If you’re just getting intoTed Lassonow and you’re not sure whether or not to continue with it, at least get to a key season 1 episode before giving up.Ted Lassois one of the best shows to binge-watch right now;with its feel-good tone and optimistic outlook, it’s the ultimate comfort show. Getting into a new TV show is a big time commitment, and most shows take a couple of episodes — or even a couple of seasons — to really find their feet and become truly great (and worthy of that time investment).

Unless the humor lands right away, it can be tough to get intoTed Lasso. It started off as a standard half-hour sitcom; a fish-out-of-water culture-clash comedy about an American football coach relocating to London to coach a completely different type of football. But throughout its first season, it became clear that this was more than just a typical sitcom. It’s a more emotional and uplifting experience than that, andTed Lasso’s first great episodeproved that.

Ted lying with Henry in Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso Season 1, Episode 5 Is A Turning Point For The Show

“Tan Lines” Is Ted Lasso’s First Big Emotional Punch

Ted Lassois a wonderful little TV comedyfrom the outset, but it doesn’t transcend the sitcom genre to become a truly great show until season 1, episode 5, “Tan Lines.” In this episode,Ted’s estranged wife Michelle and his son Henry come to visit him in London. The first episode had ended with the revelation that Ted took the job because he’d been having problems in his marriage and his wife wanted some space, whichadded some depth to the character and his optimistic facade.

The first few episodes of Ted Lasso all have positive ratings on IMDb, but “Tan Lines” is the first top-rated episode of the show with an impressive score of 8.9 out of 10.

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But “Tan Lines” isthe first episode to really explore that inner conflict. Michelle tells Ted that she doesn’t love him anymore, putting immense strain on his positive thinking and upbeat attitude. “Tan Lines” is the first big emotional punch of the series and sets the tone for it being more than just a comedy. The first few episodes ofTed Lassoall have positive ratings on IMDb, but “Tan Lines” is the first top-rated episode of the show with an impressive score of 8.9 out of 10.

What Makes “Tan Lines” One Of The Best Ted Lasso Episodes

It Proved Ted Could Carry His Own Series

WhenTed Lassowas first announced,there was some skepticism that a one-note sketch character created for NBC Sports commercials would be able to sustain a whole series. “Tan Lines” was the first episode that proved Ted would have enough development to carry his own show. It introduced the internal struggle to remain hopeful in the face of personal turmoil.Ted Lassowould go on to have many great episodes, but they all built on the emotional tone established in “Tan Lines.”