There are a lot of roadblocks before Sheila gets everything she is working for and none of them are rehashes of those she navigated in Season 1. This is a brand-new hell for Sheila, with enough redemptions along the way to keep you rooting for her.

By the season’s end, Physical finds itself more energized than ever before, its protagonists galvanized and merciless. It’s just a shame that it took so long to get there. ... Its second season confirms that all it really needed was some extra time to lace up and find its footing.

“Physical”’s ambitious exploration of monetized empowerment doesn’t always hit the mark, but the powerhouse performances at its core have found their rhythm.