‘Heels’ Rewatch: The Grind

10/1/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

How ‘Cutting Promos’ Showcases the Grind That Dreamers Endure

‘All right, so streaming’s the key. We want to build out our YouTube Channel with a high-quality streaming broadcast. That’s—that’s the hook.’

- Jack Spade

Stephen Amell and Mary McCormack as Jack Spade and Willie Day in Episode 104 of ‘Heels’ – ‘Cutting Promos’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ/Netflix.)

Often times, stories that explore the wonder of chasing our dreams feature quite the unique path to the top. Wherein the character that wants to be more, runs into only a handful of obstacles, and perhaps one big one before finally… getting to live their outright dream. Which is a move that genuinely brings the audience great joy. Since it speaks to how chasing our dreams will energize us and push us and allow for us to focus on the big prize over anything else, and of course… we shall overcome because the dream and our desire to claim it will conquer all. But while that energizes an audience and does provide us with a feel-good story for the ages. Make no mistake about it, that particular storytelling path also does the pursuit of the dream and the audience a great disservice.

Because there is so much more to the pursuit of our dreams, and a lot of moments left upon the table. For in between the big moments and the progress made, and the celebration point, there is a lot of downtime. Lots of dreaming of that better tomorrow, and of course… a grind. Because in order for us to get noticed, or get moving, we have to hustle, we have to work and that is why the next episode of Heels is of note. Because ‘Cutting Promos’ showcases that particular struggle through and through and it is wonderful that it took the time to do that. So that we can really see how the path to the top works, and it accomplished this exploration, by taking a better part of the episode to showcase the grind and all it entails in great detail.

For instance, Crystal and Bobby’s journey in this episode, really spotlighted how much thought and work goes into a person’s dream, and how much the dreamer sometimes relies upon others to help them focus when their dreams are big. Which we don’t give much thought to, but we should. Because big dreams require planning and require so much work and those that do succeed, are the ones who spend hours upon hours planning every little detail and nuance, and this story backed that up. Because eventually, Bobby Pin found his path forward as a character and understood how best to become a better wrestler that the fans will embrace. Thanks to that hard work and thanks to the grind that all dreamers must endure.

Kelli Berglund as Crystal Tyler in Episode 104 of ‘Heels’ – ‘Cutting Promos’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ/Netflix.)

But of course, that’s a more positive ending to that aspect of the grind, and sadly… it isn’t that great for everyone else, as evidenced by Jack’s journey in this story. Because he knew the time was now to start pulling in some funding. In part because of the fire that hit the house, but also because… the league was hot, and he knew he needed capital to move his dream forward. So, he set out to land sponsorships, to sell the sizzle of his plans, and well, as is often the case in real life for folks like Jack, he hit a brick wall at every turn. Because no one wanted to hand over the money, not without some better understanding of how they would get a return on their investment, and that… really is how the grind goes. It harbors a lot of ‘no’ and a lot of disappointment, but that doesn’t stop the dreamer from dreaming and figuring out a way forward to get what they want.

Which this episode was quick to showcase as well. Since Jack and Ace figured out how to rent the local gas station for an hour to make that promo. To show Gully and his boys they could compete and show others… that they were a viable product. Which explored the grind beautifully, and all these elements would have been able to carry this story from beginning to end. But this episode had to more explore. In that, it also showcased that part of the grind… is living. Because life goes on while we dream and work toward the top, and that was handled by way of the family tension the Spades dealt with over Carol’s lingering guilt and pain from losing her husband, and through Wild Bill. Who crossed a lot of lines and paid dearly for that, because consequences don’t end in our pursuit of the dream, which for Bill clearly involves finding some measure of respect and recognition.

All of which brought forth, a wonderfully brilliant episode. One that truly showcased what actually happens when we chase our dreams, and how hard a process it is, and how… the grind is what separates the true believers from the casual. But what matters more about this tale, is its willingness to dive into such real-life matters. Because that speaks to the fact that Creator Michael Waldron, Showrunner Mike O’Malley, and his writing team and this incredible cast… really wanted to create a show for everyone. One that really examined life in a frank and powerful manner and well, this episode is another shining of example of how they accomplished that mission and how deep this series will go. Since it also tapped into musings on suicide, and grief, and loss, all stuff we deal with in some capacity in life and that also… leaves one eager to continue the journey. To learn more about the dream, and life via, by way of these earnest wrestlers chasing their dreams. Until next time.

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