Critics are slamming Kate Hudson's new Netflix show. But they're all wrong.

The stakes could not have been higher when I sat down to watch Kate Hudson and Mindy Kaling's new Netflix series, Running Point.

I am nothing in this world, if not Mindy Kaling's biggest fan.

The Mindy Project is one of my very favourite shows, I watch it literally all the time and I recommend you watch it too. Like, I think you should stop reading this article and come back to me when you've done your Mindy Homework.

The Office is some of Mindy's very best writing work, along with her divine performance as Kelly Kapoor. The Sex Lives of College Girls might just be the funniest show she's ever created. And Never Have I Ever is the teen comedy that felt like a comfortable, light blanket I could wrap myself in as each new season dropped. I've read everything she's ever written. I watch all her TV shows and movies. I love every single one. Yes! I even loved the short-lived Netflix comedy, Champions.

And then there's Miss Kate Hudson.

I've been a fan of Kate since the moment I knew she existed. I loved Goldie Hawn growing up, and when I was old enough to watch Almost Famous and meet her daughter, I very quickly developed a K-Hud obsession, too.

Like I said, the stakes were high for me.

Created by Kaling, Running Point is described as an underdog story with a twist. It follows Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson) — a reformed party girl who becomes the top boss at a prominent basketball team, owned by her mega-rich family.

When a drug scandal forces her brother Cam Gordon (Justin Theroux) to resign, Isla is appointed president of the Los Angeles Waves. With all eyes on her, Isla must prove to the company, the world, and her other two idiot brothers, Sandy Gordon (Drew Tarver) and Ness Gordon (Scott MacArthur), that she has what it takes to bring the Waves to victory.

Also starring in the new comedy are Brenda Song, Max Greenfield, Jay Ellis, Scott Evans and Tom Hanks' very random son, Chet Hanks. Yes, Hanks stars as one of the basketball players on the team — whose lives are also documented throughout the comedy.

The cast was stacked, the writing team was top-notch, and the expectations were set. And yet… the Pilot episode didn't exactly meet my expectations. It was fine by me. Just fine, not sensational.

I immediately panicked and told my co-workers. I had a mini-existential crisis. I dreaded continuing on with the series because I was worried I'd be faced with a terrible reality: a Mindy Kaling show I didn't love. But then I persevered and did a very tough thing (read: I watched a TV show) and you know what? I was just kidding! I had a great time!

Hey, as Demi Lovato once sang, this is real, this is me, this is exactly who I'm supposed to be: an idiot who stresses herself out with hype and the crushing weight of expectations.

Ness Gordon (Scott MacArthur), Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson) and Sandy Gordon (Drew Tarver) in Running Point. Image: Netflix.

I was struggling to put my finger on what it was that didn't work about this combination for me. Eventually, I kind of did, but I put it down to the fact that at the end of the day, this was a Pilot shot for a major streaming network — and I think they were perhaps scared to really lean into their own brilliance.

The chemistry between the characters felt a little stilted, the jokes weren't landing as evenly and quickly as I'd hoped, and I didn't love the whole "a narrator is going to tell you the entire base storyline rather than lead you to understand the dynamic through actual plot points" — you know, that old chestnut!

I'm going to say something that will really resonate if you get it, but the introductory episode was a little too American. It was more earnest, more polished, and had more 'Girlboss 2015' feminism than I expected. But they figured out how to nail the vibe, in time.

It's been out for one day, and I've seen a number of industry critics and online 'cinephiles' alike claiming the show is awful and ill-formed and not worth watching. They are, of course, entitled to their own opinions. But I absolutely disagree — and from reading their reviews, it kind of seems like they maybe just watched the Pilot.

Sometimes, though, a Pilot episode is just that. It's a Pilot, not a true representation of what's to come. Because as I carried on through the show's early, somewhat schlocky, episodes, I began to feel the familiar pace, vibrancy of characters, and quick-witted comedy that I'd expect from Kaling and her team. The cast found their sea legs, the script was tightly locked in, and the show delivered line after line that left me laughing out loud.

All of this to say: please give this show a shot. Because the fans will need a second season.

Hudson's undeniable charm will always shine through, but she brought levity to Isla Gordon's story arc that not a whole lot of bubbly leading ladies could. She was smart, she was passionate, I loved her and will surely love her even more as I plan to re-watch the series expeditiously.

Isla Gordon, I see you! Image: Netflix

The brothers were well-cast — and if you're not familiar with either Scott MacArthur or Drew Tarver, I can assure you they're excellent comedians.

As Ness, Scott nails his bumbling middle-brother schtick (he has a heart of gold! (he's an idiot)) while Tarver delivers laughs at his own expense as the uptight youngest bro, Sandy.

Justin Theroux is a revelation as 'the great Cam Gordon' — the eldest brother with a ruinous drug habit who leaves the Waves behind to enter court-ordered rehab. Hand-picking Isla to run the Waves in his absence, it's clear Cam thinks she's a temporary replacement who couldn't possibly live up to his (and their father's legacy). I hate him, long may he continue.

Additional family drama on which I can not comment adds opportunity for the family to have some more relatable moments — despite their many riches — which opens us up to more heartfelt Ted Lasso-esque moments.

Millennials across the land will be thrilled to see Brenda Song's resurgence, and she's well-placed as the fast-talking best friend Ali Lee who wears cute clothes and swears a lot. Should there be a second season, I'd love to see more from her.

As Isla's fiancé Lev, it has to be said that Max Greenfield's star power and comedic ability may be getting lost in his story. Having been a huge fan of Schmidt on New Girl, it can be hard to watch him play someone so bland and two dimensional. But also… whatever, step aside Lev. This is Isla's show.

Top Gun: Maverick star Jay Ellis has his moment in the sun, too, and there are things I can not say without spoiling the show but… I like him a lot. Yay for Tom Cruise and his steady school of stars, including Glen Powell, Danny Ramirez and Mr. Jay Ellis.

Bolstered by the ridiculous players on the Waves team, and more than a few celebrity cameos, the cast is well and truly clicking by the third episode. And as the show surges towards the playoffs, and its 10th episode, the energy is at an all-time high.

Kate Hudson, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur and Brenda Song in Running Point. Image: Netflix.

It may have taken me a minute and some short-and-sharp office pacing to come to this conclusion, but Running Point is a truly enjoyable show. It's fun in every sense of the word.

The cast actually is fabulous, they look great, the series is visually popping off the screen, and the chemistry has found its way.

If you watch one thing this weekend, make it Running Point.

Feature Image: Netflix.