Back in 2021, TED LASSO delivered one of the all-time best holiday-centric episodes of television with CAROL OF THE BELLS (S2 E4). DON’T JUMP AROUND MUCH ANYMORE probably won’t go down as a classic as that episode did, but it’s still absolutely delightful, and it never tries to be something it’s not.

This week a fan favorite from earlier seasons makes a grand return! In keeping with our spoiler-free theme, I’ll drop a few hints. This character was one of my favorites from earlier seasons. If you read any of my S1-3 reviews of TED LASSO, you might be able to easily figure that out. I also think this character had perhaps the absolute best story arc as far as character growth goes in the earlier seasons, outside of Ted himself. And if you’re still stumped, my last clue is that the spouse of this performer directed episodes 4 & 5 of this season!

The writers got us quickly caught up on what this character has been up to the past few years in a clever and perfectly fitting way. Their storyline wove into our S4 plot so well that it was almost as if they’d never gone. It was genuinely fun to watch this person come back into the fold, like they’ve been waiting in the wings for the camera to turn in their direction. It also brought us another TED LASSO dance scene. I couldn’t have dreamed up this return any better than it turned out.

The second reason I really loved this week’s outing is that we FINALLY pushed forward on a side plot that’s been stalling all season. The dynamics between two of our major characters shifted largely. It might not be what we all wanted, but something needed to happen after A LOT of beating around the bush for the last five episodes. Personally, I was thrilled with how it played out. There’s still a long way to go with this storyline, and we know it’s important to the TED LASSO universe, or they wouldn’t spend so much time on it. But “hooo-wee!” as Ted would say. Something had to give.

An incredible addition to S4 has been Tracey Ullman as Zelda Southport, a loud, eccentric, and very wealthy benefactor who becomes a financial backer of the Lady Greyhounds. For those who might not know a lot about Ullman, here’s the skinny. She’s an iconic British comedian who made a name for herself in the USA 40 years ago with THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW on Fox. The show had quirky sketch comedy and Paula Abdul as a choreographer, and it launched the longest-running primetime scripted TV show in America: THE SIMPSONS. Yes, before Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie spun off with their own animated show, they were a part of THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW. And honestly, if you’ve never seen those very early animated shorts, stop reading this and go look them up. One icon gives birth to another icon. Ullman steals almost every scene she’s in this season, and we get to see her A LOT this week as Zelda hosts a wild and weird New Year’s Eve party and invites the Greyhounds as her guests of honor.

On the quieter and more wholesome front, S4 has given us more time with Ted and his ex-wife Michelle (Andrea Anders). These two spend basically the entire episode in proximity to one another and their son Henry. Jason Sudeikis and Anders have great chemistry, not romantic exactly, but they play off each other well and look like a couple who could have been married. Grant Feely, who plays Henry, is well cast (and a recast from earlier seasons); he looks exactly like he could be their kid. It’s taken a long time for Ted and Michelle’s post-divorce relationship to reach a point where they can talk comfortably, but every scene of them catching up together is a net positive for the show.

Another fantastic piece of this week’s show involves a very funny, if short-lived side plot with Beard. I appreciate how actor (and show co-creator/writer) Brendan Hunt always finds a way to weave real-life stories about himself into Beard’s mysterious past. Plus, if you’re a person of a certain age, especially single and over 40, you’ll most likely relate to this in a big way.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to make sure I drive home how well-written DON’T JUMP AROUND MUCH ANYMORE is. I’ve struggled with earlier episodes juggling too many plotlines. Not this week. Writer Dylan Marron expertly balances a lot of characters and their interlocking stories in the air. Every single beat this week felt poignant, purposeful, and deserved. I may not have mentioned everyone, but no one got left out. It was great to get time with Coach Alice (Tanya Reynolds) off the pitch. A bunch of the Lady Greyhound players had their moments too, including a clever scene tying off a plotline from an earlier episode. The show didn’t need to go back to this. But it did, and it was earnest in all the ways TED LASSO excels at. Kudos to Marron for this well-rounded episode. There was never a dull moment, and everything from the big arcs to the little moments felt like it mattered.

TED LASSO drops a new episode every Wednesday (but sometimes late Tuesday nights) on AppleTV+.