Ultimate Beastmaster US Season 2 Netflix Series Review

Ultimate Beastmaster (2017-)
Season 2 - 10 episodes (2017) 

Watch Ultimate Beastmaster Season 2 on Netflix
Created by: Dave Broome, Sylvester Stallone
Starring:
Rated: TV-14

Plot
In this reality series produced by Sylvester Stallone, competitors attempt to conquer an obstacle course known as "The Beast."
From six different countries, 108 challengers compete to become the Ultimate Beastmaster.
Countries for season 2 include Spain, France, Italy, China, India and the U.S. with country specific variants focusing on native competitors, though all competitors are shown albeit truncated.

Verdict
This is a fun show made better by watching it with a group. It's the only obstacle course show I've watched, and it could be even better if the series would focus on contestants. There was way too much of the hosts included, and this year's hosts were a step down. They aren't why I watch the show, but they do detract.
This is more of season one, and what these athletes do is awe inspiring.
Watch it.

Review
Athletes compete on an obstacle course. It's a simple concept that's edited to drive up tension and create false rivalries, but you begin to root for certain athletes. You quickly realize the hulking muscle strapped men frequently fail early where the lean rock climbing types deftly maneuver the obstacles. Usually after the first round you'll have an idea of the likely finalists. The rock climbers, boulderers, and parkour enthusiasts are usually the stand outs.

There were multiple sets of brothers, a set of twins, and even a couple competing this season.

I really begin to root for the women that make it past the first round. It doesn't happen often as the first obstacle is a long jump type. That eliminated a lot of women, and I guess it's due to there usually shorter stature. A male female split division could certainly solve the gender discrepancy in later rounds.
In episode two, a female contestant lacerated her arm. She didn't realize it at first. She deliberated whether to continue or not, and then smeared the blood from the gash on her arm, decided to proceed, and failed the next jump. The blood was  bit much and the gash, which was shown multiple times looked rough.

The hosts don't make the show, but they do add some flavor. While which hosts you primarily hear are based on your country, the US hosts, former NFL player Tiki Barber, and comedian Chris Distefano, could have been better. They don't know what to do and don't have much to say. Chris frequently resorts to puns. In the case of hosts, less is more, and the US hosts could have participated as quiet observers more. There's only so many times you can say things like, "He better hurry up."
Chris frequently alluded to going out with the female Italian host or wanting hugs from her. Even ignoring the realities of today's sexual awareness, it was weird.

Tiki had an understated sense of humor but his best line was talking about a Spanish contestant who has an online show call hot chef. Tiki stated, "it's not that the food is hot, he's just... vain." His deadpan delivery made it hilarious as he struggled to clarify the show's premise.

The Italian host Francesco was easily the best. He was always excited, frequently over the top, and always having fun. Chinese host Du Qin Yi was always focused on Chinese contestants. Excitement was something the US hosts never really had. They never really seemed to root for their country's contestants. While it's all show, it would have helped make them seem like they want to be there.

The French and Italian hosts had a lot of fun rooting against and for each other, though it really seems like the show is trying to cultivate cultural rivalries that don't actually exist. The biggest contributor to my enjoyment is watching with this others, and picking who you think will win. It gives you something to discuss and a motive to keep watching.
If I were viewing this by myself, I'd still watch it but I expect it would take a bit longer.