The Last Dance: Things left to explore after episodes 1 and 2

Following the first two episodes of The Last Dance, we look at what the documentary left on the table to explore in its remaining episodes.

Entering the premiere of The Last Dance, we were told to expect discussion of the early career of Michael Jordan to set the stage for his final season with the Chicago Bulls.

We didn’t know, however, just how deep the series would dig into his pre-1997 years.

The first two episodes were full of highlights, interviews, and candid footage in a wildly entertaining two hours of all things Michael Jordan. We saw the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Notably, we saw approximately half of the time devoted to Michael Jordan’s life and career up to his sophomore professional season.

Jerry Krause’s ego and its straining effect on his relationship with Phil Jackson played a huge role in the first episode. Scottie Pippen, his place in Jordan’s story, his personal story, and his tumultuous 1997 offseason and season was a huge focus of the second episode.

It’s clear that The Last Dance seeks to tell a complete picture of the life and career of Michael Jordan. It’s not a puff piece. It won’t be revising history to make anyone a hero.

Rather, it will dig into everything that made Michael what he became and who he is.

Every piece of the puzzle matters.

Knowing what the series looks like to this point informs how The Last Dance should finish. With that in mind, we examine what is left to explore after the show’s strong first two episodes.