There is a part of me that is sad that this season of Ride has come to an end, but another part of me that is good with it. While up until now, I have loved every last moment of the show, the season finale felt all over the place, which left me wondering what I just watched.
And also pissed that it felt as though it was thrown together.
Ride has been a special show and I do mean that in the best way. It’s a show that has transported me away from life, given me excitement, made me fall in love with rodeo (well in the sense that I am open to seeing one now, because on the TV I will watch all the things), and given me characters to love.
All of these things do remain. But what also remains in this episode is the feeling that they had a good story to put together, didn’t know if they were going to get a second season, so they tried desperately to wrap things up while not knowing if they had another season, but leaving little things just in case.
And yes, I know that’s harsh, but also it just felt rushed and as if in an instant everyones attitude had changed. Not to mention, the whole thing of Missy’s trick riding editing. Wow.
CASH MAKES MISTAKES
We left off episode nine, with the police coming to Tuckers place to break up the fight. Cash and Tucker are both arrested and well, they head to lockup, where they have exchanges. It’s obvious that neither one of them like each other, but they are doing everything to try and act like they can one up another.
When Isabel comes and won’t bail Cash out of jail, afraid of what is happening, I have to admit that I didn’t see that part coming. I thought she would be there for her son regardless.
But she doesn’t want to make the same mistakes that she’s made before. Which leaves me to wonder why we haven’t learned more about Austin and all of his mistakes. Yes, we’ve alluded to a lot, but if we’re going to keep comparing the McMurray men to this shadow from the past, I feel like we need to know more.
So when Cash is left, he makes a deal with the devil. He agrees to throw the ride in order for him and Tucker to make money. Tucker says that this is something that Austin used to do, but if it’s something that Austin used to do, and it’s something that Cash knew was reckless, why would he agree to it?
Missy goes to bail him out, but when she does, he’s already been bailed out. I am not sure why Cash is being so reckless and why he’s thinking that this is a good idea. How can he left his family down like this?
CHEYENNE
Cash and Missy make it to Cheyenne in the nick of time. Of course, Frontier Jeans, is there and Cash is still chasing that sponsorship. JB says that he will sign whomever places higher and it’s like challenge accepted.
But Cash knows that he’s about to throw everything and that’s a really big deal. He’s willing to have his integrity go out the window in order to make sure that he fulfills his part of the deal with Tucker.
Only, Val realizes that Cash has made a deal with the devil and keeps trying to tell him that it’s not worth it. It’s when she tells him though that the tractor may be repoed that he starts to realize that what he’s going to do can fuck up everything for his family.
Cash may be an idiot at times, but what he also is, is smart. He knows that he’s got his families future hanging in the balance.
And so he doesn’t throw the ride. Instead, after drawing Hurricane (the same bull that killed his brother) he lasts the 8 seconds. Tucker, of course is pissed.
If Missy hadn’t talked to Cash, I do believe that he would have thrown the ride. I do believe that Missy has such control over his heart, because he loves her. So for him, he’s going to keep holding on to everything that is her. He wants her to see good in him.
MISSY MOVES ON
Cash had hidden the Andalusians necklace from Missy, for so many years. That box was the reason that she thought Austin knew her better than him and she lived thinking that he had thought of it.
But when Missy found the necklace and realized it was from Cash things changed. She had always had feelings for Cash, but seeing that he also had feelings for her changed something in him. What he was left with was this feeling of knowing that her whole life could have been different and things were built on a lie.
When she leaves the necklace on his door, Cash is confused, but also knows that means that he’s got to come clean.
What I don’t understand and yet also understand is the fact that these two had feelings for each other the entire time and the whole family sat back acting like they didn’t know. Cash hasn’t made his move, true. He’s lived his life as this martyr when it comes to his family and loving Missy, but doesn’t seem to want to fall out of that role.
I think to a certain point he enjoys that. He enjoys feeling like he’s making this big sacrifice because it means that all that he’s done has been worth it. When the two of them kiss, I cheered, only to see him walk away and leaving me even more confused.
Missy having feelings for Cash doesn’t shock me. As a matter of fact what it does is make things make sense.
But, there is also this part of me that thinks that he’s really confused because he knows that Gus had come by and said. Gus, the asshole that he is, came by and apologized and told Missy he was scared because he was falling in love with her.
Hate him.
Missy decides that she’s going to go to New Mexico because there is a trick riding association there. She is choosing herself, but like seriously, as happy as that makes me for her, I don’t think any of that is going to last.
She’s going to head back to the ranch.
THE SPONSORSHIP
Cash has gotten the Frontier sponsorship, which for some reason, I do think that this is going to end up being a bad thing. While Missy has lost her job with Frontier, personally, I think that her path forward is going to be quite difficult. I am not sure what it is that she’ll be doing.
I am not sure how she will be taking care of the image that they have built around her – her being Austin’s widow – not really allowing her to be more than that. So I think that the growth will be good next season.
What I do believe is that yes, the sponsorship is going to get them somewhere, but even as Cash tries to correct the shit he’s done, it will be hanging on by a thin string.
Tucker has his bail receipt which he’s going to try and blackmail him with.
THE “CLIFFHANGERS”
- Val’s Dads henchman shows up to take her to her father. It goes to show that he’s known where his daughter has been but we shall see what happens. Cause all we see is her get in the car and ride off with him.
- Tuff has decided that he’s going to focus on his music. He’s liked spending time with Julian, but he’s realized he needs to focus on himself.
- Turns out Austin had a son?
- Missy in in New Mexico for trick riding.
- Who knows what the fuck is happening with Gus….
Overall, this series has so much potential, but it needs to find its footing. I have so many thoughts, but that will come along in the season review.
Ride airs on The Hallmark Channel.
