Ep 3. Basketball

Alexa & Katie is a Netflix original sitcom produced by Heather Wordham. The show centres around two lifelong best friends, Alexa Mendoza and Katie Cooper, who are entering high school together. The girls have been inseparable since they were five years old, with Alexa being the outgoing, confident and athletic one, and Katie being the witty, sarcastic and studious one. However, things aren't as simple as they were before, as Alexa is battling cancer, while trying to adapt to the demands of high school. The show premiered on March 23, 2018 and consists of 13 episodes, each lasting around 25 minutes.

Season 1, Episode 3 of Alexa & Katie is titled "Basketball" and focuses on the importance of loyalty and teamwork. The episode starts with Alexa and Katie trying to navigate their way through high school and coming to terms with the fact that they no longer have every class together. Alexa is also beginning her chemotherapy and is still feeling the effects of it. Meanwhile, Katie is trying to keep up with her academic responsibilities while also dealing with the fact that she is no longer a part of the clique that she would have loved to be in.

The main plot of the episode revolves around basketball tryouts, which are coming up. Alexa is determined to try out for the basketball team, even though she is physically weakened by her cancer treatments. Katie, being the loyal friend that she is, decides to help Alexa prepare for the tryouts. Together, they train after school, and Katie even goes the extra mile to come up with a secret basketball move that will help Alexa stand out in tryouts. Meanwhile, Alexa and her mother have a disagreement about Alexa playing basketball, as they are worried about her health and well-being.

At school, Katie is approached by the popular girls and asked to join their group. She quickly realizes that this doesn't sit well with Alexa and declines the invitation. Meanwhile, Alexa is struggling at tryouts due to her weakened physical state. She is about to give up when she remembers the secret move that Katie taught her. She executes it perfectly, making the coach take notice and include her on the team. However, when Alexa's mother finds out she is on the team, she is worried about her health and forces her to quit.

The episode ends with the two friends sitting in a hospital room, reflecting on the events of the day. While Alexa is understandably upset about having to quit the basketball team, she realizes that some things are more important than basketball, like her health and her friendship with Katie. She also learns the importance of being honest with her mother about her cancer treatment, rather than hiding it from her. Katie, on the other hand, learns that loyalty is more important than popularity and that friendship is not just about having fun together, but also being there for each other in tough times.

Overall, "Basketball" is an emotional and heart-warming episode that showcases the strength of the bond between Alexa and Katie. It also highlights the struggles that teenagers face while trying to fit in and make new friends. The episode tackles important themes such as honesty, loyalty and teamwork, while also raising awareness about cancer and its effects on people's lives. The episode is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys heart-warming stories and the power of true friendship.