When the new Netflix series, Running Point, created by Mindy Kaling and starring Kate Hudson, premiered, the pressure on me was immense. As an ardent fan of Mindy Kaling—who has delivered excellent work like The Mindy Project, The Office, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and Never Have I Ever—and a long-time admirer of Kate Hudson since Almost Famous, my expectations had reached an all-time high.

Running Point is introduced as an underdog story with an unexpected twist. The show follows Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson)—a reformed party girl who unexpectedly becomes the President of the Los Angeles Waves basketball team, owned by her mega-rich family. She is appointed after her brother, Cam Gordon (Justin Theroux), is forced to resign due to a drug scandal. Isla must fight to prove her competence to the company, the world, and especially her two “idiot” brothers (Sandy, played by Drew Tarver, and Ness, played by Scott MacArthur). The supporting cast is also stacked, including Brenda Song, Max Greenfield, Jay Ellis, Scott Evans, and even Chet Hanks.

The Pilot Episode Stumbles

Despite the high-caliber cast and excellent writing team, the initial Pilot episode failed to meet my personal expectations. It was just “fine”—not sensational at all. I went through a moment of extreme panic, fearing I was about to face a terrible reality: a Mindy Kaling show that I didn’t love.

However, with unwavering determination, I pushed past the initial disappointment and continued watching. And I realized: I was panicking for no reason!

The Pilot episode, in reality, struggled because it focused too heavily on exposition—it felt too “American,” overly polished, and leaned into a more “Girlboss 2015” feminism vibe than I anticipated. The dialogue was occasionally stilted, the interactions between characters felt rigid, and using a narrator to tell the entire base storyline instead of letting the plot unfold was an outdated choice. It seems the producers were hesitant and didn’t fully lean into their own brilliance in the first episode.

The Transformation After Episode 2

But the wonderful thing happened as the series progressed into later episodes. I strongly disagree with the professional critics and online “cinephiles” who watched only the Pilot and rushed to conclude that the show is awful.

The Pilot episode is just that—a Pilot. As I continued watching, I began to feel the familiar pacing, character vibrancy, and quick-witted comedy that I always expect from Kaling and her team. The cast found their footing, the script locked in tightly, and the show delivered line after line that left me laughing out loud.

The Cast’s Scoring Drive:

Kate Hudson (Isla Gordon): With undeniable charm, Hudson brings intelligence and passion to the character, transcending the typical “bubbly leading lady” trope.

The Three Brothers: Drew Tarver (Sandy, the uptight youngest brother) and Scott MacArthur (Ness, the clumsy but good-hearted middle brother) delivered excellent comedic performances.

Justin Theroux (Cam Gordon): He is a revelation as the terrible elder brother, an arrogant addict who views Isla as nothing more than a temporary replacement. I love to hate him.

Brenda Song (Ali Lee): Her resurgence as the fast-talking, stylish best friend is a major plus. I hope her character gets more screen time.

Max Greenfield (Lev): Despite being a talented comedic actor (New Girl), his role as fiancé Lev felt somewhat bland and two-dimensional. But ultimately, this is Isla’s show.

Jay Ellis: The Top Gun: Maverick star also has a significant and appealing role.

As the series barrels toward the playoffs and its 10th episode, the energy is at an all-time high. Bolstered by the ridiculous players on the Waves team and several celebrity cameos, the cast synergy truly clicks by the third episode.

Final Verdict

Though it took me a moment and some sharp pacing around the office to reach this conclusion, Running Point is a genuinely enjoyable show. It’s fun in every sense of the word. The cast is actually fabulous, they look great, the series is visually popping off the screen, and the chemistry has found its groove.

Final advice: Please give this show a shot. The fans will need a second season!