this sequence serves to manipulate audience emotions, as it transitions from celebrating Mae's life to immediately honoring Head.
The episode's overlong structure and the decision to kill off a beloved character to make way for a new storyline have led to a new low in the show's fourth season.
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