‘Heels’ Recap: ‘Kayfabe’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Heels’.
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One unfortunate misconception that a great deal of us believe in, is that chasing our dreams is easy work and it makes sense as to why we hold to that notion. For all we hear about, in regard to the pursuit of what will make us genuinely happy, is how it should energize and fuel us in a way we’ve never experienced before, and that those feelings are so strong and so intoxicating… that it won’t feel like a chase. Instead, it will feel like a pull, since our dreams call to us and demand we answer and well… the reason that the word misconception is associated with that concept, is because that perception really is off the mark for certain. Because chasing one’s dream is no simple task… nor is it always fulfilling and energizing. 
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Because, dedicating oneself to a particular path, takes incredible effort and sacrifice and blood and sweat and tears. Plus, it also involves embracing a grand helping of failure. Because we aren’t the only ones chasing the prize and others will sometimes surpass us and sometimes, we will do everything right and still fall short. But while that makes the chase of the dream seem sour in nature, that’s genuinely not the case. Because that rush is there, and the energy does await us, provided that we can reconcile the fact that the journey to the finish line will be wrought with tough times and learning experiences before we enjoy the fruits of our labor. If anything, the tougher side to the pursuit of dreams is relevant to our discussion today, simply because it is presented in the raw in the new STARZ wrestling drama, Heels.

A feat that the series premiere accomplishes, by plunging us into a part of the world where the desire to achieve one’s dreams grows like weeds. For the tiny, two stoplight town of Duffy, Georgia, is home to the Duffy Wrestling League, an organization that was founded back in the day by a wrestler named Tom ‘King’ Spade and well, when we catch up with the league in ‘Kayfabe’, things have changed greatly. For the King has passed into the great beyond and now his son, Jack, oversees the league and well… this is everything that Jack has been hoping for. For he sees the potential of the DWL and knows that with the right care and dedication and passion it can grow beyond anything his father ever hoped for and well, he’s correct in that assumption.

Because Jack has brought his baby brother Ace into the business and put in the work to write better storylines to entertain audiences and well, he’s done such a good job revitalizing the league, that the Duffy Dome is packed with fans every week. Plus, his intrepid squad of wrestlers believe in what he’s doing and that it will bring their dreams to life and for a brief moment, it appears as though, this story won’t be digging into the difficulties of chasing one’s dreams in the slightest. After all, Jack is seeing the business skyrocket and well, it’s that false sense of security we receive in the moment, that allows for that exploration to get underway. Because Ace Space is popular enough that he’s being scouted by the big leagues and that’s inflating his ego and his desire to leave. Which will hurt the business for certain, and to complicate matters further, Jack is struggling to juggle the DWL and his everyday life.

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For his wife and son need him as well, but this sport takes a great deal of his time up and that allows for some powerful and brilliant moments to take place. The kind that resonates with the audience since we have or will share in Jack’s struggles since sometimes our families question our quest or those, we bring along with us believe they have outgrown us and what we are trying to put together. If anything, the series deserves serious credit for taking the time to show us the struggles that come with chasing our dreams in a realistic and relatable manner and well… since this is the setup episode, it will be quite interesting to see how Jack responds to all the challenges surrounding him in Duffy and the ones waiting beyond the city. Since Charlie Gully and his twisted and violent Florida Wrestling Dystopia league are gunning to put an end to the DWL post haste.
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But while that detailed setup and exploration could have carried this pilot episode, there’s more depth to be found in this tale. Because this is an episode, that also does a wonderful job of initiating the uninitiated into the world of wrestling in a brilliant manner. Since there are teaching moments peppered in throughout the story in an organic fashion, helping the viewer slip into this world in a seamless manner and this episode also deserves a round of applause, for not poking fun of wrestling in the slightest. For this is a popular sport for certain, one that people genuinely love and respect and it is wonderful to see a show pay tribute to the sport’s rich history and the work that goes into creating its stories and the incredible matches that bring the fans so much joy.

Yet what is genuinely impressive about this series premiere is that also digs deep into other concepts as well. Such as how the lines between pop culture and reality are beginning to blur. As evidenced by Jack’s demand that faces and heels always stay in character to provide the right illusion for the fans and what’s wild, is that this episode also offers up an earnest examination of how people tend to operate in grey areas morally and mentally more often than not. For much of the people in the DWL are supremely flawed human beings, complete with a bevy of skeletons in their closets. The kind that pushes them to make fascinating choices both good and bad and well, this is just refreshing to find in a drama of this manner, since traditionally this kind of story would feature a true protagonist and antagonist and not going that route, only adds to the realism of this powerful journey.

One that is going to take us on a genuinely moving ride in the next eight weeks, since the premiere was filled to the brim with powerful beats and moments that give one pause. Plus, it features an ending that hammers home a bonus examination of the central theme, since it speaks volumes to how sometimes… we will do things that aren’t normally in our wheelhouse in order to get one step closer to the dream and well, in the end… all of these elements make this a flawless premiere. Because not only does this episode plunge you into a perfectly fleshed out world, complete with characters that are dynamic and engaging and relatable… but it utterly leaves you starving for more. Simply because this story really is about as original and unique as it gets, and it will be quite incredible to see where it takes in the weeks to come. Until next time.

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