So I was a little bored and I came around this on Netflix. Thought it was going to be a light fun show to watch. Planned on watching one episode that evening Bing watched the full 10 episodes on one night. It was surprisingly good! I got really drawn into the story. I really enjoyed it!
291 Reviews
Netflix nailed it
loek-frederiks2 January 2020
Splendid
ks-605002 January 2020
First of all, I'm not a fans of sport theme related drama. As it goes end the same way always. But this one totally make me addicted once watch the 1st episode. I think the key reason is it touches many aspects in what we are encountering and dealing with in our lives. A seriously injured figure skater recovered from the shadow of her scary experience. Her family problem, friends betray, partnership and love life more or less are what exactly we deal with in our real life. 2ndly, I am amused by the actors being an athlete. Can't imagine how much they practice and make the filming get done. It is extraordinary. Watching they skate just like watching competition on TV but enriched by all their background with tears and endless effort contributed. The storyline is predictable but the details inside is very mind blowing. The message is clear and simple - never give up. We know this but it reminds me once after watching this. Everyone life has its own problems, just the matter of how you position it. Also, when watching Kaya acting, it reminds me Emma Stones. Will see.
Amazing
abbiewhittall3 January 2020
Addictive, artistic and suspenseful
annadunn-174111 January 2020
Between the beautiful choreographed skating routines and gorgeous costumes the series shows the hardships of the sport and everyday life and family. Well developed characters with a small backstory for each main character in each episode which I enjoyed. It discusses mental health, the tribulations of race and wealth, familial relationships, sex and friendship. I really hope the show continues on to another season!
Predictable on so many levels, yet I can't stop watching
effyforever9 February 2020
Yes, it's full of clichés. Yes, there are characters that really doesn't need to be there. Yes, a lot of the issues doesn't make sense. And yes, they tried to tick every box of political issues in today's society.
And somehow, I actually really enjoyed watching this. Huh, who would've thought!
And somehow, I actually really enjoyed watching this. Huh, who would've thought!
HOOKED from the start
ckluskiewicz2 January 2020
So this is the first time Ive felt compelled to write a review. I saw the previews for this and I must say, it lived up to the hype the preview set. It really addressed some incredibly important and neglected issues and kept me dying to know what was going to happen next. I binged all 10 episodes in 1 sitting and I wish there were more!!! And let's just say, I can't wait for the track lists to come out, as the music is perfect. I also really enjoyed the actors picked for the roles. The characters all had bad and redeeming qualities which made them easier to relate to, and care about, even when you don't like everything they do. Highly recommend. While the skating may be the theme of the show, it's the characters that really being this show to life
Skating AA
tinus-132 January 2020
I like it but the drinking is just annoying. These are supposed to be serious athletes trying for the Olympics but they spend just as much time in bars doing shots as they do practicing. It is just rediculous. Other than that it is very entertaining.
Can't wait for Season 2
mwil06186 January 2020
I loved this series! It hits on mental health which is close to my heart due to losing a friend to Suicide and my best friend being bi-polar!! Mental health needs to be talked about and this show did it and did it WELL!!! I've experienced the manic side with my friend. Way to go Netflix!! Keep bringing more like this
Damn
hayleerouser5 January 2020
Overall, the idea of the series was very good. However, the way it was portrayed was not as good. The way they talk about bipolar disorder in general doesn't feel very realistic as i grew up with someone who struggled with it and it definitely wasn't something obsessed over or made a big secret. Also, the lines just seemed very forced and out of place sometimes, but I watched it to the end for Kaya. Honestly, kind of disappointing, but Kaya was still very well in it. I just think the mom's character was very awkward and not an accurate portrayal of bipolar disorder. It made her seem incredibly toxic and never being a good place for her kids to confide. However, Kat was the opposite, so I am very conflicted. Definitely worth a watch if you have free time, but don't get your hopes up too high.
Amazing!
christophersinambela9 May 2020
Great show. Horrible acting
jillorourke-972-14079121 January 2020
It was great!
ecerazioglu1 January 2020
I miss kinda these shows actually. Kaya is killing as always also show is too. I like the real talks. I love when Netflix does something actual simple but also mix it with the real things. I mean I can't reconcile bipolar with skating but these show made that. Anyway give it a chance to this show!
What a nice surprise to start off 2020!
aarongnr3 January 2020
This show really caught me off guard. I thought I'd give it a try because I like sports dramas so I'd probably enjoy it.
But damn! This is actually a really good show.
What I like most about this is that it has very multilayered and quite believable characters.
And it also adressen mental health, child abuse and other very important topics and it does it in an intruiging and entertaining and way.
The only thing that's not so good is the acting, but it got better as the season progressed, and I didn't really mind.
Great start to 2020. Looking forward to season 2! Have a great year everybody!!
The only thing that's not so good is the acting, but it got better as the season progressed, and I didn't really mind.
Great start to 2020. Looking forward to season 2! Have a great year everybody!!
Quite different - refreshing
kq9994 January 2020
I am sure most are going to say it is the same old story-a night time soap-but it is not. This story seems to jump back and forth from just that-a story-then some reality thrown in. Touches on some very serious issues and they are presented well. There is just enough skating to keep skating fans happy and non-skating fans from being bored.
Some good actors involved. I just love January Jones-perfect as usual. I hope if there is a 2nd season that they scrap Johnny Weir-do we really have to put up with him. He is not a good actor-in fact he is not an actor-he does not fit in well-he is the reason I cannot watch figure skating-when he is the commentator, it's always about him and his god like statements that distract from the skater and their talents.
Some good actors involved. I just love January Jones-perfect as usual. I hope if there is a 2nd season that they scrap Johnny Weir-do we really have to put up with him. He is not a good actor-in fact he is not an actor-he does not fit in well-he is the reason I cannot watch figure skating-when he is the commentator, it's always about him and his god like statements that distract from the skater and their talents.
Good, but had the potential to be Great.
jester-4056420 January 2020
I liked this series. But it could have been so much better.
First off, there is WAY to many characters. The primary focus should have been on Kat & Justin and their rise as a partnership in skating (and more). With their families & coach being the secondary characters - instead there is another (at least) 10 supporting characters on top of that (!!!). Dial it back a bit.
Secondly, cut back on the episodes. 8 probably would have fit better. I don't need to see endless subplots about the non core characters.
Third, less social commentary. Marcus could have been a great character. But his only major story arcs (apart from being infatuated with Kat) were 'white people are racist'. If it happened once? Ok fine. But he had 5 separate incidents of 'white people bad' in 5 episodes and it got boring & repetitive real quick. And it made him two-dimensional.
As to what I did like. Justin (Evan Roderick) was the highlight of the whole series, and I kind of wish he was the main protagonist over Kat. I liked that in the first episode you thought has was going to be the stuck up rich guy, but over the season he ended up being the nicest and most supportive of those around him. Although I did find it weird that out of the 20 supporting characters Justin is the only one without any close friends. I mean, they even highlight Marcus & Jenn's extra friends (apart from Kat), but Justin has no one? Strange and a bit sad. Dasha (the coach) & Mandy (stepmother) were also great to watch. The music choices when they were skating were also strong. Beethoven, Romeo & Juliet, Midsummer Nights Dream. Nice choices. And the dances themselves were great to watch. Also, the fact there was no weird CGI faces like in I, Tonya, was a major plus! :)
As to what I did like. Justin (Evan Roderick) was the highlight of the whole series, and I kind of wish he was the main protagonist over Kat. I liked that in the first episode you thought has was going to be the stuck up rich guy, but over the season he ended up being the nicest and most supportive of those around him. Although I did find it weird that out of the 20 supporting characters Justin is the only one without any close friends. I mean, they even highlight Marcus & Jenn's extra friends (apart from Kat), but Justin has no one? Strange and a bit sad. Dasha (the coach) & Mandy (stepmother) were also great to watch. The music choices when they were skating were also strong. Beethoven, Romeo & Juliet, Midsummer Nights Dream. Nice choices. And the dances themselves were great to watch. Also, the fact there was no weird CGI faces like in I, Tonya, was a major plus! :)
So addictive
rivertam268 January 2020
Netflix unleashed it's new intense, adult ice skating drama on January 1st. One of my favorite actresses Kaya Scodelario of Crawl and best known from Skins stars as Kat a bi polar champion figure skater who suffered some trauma when she cracked her skull open while doing a new move. Some time later she's been back to training in hopes of getting her coaching certification but she just can't land the move that sent her away. The drama is set at a ski resort where she works along with potential love interest Marcus and bad boy Justin a champion pair skater whose looking for a new partner. She also lives with her bi polar mother and young champion sister. As the drama unfolds we are introduced to an array of well written characters including her best friend Jenn. All of them have stories and struggles and the world is explored in a unique way. Theres also the struggles of bi polar, secret love stories, class and race struggles and more. I won't say too much because I don't wanna give anything away. But if it seems like it might interest you it's a really intriguing show and although not perfect, one I really wanna see continue.
A Nice Surprise
Kijofreg4 February 2020
I expected a lighthearted, sappy, romantic show, and instead I got a much deeper drama. I'm not bipolar (my apologies if it's *has* bipolar - in my country it's *is*), but one of my closest friends is, and from what she's told me about her experiences, and from what I've seen, the depiction in this show is relatively close to the truth. I can see from other reviews that some experience it differently, and I'm not trying to invalidate that. I'm just saying that people most likely experience it differently, because they/we are all different human beings. I do get why it can be difficult with all the stereotypes, but as someone who has to live with being degraded to a stereotype myself regularly, I also know that stereotypes are true for some of us, though not for everyone.
Overall, I really liked this show. I liked all the backstories (though some seemed to come and go only to add a little extra drama), but I do feel like they're trying a little too hard with the diversity/representation of minorities. Unfortunately, it feels a little forced at times, and some minorities are represented in a rather problematic way. But hey, at least they tried.
Could be better but not bad
serrabird14 January 2020
I'm through the first season and I like it so far. The cast is not as solid and watertight as other young adult dramas such as 13 Reasons or Riverdale, but it's still watchable. Some truly redeeming qualities are January Jones's exquisite beauty and her and Svetlana Efremova's impressive acting. Not sure if Kaya Scodelario is right for the role as she looks way too old for this role - she's like she's late 30's rather than 21. She certainly looks older than her mum and I'm not sure about her American accent, either. I'm
British and I can clearly hear British in her accent. Willow Shields is brilliant as Serena.
The show could be written with a more solid storyline and further depth into the characters. The first season is full of Tonya-esque clichés, wooden dialogue, shallow and almost comical characters, factual and logical errors. It's like the producers wanted an extended Tonya and they ended up with Young and Restless. Most characters are black and white, unrealistic and shallow. The storyline with Marcus and Alana is rather lame and pointless, whereas there could be more of Jenn's character. The one surprisingly refreshing show up is Gabe, played brilliantly by Johnny Weir, whose comical timing and flair is a breath of fresh air.
As for the factual/logical errors, there are far too many to claim artistic liberty for the writers. Which airport worker would earn enough money to afford such a perfect looking home, figure skating training for not one but two daughters and nice clothes? Which skating coach would put up one of her skaters at her own home, as skating coaches work with multiple athletes and have complex time schedules. Which psychiatric institution would discharge, or actually section in the first place, a patient without proper health insurance or financial collaterals? Who on earth would turn down Stanford Med School for skiing and almost blow that off too? How could skaters manage so much partying when it's an extremely demanding sport?
The show has good potential to develop into a great series if perhaps the writers address some of the glaring flaws for the second season.
The show could be written with a more solid storyline and further depth into the characters. The first season is full of Tonya-esque clichés, wooden dialogue, shallow and almost comical characters, factual and logical errors. It's like the producers wanted an extended Tonya and they ended up with Young and Restless. Most characters are black and white, unrealistic and shallow. The storyline with Marcus and Alana is rather lame and pointless, whereas there could be more of Jenn's character. The one surprisingly refreshing show up is Gabe, played brilliantly by Johnny Weir, whose comical timing and flair is a breath of fresh air.
As for the factual/logical errors, there are far too many to claim artistic liberty for the writers. Which airport worker would earn enough money to afford such a perfect looking home, figure skating training for not one but two daughters and nice clothes? Which skating coach would put up one of her skaters at her own home, as skating coaches work with multiple athletes and have complex time schedules. Which psychiatric institution would discharge, or actually section in the first place, a patient without proper health insurance or financial collaterals? Who on earth would turn down Stanford Med School for skiing and almost blow that off too? How could skaters manage so much partying when it's an extremely demanding sport?
The show has good potential to develop into a great series if perhaps the writers address some of the glaring flaws for the second season.
So good I watched it twice
mlimufranklin17 May 2020
It was refreshing to watch something that touched on mental health the way it did in this show. The ice skating was pretty cool to watch, triangle love story, bratty little sister, loyal best friend and unstable Mum, but the mental health factor was always underlying throughout.
This is the reality of living with mental health issues.
I was super sad to see that it was cancelled after only one season. Especially when I watched it twice within 6 months. I don't normally do that with shows. I got to love the characters for different reasons. Awesome watch.
This is the reality of living with mental health issues.
I was super sad to see that it was cancelled after only one season. Especially when I watched it twice within 6 months. I don't normally do that with shows. I got to love the characters for different reasons. Awesome watch.
Watched it during a heatwave, it helped
frogcilfruit12 August 2020
There is nothing really worth remembering about this, it might have the virtue of starting conversations on mental disorders in highly competitive sports... maybe.
Most of the issues packed in these 10 episodes (bipolar disorder, sexual abuse, racism, police brutality, teen pregnancy, abusively competitive parenting, social inequalities... and many more) were all meant with very good intentions I'm sure, but none of them seem fully researched, owned or realistically portrayed. They just kind of, laid them all there on the surface. Don't worry, it never gets really deep at all, you can watch it as a soap if you want.
I must admit, even though they all lack depth I still got attached to several characters : Kat and Carol with all their flaws, selfish, destructive and unbalanced as they are, had me rooting for them. Dasha was ok, a little bit too cliché for me but still sweet. I had more trouble with Justin even until the end, meh. But the star for me was Mandy : though only a supporting character, the character development was good and the acting too, that woman was truly great !
It's kind of a detail on the overall quality of the show, but I must say, though not a connaisseur of figure skating at all, I had my belief brutally suspended each time they tried to paste the actors' faces on the skating doubles' bodies, it had me cringing how badly it was done. And sometimes they didn't even bother, and the doubles were so evidently not the actors I don't undersatnd how they left it like that.
As I said in the title, I watched this during a heatwave in August 2020 south of France, and the cold atmosphere, the mountains, ice, snow, and desaturated colours definately helped me through it !
Most of the issues packed in these 10 episodes (bipolar disorder, sexual abuse, racism, police brutality, teen pregnancy, abusively competitive parenting, social inequalities... and many more) were all meant with very good intentions I'm sure, but none of them seem fully researched, owned or realistically portrayed. They just kind of, laid them all there on the surface. Don't worry, it never gets really deep at all, you can watch it as a soap if you want.
I must admit, even though they all lack depth I still got attached to several characters : Kat and Carol with all their flaws, selfish, destructive and unbalanced as they are, had me rooting for them. Dasha was ok, a little bit too cliché for me but still sweet. I had more trouble with Justin even until the end, meh. But the star for me was Mandy : though only a supporting character, the character development was good and the acting too, that woman was truly great !
It's kind of a detail on the overall quality of the show, but I must say, though not a connaisseur of figure skating at all, I had my belief brutally suspended each time they tried to paste the actors' faces on the skating doubles' bodies, it had me cringing how badly it was done. And sometimes they didn't even bother, and the doubles were so evidently not the actors I don't undersatnd how they left it like that.
As I said in the title, I watched this during a heatwave in August 2020 south of France, and the cold atmosphere, the mountains, ice, snow, and desaturated colours definately helped me through it !
Excellent Show
jo_scott-302583 January 2020
I was unsure of this show, thinking it was for younger viewers but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The mix of real life issues makes it interesting and whilst it is about the skating that is not the main topic. Give the show a try, very enjoyable.
Lifetime Feel But Addictive
alejandra-huggins14 August 2020
The show is kinda cheesy and it reminds me a lot of Lifetime. And yet I watched 5 episodes in one sitting. It's easy to watch. I was working on my couch while watching this show and if I got distracted by something else, I was able to jump right back in without rewinding. Definitely the type of show I didn't know I needed during a stressful time of year (work wise).
Disappointing mess
HackerFish7 January 2020
This is the first review I felt like I needed to make because I am someone living with Bipolar I disorder and have been severely disturbed by its ridiculous portrayal in this show. All I can think is the writers clearly have no personal experience with the disorder at all and needed a band-aid for their shallow writing.
Throughout the show both the mother and daughter only experience exaggerated episodes of Mania (especially the daughter Kat). I have never experienced or have met anyone that has experienced episodes of Mania like the ones Kat goes through; running 9 miles without realizing it then running 9 more and still having the energy to bounce off the walls, or staring at yourself in the mirror and hearing what sounds like "white-noise", or having amnesia from a manic episode. Ridiculous. The same kind of thing is repeated with the Lithium, sleeping for 4 days straight after going back on it, what? Do you wanna know what going on Lithium is really like writers? It's like everything is happening far away and you can't respond to it, you can barely concentrate for .5 seconds at a time, you just exist and your basic instincts are barely registered like needing to go to the bathroom, and at least for me and a few people I've met, severe nausea for like the first week. There's more to it and everyone has different reactions but still not sleeping for 4 days or taking half a pill less than prescribed and flying into a ridiculous manic episode. Also what doctor would prescribe amphetamines for a Bipolar patient? Again, ridiculous.There is more I can point out like the promiscuity but, you know, I have other things to do today.
That said there are a few things portrayed somewhat accurately. Like wanting to hide your diagnoses from everyone you know because of general ignorance and stereotypes about the condition (which this show hasn't helped in alleviating). Being obsessed with perfecting something; like with the character Kat, practicing your skating routine over and over and over and still thinking it isn't good enough.
I really did want this show to be good and a solid representation of a condition most people are still ignorant about, but it just isn't. If you watch this show please research Bipolar yourself and realize this is just a sensationalized version to add depth to one-dimensional characters in a dramatized plot about competitive skating. And to whomever reads this rant, thanks.
s2
fairytale_esh22 January 2020
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