REVIEW: ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 3 Episode 7 — “The Strings That Bind Us”

Following last week’s season highlight, “Sunflowers,” Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 7 takes a step back. Adding to the overall unevenness of the season, the episode once again is split in too many directions and nears parody in some of its more saccharine moments. The episode also is one of the few that lags in its runtime. While many of season three’s episodes have neared the hour mark, this week’s suffers due to it, with many storylines deserving of their own, tightly written, half-hour installments rather than piecemeal storytelling. 

The problem is most evident in Sam’s (Toheeb Jimoh) storyline. Jimoh is one of the most charismatic actors in the series, making it so frustrating that he’s often given storylines beneath his capability. Season two was about his romance with Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham). In Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 7, it’s not that the story itself is bad but the handling and pacing of it is atrocious. Split between Nate’s (Nick Mohammed) would-be-romance, Keeley (Juno Temple) learning to be more assertive in her relationship, Richmond’s latest game plan, and more, Sam’s storyline isn’t given the time it deserves to shine. 

While “Sunflowers” inched towards the too much of a good thing side as it utilized its “feel good” mantra for a warm, escapist episode, it succeeded due to what we knew of the characters. While we’ve gotten to know Sam and his good nature and easy smile and have heard about his strong relationship with his father, the latter’s arrival is a whiplash in execution. 

In an example of trying to have it all, the hate he and his restaurant receive when he publishes public support for refugees is tame and sanctified. Ted Lasso is eager to engage in real-life problems that people face, but it’s watered down by the show’s need to be well-liked and accessible. It doesn’t want to polarize any viewers while still getting to maintain its progressive and forward-facing production.

It’s one of the few times where the series’ good intentions read false. No one is expecting the series to go full drama, and there’s merit to aligning Sam with stories of struggle. If you’re going to engage in these brands of storylines, there needs to be a greater intent, patience, and commitment that goes into their telling. By the end of “The Strings That Bind Us,” the series has seemingly wrapped up this particular storyline. 

It’s part of what makes Nate’s storyline similarly frustrating but in the inverse. We’ve spent so much time now with him and the writer’s attempt for redemption, and, again, it’s not so much that it’s not working as well as it should. He’s too removed from the rest of the cast; his redemption focused on wooing a woman rather than atoning for his betrayal of trust towards Ted (Jason Sudeikis). There’s no doubt that another confrontation between the two is coming, but how much will we care by that point, and how much of Nate’s characterization will have by then been built through this side plot that no one has any real investment in? 

It’s why anything to do with the team itself and, by extension, the training and continued character growth of Jamie (Phil Dunster) remains the highlight of the season. The team’s commentary, their dynamic, and the stunts they get up to on the field are far more engaging than a character’s love life. This ensemble is so strong and strengthened by actors like Jimoh, who brings the necessary warmth.

The singular personalities and how they ebb and flow and come together despite the fact that enormous differences in style and preferences make for some of the funniest moments on the series, in background gags, slapstick physicality, and one-on-one interactions. It’s why an opening beat at the start of the episode while a training Jamie pulls Roy (Brett Goldstein) on a bicycle through town works so well: it’s both a callback to last week while also staying in theme with the season’s storyline for the two. 

The lesser episodes at this rate will continue to be bolstered by the love built for the characters and the charming performances from the actors. Sam’s story is such a letdown because Jimoh is deserving of so much better. It just needed to be split into two episodes or given greater focus in one. 

Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 7 is serviceable but frustrating. Despite a superb ensemble cast, the season, regardless of the highlights, is showing the strain of trying to tell too many stories in engorged episodes. As we pass the midpoint of what’s likely the last season, here’s hoping “The Strings That Bind Us” is the last misfire for the remaining episodes. 

Ted Lasso Season 3 is out now on Apple TV+.