Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 7 ‘The Big Bang Theory’ begins a lot like your usual, light episode — or, really, it’s better than usual because that first scene is so very much an indicator of ElliMax progress. Very quickly, though, things take a very stressful turn. It’s the kind of episode we don’t necessarily expect from this series, which is fine. A change in tone every so often keeps things from getting too predictable or boring. Additionally, seeing Detective Ellis in charge of such a high-stakes operation while his personal connection makes the stakes even higher definitely makes for some great TV. Not to mention, we get that dark backstory for Chief Li that we did not expect at all. But let’s just hope we’re back to more sweet, less angst, soon. Because the heart can only take so much.
MORE: We can’t believe how far we’ve come, but we’re glad ElliMax’s rough start in the Season 2 premiere is behind us.
“Who are you?!”
There’s a lot we could say about the big reveal in Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 7, but the two things that stand out the most — besides, uh, did not see that coming — may seem to be at odds with one another. Namely, it’s really fitting that Max is the one that now knows the most about Chief Li Steven Chung, but no matter how much trust Li puts in Max, he’s also smart to hold something back. The justification for both of those positions is exactly the same.
As Max tells him near the end of the episode, “you’re not the only one with a past that follows them around.” Simply put, she gets it. Look how difficult it was for Max to get people to trust her based on who she is instead of judging her because of what she is. Given Li’s role at the precinct, and the amount of time he’s hidden this information from everyone, it would be significantly harder for him to bounce back the way Max has.
Toward the end of the hour, Max proves he made the right choice in confiding in her by quickly steering the conversation away from the tattoos during the squad’s little toast (to her!). Despite this, because of the fact that Max has already damaged everyone’s trust once, and because she’d probably do just about anything to get her dad’s sentence further reduced, Chief Li also makes the right choice by leading her to believe Sadie’s one of the people who died during the bust when he flipped on Jin. That twist of him going to watch her at the end is both a pleasant surprise and a kind of heartbreaking one. Turns out, it’s not that he never moved on because he feels responsible for this woman’s death; it’s because she’s alive, out there, and he can’t even talk to her.
Oof.
Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 7 is most definitely a great outing for Terry Chen. Right from the start, with the way he portrays that forced calm as Li tells Ellis to get everyone out and only barely tells us how terrified he really is with something behind his eyes, he delivers. That blend of toughness, resignation, and pleading to at least let Max go during the big reveal scene with Jin hits pretty hard, as well. But that deep sadness when the character talks about Sadie, or when he goes to watch her from a safe-ish distance, is particularly powerful. On a show like this one, which is usually assures us a happy ending, having such an integral part of the team suffering in silence like this is a huge risk. Somehow, Chen makes it work.
The series also makes this new information, for as shocking as it is, make some kind of full-circle sort of sense. Obviously, we now know why the guy’s always been just a wee bit reserved and mysterious. But, perhaps, knowing what we do now explains the Chief having a (grudging) soft spot for Max and pairing her with Ellis in the first place. A guy who knows what it means to need a second chance, that we aren’t all just our worst deeds, was maybe the only one who could’ve seen through Max’s background to the person inside all along.
So, uh. Thanks to him for that.
MORE: This isn’t the only time Max has worked with someone other than Ellis this season. She and Detective Yates made a great pair in Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 4, but things were a bit more complicated with her old friend in Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 5.
“Sounds like a date”
In case anyone was actually wondering if we were going to really act like that ElliMax kiss in Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 6 never happened, the answer was always going to be no. Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 7 not only confirms that the answer is a resounding no but that Ellis and Max can’t fool anyone. To paraphrase Shakespeare a bit here, the cat parents doth protest too much, methinks. It’s so obvious they’re dating (while being in denial about dating but not all the other stuff), even Jin confirms — multiple times, per his “still a date” line — that Max and Ellis’ plans to go on a hot air balloon ride together is, one hundred percent, a date.
As far as the two of them trying to live in an alternate reality where it’s only friendly goes, it’s not only wildly entertaining to watch but also a welcome break from all the angst. Because. Oh, hi. Detective Ellis has enough to worry about before he sees that Max is in that building…and then, once he does know she’s there, all rational thought disappears. Which, again, these two fools are not just a couple of work pals. They know that, even if they want to try to pretend otherwise. Just to reiterate since it’s a lot, even a total stranger who’s here to exact revenge on the Chief can see right through them. Just absolutely wild stuff. (The best stuff.)
That scene where Ellis promises he’ll save Max and they, essentially, hold hands through the glass door makes for such sweet, delicious angst. He throws all caution to the wind, runs to that door, and makes a promise to save her. Even when she reminds him he always tells her to never make promises during a case, all he has as a response is “yeah, well, this time I’m promising.” Because he has to promise himself, just as much as he has to promise her. Even if we can put all the leaping over barriers and running so fast even none of the other members of law enforcement can stop him aside, we’d still be able to notice Giacomo Gianniotti’s two very different approaches to how Ellis responds to the initial news from Li about the bomb and seeing Max in danger.
But, again, it’s not like we ever really had any doubt about any of the feelings involved here. It’s just nice to see these lovely scenes that totally prove it. More, please!
Ultimately, Max and Ellis manage to work together from afar to save the day. And, once again, he takes off running. First, to Max, to make sure she’s ok. (Poor Chief Li only gets a nod here.) And then, he runs for Max, to take down Jin. TL;DR This man is down bad, and we’re here for it. In case you needed more proof, look at the way he only has eyes for her during the toast at the end. Get you someone who looks at you like that.
MORE: We’ve come a long way since that ElliMax dance in Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 2. It’s “no man left behind” for these two indeed.
More on Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 7
- A whole opening ElliMax scene with coffee. It’s like someone wrote that just for me.
- Not beating the “new, improved Caskett” allegations either.
- Also: This is a date. How do they not know this is a coffee date? They are having a coffee date. And flirting. Over coffee.
- Buddy, you’re already having a Max-ternoon Delight. Unless you’re saying you’re holding off on—…
- …nope. Gonna behave and keep this family friendly.
- “I do not procrastinate! I create joyful, in-the-moment experiences that do not involve working.” You know what? Respect.
- Those shots of the empty AF precinct as Max wanders in, oblivious. Wow. The way the camera pulls out is super effective here, too.
- “I’m usually naked in that dream.”
- “People are always finding new ways to do damage.” *stares in the crumbling of the U.S.*
- Very cool use of the black and white for the robot’s perspective…and very grateful it doesn’t look like those Black Mirror things.
- “He took 30 minutes off the clock.” “I’ll get the ice cream.” Correct response.
- Something about this man being in charge does it.
- “This isn’t about me. It’s about money. It always is.” Turns out, it was kinda both.
- “You’d better stay hydrated.” “You’re kidding me, right?” “Riiiiiiiight. You can’t use the little chief’s room. I’d better not talk about waterfalls, flowing water…” “Max.”
- How Vanessa Morgan manages to be so delightful when Max tries to get Li interested in her game of charades and still conveys that this is not your usual “Max being silly” situation, I will never know.
- She could’ve asked him anything, and she asked if he’s ever been in love. Your girl has love on the brain. Can’t fathom why.
- He is way, way too defensive here for me to have not picked up on something tragic huh.
- “You guys going on a date?” “No. It’s not a date.” “Hot air balloon? Champagne, sunset…” And then, Sanders tells us her husband proposed in one. D-A-T-E.
- “You don’t think Max…thinks that…it’s a…date. Do you?” Sir. You’re a detective. Detect. (Or don’t. This is fun!)
- “Like a date.” “No! Not like a date.” “Sounds like a date.” IT’S A DATE.
- SHE IS FREAKING OUT
- …by “she,” I might mean both Max and me.
- “Hey. Temporary boss?” “Yeah. What’s up?” “We’re gonna get them out of there.” Yates being sweet and reassuring means you know things are serious. And then, he says he knows…but does not look convinced.
- “If it wasn’t Max and Li in there, would you still be making this decision?” No. He would not. Cool of Simmons to soften that with adding Li in, when we all know the “not” girlfriend being in there is the main factor that has him all messed up.
- That’s not to say he doesn’t care about Li. But again, look at the difference between before he saw Max was in there…and after.
- “What, you think you’re the first police chief I’ve seen with their shirt off?” Chief Ellis in the future: Confirmed.
- “I know every tat has a story, but this is like Game of Thrones. It’s endless.” And now, I’m angry about GRRM taking 84 years on that effing book again.
- The hallway shot. The dark shadow of this guy…Nice.
- Stay pressed, Max. Please. Stay pressed.
- Of course she swiped the gun. BAMF.
- Yates is so real for throwing back that tequila. Simmons, too.
- “I still need to swim with dolphins, go hot air ballooning…” With Ellis.
- They really both think about the monitor at almost the same time. Great minds.
- …also married.
- His face after the explosion.
- Not ok.
- This is supposed to be the FUN show!
- Simmons and Yates when Li reveals the tats, though. Thank you for the FUN and FUNNY.
- “Go to H—, Steven.” “Already there.” Ouch.
- It’s the way ElliMax look at each other when Li praises them for me.
- “To us.” “To you.” Love. This. Whole. Part.
- “It’s all I have left of her.” Kill me now.
- Hey. Max. Listen to Chief Li, or Steven, or whatever. You don’t want to be like him, right? Shoot your shot already.
- “We’ll get another chance.” “I hope so.” Me too, TF.
- She saved herself, and he’s proud. Get you a man who doesn’t need you to be a damsel!
- No but why do they look at each other like that? (We know why.)
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 7 ‘The Big Bang Theory’? Leave us a comment!
Wild Cards airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
