Spinning Out is a show that's well-deserving of a second season, especially with all the questions we still have left after the season finale (this article contains spoilers). Drawing an accurate depiction of what a disorder like bipolar can lead to if left untreated, characters Kat Baker and her mother, Carol, take viewers through an intense ride. The show itself reveals a trigger warning, but it still doesn't prepare us fully for the realization that people do suffer from the same things, and many don't have as happy an ending as Kat and Carol.
With that being said, the show itself is brilliant and a work of someone (Samantha Stratton) who did their work as far as mental illness is concerned. The actors portrayed their characters in a believable and realistic way, making us feel as though we, too, know them personally. With the edge-of-our-seats drama we'd expect from a daytime soap, combined with the realism that is bipolar and its debilitating symptoms, Spinning Out is a nearly flawless, welcome addition to Netflix's binge-worthy shows.
Love: The Accurate Portrayal Of Bipolar Disorder
One thing the show does particularly well is showcasing what bipolar disorder is truly like. While it's far different from watching a documentary on the disorder or living with someone who has it, for those who don't know, the show paints a fairly accurate picture. From manic episodes to hyperactivity in every form, mindless ramblings, and scary, unpredictable moments of rage and frustration, both Kaya Scodelerio and January Jones do an impeccable job at stepping into the life of someone living with bipolar disorder.
Not So Much: The Shame Surrounding The Stigma
While the show itself is praise-worthy, there are some who still aren't a fan of the implied stigma surrounding mental illness. With so much work being down toward normalizing disorders (such as bipolar), it almost seems like a step backward for a show to surround it with a feeling of shame.
Granted, this is something that many who have the disorder do feel, but, at the same time, it remained a prevalent and overwhelming theme throughout the entire season. Until the finale, the main characters were not able to breathe a sigh of relief—a message that isn't encouraging nor is it positive.
Love: Kaya Scodelerio (Kat) Found Healthy Ways to Detach Herself
In an interview with Bustle, Kaya Scodelerio said that bipolar disorder was an issue personal to her, but she did need to find ways to separate her character from herself. At the end of a long day of filming, she stated that she was thankful to have such a great system in her husband and best friend, helping to 'bring her back' after an intense workday. Furthermore, she researched the disorder herself, as well as the world of figure skating, bringing to life the character of Kat in so many more ways than just purely acting.
Not So Much: Cliffhangers Without The Promise Of A Second Season
The show did answer some questions and brought a bit of closure to the main characters. Both Kat and Justin had reconciled, Kat, Serena, and her mother managed to find a middle-ground, and Dasha seemed to get her happy ending as well. However, there were some things left unsaid—such as whether or not Kat and Justin had actually made it with their long skating routine.
There was also an uncertainty left regarding Jenn and her relationship with Dr. Parker, who had an inappropriate relationship with Serena. We also don't know what happened to Marcus and Alana after he left for a summer of intense ski training, and we're really hoping for a second season full of answers.
Love: Family Dynamics Surrounding Mental Illness
It's easy enough to understand how challenging and difficult life can be for someone suffering from bipolar disorder. It affects nearly every single aspect of your life, but many don't realize that it affects relationships, too.
Spinning Out did an incredible job of defining precisely how much damage this disorder can do, especially when medication isn't taken or things change suddenly. Instability is all part of bipolar disorder, but that, in combination with a sudden upheaval or change of plans, can cause chaos—even for the ones closest to them.
Not So Much: A Semi-Unrealistic 'Happy' Ending
That's not to say that there aren't people who can successfully manage their bipolar disorder without any issues or relapses. The problem is that when the rest of the world is watching, it's not always realistic to have such a happy ending—and one that's solved so quickly when it comes to severe disorders such as bipolar.
We stand behind and applaud the ending that Spinning Out gave us, along with the feeling of hope and positivity, but this is not always the case for everyone. It takes far more sometimes to restore a balance than what the show encomes, and it doesn't necessarily send that message.
Love: The Raw Emotion
Every single actor and actresses in the show gave their all when it came to bringing their characters to life, that much was obvious. It's one thing for Kat and Carol's characters to be full of raw emotion, but we were thoroughly impressed with the rest of the cast as well in their responses to such intense situations. Each one was unique in their interactions, providing a tone of voice, expression, or gesture that was just as equally matched.
Not So Much: Chaotic Side-Stories
The final few scenarios that occur toward the end of the show were a bit muddled in comparison to the overall storyline. Serena's sudden romantic affair seemed a bit rushed and appeared as a giant question mark in between Kat piecing together her own life. Similarly, James hearing of Mandy's well-kept secret (and then getting over it just as quickly) also felt like a bit of an add-on, deepening their story just a bit but doing so far too close to the finale.
Love: The Unsung Heroes, Those Who Stick Through It All
While Kat and Carol were the main spotlights of the show, we have to give a round of applause for every ing character: to Justin for not understanding initially but coming around to love Kat despite the disorder that plagues her.
To Mitch, who stuck it out with Carol through thick and thin, from getting water for her to take her pills every day to dealing with her impulsive ex-husband. Additionally, to Serena, who went through every manic episode with both her sister and mother and found the strength to fight for them all. In real life, these people are just as important.
Not So Much: Quick Flash Forwards In The Finale
We expected just a bit more during the finale (or nothing at all) when it came to each ing character's future storyline. While Dasha seemingly got her happy ending, Serena found a way to bring both her mom and sister together, and Mandy and James found a way to move forward, there were still some characters who were not revealed. These mini flash-forwards gave some closure but not all, and we're only hoping for a second season to answer the rest of our questions and see the whole story play out.