MOVIE REVIEW
Heels: Season 2
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Genre: Drama, Sports, Action
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 8 x 60m episodes
Created by: Michael Waldron
Director(s): Peter Segal, Michael Lehmann, Jessica Lowrey
Cast: Stephen Amell, Alexander Ludwig, Mary McCormack, Allen Maldonado, Kelli Berglund
Where To Watch: available now digitally from Lionsgate

RAVING REVIEW: In its second season, HEELS continues its spotlight on the Spade brothers, Jack (Stephen Amell) and Ace (Alexander Ludwig,) wrestling within the ring of Duffy Wrestling League (DWL) but against a backdrop of family concerns and expectations in Duffy, Georgia. The stakes are heightened, the drama more intense, as the narrative delves deeper into the brothers' turbulent lives. The season becomes an arena for conflicts that are as psychological as they are physical, making the audience root for the characters' ambitions and personal redemption.

Right from the opening scene, the season wrestles with the shadows cast by the brothers’ late father, Tom Spade. His looming legacy continues to dictate his sons' personal and professional lives. The series intersperses present struggles with flashbacks, drawing a clear line from the past triumphs and tribulations of Tom Spade to the current dilemmas faced by Jack and Ace. Jack, played with intensity by Amell, bears the weight of the league and his father's legacy, sacrificing personal happiness. On the other hand, Ludwig's Ace channels a rebellious streak, eager to forge his identity away from the family’s wrestling dynasty.

Crystal Tyler's rise to prominence is a significant subplot that takes center stage this season. Portrayed with fierce determination by Kelli Berglund, Crystal's evolution from a valet to the league's first female champion challenges the entrenched gender norms of the wrestling world. Her storyline is a personal victory and a crusade against sexism within the sport, making her a beacon of empowerment and a pivotal player in the series.

Mary McCormack and Chris Bauer's supporting roles inject depth and fun into the series. McCormack's Willie Day stands as a column of strength within the DWL. At the same time, Bauer's Wild Bill Hancock offers comic relief intertwined with more intense moments, reflecting on the harsh realities of aging in the wrestling industry.

This season also introduces a compelling antagonist in Charlie Gully’s Florida Wrestling Dystopia, starkly contrasting with the community-focused DWL. Gully's flashy, commercial tactics force Jack to rethink his strategies and the true meaning of community within the wrestling world, adding a layer of external conflict that mirrors the internal battles of our protagonists.

The abrupt cancellation of HEELS leaves the series with numerous unresolved arcs. The cliffhanger-packed finale builds expectations and opens exciting narrative possibilities, only to leave them hanging, much to the dismay of the devoted following. This premature conclusion denies the audience closure and stirs a potent mix of frustration and longing for what could have been—a third season filled with answers and resolutions.

Despite its untimely end, HEELS: SEASON 2 cements its legacy as a standout series that transcends the typical boundaries of a sports drama. It combines the drama of professional wrestling with universal themes of legacy, struggle, and redemption, crafting a narrative that resonates with viewers. Its authentic portrayal of the wrestling industry and compelling, heartfelt storytelling ensures that HEELS will be remembered as a sports series and a significant, albeit underappreciated, piece of television drama.

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[photo courtesy of LIONSGATE]

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