In Ted Lasso, Healthy Masculinity is the Norm, Not The Exception

A short essay on the significance of displaying healthy masculinity as the default.

Written by Olivia Shalhoup.

America and the UK have found common ground in our favorite TV show, Ted Lasso. The writers have never shied away from thoughtful commentary, and Season 3 has been no different.

From Sam’s relationship with his dad, to the ever-evolving and newly loving relationship between Roy and Jaime, and finally to the significance of a support group such as the Diamond Dogs, in the Ted Lasso universe, healthy masculinity is the norm, not the exception. And as subtle as it is, this, for a mainstream television show, is a revolutionary act.

In many shows where toxic masculinity is attempted to be disassembled, it shows toxic as the default, and the man who overcomes those behaviors rooted in patriarchal values is framed a hero for doing so, above his fellow men, the exception. In Ted Lasso, however, it’s the rule.

Perhaps one of the most moving scenes in the season lies in Episode 10, when Jaime takes off his warm-up coat to reveal Sam’s “24” on his back during the global games that Sam was unfairly left out of. Jaime’s 180 turn to his teammate that he once tormented shows that growth and love between men is the standard set within the team, and the show.

Another scene that unquestionably shows healthy masculinity and the strength of male friendships based on love and acceptance, is the relationship between Trent Crim and Collin. Upon finding out Collin is closeted, Trent’s immediate reaction, without fail, is to offer support. Trent becomes a confidante for Collin as the rest of his futbol team follows suit later in the series, embracing his identity without question or stutter.

When unhealthy masculinity attempts to rear its head in the characters - most significantly through the show’s villains of Jaime’s father and Rupert - it is quickly made the focal point of a problem that needs to be fixed. Additionally, a display of rejecting toxic masculinity comes in the form of the relationship from Nate and Rupert. Rupert serves as the series villain - and during an attempt to bring Nate into his world of disrespect for women, Nate boldly rejects his attempts - therefore turning Rupert and his behavior into the outlier and showing Nate’s true character - which ultimately brings him back to the team at Richmond.

The decision to portray healthy masculinity as the status quo in Ted Lasso was nothing short of intentional, and in short, groundbreaking. In today’s society, media is constantly portraying unhealthy versions of masculinity, and on the rare occasion that the pattern is broken, it is an outlier. Ted Lasso has effectively flipped the script, and set the standard for healthy interactions between men.