Starz’s Heels season two episode four begins with a confirmation that Jack (Stephen Amell) and Staci (Alison Luff) aren’t just going through the paces, they are legitimately back together. Jack even asks for Staci’s opinion on what to do about the Gully situation, and she sides with Willie and Bill, believing Jack will have to make a deal. Or, maybe he can just apologize.
Jack and Staci’s houseguest, Ace (Alexander Ludwig), is totally confused about what to do next. He’s supposed to be long gone – off to bigger and better things – and yet here he is, back in Duffy. Jack reminds him he’s important to the DWL and vows to work with him as equals. Ace is, understandably, skeptical and wants to put wrestling behind him. (Jack’s sympathetic to Ace’s needs…for once.)
Meanwhile, over at the Dome, Crystal (Kelli Berglund) is introduced to Elle Dorado – real name Tonya (AJ Mendez) – who’s a friend of Ricky Rabies (CM Punk). Crystal looks impressed and maybe worried about Elle Dorado’s wrestling skills, although she plays it off. They go at it in the ring, and Crystal’s definitely met her match. It’s obvious Elle Dorado has a lot more skills and is way more experienced in the ring.
Jack attends a meeting with Gully (Mike O’Malley) and Rooster (Allen Maldonado), and although he appreciates Gully’s offer, Jack doesn’t think a cross-promotion between the DWL and Florida Wrestling Dystopia is a good idea. Their styles don’t gel. Gully is aware of that, but it’ll just be a one-time event.
Jack says he’s sorry, but Gully doesn’t back down. Also, Rooster points out how much Jack stands to benefit from tapping into Dystopia’s fan base. Plus, Gully assures Jack that his debt will be stamped paid if he agrees to the cross-promotion.
Gully leaves it to Rooster and Jack to work out the details. Jack doesn’t know the story, but Rooster points out that he does. Jack and Gully are each other’s villains, and the fans will get to pick sides. Both sides will be able to declare victory, and Rooster will get to be the star of the story.
Press pause on Jack’s problems for a brief check-in on Willie (Mary McCormack). She opens the DWL’s safe and removes the cash that’s on hand, shoving it in her purse. The following morning, she comes to after spending the night passed out on her bedroom floor. Her husband confirms she tossed her cookies and acts like this is a common occurrence.
Elsewhere, Wild Bill (Chris Bauer) and Diego (Robby Ramos) arrive at a wrestling convention, and although Bill tries to school Diego on the fact that these events are all about business and making money, Diego just can’t help fanboying out.
Bill does decent business signing autographs, selling merchandise, and posing for photos. During a brief break between fans, Diego spots Man-Beast and Jimmy John. Bill thinks it’ll make a great video clip, and Diego shoots as Bill reunites with Man-Beast while Jimmy John hangs back. They exchange insults as Diego records, and Bill’s shocked to see Jimmy John wander off without saying anything. Man-Beast/Alvin explains that Jimmy John left it all in the ring.
Later, Bill, Diego, Alvin, and Jimmy John have dinner while also recording an episode of Diego’s podcast. Alvin’s living a normal life, so that line of questioning gets nowhere. Bill pumps him for stories of their old wrestling buddies. However, all their old friends seem to have mental or physical issues now, and it’s not the sort of conversation Bill and Diego were expecting.
Bill seems both frustrated and upset that Alvin doesn’t miss his time in the ring. “I’m a happy man, Sport-o. Most of our generation are crippled, broken, or dead,” says Alvin.
They were all addicted to the ring and the crowd, and although he cheers for Bill, he doesn’t want to swap places.
Jack explains the cross-promotion to his wrestlers and they’re shocked. Even Big Jim (Duke Davis Roberts) lets loose with an expletive, but Jack insists it’ll be good for the DWL to tap into FWD’s fans.
Jack and Crystal have a quick chat after the meeting, and he reminds her that her match with Elle Dorado needs to pop since they’re introducing the new women’s division championship belt. Even though Crystal’s photo is now up on the wall next to all the other champions, she’s obviously not sure about going up against a much more experienced fighter.
The Dad (Scott Hunter) films Jack and the wrestlers shooting a promo for the cross-promotion, with Jack calling out Gully and challenging him to “one night, one card”- the DWL’s best against the best of FWD. Although the end of the video’s fireworks display fizzles rather than sizzles, Rooster walks up applauding Jack’s speech. He orders Jack to write him one that’s just as powerful for his own promo.
Staci’s filling in for Willie, who’s taken the day off, and has a weird encounter with a woman there to pick up something from Willie. The woman doesn’t explain what she needs and leaves in an official county vehicle.
While Staci’s helping out, Ace babysits Thomas and takes him out to get slushies. Crystal’s stocking shelves at the store, and she’s shocked to see Ace is back. He congratulates her on winning the belt, and she confesses she’s worried about getting into the ring with women who are stronger and have more experience.
Ace believes experience is overrated and that Jack will take care of her. He also asks her not to tell anyone that he’s back.
And by the way, Ace is a great babysitter. After spending time with Thomas teaching him to wrestle, Ace heads to the Dome and spends time in the ring by himself.
Crystal and Elle Dorado get ready for more practice, and Crystal learns the truth about what a body goes through to be a wrestler. Elle Dorado pounds down Ibuprofen and lists all the parts of her body that need surgery. She’s tried everything – except heroin – to control the pain, but without health insurance, she just has just fight through it.
It’s not a glamorous life, and Elle Dorado only had one short period during her wrestling career when she was covered by health insurance. She also reveals that most wrestling leagues only carry a couple of women on their rosters. After a while, they all run out of stories.
Rooster isn’t happy about Jack’s promo script, and wants Jack to flesh it out. Jack refuses. They disagree over why Rooster left the DWL, with Rooster insinuating that Jack stands on the backs of his men and acts like a king without acknowledging those holding him up.
Ace shows up unexpectedly at Crystal’s door late at night, asking for help. He’s got a plan and hands her a grocery bag, admitting it might be a stupid idea. A few minutes later, Ace is in the bathtub as Crystal washes his hair.
Ace is gone by the time Bobby (Trey Tucker) arrives at Crystal’s, and although he’s a little worried Ace has worked his way back into Crystal’s heart, she assures him that’s not true.
Jack hands Rooster a new script as the stands fill with wrestling fans. Bill and Diego are back, and Willie’s also returned to work. The crowd cheers as the wrestlers assemble in the ring while Eddie Earl (Joel Murray) MC’s. He tells the crowd that a new era has been initiated at the DWL with the introduction of a new women’s division.
Crystal’s introduced as the inaugural women’s champion and presented with a new championship belt as the crowd roars. That’s followed by the first match of the new division between Crystal and Elle Dorado. It goes well as Eddie, Wild Bill, and Bobby provide color commentary.
Elle Dorado has the upper hand for a while, but Crystal ultimately wins. She retains her belt and is still undefeated.
The crowd chants her name.
Backstage, Staci sees Willie handing over an envelope to the mystery woman.
The show continues, and Rooster interrupts Eddie Earl while he’s introducing the next match. The crowd shifts to boos as Rooster takes over the spotlight. He insults Jack’s small-town, family-man ways and then accepts Jack’s challenge. The DWL and FWD will square off in a grudge match.
Rooster ends with an epic mic drop as the crowd continues to boo. He sees Jack backstage and confirms that he read the new script word-for-word.
The night of fights continues with Diego and Big Jim taking on Wild Bill and Ricky Rabies. It’s complete madness in the ring, with Ricky foaming at the mouth and acting like he’s biting off Big Jim’s ear. He then goes after everyone, including his own partner.
Ricky’s in the ring by himself when Rooster and FWD wrestler The Hole (Luke Hawx) attack. Ricky’s knocked down and Rooster grabs the DWL belt from the announcer’s table while the crowd screams, “Traitor!”
Suddenly, the lights go out and the Dome is plunged into darkness. A spotlight lights up the ring and shows someone descending from above. A mysterious wrestler, cloaked in a hoodie, forces Rooster and The Hole from the ring.
The mystery man speaks, disguising his voice and sounding like Christian Bale’s Batman. He says he’s a dark soul seeking redemption. “I am The Condamned,” he says. (Yes, Condamned – not Condemned.)
Still wearing the hood, he lifts his head. The crowd doesn’t realize it, but it’s Ace, hair dyed dark and with a Lone Ranger-type mask painted on his face. (Actually, he looks a lot like Stephen Amell in Arrow!)
- Heels Season 2 Episode 2 “The Journey is the Obstacle” Recap
- Heels Season 2 Episode 3 “Discord” Recap
- Heels Season 2 Episode 5 “Who the Hell is The Condamned?” Recap
- Heels Season 2 Episode 6 “Appearances” Recap
- Heels Season 2 Episode 7 “The Things That Matter” Recap
- Heels Season 2 Episode 8 “High Flying” Recap
