Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 10 Review: ‘Our Lip (Fillers) Are Sealed’

Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 10 enters the melodramatic and over-the-top world of trash TV, when Max goes undercover as one of the ~~Real Housewives of ElliMaxLandia~~ Luxurious Ladies and Ellis poses as a producer to investigate a reality star’s murder. And this case delivers on a little bit of everything. Secret lovers, secret sons, spiked drinks, fake rivalries (see also: secret lovers), and and opportunity for Max to do a big, dramatic reveal during the show’s finale dinner. There’s also a whole thing with a divorce party that’s really an “inject toxic waste in your face for the sake of meeting some weird ‘beauty’ standard” party…thrown by a woman who secretly misses her husband and wants him back. It’s a mess, but we mean that as a compliment. Because, really, if you’re doing reality TV, you’d better be messy. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Speaking of messy: Marc the cat is clearly home alone during all of this, as both his parents and Uncle Ricky are on the case. No, wait. Cats are independent little overlords (until they feel like being needy for a minute), so the first part of that statement is maybe unnecessary here. Ricky working with the team as a reality TV “expert,” however…well. That’s a problem.

MORE: Read our Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 9 review to relive that time Ellis and Marc had to crash at Max and (Uncle) Ricky’s.

“You’re playing with fire, Maximus”

This week in ElliMax: A fairytale-like moment. In the middle of all the toxicity on the set of the reality show, Max appears at the top of the stairs, all dolled-up in her golden gown. Ellis looks up, in awe, and can’t even speak until she comes down the stairs and stops just slightly above him. It’s like watching the fairytale prince fall in love at first sight with the princess he’s sent to court (or whatever), except that these two…already know each other, already have those feelings, and are getting worse and worse at hiding them. Of course, the other way this differs from your standard fairytale romance is that this couple does not, in fact, get to live happily ever after.

At least not right now.

At the end of Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 10, once the case is closed and Max is back home, Ricky reveals to her that he saved her a little souvenir from the set of ~~Real Human Servants of Marc the Cat~~ Luxurious Ladies. It’s the footage of that moment on the stairs, when everything else in the world just slipped away and left them. For about the millionth time, Ricky reminds Max that they have plans. She’s supposed to be working on getting her dad out of prison so they can finish their “project” and leave. As usual, Max immediately makes up a flimsy excuse for her closeness with her “coworker.” But Max can’t keep denying the undeniable (ElliMax, obviously) because Ricky has proof. He can show her what she looks like — what they look like to outside observers.

That camera doesn’t lie. Sure, reality TV isn’t as “real” as it claims to be and all, but that’s the result of manipulative editing and even setting people up with certain scenarios. This isn’t that, though. In fact, it’s the exact opposite of the fantasy that trash TV tries to pawn off as truth. As in, it’s a genuine dose of reality for these characters. Ellis slowly zipping up that gold dress, and Max’s little glance down at Ellis’ lips, and her beaming smile when he says she looks nice, are all things that happen only when these two people stop putting on a show. It’s who they are when they let their guards down, convinced no one is watching — not the masks they wear for other people’s benefit.

Or, rather. All of the above happens when they’re so wrapped up in each other, they forget Ricky, someone who sees right through them, is watching. So, after the fact, Ricky gives Max some important advice: “You can lie to me if it makes it easier to get out of this conversation, but please, just don’t lie to yourself.” And what happens when he leaves Max alone with the recording? She cautiously presses play, grins that little bit right before Ellis’ “uhm” (as in, at the moment when he spots her and freezes). And then, the expression we’re left with starts to look a little bit more…thoughtful, possibly conflicted. Like longing, almost.

What does it mean? Well, aside from the evidence we’ve seen over the course of this entire series, we have to dig back into the case itself. Because Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 10 sees all these silly reality TV types making big, bold reveals, openly telling those love stories they’ve been trying to hide. Talia invites her long-lost son Liam in front of the camera and introduces him to the world. Then, there’s Jasmine’s grand gesture to Katarina. And what does Jasmine say? “I’m tired of pretending. The fake cop is right. I don’t care if I lose everything, if it means I get you.”

Here, “the fake cop” she’s referring to is Max. Remember her advice to both women, earlier in the episode? “Well, if you love each other, isn’t change worth it?” Yes, Max. It is. Now, take your own advice already. Because everything about this series has been sending viewers a message: ElliMax is the endgame. Max knows it but just can’t accept it. Yet.

MORE: This isn’t even the biggest ElliMax development of the season. No, that would be the “cricket” conversation and ElliMax’s kiss in Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 6.

More on Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 10

“Sad irony to be killed by the thing you love most.” “Yeah, like if Simmons was killed by a burrito.” “Or if Yates was killed by a—…” BY WHAT. And why isn’t it appropriate for the Commissioner??? Do tell.
“Yeah, they were exhausted from a full day of tequila-drinking and passive aggressive behavior.” Valid.
No but why do they look at each other like that during this briefing?
So nice to have Karin Konoval back. (Still kinda weirded out on her not being here for the alien conspiracy guy’s episode but ok.)
No but that wink right at the camera when “Aurora Banks” has her big introduction.
“And what qualifies you as an expert?” Li is soooo not impressed.
“Aren’t you teaching him these things?” He can claim otherwise all he wants, probably to protect his friend and all, but like. Ricky so ships it. Nobody’s asking that question, in that way, if they don’t know these two exhibit totally married behavior. Don’t @ me.
“In this world, what’s said on camera and what’s true are often two very different things.” What ElliMax say about their relationship and what’s true are two very different things. Confirmed.
“So bad, it’s legendary.” The reactions to that terrible single, though.
…but why did they not gives us the glasses WITH the arms? For science next time, please.
I just think that Rodney the crisis producer in his glasses and little puffy vest.
“Sounds chaotic.” “It is. And makes for excellent television.” He gets me.
“…how you say? Stomp the pail.” “You mean kick the bucket?” Amazing.
“Why don’t you get along with Jasmine?” “Because she is having B—ch mouth.” I’m gonna use this at some point, I fear.
“I got the tea, and it’s piping hot. Scalding. You’re going to need aloe vera, that’s how hot this tea is.” I’m seated.
The way her face LIGHTS UP when she catches that Jasmine/Katarina plot twist.
Hear me out: ElliMax “doing the sex time” and “making the sex time, yes” when.
“I guess sometimes you just know.” “In my country, we say someone hits you over head with frying pan of love…it sounds better in my language.” “No, I get it.” I bet you do, girl. Vanessa Morgan just…she gives Max so tiny, yet loud, tells here. So, so many.
“Perhaps you missed your true calling as an overworked, under-slept, cat hair covered reality show producer.” Ricky’s just mad he’s not constantly covered in Marc’s hair. Let’s be real.
When Ellis drops the “Rodney” act and gets so vulnerable about his grief…what a beautiful, unexpected scene. Or maybe we should’ve expected it? Because those feelings are universal, which is what makes him connect with Talia to begin with. And grief also really does just creep up and surprise you, even in the silliest situations — which, what situation could be sillier than this.
But seriously, the dialogue: “…at the time, I couldn’t put my grief into words. I barely can now. You know, people will try to tell you that it gets easier. But it doesn’t. That grief just stays the same size. Some days, you’re stronger. You know, it’s easier to carry. And other days…” “You’re not.” Gorgeous.
Giacomo Gianniotti is always at his best when Detective Ellis opens up like this, too.
TL;DR Get you a quiet, sensitive dude who also pulls off “grrr storm cloud” very well.
“I hope you have more strong days than weak ones.” “You too.”
“Same thing is happening to Czar of my country in ’96. His face, it is very melt.”
I, too, would nearly blow my cover because I wanted to follow the pretty man in the glasses.
“SHAME!”
“Scowly guy. And, uh, the short one with questionable fashion sense.” That’s the show.
“Wow” indeed.
“You look, uh…you look nice.” HE CAN’T MAKE WORDS.
NOW KISS (again).
That is…not how you say schtupping.
“I didn’t think I deserved to have a relationship with you. So, I had to tell myself that I just had to be happy just to be around you every day.” Uh…huh. Sound familiar?
“Ooh! This is juicy.” Never change, Yates. Ever.
“Oh. Whoa…I was engrossed.” Relatable.
Ragey, entitled white dude producer. Typical.
“I’m a cop.” “She’s not a cop.” Wait. I take back what I said earlier. That’s the show. Them, doing this…
…and looking at each other like they’re drowning and the other person is air.
No but the “surprise my girlfriend during talking heads” thing…this is super niche, but like…it’s giving Jiley.
Ain’t no way she’s going to willingly go 10000 miles away from Ellis. Please.