The Journey Is The Obstacle – As the episode begins, Ace Spade (Alexander Ludwig) continues his road trip with Rolling Stone’s, “Gimme Shelter” in the background. Stacie Spade (Alison Luff) is out for a morning run. Willie Day (Mary McCormack) rushes around while listening to hounding messages from DWL creditors. A wake-up call about a missed calendar notification from Stacie sends Jack Spade (Stephen Amell) into a frantic rush. Making it to his Jeep, she reminds him of another important meeting tomorrow with Thomas Spade’s (Roxton Garcia) principal. Although Timmy Root (Steven Reddington) has him opening the shop tomorrow and he doesn’t have any extra time off, he vows to make it. She explains her and Jack’s complicated relationship to Courtney (Danielle Gross), who opens her house to her.

Dome – Willie calls Wild Bill Hancock (Chris Bauer) to see if he’s still interested in working with the DWL. She questions why he’s whispering. He confesses to sleeping with Constance Garrity (Missy Yager). Before the conversation ends, she tells him to remind Constance that she still owes the DWL their appearance fee for the State Fair.

Gas ‘N’ Break – Ace makes a quick pit stop where he picks up a Dover Springs brochure and encounters an attendant who won’t let him use the restroom without a purchase. He tries to compromise but the clerk doesn’t waver. Feeling defeated, he returns to his vehicle and urinates in the storm gutter. Armed with a baseball bat, the attendant demands him to hose down the area. Ace complies, but he tosses his trash out of his window while speeding off.

Hotel Parking Lot – After a brief make-out session, Constance gives Wild Bill the DWL’s check. She extends a later offer for him to visit her at home before leaving.

On The Road – On the road, Ace listens to Jim Freeman discuss his book, “Journey Is The Obstacle. He also checks out the Dover Springs brochure.

The Dome – Heading inside, Bobby Pin (Trey Trucker) celebrates Crystal Tyler (Kelli Berglund) winning the belt. She thanks him for being in her corner. Inside, Willie voices concern over the DWL’s debts eating up the fair’s profits. Jack tells her that it was always about building hype around DWL. She informs him of Charlie Gully (Mike O’Malley) making fun of Crystal’s win. He assures her that people being interested is a good thing. She says they need a plan to take advantage of the momentum but they need an event to sell tickets. Reminding him of Ace’s absence, she says he will need to write a script.

Backstage at the Dome, Ricky Rabies (Phil Brooks aka CM Punk) tells Wild Bill that he’s dedicating more time to the DWL’s future. Wild Bill suggests a technology enhancement and a podcast. They find Diego Cottonmouth (Robby Ramos) and other DWL personnel watching Gully’s promo. Diego agrees with Gully’s opinion that the match was a “no disqualification match”, but Crystal wasn’t a competitor. Jack thanks everyone for helping them achieve a successful fair. He welcomes Crystal aboard the DWL roster. He brings up Ace’s absence while also highlighting that the DWL title must be relinquished. Once alone, she confronts him about his decision. He reminds her that she vowed to do whatever it would take to be part of DWL. He says she is now an official member before walking away.

Overhearing the conversation, Willie tells Crystal that Jack has just given her a gift. Her moping is throwing that gift back in his face. She asks about her cardio and if she has ever fought in a 30-minute main event. She suggests starting her training now to prepare for Saturday’s event.

Carol’s House – Carol Spade (Alice Barrett) tells Jack that Ace took camping gear and food when he left.

Jack’s Bar And Grill – Ross Tacker(Ron Clinton Smith) offers to pay for Ace’s meal when he hears him order toast. Ace’s hostile response runs him off. Ace notices Ross left cash for his meal and takes it. Seconds later outside, Ace tries to return the cash when he spots the waitress (Nikkita Johnson) accusing Ross of skipping out on his bill. Ross tells Ace to keep the money and returns it to the tip jar.

Dome – After a training session with Dad (Scott Hunter), Crystal invites Diego to join her in the ring.

Wainid Fishing & Camping – Ace and the clerk (Phil Augusta Jackson) discuss camping in Dover Springs. The clerk warns of potential bear attacks.

Dome – Bobby goes with Crystal to Jack’s office to return the belt and leave an apology note.

Walker Elementary – Jack informs Staci of Ace’s disappearance when Principal Barry (Zele Avradopoulos) and the school psychiatrist, Jennifer Stone (Samantha Kacho) arrive. Jack tells them that Thomas was defending himself against a bully. Barry says Thomas can return to school. In the parking lot, Jack accuses Stacy of utilizing Thomas’ fight to point out his flaws. He contributes his change to Tom Spade’s (David James Elliott) suicide. After telling her that Tom’s last words to him were to take of Ace which he was already doing. Before leaving, he assures her that they will figure it out.

Dome – In a voicemail, Jack promises to do anything if Ace will come home. Inside, he informs everyone of Ace’s absence. He says the new strategy is to put Crystal to use. Wild Bill offers to help him because he lacks experience. He assures him that it isn’t his intention for his offer to come off as hostile. He wants to use his experience to grow the DWL.

Promo – DWL President, Eddie Earl (Joel Murray) says since Crystal wasn’t a legal fighter, her win is nullified and referee Bobby Pin (Trey Tucker) is suspended without pay. At a bar, Rooster Robbins (Allen Maldonado) watches the conference from his phone. Gulley, Paul (Brian Scannell), and Kevin (Andrew Henault) do not like the idea of Bobby being blamed. Eddie extends an apology to Wild Bill for the way his illness was handled before giving him another title shot. Jack scolds Bill for threatening to sue DWL. He accuses Crystal, Ace, and Jack of poisoning him. Ace watches the promo from his tent. Crystal introduces her character, Crystal Tyler.

Dome – Eddie removes Ace from the title contention when Crystal appears with her DWL contract. She demands equality and the crowd goes wild. Wild Bill takes a spin kick and is carted away in a neck brace only to return too late at the end of the match. Crystal makes a triumphant scale to the belt.

Dover Springs – While listening to Jack’s voicemail, Ace falls off a bluff. The episode ends.

 

Heels Review 

Being so early in the season, the episode felt as if it was missing strength in some parts. It certainly wasn’t a horrible episode and lots of potential plots were established. Several things that must be addressed are the absence of Thomas, Crystal’s underprivileged feminine tirade, and Stacie and Jack’s relationships. Thomas is clearly being written into the plot, why hasn’t he made an appearance yet? The whole Ace side trip just seemed strange. The fall brings in an interesting element, but the scene and the lead-up to it felt off. The whole trip with his various pit stops seemed strange.

The heat between Jack and Stacie is understandable as a plot builder, but it doesn’t feel like it’s playing out right for some reason. First, she claims they never argue then she’s moving out and then she’s still trying to insert herself in his schedule and life. The episode deserves a 5 out of 10.

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