The Ted films found their fair share of fans upon release, with the first film receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, a rare feat for a straightforward comedy. After the second film saw a significant drop in both critical reviews and box office, many wondered if Ted would ever return. However, creator Seth MacFarlane still had more stories to tell with the character, developing a prequel show with the same name as the films. Earning Peacock’s biggest opening weekend viewership for an original series, it was bound that a second season would occur, leading us to today.

Season 2 of Ted once again follows a young John Bennett and his talking teddy bear, Ted, as they navigate life in the early 90s and the highs and lows of high school. Taking place shortly after the events of the first season, each episode follows John and Ted on their path toward adulthood, whether it’s filling out their college applications or seeking affection from the girls at their school. The show also focuses more on the Bennett family, including John’s loving Catholic mother, Susan Bennett, his stubborn Republican father, Matty, and outspoken Liberal cousin Blaire.

Part of what makes the Ted franchise so likable to many is its unpredictable nature. Let alone the storylines, it is impossible to predict what each character will say. From Ted randomly shouting Friends characters at a chaotic dinner table to Bill Clinton’s bizarre freak-out at a Dunkin’ Donuts, the show thrives on its randomness, keeping every scene refreshing and engaging, wondering what will come out of each character’s mouth from one scene to the next.

Despite its randomness, it somehow maintains a sense of structure and develops its characters, especially the supporting ones. Susan, played excellently by Alanna Ubach, is given a major boost this season, with multiple episodes focusing on her everyday life, finding autonomy, and her struggles maintaining relationships with everyone in her family. Whether it’s being intimate with her husband or wanting to be more involved in John’s life, much more time is dedicated to her character this season, and the strong writing and hilarious performance from Ubach make her increased screen time more than worth it.

It is extremely easy to draw comparisons between the Ted series and Family Guy, and that is even more apparent this season. The first season was told in an episodic manner, which carried over to Season 2 to a greater degree. In most cases, TV shows benefit from an overarching storyline that carries them forward, but in Ted‘s case, the episodic structure works wonders. The show’s purpose is to showcase John Bennett’s life as an adolescent, which offers many creative opportunities for the writers. A series like this would falter if the timeline were rushed, but Season 2’s decision to showcase different scenarios within a single period in John and Ted’s lives makes for a far more engaging and enriching experience, especially in terms of the comedy.

One could watch the Ted show and take it solely as a stellar comedy, but it also works as a social commentary. The series pokes fun at the political climate of the early 90s, with numerous jokes involving Ronald Reagan, JFK, and a shocking Bill Clinton cameo. It also displays the divide between Liberals and Conservatives with the relationship between Blaire and Matty. Although the show leans more toward one side of the political spectrum, it makes a solid effort to showcase how empathy can bridge people together, no matter what side of politics someone lies on, and in a time of harsh political climates, it makes for an overall satisfying experience. Shows, especially comedic ones, that dip into politics sometimes struggle to find a fine line, but Ted Season 2 stands as one of the standout examples of doing it right.

Although the episodic structure works overall for the show, where it faltered is in the development of John. Although he had a few moments of character growth, he mostly stays the same person throughout the show. In a prequel show, it is far more interesting to see what one person was like in a different phase of life, but in Ted Season 2, John acts exactly like the character from the films, which was disappointing. The episodic structure also left the finale slightly underwhelming, as the season never built to anything despite what the ending may try to tell the audience. The final moment also served as a lazy way to tie into the movie, almost forcing the show to stop itself from continuing, which was frustrating as a fan.

Despite some gripes, Ted Season 2 still maintains the sharp sense of humor from the first season, proving that modern comedies can work if there’s a capable writer at the helm. Seth MacFarlane and his crew once again show themselves to be some of the strongest comedic talents we have working today, and if Season 2 truly is the last season, they went out on a high note.

All episodes of Ted Season 2 are now streaming on Peacock.

Rating: 8/10