The finale of Ted Lasso Season 2, “Inverting the Pyramid of Success,” focuses on the high-stakes match between AFC Richmond and West Ham United, with the winner securing promotion back to the Premier League.
Ted deals with the fall-out of Nate’s betrayal, exposing Ted’s panic attacks to the press. Coach Beard asks if Ted is going to confront Nate, but Ted hopes Nate will come to him. Instead, in this episode, Nate’s arc completes the dark turn it’s been taking this season, as he finally succumbs to jealousy and his resentment toward his former father figure.
Sam decides to turn down Edwin Akufo’s offer and stay with Richmond, but he tells Rebecca (while pretending to speak to Ted) that it’s not because of his feelings for her, but because of his personal journey.
Jamie apologizes to Roy for confessing his feelings to Keeley, and Roy’s and Keeley’s relationship appears strong as he supports her growing career. But there are challenges developing. When the Vanity Spread fair uses only solo pictures of Keeley instead of the couple shots, Roy admits it messed with his head.
In the Diamond Dogs meeting, when Roy is talking about Jamie and Keeley, Nate tells Roy about trying to kiss Keeley — but then gets seriously offended when Roy isn’t annoyed about this. Roy’s dismissiveness adds to Nate’s worsening inferiority complex and resentment.
In the first half of the match against West Ham, Nate’s false nine play isn’t working, which Nate blames on the players. At halftime, the players decide to stay with the play, and they put their hands on the “BELIEVE” sign. Ted and Nate finally have their confrontation, where Nate tells Ted he felt abandoned by his mentor. He felt that Ted basically forgot about him, and that Ted doesn’t realize how lost his team would be without Nate’s hard work and strategic insights. Ted apologizes, but Nate is still angry.
Jamie is fouled, and gives the penalty shot to Dani Rojas, much to the surprise of his team and fans. This decision proves to be a game-changer, as Dani scores the winning goal in the final moments of the match, propelling AFC Richmond back to the Premier League.
The team and fans erupt in joy, celebrating their hard-earned victory in a moment that highlights the importance of unity, trust, and teamwork.
Even though Nate’s play does end up working, Ted comes back into the locker room to see that Nate tore down the “BELIEVE” sign.
The season concludes with Nate taking on a new role as head coach for Rupert Mannion’s team, West Ham, foreshadowing the major conflict of Season 3. AFC Richmond looks ahead to the exciting challenge of competing in the Premier League once again, while Ted grieves the loss of his former protégé to the “Dark Side.”
Meanwhile, Sam looks forward to opening a Nigerian restaurant, while Keeley can’t go on vacation with Roy because she’s too busy with her new work. The seeds of tension are set for Season 3.