Spinning Out

From blackwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Spinning Out Cover.png

Spinning Out is an American drama streaming television series, created by Samantha Stratton (Mr. Mercedes), a former competitive figure skater herself. The series premiered on Netflix on January 1, 2020. The series was rumored to has a sequel but later cancelled.[1]

The series stars Kaya Scodelario as Kat Baker, a young ice skater who suffers a serious injury and is given the opportunity to restart her career as a pairs skater all while hiding her family's history of mental illness. The series follows the Baker family along with Kat's partner Justin Davis and his family.[2]

Premise

Spinning Out is a story about Kat Baker, an up-and-coming, high-level single skater who is about to turn in her skates after a disastrous fall took her off the competition track. When Kat seizes an opportunity to continue her career as a pair skater with a talented bad-boy partner, she risks exposing a fiercely kept secret that could unravel her entire life. On and off the ice, Kat and her new partner will face daunting odds, injury to body and soul, financial sacrifice, and even potential mental breakdown on their way to realizing their Olympic dream.[3]

Plot

In Idaho competitive ice figure skater Kat Baker (Kaya Scodelario) suffers a head injury during a competition. The injury forces her to adjust her dreams away from competitive skating and towards coaching just as her younger sister, Serena is about to enter senior level competition. Kat fails her exams but is offered an opportunity to enter pairs skating as the partner of Justin, a wealthy skater whose partner injures herself during practice. Kat declines and makes plans to move to London with her boyfriend instead. Kat changes her mind about going to London and decides to partner with Justin rich bad-boy to pursue Olympic.

After a stint at a mental health facility Carol -Kat's mother who also suffers bipolar tries to put her life in order but suffers a series of financial setbacks. She turns to Justin's stepmother Mandy for help. Mitch feels conflicted in his relationship as Carol's boyfriend and Serena's coach. Things begin to go well for Kat as she begins to recover from her PTSD and she and Justin open up to one another off ice. However as things begin to go well Kat begins to struggle under the pressure to perform.

As Kat and Justin begin to compete Kat's disappointed that the low difficulty of their routine means they always finish well off the podium. Hoping to get a chance to compete nationally Kat makes a decision that prioritizes her career over her mental health. Kat starts to stop her medication because her drugs make her lethargic and less energy for skating. After weeks of not taking her meds Kat becomes manic and goes on a buying and partying spree that has devastating consequences for Justin and Marcus.

After getting a call from Justin, Carol helps Kat to go back on her medication and lies to everyone that she has pneumonia. Now aware of Kat's secret, Justin and Marcus decide to keep quiet despite suffering harsh consequences for her behaviour. Despite Kat's desire to come clean about her disorder, Carol pressures Kat to stay silent about her mental illness. Justin decides to end his personal and professional relationship with Kat only to change his mind at the last minute. The two head to Sectionals which is being held at the rink where Kat had her career altering injury.

Mitchell Edwards as Marcus Holmes

Black Racism

The series brings injustice towards black ethnic that often happened in the society to the screen. Marcus Holmes - played by Mitchell Edwards, is portrayed as Black American in the series. Marcus is Kat's close friend and supervisor in the bar. In episode 8 when Kat's mental health crisis reaches a breaking point, triggering widespread damage. Marcus and Justin - Kat's partner got into fight and detained in jail. Not long after the incident, Justin's father bailed so Justin can get out the jail. While Marcus is Black and doesn't has lawyer or anyone who can help, being detained for the weekend and missed his race in ski team. The injustice and insult he got from the police makes Marcus remember the incident when his father also treated unfairly by the police when he was young. Missing the ski race also brings his position being the only and the first black ski player in the team in danger.

This injustice and unfair treatment because of race and skin color we often find in the society. The racial bias might happened in workplace, public service, or public space.

References

  1. Otterson, Joe. ‘Spinning Out’ Canceled After One Season at Netflix. Variety. 3 February 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  2. Spinning Out. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  3. Nellie Andreeva, Denise Petski. Emma Roberts To Topline Figure Skating Drama Series ‘Spinning Out’ For Netflix. Deadline. 11 October 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2021.