Make It Or Break It is one of the tele-serials that I have been religiously following for last several months. By chance it happened that I saw it's trailer while surfing and curiosity got the better of me.
The very first episode and I was hooked. At that time I was unaware about the role it was going to play in my life. Well before I actually talk about the role let me tell you what its story is all about-
Make It Or Break It talks about Gymnastics and these 5 gutsy girls who struggle, fight, survive, drown, loose and achieve in their respective lives. To relate to them you need to know their names -
1. Kaylie Cruz (The National Champion)
2. Lauren Tanner ( The Queen of the Beam)
3. Emily Kmetko ( The Surprise Find)
4. Payson Keeler ( Top gymnast at The Rock)
5. Jordan Randall ( The kick a** Wild one who returns)
The protagonists in the first 2 seasons are Kaylie, Lauren, Emily & Payson. Season 3 sees Emily's exit and Jordan's entry. And we cannot forget the 2 coaches who played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of these girls -
1. Shasha Belov
2. Coach McIntire
Each girl was a specialist and at the same time faced challenges that were unique to them. Each episode beautifully weaves a story around their trials, tribulations and joys.
Kaylie was the glam doll of gymnastics who broke that image, got serious about her dream of winning the US Nationals, fought anorexia, battled her parent's separation, survived heart aches, went on to win US Nationals, got saved from a scheming competitor, overcame a banned substance scare and vindicated by getting selected in the Olympics Team headed for London.
Lauren Tanner aka Queen of the Beam was the scheming bit** of the lot who was self centered and would go to any extent to have her way. This trait found home in her since her mother left her after giving birth and her father doted on her to an extent that he would always let her have her way. She not only overcame the distrust her friends exhibited towards her and her streak to go after her friend's boyfriend but she also fought a rare heart condition, proved to her friends that she too had a heart and won theirs. With the help of her friends she fights back her illness and wins a place for herself in the Olympics Team.
Emily Kmetko was picked from the YMCA gymnastic center and she exuded raw talent that could be mentored into a world class athletic streak. She had a lot going against her. She never knew her father, her mother was unable to run the house since she was a salon hairdresser, her brother had a seizure disorder, and she stealthily worked in a pizza shack to make ends meet which was also against the rule of the gymnastic club. She was also caught stealing medication for her brother since she did not have enough cash. She fell in love with an aspiring singer, got pregnant and could not bear the pressure of what was happening around her. She fizzled out and ran away from all the mayhem. She could not stay afloat.
Payson Keeler was the top and most serious gymnast of the Rock Gymnastic club. Everybody said that not only will she win US Nationals but she would also get into the Olympics squad that would head to London. a slip during the practice causes spinal fracture thus threatening her career prospects. The doctors declare that she would never be able to return back to gymnastics. Since she was out, Kaylie went ahead and became the US National Champion. Payson defies all odds with the help of her coach Sasha Belov undergoes an operation, recuperates and returns back to Gymnastic. Her return was not easy. She started another round of her journey which was laden with fear, anxiety and excitement. She sailed through, neutralized her degree of seriousness towards everything, founded the little wild child lurking somewhere in her, proved everybody wrong by changing her routine at the last moment and showing that she is not a safe bet but a competitive one indeed. She too reserves a place for her in the Olympics team.
And then came the fiery Jordan- the Wild one from the foster. She returned back to Gymnastics after quitting it 2 years ago. She forcefully enters the US Gymnastics center, proves her mettle in front of Coach McIntire and blows everyone away with her performance. But she too had a past to fight back. She overcame her dislike and fear for one of the coaches who had molested her, transformed her point of view about Kaylie and became good friends with her and seriously worked towards her biggest shortcoming of not being socially comfortable with people around her. She too overcomes her fears and features as the top contender who makes it to the Olympics team.
The story beautifully revolves around the lives of these young women. Each episode had some amazing gymnastics exhibits that took my breath away. Every morning at 5 when i tuned into this serial and working on some office stuff simultaneously this serial acted as my caffeine.
Each practice session, each competition that they exhibited brought out the athlete in me. I whooped for the girls and felt my adrenaline rushing. I was exuberant when each of them one and earned a special spot for themselves. My cheering even woke up my mother on many of the days.
What I'm trying to say is that the spirit of survival and sportsmanship exhibited in these episodes was infectious and it got to me. It kept me going on many days when I felt that all the craziness is happening around me.
It used to make my day. My delight had no bounds when I saw the last scene of the Season 3 Finale. These winners standing on the podium and the US national flag rolling down, spilling confetti over them.
Whom did I relate with most? The competitive bet Payson Keeler. Her transcend was phenomenal. I could relate with the way she went to extreme lengths to help her friends out in their times of need. Her zeal to achieve inspired me.
I recommend that every one should watch make It Or Break It. Some episodes are cheeky and very girly but most are all about courage, grit, perseverance, friendship and survival. Before I close, I want to share the lines they play while telecasting the Season 3 Finale trailer and these are etched in my mind forever -
" You can't stop me coz...
I'm a Champion, I'm a Champion, I'm a Champion!!!"
