Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 4 Review: ElliMax Burger, Side of Fries

Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 4 “Dead Weight” takes us to the world of fitness influencers as Ellis and Max investigate a murder that seems like it’s going to be all about scammy protein drinks before the case takes a sharp turn and reveals the double life one woman would die—or, more accurately, kill—to keep a secret. It’s a watchable enough case of the week, complete with a chance for Max to get decked out in some neon late 80s/early 90s workout gear as part of her latest case-solving con. But what makes this hour one of the better ones so far in this third season is how well it serves up some ElliMax.

There’s still a girlfriend in the way, but as the partners work this latest case, the awkwardness that’s been there the last couple of episodes doesn’t intrude nearly as much. They just get to indulge in a little bit of them, and that’s been sorely missed. Is the symbolism around ElliMax’s dinner not-quite-date a little bit heavy in some ways and a bit off in others? Sure. But does that at all take away from the moment, or are the imperfections enough to distract us from our enjoyment of seeing them actually get pulled back toward each other after working so hard to maintain a safe distance? No. Absolutely not.

Elsewhere, George meets with a group of prison inmates and asks them to start writing. Although we have no idea what his angle is there, other than to convince the clueless parole officer we met in Episode 3 that he’s a completely changed man, a comment from one of the inmates makes him realize he can’t keep avoiding Vivienne. That results in a powerful emotional conversation between Max’s parents, but it doesn’t exactly clear the air. We still don’t know how much we can trust Vivienne, so “time will tell” if they can find some way to move forward.

A few things are for sure, though: First, there’s Vivienne’s awful sense of regret—which Tamara Taylor performs so well—after George points out that everyone’s lives being in danger now only proves they “didn’t have to waste the last 15 years being apart.” There’s no reason to believe that’s not 100% genuine, whether it’s about more than just time apart or not. Which, to be clear, I have no idea. The same goes for all that brokenness viewers are left to watch from Taylor after Jason Priestley exits the scene. Furthermore, Priestley is wildly underrated. From the moment George pauses in the entrance of that room, just…watching, right through his anger, and his fight against tears (which he loses), Priestley just nails it.

We also have no reason to doubt the fact that ElliMax is wasting time being apart now, thanks to this family drama. But as long as the series has to go down that over-traveled path, it’s at least nice to have this interesting new layer with Vivienne and George in the background. When it comes to forcing a delay on making ships like ElliMax canon, “miscommunication leads to spare significant other” has been done to death, but a husband and father coping with learning his wife faked her death and left him alone to take care of their daughter for 15 years? Now, that’s not something you I’ve seen everywhere.

MORE: We’ve been wondering if we could trust Vivienne ever since the moment we first heard her explanation for where she’d been all these years in the season premiere.

A little taste of ElliMax? Yes, we want more.

In Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 4, we learn that Detective Ellis has been getting up at the a** crack of dawn to go jogging with Jessica. He’s also, apparently, trying to eat healthier. So, at least anecdotally, we now know that diet and exercise don’t create things like tact and reading the room. Otherwise, Max wouldn’t have to stand there and listen to all the “Jess and I have been getting up and running” this and “Jess and I have been trying to eat healthier” that. Not only that, but we wouldn’t see this man trying to act like the choice between burgers (Max) and salad (the third wheel) was at all a difficult or complicated one.

And no, fish isn’t the solution because fish, in this case, would be trying to have the best of both worlds by leading both women on and/or just finding a third love interest…and, uh. Hard pass. Unless, of course, the fish is for Marc the Cat, who’s been AWOL ever since he turned traitor on us and snuggled up to her. Cats like fish, so fish for him makes sense. Any other food metaphors involving fish don’t right now. Just saying.

Which, ok. Fine. To be fair to all the couples’ fitness…stuff, there’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to make sure you get some exercise and don’t live on a constant diet of junk food. But can we be real for a minute? What, exactly, about this man and his arms screams, “needs to work out more“? The same goes for his meal choices—as in, they were fine before. Ellis is in shape. He obviously needs to maintain that shape to do his job, but it’s not like he needs to change anything about himself or his routine for that to happen. As in, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And, if your significant other seems to think it needs fixing…maybe find someone else. In the case of Detective Dumb-Dumb, he should simply trust his gut every time it pulls him in the direction of his partner. Problem solved.

When ElliMax finally do eat those burgers in Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 4, they’re suddenly completely in sync. They’re sharing toppings with each other, passing condiments back and forth. Ellis gets Max’s pickle because she knows he likes them; she gets his tomatoes in return. Equal partners, even when it comes to splitting up the food. It’s pure enjoyment, all shared smiles, and a sense of things finally being how they should be. In fact, when Max thanks Ellis for the mustard, her gratitude is about more than just something so simple. It’s very easy to get the feeling this is the most normal things in her life have been since the day he left, and she’s thanking him for just being there—just being him—again. (Also, how insane are they both for the synchronized fry dipping?)

Once they close the case, Max wants to hold onto that easy connection, so she asks Ellis if he wants to grab (more) burgers. Detective Dumb-Dumb reminds her they “just had burgers,” and she responds oh, so enticingly, “I know, but…once you get a taste, don’t you want more?” And the answer is yes. Yes, we want more ElliMax. But more to the point, that look Giacomo Gianniotti gives his scene partner screams that Ellis wants more. He’s had a taste of alone time with Max again, and he’s hungry for more.

Unfortunately, we’re all on the receiving end of the classic shipper c**kblock in the form of a text from Miss Salads. But the look Ellis shoots in Max’s direction is pure longing, even as he’s making the “right” decision to go home to his girlfriend instead of staying. He asks if he can “at least” give her a ride home, and she tells him she’s good. Which, we can tell she’s not. Thankfully, Yates gets her back in a good mood. (This is now a Max/Yates stan account.)

The scene frames the choice between Jessica and Max like Max is a guilty pleasure or a bad temptation, while the new girl is good for him. (But kinda bland.) That’s actually where Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 4’s fun, if angsty, storytelling falters a bit. As we’ve seen time and time again, Max is good for Ellis and vice versa. Crickets, anyone? So, no, Max isn’t the tasty cheat day to a strict diet. She’s just day-to-day enjoyment. Something Ellis loves and can’t get enough of. Period. The sooner he remembers that, the better.

This whole dilemma—if we can even call it one—also lines up with the conclusion to our murder investigation. Trying to live a double life and string along two people you claim to love equally can only end in disaster. It probably won’t always end in murder, but it’ll still be a disaster. Somewhere, deep down, Ellis knows he needs to make a choice that’s much bigger than what he’ll be eating for dinner—it’ll be about who he wants to eat it with, every night, always. We know he knows this, based on his reaction to Chief Li’s “so, by choosing both, she chose neither” comment alone. Until he does the right thing, though, he’ll just be Detective Dope.

MORE: Still living for that fortune cookie from last season. “The love of your life may be right in front of you.”

More Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 4 reactions

Man, do I love getting to see Tamara Taylor do the Vanessa Morgan thing and play all these different roles in one. The Lady Harding character, complete with that accent, that Vivienne pulls out at the beginning of Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 4 is fantastic. I could listen to her talk about her made up husband’s family heirloom forever.
“…a romantic odyssey…” That’s the show.
Keeping with the food/hunger theme, Vivienne looks starved for whatever’s in that safe after she gets what she actually needs for the heist.
“Because prison coffee? Is the worst offender in there.”
“People come here? Voluntarily?” She gets me.
If Detective Dipsh** could get out of his head for half a second, he’d notice how quickly Max cuts him off with that “my alarm clock doesn’t even have 5:00 a.m.” comment. But, well. He can’t.
“Actually, I have gone for a jog? And it was on a beach, except I was being chased by a donkey wearing a sequined tuxedo…I mean, I was in the tux, not the donkey.” His little confused squint. More of that, less of whatever his latest fitness freak fad is.
Also, Max really had to one-up the other one with an actually fun beach run story. I don’t like her being insecure enough to throw that in there, but I do appreciate that she’s actually unique and special and her.
“All pain and no gain.” Me when I have to hear about Jessica.
He lost her at “the no cheating.” Um. Interesting.
Look: I’m not a fan of infidelity in general, but…
…just saying…if he slips and treats himself to a little Max, I’m not going to be mad about it!
“The unis are collecting dumbbells now.” “Oh, leave this one. I might need him later.” She loves him. The tone and the look scream “fond.” AND CHECK OUT HER LITTLE WINK AT OLIVE.
…they’d be married if the detective wasn’t a dumbbell.
“I love a little classic horror.”
“Ok. Aren’t you gonna come down?” “No. I live here now.” Olive’s reaction to the cockroaches is basically me after I see a spider.
Manuela Sosa and Giacomo Gianniotti just nail the over-reaction and all that physical comedy. Pure, classic, silly Wild Cards!
“Ding ding, ding! Tell him what he’s won, Simmons!” Would anyone else die for Yates?
Not the best look in the world for Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 4 to mock the idea of filming the cops for accountability. I’d expect Obnoxious Influencer Bro telling people they’re trying to “silence” fitness and demanding his followers to record the interaction to happen in, like, the Law & Order franchise. Not here.
“We’re out.” Peace sign.
“But you are aware that your drinks contain heavy metals?” “Which one was it? AC/DC? Metallica? Iron Maiden? …stop me when we get to the 90s.”
Hardass cop Max Mitchell, breaking a suspect to get his confession about…dinner. I love it here. Hilarious AF, and Vanessa Morgan just leans in with the stereotypical “tough guy” cop interrogation scene.
“That’s not a meal, that’s a cry for help.” Me at Detective DumbBell and Whatshername.
“Y’all come back here tomorrow, I’ll not only bring more of the good coffee, I’ll also bring you the best damn Philly cheesesteak you ever tasted.” I am so beyond sold. How do I get in?
Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 4, AKA, “The One That Made My Mouth Water.” Good coffee! Cheesesteaks! Pretzels! Burgers! Fries! AND ELLIMAX.
“Just. Write.” I feel attacked.
“Do you have…cinnamon? Pretzels?” Ok, so, the dirty look Max gives Ellis for turning pretzels down in the first place is good? But when she starts trying to get those cinnamon ones the first chance she gets, and they have that complete silent conversation where he, like, scolds her with his little eyebrow raise, and she shoots back that look that’s like “come on,” and then she eventually relents and tells this guy (out loud) “after we confirm you’re not the killer, of course,” all mock serious-like, is priceless.
They’re married.
…or they would be, if he wasn’t all beauty and no brains.
Eternal Ray of Sunshine Max Mitchell, laughing at that message from her new best friend Yates…
…and Ellis can’t fight back that little grin. I see you, Detective.
If Yates and her shades, and her reckless driving, have no fans? I’m dead.
Priceless things that are priceless: Every single goofy AF face Amy Goodmurphy makes next to Michael Xavier’s “very normal, serious cop” face, in that shot meant to imitate a doorbell camera. And when Simmons starts getting irritated/flustered with Yates as she pounds away on that doorbell and threatens to arrest this woman for being rude, that’s even better!
Do we think her new BFF Max taught her how to steal keys like that or…?
Also, just let her watch as much The Shield as she wants ok.
Exercise should, in fact, be fun. Sign me up for the neon class.
“Everyone’s got their secrets.” If anyone (Ellis) was paying attention, they might wonder what Max’s secret is…but nah.
“I guess I just have to tell them how I really feel. Can’t avoid it forever. It’s family.” “No. You can’t avoid it forever.” I just want to hug George here.
“Oh. I’ll do it. I don’t trust you, Mr. I Wake Up At 5:00 AM To Jog Like A Psychopath.”
She’s seducing him with food.
…he’s falling for it. Willingly, hungrily, with that smitten little grin…
Dude wants to devour ~~her~~ those burgers after being starved by ~~Jess~~ salad all this time…like, “finally some good f—ing food.”
Max does deserve something good for her sympathy calories!
“I’ve had salads all week. I’m looking for the ketchup [sips drink].” Hm. Yeah. He’s already bored of whatshername and wants something actually tasty…
Do they think they’re Benson and Stabler, splitting up their foods like that? Always so in sync.
Stop looking at each other that way! He’s a dope!
(Keep it up.)
“…Ricky is at his tailor’s getting his jodhpurs altered. He swears they’re coming back.” “Well, he was right about plaid.” Hear me out: What if Uncle Ricky goes to visit Marc on the way home and hatches a plan to get us out of this Jess mess?
“I didn’t come here to talk about the heist. I came here to talk to you.” AND THAT IS LOADED.
LET YATES PLAY WITH THE DRIVING SIMULATOR.
“Well, because she said she loved them both equally. They were different. Both gave her what she needs. She just…couldn’t decide between them.” Uh…huh.
Oh, that bitter little look when Max can’t get out of the paperwork.
And Ellis is joking with her about the fine print! We are so back!
“I’m so angry at you, Viv.” “I know.” “No, you don’t. You don’t understand what it was like when you died. I didn’t think I could keep going. If it hadn’t been for Max, I—…” And in that moment, with that long, grieving pause, my heart broke.
Also, George is right: Vivienne doesn’t know what it was like. Because she wasn’t there. That’s the whole point. Nobody can really, truly know what someone else’s pain is like, especially not when they’re not even around to witness it—and especially when they’re the cause of it.
That last shot of Vivienne is fascinating. Definitely believe every bit of angst she’s suffering—that stunning display of emotion from Taylor is undeniable. But then, her eyes just start tracking back and forth like she’s planning something? Super choice to draw out the moment so viewers can really see—and question everything.
“I know, but…once you get a taste, don’t you want more?” He wants more than a taste.
We deserve way more than a taste.
“Ok. So. Burger? Or a salad? What’ll it be?” Again, the subtext is allllll over that. Super from Morgan. She keeps it sweet and questioning, but there’s no doubt that Max is asking Ellis if he wants her or…the other one. If this detective can’t detect what she’s asking, demote him.
Ok but the “at least” comment from Ellis is foolish. She’s not denying him anything or making him beg to “at least” have crumbs. That’s on him and his bad decisions.
That ElliMax magic. Morgan and Gianniotti’s chemistry, y’all.
Max and Yates going joyriding in that Mustang is everything. I love their friendship, and if that man can’t get his head on straight, I’ll just go ahead and say F him and ship them.
Meanwhile: “You don’t know me, but I think it’s time we met.” Love the drawl, not a fan of the move. Because Vivienne calling Ellis…doesn’t feel like a thing that can end well. Maybe it’s about learning more about Max, like she tells George she wants to do. Meddling is bad. Disaster. Or. Let’s say, for argument’s sake, she’s actually doing something that can help get rid of the third wheel. Exactly zero parts of ElliMax will appreciate getting conned into starting something, if and when they find out. Disaster. Or, more likely: She’s doing something to drive more of a wedge between her daughter and the cop she works with to make it so he’s not suspicious of the heist. Immediate, world-altering disaster. Something more directly related to the big diamond heist? Also a disaster! No good can come of this. Period.
(Is it wrong to hope the fish gives him food poisoning, or the lettuce in her next salad is part of a recall, or.)