Amazing Stories Review: The Heat (Season 1 Episode 2)
Spirits with unfinished business has been done plenty of times, but Amazing Stories Season 1 Episode 2, “The Heat,” brings a fantastic take to the idea by injecting it with themes of disenfranchisement, frustration, and voices crying out to finally be heard.
The only problem is that a lot of that is brushed aside for a perfect ending, leaving a lot of the great progress the episode makes feeling less impactful by the time the credits roll.
The set-up of rival best friends pushing each other to be the best is a wonderful jumping-off point, even if the disregard for cars on the road is very much on the nose during those early beginnings.
It’s especially touching that their connection beyond death is strongest during the thing that drives them the most: running. That’s the sort of thing that can go a long way with these sorts of Amazing Stories, where passion and love intersect as the driving force for the narrative (much like Amazing Stories Season 1 Episode 1, “The Cellar,” does, as well).
The episode does a good job to build the tension and realization that the car is hidden in the body shop and there is a cover-up happening at the street level. Tuka’s new ability to hear but never be seen is a great way to slowly uncover that truth, even if Sterling’s choice to go it alone to the auto shop leaves her far too exposed. It’s all so that her progress can be taken away, all of the hard work and dreams of both girls gone with the swing of a bat.
The best moment of the episode comes from Tuka’s proclamation to God or whatever entity is listening the call so many of the forgotten have buried deep down: to show they exist, that they matter, and their voice will be heard. It’s a powerful, well-executed speech, especially with Tuka looking right into the camera through most of it.
It leaves a lasting impression, and it feels like the focus should have been entirely on that mode of thinking rather than the inevitable righting all wrongs approach the last moments go for. It’s a nice approach to close on love, but rising Sterling up to the occasion and Tuka being her spirit mentor to reach the dreams Tuka could not may have been a more rousing, satisfying conclusion.
That way the success belongs to them both, rather than both losing, only to become a cautionary dream wiped away by going back to Tuka’s hit-and-run and she survives.
Tuka coming back to life once her purpose is found takes away so much of the stakes that the episode has created. It’s a happy ending, to be sure, but the reality of a lot of the themes the episode has been going for essentially falls to the side so that everyone wins in some way.
Thankfully, both E’myri Crutchfield and Hailey Kilgore are absolutely dominating leads. They carry so much of the emotional weight, able to unleash all of that frustration and heartbreak during key scenes to really make those moments shine just a little more.
While Amazing Stories Season 1 Episode 2, “The Heat,” makes great waves with providing a voice to those who may not get a chance to rise up and speak, it’s a little messy with a sudden happy ending. It doesn’t take all of that excellent work away, of course, but it does take a little away from it.
Where the episode could have closed on the idea of some having to work twice as hard to achieve their dreams and that their spirit (literally, in this case) will keep pushing them despite all of their adversity, a hard truth that the episode hints at, the episode shifts to being a love story that isn’t entirely clear until that very moment.
But it’s the performances and the emotions that remain clear, and for that, the episode is still a success.
What did you think of this episode of Amazing Stories? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Amazing Stories airs Fridays on Apple TV+.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.
2 comments
Honestly, I thought it sucked. It would’ve been better if the writer left the girls as best friends instead of secret lovers kissing. Horrible script!
Wasn’t that good, and it got worse at the end. She stayed so that her friend could realize she’s gay?!?! Boooo.
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