‘Heels’ Recap: ‘The Journey is the Obstacle’

8/5/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Stephen Amell and Kelli Berglund as Jack Spade and Crystal Tyler in Episode 202 of ‘Heels’ – ‘The Journey is the Obstacle’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Heels’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

The prevailing belief that surrounds the pursuit of one’s dreams, is that reaching the top, and grabbing that dream… will lead to an instant transformation of our lives. Wherein our financial problems are gone since we’ve reached the top and likely received the deal of a lifetime, and where great peace washes over us. Because we’ve accomplished wonders, we have everything we want, and there’s nothing ahead but better days. Not to mention, our hearts will soar on a daily basis with satisfaction and wonder and there will be no more doubts in our mind that we belong here, nor will there be any doubts that we are on the wrong path or wasting our time. Because… we did it. We followed and obtained our dream.

We of course, hold to these beliefs, because we hear of such peace from those who have chased their dreams and won the day. But what’s unfortunate about this particular aspect of the chase and the big moment in question… is that those feelings and truths don’t come until later. Because nothing changes overnight and we must maintain what we have obtained, and well, that’s why this week’s episode of Heels is of note. For this hit STARZ series took the time to offer a realistic look at what life really looks like in the immediate aftermath of finally grabbing hold of what we want, and that brought forth a shockingly honest and raw tale. Since ‘The Journey is the Obstacle’ did indeed express how little changes in those precious first days after having what we want and how that reality can be difficult to navigate.

For instance, in the wake of the big day at the fair, it really seemed as though the Duffy Wrestling League was on easy street. For the check from the fair was in hand, thanks to Wild Bill’s wild ride with the commissioner of the fair and that was cash that should have gone a long way. But alas, the phone calls from collectors were blowing Willie’s phone up nonstop, making it clear that while the league was now solvent and a money maker, that cash wasn’t magically going to start rolling in. They had to capitalize on what happened and put together another amazing show that would pad the safe, and that was a hard truth of how little things change in the immediate wake of success, and the show had plenty more to say about that as well, courtesy of what these dynamic characters encountered in the wake of finally enjoying the wonder of their dream.

After all, Crystal came to learn, that the highs don’t hold forever. Because she was basically asked to relinquish the belt, simply because of the heat that was coming down on the internet and from Gully regarding the finish. Because the fans knew the rules and to stay legit and to keep that audience, it had to be addressed and, in that moment, a DQ of the title was the best way to handle that. Granted, Crystal didn’t see that right away, and that motivated her to fight for what belonged to her, and risk her standing in the process. But thankfully, Willie was there to guide her and explain to her the intricacies of this moment and that cooled her down. Allowing for her to sit in a holding pattern while she absorbed the hard lesson at hand about how there are still highs and lows after we find what we’ve wanted, and how that truth was not easy to swallow in the slightest.

Stephen Amell, Kelli Berglund, and Chris Bauer as Jack Spade, Crystal Tyler, and Wild Bill Hancock in Episode 202 of ‘Heels’ – ‘The Journey is the Obstacle’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

As for Jack Spade, well… he came to learn in the wake of success… that it wouldn’t transform him and give him magical peace just like that. Because he was still his salty self when confronted with what officials at Thomas’ school had to say about his son’s actions, and while the family won the day, he handled it wrong… and battled with Staci over that moment. Giving rise to the reality that change wasn’t going to come to him from success, he was going to have to work at it. And define the man he wanted to be and chase that, while enjoying success. Which was powerful to watch, since Staci has been waiting for that epiphany to reach her husband’s heart for some time now, and so have we, and this was quite the way to hammer home the lesson and explore what really changes us and how success can simply compliment the self-work since it gives us more to celebrate. Of course, he wasn’t the only Spade that spent some time in this story pondering upon the power of success and what it provides us with.

Because Ace was on quite the journey of self-discovery in this story. For he spent a lot of time on the road and decided that just getting away from it all would help him finally find clarity. Because he came to realize in this story… that success did nothing for him. Sure, he was beloved by the fans and sure he was a talented wrestler. But success and adoration left him hollow because they didn’t provide him with what he really wanted in this life, respect. Respect from his friends and his family and eventually he came to discover… he was also desperate to find self-respect. And that brought forth the most intimate journey in this story since you rarely see people that are in fact adored like Ace, understand that reality and understand that the only way to get what they want is to look within and discover what their soul craves, and it will be interesting to see if this journey and its ending will help him find what we truly desires.

But more on that in just a moment. Because in many ways, all of these moments made it seem as though grabbing hold of our dreams… is nothing but a downer. But that simply is not the case. This was just designed to prepare people for the shock they will experience when they run into similar moments as the characters did here when they too reach the top, before showcasing… some of the immediate payoffs as well. Because success can bring forth new allies and bring forth new ideas and new opportunities, and when success is embraced… it can accomplish wonders. As evidenced by how Wild Bill made peace with Jack and inspired the perfect way to handle the league’s technical problem, by giving Crystal a chance to rightfully reclaim the belt and they even leaned into the theatrics of it and let Jack really explore his creative side and that led… to a packed house and a night of majesty at the Duffy Dome, wherein Crystal Tyler became a professional wrestler and the undisputed Champion of the Duffy Wrestling League.

All of which made clear… the wonder of success and the magic that comes with finally having our dreams come true and well… this episode deserves a hard round of applause for going this route from a storytelling perspective. For it was… everything people need to hear in an era of human history where everyone is trying to chase their dreams in the digital age, and it was also… the right way to progress this story and keep it grounded and human and real. Because those are elements we love and respect about this incredible show and now that everyone has an understanding of what this new era in their life looks like and how it will take a little time before they settle into true happiness… we can turn our attention to some of the challenges that await the good people of the Duffy Wrestling League. Such as how Gully will respond to this rebound, since he is the thorn in the DWL’s side that seemingly cannot be removed and of course… what will come out of Ace’s journey and his horrible injury and stranding. Until next time.

To learn more about Staci Spade’s journey in season two of ‘Heels’, check out our interview with Actor Alison Luff.

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