‘Heels’ Rewatch: What Comes After

11/5/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

How ‘Ten-Bell Salute’ Explores What Happens Shortly After Our Dreams Come True

‘We should keep doin’ it.’

‘You serious?’

‘We should make this into what it could have been, what we just proved that it can be if we work together.’

-Jack and Ace Spade

Stephen Amell as Jack Spade in Episode 201 of ‘Heels’ – ‘Ten-Bell Salute’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

One unfortunate truth about stories that involve the pursuit of our dreams… is that they end abruptly when the dream is achieved, and what makes that unfortunate… is that it is such a silly way to end a story. Because really, that’s it? The character finally has their dream and there’s nothing more than joy and wonder? What about a sense of accomplishment? Not to mention… what comes after we achieve our dreams? Do we just float away into a new plane of existence? Granted yes, there’s a lot of sarcasm and hyperbole in this writer’s words regarding that. But such fluff adds to the mystique the dream and the belief that it immediately fixes all of our problems, when there is so much more we could and should be discussing when it comes to our dreams and what happens after we achieve them.

Such as the fact, that life goes on after we get there. We still will have interpersonal issues to deal with, and we will still deal with heavy moments that will require some healing. Not to mention we have to maintain the dream and work harder to keep those who want to take it from us at bay and that is why season two of Heels is so important. Because it looked at the after, and what really happens when we achieve our dream, and the season two premiere of the show wasted little time in doing so. Since ‘Ten-Bell Salute’ first informed us that there is immediate fallout for when we do things we shouldn’t, to achieve our dreams, such as hurt others. Since we watched Ace Spade head out into the night to heaven knows where because he was so deeply wounded by what his brother did to him.

But there are good moments that come out of reaching the top. Such as that grand celebration that needs to take place, where we bask in the joy and wonder of achieving everything we’ve ever wanted. Which we saw on display here from so many in the DWL. Since Wild Bill was full of compliments and hope, and Crystal… basked in the glory of being a champion. Not to mention… even one’s enemies and those who want to see one fail have to deal with the reality of success. Since Gully did understand he was bested here, and yes, while he immediately tried to bring Jack and his team down… he still knew full well that his rival was in a better place from a popularity standpoint.

Kelli Berglund as Crystal Tyler in Episode 201 of ‘Heels’ – ‘Ten-Bell Salute’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

However, what truly made this premiere worthwhile, was the fact that it explored something that we don’t talk about at all when people get to the top. In that, they tend to reflect on the journey, and what brought them success, and they should. Because so much work went into reaching the peak of the mountain, and so much sacrifice. So yes, one should absolutely appreciate the journey and think about how great it feels to go from thinking about that big moment, to living within the moment, and that brought about, the origins of the crowning moment for the DWL. How it was born out of sorrow, and worry. Since King Spade’s untimely passing prompted everyone to think about what lie ahead and what they could leave behind by disbanding the league.

Which in turn led to one last hurrah to really pay it and the King proper tribute and that… that brought about a critical moment for Jack. Where he decided, after basking in the love of the crowd, now was the time to take over the league, and nurture it and do it right… and grow this thing into what it could be, and all it took to start that journey was a ‘to hell with it’ decision. Where he just thought it should happen, and that is worth reflecting upon. Because such thinking really makes one appreciate how far a singular decision can take a person and what joy the journey will bring them in the end. Which made for a very realistic end to this particular chapter of the story, one that was simply magnificent through and through.

For once again, this series did something that few others do and showcased what comes next when we achieve our dreams. For we finally came to learn that it is after the big moment arrives, we think about the journey and celebrate everything we’ve worked for and clearly… we prepare for the days ahead. Because a new chapter awaits us, and it is wonderful that this episode informs us that season two will look at what we find in that new chapter. So that we understand the journey through and through. But all lessons aside, this was just a great episode, period, and such a delight to watch again. Since you notice more details the second time around and more context comes into play and that is what we have to look forward to the most in the season two portion of the rewatch… depth. Depth for a story that is about as real and emotional as they come. Until next time.

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