Netflix’s Cheer: Season 1 Vs. Season 2 — Which Is Better?

In January 2020, Netflix released a docuseries revolving around a community college in the small town of Corsicana, Texas, and its cheerleading squad — Cheer. Navarro College is nationally ranked for its cheerleading program and is coached by its fearless leader, Monica Aldama. After the success of season 1, Netflix released its sophomore offering in January 2022.

The second season differed from the first in a variety of ways, including adding a rivalry element with Navarro’s biggest competition, Trinity Valley Community College. With new faces, new backstories, and followups with the cheerleaders from season 1, Cheer‘s two seasons vary in greatness.

Season 1 Was Better

Feel-Good Storylines

Season 1 was better than season 2 because of the storylines. In season 1, viewers learned more about the athletes and why they chose to go to Navarro when they could have gone anywhere with their athleticism. The common factor was Coach Monica taking a chance on them.

The athletes shown had intricate backstories that made their dedication to the sport all the more admirable. Lexi Brumback always felt like the black sheep, Morgan Simianer had a hard upbringing, and Gabi Butler dealt with social media trolls at a young age. Every athlete went from feeling like nothing to feeling like they were a part of something, which was phenomenal to see.

The Viewers Learned More About Collegiate Cheerleading

As Navarro is a community college, viewers learned more about collegiate cheerleading and its different levels. Those cheering at Navarro had the ability to stay for two years while getting their degree, but they could also transfer to other schools.

As viewers saw, cheering for Navarro was great for their resume and could open the doors for larger cheer programs. The reason why cheerleaders stay at Navarro for so long is because of their love for the program and Coach Monica. This unique view of the series made it one of Netflix’s best docuseries.

Pre-Covid Times Led To A Full Season

With season 2 taking place around the spring of 2020, Navarro’s season was affected by the coronavirus. Some cheerleaders came back once students were allowed to return while others chose to move on. Regardless, it changed a lot of things for the team and their season.

Season 1, however, was filmed before the pandemic. This led to more freedom among the cast and fewer issues with their season. Watching the entire season pan out is what made Cheer a fantastic sports documentary.

Season 1 Was Before The Fame

While season 2 was great, the effects of stardom hit Navarro’s roster. The stars from season 1 were now busy with business opportunities they never had before and would set them up for life outside of school. This created a stressful environment for a few of the cheerleaders.

In season 1, however, the stars of Cheer were big in the cheerleading world and that was it. They didn’t have the same celebrity, which led to more authentic and raw storylines and reactions compared to season 2. The personality traits of some Cheer athletes changed in season 2, which is why season 1 could be viewed as better.

Monica’s Dedication And Backstory

Monica Aldama has been the head coach of Navarro for years and has “14 National Cheer Association Junior College Division National Championships” under her name, according to Navarro’s website.

In season 1, viewers learned that while Aldama cheered in junior high and high school, she didn’t cheer at the same level as some of her athletes. Instead, she got her degree in finance and took the job as head coach on a whim in 1995 when she wasn’t happy with her finance job. Seeing her dedication to her family and her student-athletes was heartwarming. She was like a mother to so many of those she coached.

Season 2 Was Better

Viewers Got To Follow Up With Their Favorites From Season 1

Fans of Cheer went on to watch other TV shows and movies surrounding the cheerleading world as a way to stay close to the sport until season 2 hit Netflix. And when season 2 came, it did a follow-up on the athletes shown from season 1.

Everyone from Monica to Jerry was covered and viewers were happy to see what the cheerleaders were up to since leaving the mat in 2020.

What Happens When Fame Hits

In season 1, the most popular cheerleader in the series was Gabi Butler. She made an empire for herself as a child by showing off her skills on YouTube. Today, she’s one of the most decorated cheerleaders. In season 2, however, Gabi was no longer the only star; Netflix made a star of the entire main roster.

This led to promotional engagements, commercials, modeling shoots, and personal opportunities that they may never receive again. Because of the busy schedule and importance of fame, Navarro faltered. Similar to other cheerleading movies, the clear indication that fame fogs some things did not go unnoticed by viewers, which was important to see.

The Competitive Side Of Cheerleading

Season 2 didn’t just showcase Navarro’s squad; it also introduced Navarro’s biggest rivalry, Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC). Like Navarro, TVCC was also a highly competitive cheerleading program with similar success.

With the two colleges going head to head at Daytona in season 2, Cheer is a must-watch sports-related competition series. Season 2 also showcased the ins and outs of TVCC’s efforts to beat Navarro and how talented their roster was.

Suspension Surrounding Daytona & Corona

Fans of Netflix’s The Playbook would love Cheer because it brings the same drama, underdog tales, and athletic performances. Season 2 is engrossing to watch.

Viewers will point out that season 2 has a darker theme overall. It was filled with more pressure from the media — now that the team was nationally recognized thanks to Netflix — and the painful ordeal surrounding former Navarro cheerleader Jerry Harris was hard to watch. The suspension from the season and what was going to happen at Daytona in regards to COVID-19 made everything more suspenseful.

Way More Drama

Cheer’s drama is what made it one of the best original docuseries on Netflix. Competitive sports brings out the drama naturally, but Cheer had other dramatic moments in season 2 that separated itself from season 1.

In season 2, viewers saw the downfall of Jerry Harris, the shocking feud between La’Darius Marshall and Monica, and even a change in assistant coaches. The drama was packed to the brim in season, making it a little more compelling than season 1.

About The Author

Lynn Gibbs
(1649 Articles Published)

Lynn is a nomad who travels the globe on the hunt for her next adventure with her husband. A lover of being outside (and finding the best latte in town), Lynn is typically hiking, walking, or jogging when she’s not focusing on her love of writing. When it comes to shows streaming on Netflix or anything Bravo-related, Lynn’s your gal.

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