Spectacular Things

Almost six months after the Olympics, Cricket is still the starting goalkeeper for the National Team while Sloane’s leg heals. Cricket has plenty of six-figure endorsement deals and is loved by the media. The Chicago Red Stars had an undefeated season and won the NWSL championship. Nevertheless, Cricket feels alone and miserable. Liz doesn’t appear to her anymore, Oliver won’t answer her texts, and she hasn’t spoken to her sister once.

Frustrated and overwhelmed, one day Mia decides she’s done with dialysis. A compassionate nurse almost talks her into sticking with it by acknowledging how much the situation sucks, rather than telling Mia to be positive, but not quite. Mia leaves the clinic without getting the treatment.

Cricket tries to be a good role model and a gracious public figure, but fame takes a toll. She participates in a Media Day event hosted by the Red Stars in which all the “journalists” are children. Cricket gives inspiring, age-appropriate answers to their questions. Afterward, she’s saddened by thoughts about how her family won’t speak to her. She distracts herself from these feelings with her TV and phone.