Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 8 Review: ‘Death By Design’

Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 8 isn’t a bad episode, but the case doesn’t really catch us the way some of the other ones this season have. And while it’s also clear, thanks the phone call between Max and her dad, that ‘Death By Design’ is happening after the events of Episode 7, it also somehow manages to feel out of sequence a little bit. That’s not to say that the hour is by any means bad — because it’s not. It’s just…not a favorite. Which is fine, even if it feels odd to do anything that isn’t showering this gem of a series with praise.

The biggest takeaway from Wild Card Season 2 Episode 8 seems to be something we already knew: Yes, Ellis and Max are family. And yes, it’s clear that Max has chosen her place — by Ellis’ side. On the other hand, she still clearly has some insecurities and doubts, deep down, about her overall place on the team and how she fits. That’s especially true after her dad forces those doubts to the surface by trying to convince her these people aren’t her friends because they don’t do things like going out for drinks after work or sharing holiday dinners. Apparently, George doesn’t know about his daughter bonding over cheeses — and spying on the neighbors! — with Detective Yates or the fortune cookie that basically said “ElliMax is real.” (Both of those developments came in Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 4, which was four episodes ago.)

But maybe that’s kind of the point, more than anything else. George doesn’t know. Because he’s not part of Max’s world right now. Or, at least, she now has a life that’s completely separate from him in a way she never has before — not even when she first started consulting with the police. No matter what she’s telling her dad when they talk to each other, it’s pretty clear that she’s holding quite a lot back. Either that, or he just doesn’t believe her and is trying to protect her. Regardless, there’s no reason to worry. Max has found her place. She knows more about Chief Li than his own detectives do, gets Yates’ quirks better than just about anyone else, and is totally Cole Ellis’ cricket.

To drive this point home — that Max is right about these people being her family and friends, thus worthy of the family “no man left behind” rule — the episode closes with an invitation to Puzzle Night. So, Max is part of the group. And, although Detective Ellis’ original plan was to use the need to feed the feline overlord as an excuse to get out of hanging out with everyone, barely any nudging from Max gets him to join her. Not the group, which he doesn’t normally join for outings like this. Max. He joins Max. Much like the hot air balloon ride they missed out on, it’s totally a date.

No, seriously. Look at them. It’s a date.

MORE: Still obsessing over ElliMax’s kiss? Relive all the feels with our Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 6 review!

More on Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 8

“What time is it?” “Time for you to stop working with the police.” …no. Go away.
“The cops are not your friends.” In real life, true. Here, I just need Max’s dad to stop talking.
“Dad, I love you, but this isn’t up to you.” GO OFF.
That “WHAT NOW” is so me coded.
“Like when I step into your car, it goes from ‘meh’ to ‘marvelous.'” So true.
“Hey. Everybody has their kinks, ok? Who are we to judge?” Currently thinking about the many, many times Kate Beckett let on that she, uh, was aware of certain things.
(Also: Where’s the fic?)
This whole thing with the pocket scarf in the Jeep…this is so married coded. She’s telling him what to wear. He’s not having it. She’s smacking his hand when he tries to mess up her masterpiece (making him prettier for her eyes only)…wow.
Honestly? Keep the pocket square stuff, throw away whatever that conclusion to the case was, and also keep the Puzzle Night date. Do that, and this episode goes from “meh” to “marvelous.” (See what I did there?)
Actually, Max telling Cole she’s hurt about not being invited to things like Trivia Night by dropping hints and bickering with him? Also screams they’re married.
“No. But keep going because your enthusiasm’s riveting.” Currently wondering if the “but” part of that statement is how normal people respond when I talk about my shows and/or when I’m tutoring. Oops.
“Everybody who works here knows that.” “I work here.” Boy, you keep stepping in it.
Ok but if Yates gets that shirt, I want one, too.
“I wonder if I do anything weird in my sleep.” “Weirder than when you’re awake?” This is flirting.
Also: Y’all literally were in a one bed fanfiction not that long ago. He knows something.
Here we go with the pocket square again. Do what your wife says, Detective!
Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 8, aka ‘The One Where Max Uses A Flimsy Excuse to Keep Touching Her Work Partner’
Honestly have a newfound love for pocket squares after all of this. Anyone else?
“Resting Grumpy Face”
Ma’am, he has resting “in love with Max” face.
“The stock prices are all that matters, not the art.” Whew.
“Growing up, I was a lonely queer kid from a small town who loved fashion. Never felt like I fit in anywhere.” I think maybe something that makes the case not work for me is the whole messy, obsessed assistant having a thing for him in the end and how it sort of tarnishes what was otherwise a great moment here?
I do love getting to see Max do this character, though. Vanessa Morgan continues to be a gift.
“I’m a consultant. It’s…basically like the police but without a badge. Don’t even get me started, ok? Because this isn’t about me.” Oh, touched on that nerve again…
“I was like family to them.” Ok but if we’re doing this whole theme of Max having doubts, she needed to be the one to hear this from this lady. Or Ellis needed to make a connection. Something.
And yeah…that’s how this always works, in real life. You’re never actually “like family” to the people at work. That’s how they get you. But for our cozy, little partners-slash-ship and the team they work with? Totally family. Found family TV tropes are allowed and encouraged to break real-world rules!
ARMS.
Oof. Max Montesi is great there during the arrest scene. Just dread, and grief, and so much sadness. That “what have you done” is everything, actually. Wrecked.
“Police officers aren’t allowed to accept gifts, Max.” “No! Of course not! A member of the police force definitely shouldn’t do that. But a mere police consultant, who doesn’t even have a badge, would definitely consider the possibility…” She’s not letting this go, my dude. Just get her a toy badge or something. Or, I don’t know, do y’all have mini courtesy badges like that time the bald man left SVU and his wound up on the butt of his “complicated” partner’s gun?
“Now, Max knows that would be unethical.” “Yes! Max does know that.” And the shared winks with Yates. Love it.
“I gotta get home to feed Marc.” He’s so real for this. Feeding the cat is always a good reason not to do things! Even going home to look at the cat, play with the cat, annoy the cat, be ignored by the cat…Cat!
“Whatever, cat lady.” I feel so attacked.
She is so happy to be invited. And he is looking at her like THAT while she is.
Ellis thinks it’s not that big of a deal because he already knew she was part of his little family. Fight me.
“I don’t like most people. I barely tolerate all of you.” Same.