Editor’s note: The following article contains spoilers for Season 3, Episode 11 of Ted Lasso.With only one episode remaining before the series’ likely end, Ted Lasso rushed to tie up any loose threads. That’s why Nate (Nick Mohammed) his redemption and decision to leave West Ham took place off-screen. It’s also why Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) was largely wasted in Season 3. However, the most confusing moment of the season probably occurred in Season 3, Episode 11, when Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) receives an unexpected visit from Bex (Keeley Hazel) and Ibu Kakes (Rosie Lou). Of course, this sudden visit anticipated Rupert’s downfall (Chief Anthony), who has proven time and time again that he is irredeemable. But such an important plot point should have started earlier in the season.
What Does the Rebecca and Bex Scene in ‘Ted Lasso’ Mean?
We were first introduced to Bex in Season 1 Ted Lasso when Rebecca finds out her ex-husband is dating a younger woman, also named Rebecca. To make matters even more awkward, Bex and Rupert had an affair prior to Rebecca’s divorce. That said, while Rebecca meets Bex in the worst possible way, the younger woman isn’t so bad after all. She seems to be completely in love with Rupert and devotes her energies to raising their child. Unfortunately, Rupert was still a crook, and not long after his new marriage, he turned his gaze to another woman.
In Season 3, we are introduced to Ms. Kakes, Rupert’s new secretary. Rebecca catches Rupert with Ms. Kakes, realizes the West Ham owner is cheating on his new wife. Although Rupert’s actions were rebuked, it was not illegal to have an affair. So while Rupert is undoubtedly a sexist hog, so far his behavior is nothing but criminal. But with Bex and Ms. Kakes pays a surprise visit to Rebecca, Ted Lasso might put Rupert at the center of a sexual assault case.
We know Ms. Kakes suddenly disappears from the series. And when Rebecca questions Rupert about his secretary, he claims Ms. Kakes was fired for allegedly inappropriate workspace behavior. It’s a false claim, to be sure, and Rupert may have tried to cover up the affair by firing Ms. Grandpa. Still, if Rupert’s current wife and Ms. Kakes cooperates and even enlists the help of the millionaire’s ex-wife, we can consider something more serious than the affair going on behind the scenes. But while we’d all love to see Rupert’s reckoning, the three women should have joined deep earlier this season.
Rupert’s calculations don’t have to be rushed
While we still don’t know for sure which of Rupert’s reprehensible actions led Bex and Ms. Kakes visits Rebecca, it’s plausible to assume the three women will team up to expose the millionaire’s toxic behavior. As a man of power, Rupert made use of his secretary, which was reason enough to go after the crook. Unfortunately, there is not enough time Ted Lasso to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.
Ted Lasso likes to mix fact and fiction by taking inspiration from real issues plaguing the sports industry. So it’s no surprise that the show explores how old white men think their money bought them the right to abuse women. Nevertheless, this is a sensitive topic that should not be rushed, which will happen next week. That’s because there’s only one episode left in Season 3 Ted Lasso, which may be the show’s final season. And writers can only fit so many storylines in an hour.
If Ted Lasso ending with Season 3, the series had to use the last episode to say goodbye to Ted, explain whether Richmond would win the championship, give all the individual players the farewells they deserve, reintroduce Nate to his position as coach, reveal whether Sam (Toheeb Jimoh) will never escape Edwin Akufo’s persecution (Sam Richardson), finish Keeley and Roy (Brett Goldstein) relationships, and make decisions about Rebecca’s romantic future. How are they going to explore Rupert’s downfall and how to properly address the issue of workplace sexual harassment? That’s not possible! So, does Apple TV+ finally greenlight a new season, pushing some of these plot points into the future, or risks rushing through another important subject that deserves more attention than Ted Lasso can be provided at this time.
Early this season, Ted Lasso already abusing Keeley’s leaked intimate videos to move plot points that have nothing to do with him. And while the show emphasized putting the blame on the hackers who got hold of Keeley’s personal videos instead of the women who decided to make these videos in the first place, the entire affair was undone in just a few episodes. So while the illegal exposition of women’s bodies is a pressing problem, the series ignores it and moves forward instead of giving everyone a good time to understand the magnitude of this problem. We loved this show, Season 3 had severe pacing issues that continued to spoil important storylines about serious issues, and Keeley provided an unfortunate example of how Ted Lasso will probably overcome Rupert’s predatory behavior.
Rupert is Ted Lassothe biggest villain, and we love that he will finally face the consequences of his actions. But sexual harassment isn’t something the show can take for one episode and say their job is done. Also, for Rebecca and Bex to bond, they need a good amount of time exploring their relationship. And even worse realized Ms. Kakes didn’t even include a first name Ted Lasso, only appears for a few minutes of runtime. Finally, Miss Kakes reappears after having several worrisome encounters with Rupert, but this is another story development that takes place off-screen.
It makes sense for the three women to team up against Rupert and show sorority power against the patriarch. Unfortunately, this plot was introduced late in the season, and we have little hope Ted Lasso will treat this storyline with the attention it deserves.
Last episode of Ted Lasso Season 3 arrives on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, May 31.