Pixar's First-Ever Original TV Show With Ted Lasso Vibes Got 91% on RT – It's Time to Catch Up on It
The series shows that sometimes victory is the ability to keep going, even when it seems like it's all been for nothing.
Win or Lose is Pixar's first original work in the TV format – it was supposed to be released before the Inside Out spin-off Dream Productions, but the projects were switched at the last minute.
The creators tell the story of the daily life of a high school softball team, but as in the case of Ted Lasso, it is not a sports journey at all – it is more of a children's anthology about characters who face difficulties every day that have a decisive impact on their lives.
What Is Win or Lose About?
The action begins with an important softball game involving the school team Pickles. The viewer is shown the turning point, and then the action is rewound to a week ago.
First, we meet Laurie, the coach's daughter. Her father supports her, but the girl constantly doubts herself, which is why a strange creature hangs over her and expresses negative thoughts. In order to cope, Laurie must overcome it.
Then, each episode tells the same period, but from the point of view of a different character. The second episode is dedicated to a lonely teacher who judges the games. The third is about one of the members of the Pickles, and the fourth is about the mother of one of the girls.
Win or Lose Has an Unusual Narrative Structure
The unusual structure is the show's greatest asset. If Win or Lose was all about Laurie, it would be just a TV version of Inside Out. But here the viewer is given the opportunity to see the stories of different characters.
This plot device cannot be called original: the story was told from multiple perspectives in the films Rashomon and Vantage Point.
But in all these examples, this device was used to confuse the viewer and create intrigue. Win or Lose has a different goal – to show the problem of each character that others do not know about.
The Story Is Visualized in a Unique Way for Each Character
The creators of the series convey the experiences of all the characters in different ways. The creature that sticks to Laurie shows how a person is pressed by his fears and insecurities, which gradually consume him almost completely.
The judge-teacher is given fantasy armor and a shield – a great way to depict the feelings of a person defending their point of view or hiding from others during an uncomfortable conversation.
Win or Lose Is a Dynamic Series for Both Kids and Adults
Pixar had never produced an original series before – all of its multi-episode work has been based on feature-length animated films. But the studio has mastered the format remarkably well: Win or Lose doesn't look like a movie divided into episodes.
And the format – all episodes are about 20 minutes long – maintains a dynamic pace of storytelling. So it's easy to watch – either binge-watching or just one episode a night.
Where to Watch Win or Lose?
Win or Lose is available to stream on Disney+.
