Summary
The new, confusing landscape is documented beautifully, making Cheer another must-see and award-worthy experience.
This review of Netflix’s Cheer season 2 does not contain any major spoilers.
Check out our review of season 1.
There was no surprise whatsoever when Netflix’s Cheer became an overwhelming success. Applying the Last Chance U directorial drive has its benefits, but the way that season 1 documented the blood, sweat, and tears were inspiring, wholesome and thrilling. Particular praise was aimed at Monica Aldama, and rightly so. She represents the real hard work that is sorely missed from media narratives of today. She emphasizes the ideology that you can’t cheat athletics; there are no shortcuts. While some critics felt she takes it too far on young athletes, the answer is the number of championships she has achieved.
Those sentiments remain in season 2.
However, season 2 of Netflix’s Cheer comes with an unforeseen heavy, grey cloud. In a whirlwind of fame and success, Navarro is not only dismantled by the coronavirus pandemic (like Last Chance U: Basketball) but there’s a horrific criminal scandal that surfaces from within the team that involves Jerry Harris. As the viewer, it isn’t easy to swallow the information that this aspect of the series brings. However, it’s noticeable that the production team chose not to tiptoe around the issue; season 2 brings criticism, brings the subject to the team, and refuses to let anyone hide. And rightly so. To face the truth, you have to confront it head-on.
This brings a different flavor to Cheer that brings chilling goosebumps. The series has gone from a story of athletic spirit with beautiful personalities to a sandstorm of fame and system-based corruption. It’s truly a cocktail of euphoric and confusing emotions and one that will be difficult for viewers to consume and accept.
Once Cheer surpasses the elephant in the room, the energy that comes with winning Nationals returns. However, there is a greater focus on the change in landscape. Monica has enjoyed a life of social media fame, even showing up on a TV dance reality competition. This is a different phase in the coach’s life. The Trinity Valley Community College cheerleading is thirsty; they want to strike while Navarro goes through the life born from Netflix fame. They make a point of it in the early chapters; they are not about that Netflix fame, and TVCC Head Coach Vontae Johnson does not seem bothered about what the cameras mean. Season 2 showcases the giant versus the hungry dog, and it’s a spectacle of many events.
But that grey cloud is difficult to ignore, which undermines the joy provided in season 1. With every moment of drama, with every setback, we are conscious that Navarro has been rocked to the core by a seemingly unforeseen event. Season 2 demonstrates that documenting the rawness that follows such heinous crimes is a case study that is almost impossible to handle. However, the creators appear able to embrace any storm, with experience from their sibling series coming to form in Cheer.
The new, confusing landscape is documented beautifully, making Cheer another must-see and award-worthy experience.
What did you think of Netflix’s Cheer season 2? Comment below.
You can watch Cheer with a subscription to the streaming service.
