Over the past 20 years, Seth MacFarlane has become one of the biggest names in the comedy industry. Creating smash hits on FOX such as “American Dad!” and “Family Guy,” his stardom has reached new heights since the 2000s.
However, when the comedian brought the world’s first foul-mouthed teddy bear to theaters with his feature film debut “Ted” in 2012, its blasphemous premise became both a box office sensation and a pop-culture phenomenon.
More than a decade later, the popular franchise has evolved into a prequel television series streaming on Peacock that explores the mind of teenager John Bennett (Max Burkholder) alongside his stuffed best friend Ted (MacFarlane).
In Season 1, the pair brought vulgar and oddly heartfelt moments to our big screens, making me wonder if the return of the show’s second season would contain the same absurdities. Finally, Season 2 is here and it begins a year after the events of the last season.
Last season we learned that Blaire identifies as queer and came out to her family, and that John lost his virginity.
Now a senior in high school, the prequel displays a reckless dynamic between the bear and teenager through intimate moments. Often, John is seen smoking weed or trying to navigate his hormonal surges alongside Ted.
Similar to an antiquated domestic sitcom, “All in the Family,” Season 2 follows a much more episodic structure with varying plotlines each episode. This approach works in the show’s favor, as each character learns valuable lessons in the episode prior that can be applied to their future adventures.
A notable difference between the first and second seasons are revealed through the show’s tone. Season 2 feels much more confident in its punchlines and outrageous comedy as opposed to the first season’s imbalance between shock jokes and a slower television format.
This structure reveals the vulnerability of both Ted and other members of the Bennett family. In the episode “Mrs. Robicheck,” Ted grows closer to a neglected housewife. While the magic of Ted lies in his unapologetic rauchiness, this storyline reveals his underlying desire for intimacy and companionship.
Susan (Alanna Ubach) and Matty Bennett (Scott Grimes) make new appearances, juxtaposing John and Ted’s recklessness with plot points centered around a satirized lens into suburban married life.
Unfortunately, some plotlines are repeated from Season 1, particularly John’s raging hormones, quests to smoke weed and Matty’s bodily malfunctions that plague intimacy between him and his wife.
What keeps me coming back to “Ted” in the midst of its pitfalls are its odes to a nostalgic ’90s setting. VHS tapes and traditional table-top roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons insert a cozy warmth to the show’s bizarre outlook.
Matty and Susan are dysfunctional, Blaire is at political odds with the household due to her unexpected pregnancy, and John and Ted can’t seem to stay out of trouble. This family is far from perfect.
However, Season 2 of “Ted” proves that emotional anchors to the people you love will always bring you back together.
At its core, the second season of “Ted” demonstrates MacFarlane’s successful transition from theaters to the sitcom industry. With sharper writing, witty plotlines, and hilarious social, political and cultural satire, “Ted’s” jokes are more relevant than ever.
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