My Perfect Landing - Uninvited Guests (S1E9)

The Canton girls start training at Cortez Gymnastics. Meanwhile, with an eye on Hillside, Jenny asks Gus to be her coach — behind Whitney's back.
| Runtime (min) | 24 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2020-03-04 |
| Genres | Family |
| TV Rating | TV-G |
| Network(s) | CBBC, Netflix |
Storyline
The Canton girls officially begin their training at Cortez Gymnastics, marking a significant transition as they adapt to new coaching styles, routines, and expectations. The episode explores the challenges of fitting into an established gym culture while maintaining their own identities and friendships. As the girls navigate this new environment, they must prove themselves worthy of their spots on the team.
Meanwhile, Jenny makes a bold move by approaching Gus and asking him to coach her privately, setting her sights on competing at Hillside. The complication: she keeps this arrangement secret from Whitney, creating a web of deception that threatens to damage trust within the group. Jenny's decision to go behind her friend's back introduces tension and raises questions about loyalty, ambition, and the lengths one will go to achieve their dreams.
What kids learn
This episode offers important lessons about honesty and the consequences of keeping secrets from friends. Jenny's decision to hide her coaching arrangement with Gus demonstrates how even well-intentioned deception can create rifts in relationships. Young viewers learn that pursuing personal goals shouldn't come at the expense of transparency with the people who care about you, and that difficult conversations are often better than hidden agendas.
The episode also explores themes of adaptation and resilience as the Canton girls adjust to their new training environment at Cortez Gymnastics. Children see that transitions require flexibility, patience, and the willingness to learn new ways of doing things. The girls must balance staying true to themselves while respecting the established culture of their new gym, teaching viewers about finding their place in unfamiliar settings.
Additionally, the storyline touches on healthy versus unhealthy ambition. Jenny's drive to compete at Hillside shows determination, but her secretive methods highlight the difference between working hard for your goals and compromising your integrity to get ahead. Kids learn that how you pursue success matters as much as achieving it.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why does Jenny keep her coaching arrangement with Gus a secret from Whitney? | Jenny hides her private coaching sessions because she knows Whitney might feel hurt or betrayed, especially given their friendship and the group dynamics. She's prioritizing her personal ambition to compete at Hillside over being honest with her friend. This creates an opportunity to discuss with children why secrets in friendships often backfire and how open communication, even when uncomfortable, builds stronger relationships than deception. |
| What challenges do the Canton girls face at Cortez Gymnastics? | The girls must adapt to a new coaching style, different training methods, and an established gym culture where they're the newcomers. They face the challenge of proving themselves while maintaining their own identities and the bonds they formed at Canton. This transition tests their resilience and ability to navigate unfamiliar environments, providing a relatable scenario for children experiencing their own changes in school or activities. |
| Is Jenny's ambition portrayed as positive or negative in this episode? | The episode presents Jenny's ambition as a double-edged sword. Her drive to improve and compete at Hillside shows admirable determination, but her willingness to deceive Whitney reveals how ambition can lead to poor choices when not balanced with integrity. This nuanced portrayal helps children understand that wanting to succeed is good, but the methods matter. It's a valuable lesson about pursuing goals ethically. |
| How should I talk to my child about keeping secrets from friends? | Use Jenny's situation as a starting point to discuss the difference between privacy and secrecy. Explain that secrets kept to avoid hurting someone or to hide something you know is wrong often damage trust, while privacy respects appropriate boundaries. Ask your child how they think Whitney will feel when she finds out, and discuss how Jenny could have handled her ambitions more honestly from the beginning. |
| What does this episode teach about adjusting to new environments? | The Canton girls' experience at Cortez Gymnastics demonstrates that transitions require patience, open-mindedness, and effort. The episode shows that it's normal to feel uncertain in new settings and that maintaining your core identity while adapting to new expectations is possible. This can help children who are facing their own transitions, whether starting at a new school, joining a new team, or entering unfamiliar social situations. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | After moving to Canada with her family, secretly gifted gymnast Jenny starts making friends (and enemies) and tries out for the school gymnastics team. |
| 1 | 2 | Jenny tries out for the school's gymnastic team. |
| 1 | 3 | Cortez Gymnastics' grand opening day includes a special performance by Jenny's new friends ... and a surprise visit from an unexpected guest. |
| 1 | 4 | A reporter writing an article about Cortez Gymnastics is one of Gus's former rivals. Olivia sends Cassie and Tori on a mission to make Jenny quit. |
| 1 | 5 | Joon and his friends draft a detailed scheme to delete Olivia's blackmail video. Elsewhere, Jenny does everything she can to avoid going to practice. |
| 1 | 6 | Jenny's finally got a chance to join the Canton Coyotes but has to compete against Lena for the spot. The boys help Gus prep for a speech. |
| 1 | 7 | The Hillside Qualifier brings big nerves for Jenny — and a much-needed pep talk from Gus. Back at the loft, there's a mouse in the house! |
| 1 | 8 | Keisha and Rachel come for a sleepover and some late-night bonding at the gym. A friendly card game gets super competitive. |
| 1 | 9 | The Canton girls start training at Cortez Gymnastics. Meanwhile, with an eye on Hillside, Jenny asks Gus to be her coach — behind Whitney's back. |
| 1 | 10 | Jenny's ready to train ... but Gus's methods don't make any sense! Rachel and Keisha are desperate to swap partners for a school science project. |
| 1 | 11 | Sarah comes to visit Jenny and sees Olivia's bullying firsthand. Joon and his friends come up with a plan to make money selling unclaimed lockers. |
| 1 | 12 | Jenny's secret is out — and her mother is furious. But a health scare prompts Whitney and Gus to come together and make peace with the past. |
| 1 | 13 | As Jenny prepares for Hillside, a series of flashbacks reveals the important role her father, Hector, has played in helping her realize her dream. |
| 1 | 14 | Hillside is here, but since Gus can't go, Joon streams it to the loft to watch Jenny compete online. Olivia finds out that Bops betrayed her. |
| 1 | 15 | After injuring herself on the floor, Jenny's forced to decide whether going full out to win — and beat Olivia — is worth it. |
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