‘Heels’ Rewatch: What Dreams May Come

10/29/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

How ‘Double Turn’ Explores What it Looks Like When Our Dreams Come True

‘But this family business right here, we’re about to make a big fuckin’ leap. Right out there… that’s as real as it gets. It’s as real as the years you’ve put in… and the doubts you overcame… and the injuries that you taped up or just sucked up. It’s all real as all the friendships in here, old and new. It’s as real as the fuckin’ mistakes that you made and the hatches that you buried. Most of all, I just want to thank all of you for never givin’ up on me. You’re my family, that’s it. Some by blood… the rest by sweat. Let’s fucking do it.’

- Jack Spade

Alexander Ludwig and Stephen Amell as Ace Spade and Jack Spade in Episode 108 of ‘Heels’ – ‘Double Turn’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ/Netflix.)

There is a fascinating belief in our world. In that, when we achieve our dreams, we expect it to be a very special and memorable day. One where the sun shines bright, for there isn’t a cloud in the sky. Where the air is clean and crisp and where we feel in the pit of our belly… that today is the day our lives will forever change for the better. Because this is the day we start that dream job, or that paycheck comes from our agent or manager or big business we signed with, and everything will just… be dreamy. Also of course, it will be filled with tears and reflection, and hugs and joy. Because at long last, the finish line was crossed, heaven awaits and well… like it or not… this belief is nothing more than a pipe dream through and through.

Because it will in fact, be another day. After all, if we are going to the dream job, we still have to get up and do the morning rigamarole. We still have to drive there. And of course, that check is going to bills, plain and simple. Granted, some of it will be dreamy, some of it will be surreal, and that is what we hold onto. But life doesn’t end because we became a writer, or an actor, or the top salesperson at the office. Our problems still wait us, we still have things to deal with that annoy, and well… that is why the season one finale of Heels is powerful and so poignant. Because it outright puts that on display in a manner that is frank, and yet beautiful and joyous. Reflecting the roller-coaster of emotions that we experience when we cross over into a new world, and ‘Double Turn’ accomplished this… by taking its time to get to the big moment.

For in this episode, the State Fair was looming, and everyone was preparing for it in unique ways, in ways that quite frankly, spoke to why we hold the dream in such high regard. Because we want success to make us better, to make us open to being more. Which was why Ace played nice and made amends for a change, and why Wild Bill brought Crystal into the fold. To share that good vibe because the DWL was about to hit paydirt. But of course… there were still issues lingering. Such as the fact that Jack’s marriage was on the rocks in this tale and the truth was out about what he did to his brother with the Kleenex gag, and none of that was going away. Life was still chugging along, and those issues hung heavy over a moment of celebration.

Alison Luff as Staci Spade in Episode 108 of ‘Heels’ – ‘Double Turn’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ/Netflix.)

Because they had to be resolved, and Jack had to tell Ace, and that led… to a big night at the fair, that felt… painfully real. Where Jack had to suck it up, feed the power of the dream to others and get on with the show. Which of course, had its disasters and that too was reflective of real life. Because even when you reach your dream, bad days happen, mistakes are made, and struggles arise. It’s how we overcome them in the moment that matters, that make us feel as though we can continue and embrace this new life. Which all came forth in the midst of the main match when Gully worked to send it sideways. But Jack pivoted and gave Crystal much deserved glory and recognition and just like that… the dream came true. In a messy manner, but birth is violent, plain and simple. All of which may make it seem as though our big day is sour and understand that’s not the case. Because it is a big deal, and it is one that we forever remember and cherish. But one cannot expect there to be a parade and confetti, one must just… soak up the reality that the mission was accomplished and get right to it and celebrate properly when the time is right.

If anything, this episode deserves a standing ovation, for pointing all of this out and doing so in a manner that is relatable. Through Jack, really. Because he really did go through it here and really showcased every point to a tee, and all the ups and downs of that big day when we cross over into something new, and that really deserves more recognition and merit. Because that’s perhaps one of the most relatable and real journeys we’ve ever seen on television, and Stephen Amell deserves a standing ovation as well for selling it in the manner he does, as does the rest of the cast. Because they sell the gravity of this day, the weight of it and the joy of it and everything in between with such ease and such majesty. All of which makes for an emotional tale where you are rooting for the DWL from start to finish.

But more importantly, a season long examination on what it means to chase one’s dream came to a close in a perfect manner. By bringing the dream home in the imperfect way in which it happens. After all, it even pointed out how sometimes… we go it alone on our big day, like Staci did here. Which just reminds us, of how relatable and human this show is, how great its writing is, which thanks again to Mike O’Malley for shepherding this season to its beautiful completion, and we are reminded here of just how damn good this show is. Because this is just, breathtaking television through and through, and well, now that we’ve closed the chapter on this journey… we get to explore more. About how we maintain what we have stepped into and what healing looks like, when we dive into season two of this magnificent and meaningful series. Until next time.

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