High School Musical: The Musical: The Series returns stronger in Season 2

The A.V. Club

"Show creator Tim Federle found a striking balance between grounded sentiment and buzzy musical theater that made this take a worthy and distinguishable adaptation," says Shannon Miller of the first season. "Also, the talent emanating from the young cast certainly didn’t hurt matters. In its second season, HSM: TM: TS faces a new challenge: proving that season one’s successful execution wasn’t a fluke. After all, the finale ended with a (mostly) successful teen production of High School Musical: The Musical. Technically, they did the thing. What’s left to accomplish? Well, a brand new spring musical, for starters. Also, fans likely remain curious about the fates of Nini (Olivia Rodrigo), who earns an opportunity to study theater at a prestigious performing arts school in Denver, and Gina (Sofia Wylie), who faces the possibility of moving away. It was clear last season that the series had more stories to tell, and the first three episodes of season two absolutely provide as much. While early episodes hint toward a couple of missed opportunities to improve upon itself, HSM: TM: TS makes up for it with stronger character development and a viable plan to move the story beyond its origins. And the best way to achieve said progress is, ironically, to move on from the HSM universe." ALSO: HSM: TM: TS' choreographer breaks down the Season 2 opening number.