‘Heels’ Rewatch: Behind the Curtain

1/21/2025

Written by John Edward Betancourt

How ‘Heavy Heads’ Informs Us to Expect Surprises in Our New Career Field

“I mean, I cou-I could dress this up, but you’re not exactly playing fair. You standing on your tank, fighting for the soul of America. This? This might as well be ‘See Spot Run’.”

“I don’t want to write for you at all. I’m only doing it ‘cause I have to.”

- Deandre ‘Rooster Robbins’ Milton and Jack Spade

Chris Bauer and Robby Ramos as Wild Bill Hancock and Diego Cottonmouth in Episode 204 of ‘Heels’ – ‘Heavy Heads’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

It is definitely safe to say, that decades from now, Heels will forever be remembered (after a seven-season run, right, Netflix?) as the only show out there to properly explore the pursuit of our dreams and what to expect when we get there. Simply because beneath the magnificent drama, great writing and acting, and epic tributes to wrestling… that is what the core of this story is about. The everyday you and me, chasing our dreams and sacrificing everything for them. Only to learn that when we get there, the top of the mountain is not what we thought it would be and that more work happens to be required to maintain what we want and keep what we love.

Not to mention, there’s the fact… that our dream job won’t be filled with perfect days and zero stress. Because our dream, will always have elements of work. Granted, that will be easier to swallow since the dream is at hand. But it is important to note some days won’t be rosy and sometimes… we will be faced with some hard truths and that’s precisely what ‘Heavy Heads’ takes the time to explore. To further prepare us for what lie ahead and to offer up some amazing storytelling for certain. Because that is where this series thrives and really, this episode took the time to offer up three key lessons regarding this essential theme. One of which informed us, that sometimes… the perfect gig will not offer up exactly what we thought it would.

Which was explored via Crystal’s journey in this tale. Because despite landing a spot on the Wall of Champions at the Duffy Dome and being the reason for the DWL to start a Women’s League, she came to learn… that she was basically part of a tough corner of the business. Since she met El Dorado here, the lone lady brought in to help her defend her title and kick off the new league and El made it known how much extra hustling she had to do to maintain a standing in this industry. Since few supported women’s wrestling and that made her a nomad of sorts. Which shocked Crystal to no end and left her wondering her own fate. But it was a sobering reminder of the fact that sometimes the reality of what we seek is vastly different than we imagined, and we need to be prepared for that and need to ponder deeply upon if what we find is what we want. A process that Crystal stared here.

Kelli Berglund and AJ Lee as Crystal Tyler and El Dorado in Episode 204 of ‘Heels’ – ‘Heavy Heads’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

As for the second storyline, well that was handled through Bill’s journey. Wherein he and Diego went to a wrestling convention to sell some wares and meet up with some old friends and maybe land them for the podcast. But while there, they both came to see, the darkside of wrestling. Since so many of Bill’s old friends were revealed to be in rough shape after all those years of injuries and various treatments to… ‘maintain’ one’s standing. Not to mention, some of them saw their time in the ring as a joke, and a transition point. Which left Bill stunned since it reminded him of some supremely harsh lessons about our chosen career field. In that, not all will appreciate it, and that the sacrifices we make can be costly and that we should be appreciative when we thrive within it since not everyone gets that victory. Plus, this episode deserves a round of applause for showcasing that darker side to this industry since wrestling does chew stars up and spit them out.

But of course, the centerpiece lesson was handled by Jack. Who after consulting with his lawyers came to learn that he was stuck with the whole mess involving Gully, so he went full bore into it. Going so far as to write his ass off and create some incredible promos, for both he and Rooster Robbins. Who was to appear in the ring to start the promo work, and well… make no mistake about it, that made Jack miserable. Because he had zero desire to work with Gully and Rooster on anything creative. But that was the deal, and Jack did his best to put on a good show and he did, with some great twists, one of which involved the mysterious Condamned. But what mattered more, is that Jack’s journey taught us… dream job or no… there will be people we will have to work with, we don’t want to. But we must be the consummate professional when that happens, and just do the best job we can. Because that is sometimes the deal at the top, and as long as we stay true to our talents and our good nature, this too shall pass.

Since we will either outlast that person or come under the purview of someone better, and well, that lesson and all of the other lessons present here made for a very unique episode. One that hammered home the special nature of Heels and how truly, it explores elements about the pursuit of the dream that no other show touches. Because this one is special, and it still has so many more lessons about the dream ahead. But while we wait, we can bask in the wonder of one thoughtful journey, one that once again let the cast shine through powerful moments that kept our attention and taught us so much, and it really is wonderful to find these amazing lessons on display. So, that we are all ready for what comes after the moment we get to say, I did it. Until next time.

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