‘Heels’ Recap: ‘Dusty Finish’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Heels’.
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Stories that focus on the power of consequences, tend to be supremely subdued and intimate in nature and it makes sense as to why. Because focusing the story on a singular poor choice on the main character’s part, allows for a unique exploration to take place. One that dives into the emotional fallout that comes forth when we don’t take a moment to think before we act, and while this is indeed an intimate way to explore causality, since we get an up close and personal look at the matter… it does come with some powerful drawbacks. In that, more often than not, only looking at one specific consequence to one specific act… teaches us to stay away from that one particular misstep. Which doesn’t really resonate with the audience on a more fundamental level since they realize they’re learning a lesson that might never apply to them.

Which is why stories that hold nothing back in regard to such an exploration and really do explore the genuine fallout of poor decisions should be celebrated, since they truly offer up a thoughtful and poignant experience for their audience. The kind that absolutely stays with them and gives them great insight, and that is precisely why this week’s episode of the STARZ series, Heels, is of note. Because ‘Dusty Finish’ offered up a comprehensive and powerful look at how many people we can touch in a negative manner when we make a genuinely boneheaded decision. A feat it accomplished, by showing us the collateral damage that came about from Jack’s angry decision to teach his baby brother one hell of a lesson in the ring, and it turns out that Jack managed to tick off and hurt a lot of people through his selfish machinations. 

For instance, his own team was left stunned by his actions, since the vicious nature of that moment was top of mind for Diego and Apocalypse and Rooster. To the point where Rooster began to question his role with the DWL and whether or not it was a good decision to stay. Granted, his quest for the belt likely aided that disdain, but throwing more fuel on the fire was quite problematic none the less. Plus, the professional fallout of his actions extended beyond his own team’s concerns. Since fans online were livid over the thirty second match and took to their blogs to express their distaste for what happened on that fateful night and this just went to show… that a decision that dumb and that bold, will anger a great deal of people and we will have to work hard to come back from that and what’s wild… is that the fallout of this moment actually emboldened an enemy.

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Because Charlie Gully saw this whole mess as a titanic failure on Jack’s part and that it also exposed his flaws as a leader. Which in turn made the DWL ripe for purchase in his mind, and that’s precisely why Charlie took the time to swing by Duffy and have a little sit down with Willie, in the hopes of making an offer on the dome and the league to potentially expand his empire. A move that eventually managed to blow up in his face. Because despite pondering upon the offer briefly, Jack opted to keep the league in family hands and continue the course. Which meant he had to figure out how to make things right, and that was going to be no easy task. Because in order to make that happen, he had to smooth things over with the biggest consequence of all when it comes to his actions.
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Because Ace was in fact, a mess over how this whole thing went down and became outright despondent over being humiliated by his brother and by seeing his supposed one-shot at happiness fade away. Since Wild Bill made it clear that the powers that be at the big leagues, weren’t quite as interested in Ace as they were a few days ago. But alas, Ace was the key to putting all of this back together and before Jack could figure out the right way to broach the subject and move forward, Ace forced his hand on the matter… by way of a boatload of liquor. Because he simply went on a drunken tear through the town, one that eventually saw him embarrass himself in public further and he also got into quite the bar fight. Because this really was a rock bottom moment for him, since he’s been seen as a town hero for so long. Which meant that it was up to Jack and Crystal to step in and cool him off and figure out how to keep Ace's fury from circling back around again, later on.

Which is why Jack finally lowered his guard and his ego and was honest and earnest with his baby brother. So he wouldn't fly off the handle again and so he peace could be made and a future could be forged, since Ace was invited back to the ring, and well, in the end… this was simply a powerful exploration into the far-reaching consequences that can come about when we act foolishly and in anger and well, this made for some moving and relatable television. Because we have been or will be in Jack’s shoes, where something dumb is said or done and we will or have felt like the scum of the earth for doing so, because of how clueless we are to the fact that our words or our actions can indeed hurt people badly. And that’s the kind of impactful lessons stories such as these have long been lacking and what’s truly amazing about this episode, is that it still found a way to further explore the central theme to this series, specifically… the power of our dreams and what motivates us to chase them with fervor.

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Something that was examined by way of how Jack and Ace live outside the ring. For they are outright miserable without wrestling since Jack works a soulless day job selling lawnmowers for a little weasel that treats him as though he’s a fool and a nobody and of course, Ace is basically directionless in his everyday life. But the ring really does afford them something more. Because when they’re in the ring, they’re the center of the world and everyone in that audience is hanging on their every word and well, what this examination makes clear… is that our dreams ignite something special within us, and they give us meaning we don’t find anywhere else and once that infects our minds and our souls, there is no cure and we will stop at nothing to get our hands on what we want. 
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In the end however, this really was quite the brilliant episode when all is said and done, since it genuinely offered up an impactful and worthwhile lesson on thinking before we leap. The kind that will indeed hang with viewers for days on end since it left no stone unturned in regard to its fascinating and visceral examination on the matter. Plus, you cannot go wrong with a story that is eager to really explore the raw power of dreams and how they fuel us in ways we honestly don't think about. Since they can in fact, drive us to get out of bed in the morning on days where we want to give up on everything, and to top it all off… this particular chapter set the stage for more big moments.

Since Crystal clearly wants in the ring and might finally have an in by helping Jack here and having Crystal join the crew would make this series even more realistic since women wrestlers are indeed part of professional wrestling now and of course, the friction between Staci and Jack is growing and will only get worse if Jack continues to be absent. Plus, this episode doesn’t quite answer the question as to whether or not Ace will be okay returning to the ring, since one bad night messed with his mind and soul badly and well, all this does… is leave us eager to continue to the journey. To see what will become of those all-important setups and of course… to bask in the wonder of a story that really has captured the essence of the human condition. Until next time.

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