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Netflix’s hit docuseries Cheer has returned two years after its notable debut in January of 2020. This season fills viewers in on how Navarro Cheer—and their rivals Trinity Valley Neighborhood Faculty (TVCC)—have fared in mild of an unsuspecting pandemic, a difficult Texas snowstorm, numerous controversies, and the burden of notoriety.
This time round, the present equally splits the storyline between Navarro and TVCC. Nonetheless, in season two, TVCC turns into what we liked about Navarro in Cheer’s first season: a staff that’s portrayed as immensely gifted, devoted, typically misguided, however in the end so stuffed with coronary heart that you may’t assist however root for his or her success. TVCC’s underdog narrative didn’t harm their likability both. Conversely, Navarro’s storyline turned inevitably marred by fame.
After the sequence’ launch on Netflix, Cheer turned a pop-culture phenomenon. The primary solid of season one—head coach Monica Aldama and staff members La’Darius Marshall, Gabby Butler, Lexi Brumback, Morgan Simianer, and Jerry Harris—met celebrities like Ellen, Oprah, Kendall Jenner, and even President Joe Biden. The aforementioned names amassed large followings on social media. And Aldama was invited to be a contestant on season 29 of Dancing With the Stars.
All of which introduced cash into Navarro’s cheer program, allowed among the teammates to earn cash themselves through Cameo, and promoted Navarro Cheer as the staff to be on. Nonetheless, fame typically prices. Since Cheer’s debut, there was a slew of controversies and criticism aimed towards the Navarro coaches, staff, and program. None are extra noteworthy, nevertheless, than the information of Harris’s arrest in September 2020 for allegedly soliciting baby pornography.
Fortunately, the present doesn’t shrink back from addressing the authorized allegations in opposition to Harris—who was a fan favourite of season one—giving him his personal 51-minute episode that marks the midway level of the season titled, “Jerry.” Within the episode, Cheer lends its platform to the dual boys who allege Harris sexually assaulted and coerced them and contains interviews with their mom and lawyer and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse Sarah Klein.
Navarro teammates who have been near Harris have been additionally interviewed as was Aldama who states her being on Dancing With the Stars distracted her from totally coping and correctly dealing with the allegations in opposition to her former staff member. From a viewer’s perspective, this declare sours your view of Aldama and admittedly the Navarro staff.
Not one of the individuals related to Navarro Cheer— Aldama included—who was featured within the “Jerry” episode confirmed a lot sympathy or empathy for the victims in Harris’ case who’re nonetheless minors. Relatively, their statements have been typically self-absorbed, specializing in how Harris’ alleged actions affected them and/or their relationship to Harris versus primarily specializing in the kid victims and the protection of the kids within the cheer neighborhood at giant.
There was no means for Cheer to separate Navarro from the celebrity they obtained in addition to what that form of visibility price the staff in the long term. Frankly, “Superstar killed Navarro’s feel-good story,” as Alex Abad-Santos says in an article for Vox. And whereas Navarro was poorly reckoning with Harris’ allegations and fumbling via different controversies featured on the present, their rival TVCC was demonstrated to be strictly concerning the cheer that hooked audiences final season. Thus, they turned Navarro’s good foil.
For instance, TVCC didn’t have the cash, the tools, or the notoriety Navarro had. Jada Wooten, a comparatively unknown TVCC veteran, contrasts with Navarro Cheer behemoth Gabby Butler. And forward of Daytona’s 2021 cheer competitors, TVCC’s staff was largely rookie cheerleaders who’ve by no means competed at such a large degree earlier than. So, unsurprisingly, the latter half of Cheer’s second season turned TVCC’s for the taking.
As Navarro rookies are stating their discontent with the distractions which have considerably dirty their view of Aldama and the Navarra Cheer program, we’re witnessing “The Weenies” of TVCC—a trio of awe-inspiring male tumblers—put apart their preconceived concepts about cheer and masculinity and develop into snug with performing.
As Navarro navigates drama with former teammates, viewers are listening to Wooten focus on how she overcame a tough psychological block that just about prevented her from persevering with her cheer profession. As Aldama is away on Dancing With the Stars, TVCC coaches Vontae Johnson and Khris Franklin are proven to be current, pushing their staff to be the most effective it may be for competitors.
Ultimately, TVCC introduced the expertise, the main focus, and the attractive storylines that charmed viewers final season about Navarro. Nonetheless, as Abad-Santos factors out, “fame is cyclical.” TVCC might have outshined Navarro this season, however maybe the essence of Cheer has develop into a case-study within the value of fame. The steadiness of consideration and acclaim between the 2 neighborhood faculties has been reset, so the celebrities to return out of subsequent season is now anyone’s wager.
Cheer is streaming now on Netflix.
This publish was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
Ebony Purks is a graduate scholar on the College of Incarnate Phrase working towards getting her Grasp’s diploma in communications. She can also be a contract author, involved in writing about popular culture, social justice, and well being; particularly inspecting the various intersections between these topics.
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