Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 3 Review: ElliMax Visit A Hospital, Don’t Ask M.D. To Cut Off Their Third Wheel

Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 3 ‘M.D.-CEASED’ gives viewers a whole medical drama, but instead of focusing on the patients, it’s all about a doctor’s untimely demise. Like any other tribute to a genre or trope this series has done, the hour features a lot of little details that make it a nice nod to both the whole concept in general, and at least one or two specific things, all at once. Here, the murder victim is a doctor who’s really good at what he does but has absolutely no bedside manner or people skills. (Neither does the person who replaces him after he gets stabbed to death, for what it’s worth.) Take your specific tribute from there, if you wish.

Or, for a more generic wink in the general direction of shows featuring hot doctors and the trauma victims who need them, look no further than a certain choreography and pace as our soon-to-be victim moves from from bed to bed checking on patients. There’s even an angry guy who’s been waiting way too long, who seems like he might commit crimes just to be treated (our red herring!). Oh, and we can’t forget the overworked and overstressed intern. Maybe all the fainting is more fitting of your average TV med student’s first day on the job, but we’ll take it! Besides, Wild Cards gets silly and fun with our baby doctor by having everyone just call the guy “Intern,” much to his dismay. (No name needed for most of the hour!)

Seriously, go ahead and choose your favorite medical drama. ElliMax could, maybe, be dropped into it for this murder investigation and fit just fine. If only they still fit into their own story just as easily. Although we don’t see Jessica (or—ugh—”Jess”) in Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 3, her presence is felt like a dull ache or a phantom limb throughout the hour. Vanessa Morgan and Giacomo Gianniotti perform as if there’s some sort of invisible barrier between their characters. And every single time they dance right up to the line of their usual, magical spark, they manage to snuff it right out. Everything is just so awkward, so uncomfortable, and so forced in places it never was before. Our victim was stabbed 15 times? Cool story for him. Because right now, rooting for these two is serving up death by 1000s of tiny, oh-so-precise incisions.

We’re three episodes into this third season now, and Ellis still doesn’t know about the Vivienne-shaped bomb that’s been dropped on Max’s life. In this hour in particular, the stress is already way, way too much. (For Max, Ricky, and viewers alike.) Max is very clearly not ok, pulled in every single direction between Ricky, her dad, and her not-dead mom…and her partner’s too wrapped up in his own happiness with someone he just met five minutes ago to actually be there for her. But hey! At least there are pork buns! Too bad even those get tainted by this sort of weird tension that’s replaced the usual romantic Tension (capital T!) whenever these two characters get a moment alone.

With the relationship at the heart of this series on life support, or at least in desperate need of a cure, (“Third Person”) Ricky and the mother of all con artists—eh, a least the mother of our con artist—wind up being the most interesting part of this hour. And, well, they make it work. Or maybe Quackie Chan just does. Regardless, it works.

MORE: Even Marc the Cat likes Third Wheel Jessica.

“Tell me why you’re really here”

Normally, Ricky’s the guy doing all the thankless work of taking care of Max and George. He’s their support system and, as we see in Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 3, he’s the guy with all the good plans—no matter what, uh, unique process he may have for coming up with them. And although he may get frustrated with that role from time to time, I’d also say he’s usually happy to be that person. More accurately, he’s happy to be their person. But with Vivienne’s return from the dead and the dangerous mess she’s wrapped everyone up in, Ricky is on edge. Not that anyone can blame him.

Enter “Third Person” Ricky, totally stressing out—and crashing out. Yes, I’m putting that lightly. Fletcher Donovan’s great during that opening phone call (or, well, constant barrage of phone calls for Max) as he tenses up, and shakes, and fights a losing battle to remain calm under this impossible pressure. But that’s well and truly just the beginning, both for Donovan and his character. We go on a journey with him that ends in the explosion it promises.

That initial sense of Ricky being at the end of his rope stays with him through his whole conversation with Max. He shoves it down when George and his parole officer pay him a visit, but Donovan makes sure viewers can see and feel that effort. And, right when Ricky finally gets that “peace. and quiet” he so desperately needs, the one thing—the one person—who’s put him in this uncharacteristic state shows up. Insult to injury: She tries to touch Quackie Chan, then demands he puts some clothes on. And another insult: Vivienne cons her way in, claiming to have lost something. This earns her some very, very pointed shade. (“Hmmmm. Apart from your family and my money?”) Ricky knows that’s not why she’s really here, and not only does he let her know he’s onto her, he’s about as outwardly hostile and snarky as it gets.

If Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 3 only gave us all of the above, combined with the delightfully-unbothered way Ricky lounges and watches Vivienne’s increasingly-frustrated search for her scarab ring, it would already be a really strong hour for Fletcher Donovan. But, when he and an always-excellent—and stunning, and purposely hard to fully read…let’s just keep heaping praise where it’s due—Tamara Taylor go at it, that’s where he really gets to shine. Because Ricky finally lets it all out.

When Ricky tells Vivienne to “cut the performance” and tell him why she’s really here, it’s pretty easy to tell he doesn’t just mean now, today. Donovan delivers on every single, overwhelming emotion Ricky’s obviously been trying to bury so he can be there for Max and George. He starts with the anger at Vivienne putting them in danger, just totally exploding. From there, he makes it more crystal clear than ever that he doesn’t trust her, expresses that pain of having to pick up the pieces when they’d thought she was dead in the first place, and is totally spent by the time he’s done.

The way Donovan’s voice catches when Ricky tells Vivienne, “all I know is what your death did to both Max and George” is absolutely gutting. And Vivienne totally deserves to hear that, be on the receiving end of that anger, and sit with it. What I really love, though, is how Ricky manages to end things in spectacular Ricky fashion, bragging about his coffee and landing a sort of death blow with that “honey, look in the mirror.” Normally, a line like that would have some sass to, and admittedly, this one has just the slightest bit—particularly with that disgusted look he throws her way. But, for the most part, Donovan’s delivery is just…15 times more deadly because of how quiet it is. It’s like his scene partner isn’t even worth his character finding more energy and putting forth more effort.

For her part, Taylor continues to make Vivienne’s emotions as contained as possible. Her cards are still held very securely to her chest…but she does react in a way that seems ashamed or guilty when she hears about Ricky holding the family together and keeping them in the game. If nothing else, Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 3 finally confirms the idea that Vivienne is maybe not being 100% genuine—definitely not with Ricky, maybe not with anyone. If she can come here and attempt to pull a fast one on him as a way of figuring out the “unknown variable” he represents, what other tricks might she have up her sleeve?

That last scene, with Vivienne coming back with “one more thing” more than once, is so interesting. It could be nothing! But it could be our great, big red flag. If nothing else, this dynamic is easily the most exciting part of this hour and one of the better plot threads in Season 3 so far. It’s like two predators circling each other, trying to figure out which one will have the bigger weakness and, ultimately, become prey. Or maybe it’s just a matter of wondering if they can be worthy allies for one another. Either way, I can’t wait to see more.

…but I’m also kind of scared? Vivienne and Ricky are two very smart, very calculating, very suspicious types of people who both want to protect Max and George—she does appear to be honest about that part when she says everything she’s done is for them—and care about them very much. But what happens if his plan isn’t enough? Or, what if it is enough and she takes advantage, somehow?

MORE: “Uncle” Ricky did a very good job of pampering Marc when ElliMax temporarily shacked up last season.

More Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 3 reactions

“Twenty says the intern faints before lunch.” “Easiest twenty I’ll make all week.” I laughed.
“Lately, things around here have been quite stressful, and we still don’t have a working plan to steal the diamond. Ricky needs some peace and quiet to think.” (Delivered like “peace. and quiet. to think.”)
“Uh oh. Third Person Ricky isn’t good.” Counterpoint: This is a good performance and good TV.
Poor Max. Just let her enjoy her donut and go do the job she loves (with the big idiot she loves)!
That last “on my way to woooork,” though.
“Oh, please. You’re probably eating a donut right now.” Love the way Vanessa Morgan turns and looks at the thing like Max feels called out.
“I swear, if one person crosses the threshold of our abode, Ricky is going to lose it.” The poor guy is, like, fanning himself!
Max’s reaction to the bad drivers is, basically, me. Constantly. WTF is wrong with people?
Annnnnd Ricky’s losing it. More. “Ricky does not need. Your negative energy right now!” “Okay, well Third Person Ricky can kiss my a—…”
Sir, you do not get to give your partner that goofy AF smile when she storms past you if you’re just going to turn around and make it worse by talking about your good night’s sleep. Go sit in the corner.
“MAX IS FINE! IT’S JUST BEEN A STRESSFUL MORNING.” What a moment from Vanessa Morgan. Just the way she whirls around and purposely over-acts that answer because Max is VERY NOT FINE AND SNAPPING. (And it would be great if Detective Dummy would detect that!)
“I don’t get it. Why would you just stand there as somebody goes stabby-stabby on you 15 times?” Max Mitchell: Probably not a Scream fan. Confirmed.
That “hey, it’s ok” from Max. She is so soft and so reassuring.
“It helps my stress.” “Maybe I need one of those.” Counterpoint: Just hit your partner over the head with that bedpan. Repeatedly.
Ugh. Fine. He’s good in this hostage situation with Darren, the intensely in pain not-murderer.
Great little back and forth between Gianniotti and Morgan here: “Is that a bedpan?” “Don’t worry it’s clean…maybe not.” Just that tiny little head shake and eyebrow raise from Ellis has Max checking that bedpan, looking at it some kind of distasteful way, and then making that “ick” face.
“I present my Java the Nut Blend. A whisper of hazelnut, from a galaxy far, far away.” I LOVE RICKY.
OH MY GOD. She’s squeezing the sh** outta that stress ball.
“What is that?” “Stress ball.” “Did Nurse Gail give that to you?” “YES.” WHEW THE TONE.
“If I did, I’d be pretty stupid to stick around the hospital, wouldn’t I?” Points have been made.
“Think of me as your friend. As someone who wants you to succeed.” Wait until he hears what George is going to try.
Ok. So. Parole officer guy is totally clueless in general, but this is a good rule to live by, in general: “It’s ok not to be ok.”
“I don’t need to be here for that.” And I’m glad that, not long after I was like “OK BUT WHAT IS HIS PROCESS,” Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 3 actually delivered.
“I don’t like science fiction.” Fired.
Now, throw the ball at your partner and see if you hit him with it. Just in case!
“Patients are getting violent and more angry.” True.
Once again, Max being so, so comforting to Kara Blake’s wife.
“Sometimes, this world just doesn’t make any sense.” Max’s nod says it all.
“You got a boo boo on your head.”
“It’s been a stressful day.” (Intern slams his soda can down.) “Tell me about it.” And Detective Dope does…nothing.
“Technically, it was a vasovagal syncope secondary to empathic over-identification.” (Me when I pass out from needle sticks.)
“Yates is gonna love this story.” And I, for one, love Max and Yates as besties.
“If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…” …we get a brilliant cut to Ricky and Quackie Chan!
“Did I come at the wrong time?” “Au contraire, Vivienne. I’m working on getting us out of the mess that you dumped. On our happy doorstep.” (Any time she shows up is the wrong time for Ricky, and he makes sure she knows it.)
“I work better unencumbered. I call it my big duck energy.” This should ick me out, in most cases. It’s Ricky, though, so I’m cracking up. Especially after Vivienne just tilts her head just so (quite a moment from Tamara Taylor).
Also, the autocorrect robots will love “duck” going there.
“So you…slashed the tires for love? Is that it?” Now thinking maybe this man should be happy he has a boat instead of a car.
Hm. Medication missing from lockup? Have they considered a doctor with a drug problem?
“Follow the drugs, find the killer.” Love how Morgan delivers this.
Hm. Ok. Detective Dummy still knows his partner well enough to have asked if she stole the stress ball, at least.
“Oh, I need this stuff in an IV drip.” Me.
That tension in Tamara Taylor’s whole being and that aggrieved sigh as Ricky continues to refuse helping Vivienne. This woman had no clue how easily he’d be able to see right through her. I also really enjoyed her little breath out, as if to steel herself, as she closes those eyes and gives the slightest head shake…right after Ricky demands to know the truth about her visit. It’s very much “ok. I give up.”
(He knew she’d do this because it’s what Max would do. I’m unwell.)
“She cannot do that!” “It’s never stopped her before.” Also, Max can pick all the locks she wants as long as Ellis is cheating on their unofficial marriage.
“I love the ER, but…I’m just done. Sooner or later, everyone gets burnout.” I am, once again, going to have to reference The Pitt. Especially since Dana just talked to Emma about burnout in a recent episode. Will Nurse Gail get bored and come back like Dana if she leaves, though?
ElliMax crumb. “You know, none of us ever thought that Schaffer gave a d**n about our lives outside of work. Turns out that he had my back the whole time. And now, I’m never gonna get to thank him.” The whole reason we have a third wheel is because Ellis thinks Max didn’t care after she didn’t show up to boat off into the sunset with him. Imagine if, instead of making assumptions, he’d learn a lesson from this poor, crushed woman and ask why she didn’t come.
“Paging us. Again.”
“The truth is, while I know George and I know Max, you are an unknown variable to me. And in this game, I don’t like unknown variables. Especially not in my own family.” “Your family? you haven’t been around for the last 15 years. H**l, you haven’t even been alive.” Finish her.
“…making coffee that reduces grown men to tears.” Where’s mine?
“Don’t make me use this.” Max is hilarious AF with that bedpan.
Max grinning at this stupid man at the end of the case, like always, but then it instantly getting awkward. I hate it here.
His little smile when she offers him a pork bun because she’s loving it so much??? DO MORE OF THAT.
“God, I love these things. Even if they are an imperfect food. Sometimes pork, sometimes bun. You never know what you’re gonna get, but I can’t stop trying.” My eternal optimist…
…and interesting that her mom doesn’t share the sentiment. Is that another red flag, or does she just take after Daddy George here?
“Yeah. I would love that…” She would not. And neither would I. Make it stop.
“Not worth the inevitable disappointment.”
“Vivienne, I want a fairytale ending for you, and Max, and George. But I’m going to keep a very close eye on you. Because they’re my family. And I’d die for those crazy cats.” I love him.
Vivienne, chugging the last of her wine and leaving after that? Uh…great. Now, I’m worried about Ricky. Thanks, I hate it.
“Maybe next time, we should review our definition of A-game. And you don’t have much there. You better get cracking.” This was 100% a moment. I’ll support both her rights and her wrongs…until she hurts my Max again.
And I still don’t like being worried about Marc’s Uncle Ricky.
“…she’s good.” Indeed. Which is why I’m worried.