TV Review: Spinning Out

This was TV Show #2/20 that I watched for my 2020 challenge. Below is a spoiler free discussion.

I loved this show so much! It was so good! It was exactly what I feel like I've been looking for for awhile. From the very first episode I was just drawn in and could not stop watching.

I loved the vibe of this show. I loved the snowy, winter atmosphere. I thought that made it pretty unique and interesting. I don't think I've ever seen a show focused around ice skating either. I've seen so many shows about football, basketball, dancing, gymnastics etc., so to see one about this sport was interesting.

I also thought the dynamic between the main three women was very interesting. It was unlike most other shows I've seen. The dysfunctional mother, but also the two sisters that are close but at the same time are kind of frenemies and rivals. I know I keep saying that everything about this show was interesting, but it just was! Almost every aspect of the show just kept me entranced because of how different it was from what I've seen before, in a good way. I liked the three womens' dynamics and interactions with each other, but as individuals I also thought they were just very interesting complex characters. And I thought it felt very believable for them to be a family. They looked like they could be related and it all just felt so real and natural.

I also just loved all the characters. I thought Justin was an interesting character that I grew to love. The skating best friend, Jenn, and the work best friend, Marcus, were both so lovable. I grew attached to them so quickly. I loved Justin's mom, Mandy. I loved that they had Johnny Weir, an actual Olympic skater, on the show.

The CGI (other than the last episode) was also shockingly good. If I didn't know the actors already, I would have thought that they were doing their own stunts. It really looked like it was their faces out there on the ice doing the crazy tricks. So that was impressive for a TV show like this to have such extensive CGI work on that.

I loved that this show was about young adults and people in their college years. It's hard to find TV shows for people in the college age demographic. Usually shows cater to high school kids or "real adults" (something like Friends).

I also loved the music in the show. It was so good.

I did have some problems with the pacing of the main romantic relationship of the show. It felt a bit rushed. But this is a pretty minor complaint in my opinion.

A big part of this show was also the main character's (and her mom's) struggle with Bipolar disorder. I don't know enough about this to say if the show handled it accurately, or in a stereotypical way. But from my perspective, I thought they used this plot line and character trait in a very thoughtful and helpful way. This wasn't just a character trait thrown in at the last minute to give the main character something interesting to struggle with. It wasn't thrown in as a one episode or one season issue that the main character will magically overcome. It was a central part of the story. It wasn't glorified or shamed. It just was a part of Kat's story. And at least from my perspective, it gave a realistic look into these struggles and gives representation to people who also struggle with the disorder. Talking about Bipolar disorder to a wider audience who don't struggle with those issues may also help normalize it and not have it be seen as strange and scary.

I was certain that this show would be given a second season. The engagement numbers I have seen (solely from audience discussions, tweets etc.) seemed high enough. I literally did not even question that it would be given a second season. But it was cancelled. I'm literally shocked. I'd have to say this show was probably one of the best Netflix originals I've seen. It captured my attention so quickly and so completely, that it hurts that they won't even be given a second season. It's extremely disappointing and maddening. Especially when considering all of the crap that Netflix chooses to renew instead.

I would definitely recommend for anyone to watch this show. It was so good! I loved it! Even though the show is already cancelled, I think it's still worth it to go and watch the first season.

I would give this show a 9/10. Have you watched the show? Let me know your thoughts down below.