Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 10 Review: What’s Worse Than Out With A Whimper

Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 10 “Now You Steal Me” focuses mainly on Vivienne, George, Ricky, and Detective Ellis teaming up to steal that diamond and, by extension, save Max. Or, well. They steal a Diamond—the last name of George’s prison support group member Artie—because, as it turns out, he’s the infamous criminal Gedeon Varga’s brother. There were some clues that he was important to the family’s mission all along, so there’s the payoff for that. More shocking, yet somehow disappointing, Varga is actually Howard the parole officer. It’s difficult to see the big reveal and think anything other than “this guy?”

The highlight of the prison-break-slash-rescue-mission? Everyone looks impressive in their disguises. (Or, eh. Everyone but George who, kinda hilariously, gives Hannibal Lecter.) Although the flashbacks and explanations of how the family pulls off this heist are entertaining enough, this finale pales in comparison to last season’s high-stakes 13th episode. If the series were wrapping up any season-wide investigation, perhaps that would be fine enough. But this is about 15 years of Max’s mom being on the run from this notorious criminal, which means this story should have just as much depth and care as bringing Daniel’s killer to justice. Max and Ellis are supposed to be equals, after all. Unfortunately, despite the cast working its magic and delivering on some emotional moments that could fit into some of the series’ better hours, the depth just isn’t present here.

Then, there’s the “will they/won’t they” at the heart of this series. Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 10 has its moments. But their presence only makes the ending that much more insufferable. In fact, there’s a moment, just about halfway through, when Max realizes she was never insurance—was always going to be a victim—in Varga and Hayashi’s scheme. That moment of clarity and disappointment is not only extremely well done by a Vanessa Morgan, it kind of sums up the feeling of watching this season through to the end.

Because, as it turns out, nothing—not Max’s mid-season confession, not the further context from George and Vivienne about her only agreeing to doing Varga’s job to save Ellis’ life—was ever going to be the type of romantic “aha” moment a show like this should be delivering on after introducing a disaster of a chemistry-free relationship like Cole and Jessica’s. It was always going to be all angst, zero payoff. And Max was…always going to be the victim.

I suppose I appreciate the attempt to subvert viewers’ expectations and not have the rescue—which, to be clear, Max was always more than capable of saving herself. She is no damsel—lead to some sort of big, romantic…thing. But the method—especially with Vivienne getting her daughter’s hopes up, only to have everything come horribly, awkwardly crashing down around her in some sort of season premiere rehash—does our leading lady a major disservice. And our leading man, who’s just received a lecture from a Chief Li who’s not at all like the guy who was bonding with Max over their unconventional childhoods in the penultimate episode, continues to make the type of choices that paint him as less and less of a worthy hero—romantic or otherwise.

He knows Max only agreed to do all of this to save him. Perhaps if he didn’t, the Wild Cards Season 3 ending would be frustrating (to say the least) but still make some sort of narrative sense. Well. He does. And it does not.

MORE: Li put a lot of faith in Max during the Veronica Dreski case, and she delivered.

More Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 10 reactions

Zero chemistry. None.
“She ate some bad shrimp last night, and IT’S CLEARLY MADE HER INSANE! But I’ll let her know you stopped by.” Fun bit there from Fletcher Donovan. Ricky is very CLEARLY, pointedly yelling at Vivienne while trying (failing) to keep up a good front with Ellis.
“Ellis, this is a family matter.” Remember when Max told Ellis he was family? George just kicked him out, huh. (Good.)
Oh, wow. That infinitesimal tell from Vivienne when Ellis mentions Varga being dead. Really great work from Tamara Taylor there.
“If you would’ve just been straight with me, from the beginning, Max wouldn’t even be in this situation.” Or he could’ve, you know, paid attention to the many times it was obvious she wasn’t ok. That might require being a better detective and/or remembering to care about her feelings, though.
“You are not listening! You have no idea what we’re dealing with here.” GET HIM.
“I thought you’d move mountains for her like she did for you.” “I would move mountains for Max, and you should know that.” Vivienne has been here only a few months, and Ellis has been acting a fool the whole time. She should know that…why.
(I mean, she does. But that’s beside the point.)
“You know, we did have a chance to walk away. But she stayed. For you.” “What do you mean?” “Varga threatening our lives isn’t why she agreed to the job.” “It was when he threatened yours that Max agreed. She did it for you.” Giacomo Gianniotti does a good job of playing Ellis’ reaction to hearing that. No, actually, he does a really good job of performing how profoundly it affects Ellis.
…which is reason 129837439783 why the ending makes no effing sense.
“How’s your head?” I know I’ve watched way too much RuPaul’s Drag Race (and a ton of international franchises) because I wanted/expected “haven’t had any complaints” to be the answer here.
You can tell the drugs haven’t worn off yet because “well, if you would’ve asked, I gladly would’ve made a pinky promise” just lacks that usual Max sunshine and charm.
Annnnnd it’s slightly more there, yet still not really, on this one: “I’m flattered you think so highly of my skills. What’s next: a moat of alligators?”
I’d rather have questionable yogurt before a turbulent flight than the no-chemistry engagement.
“Let’s get our girl back.”
One thing Max is going to do is find a way to bring food into the conversation. I respect her for that.
…and this is yet another reason why I hope she’s officially Yates’ partner next season. Speaking of Yates, the lack of her is part of why Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 10 kind of falls flat. She would’ve had so much fun with the magic disappearing plane story.
Just those eyes on Jason Priestley. Oh, George is p**sed.
“If you so much as touch my daughter, I will rip your throat out.” Fantastic from Taylor there. 100% believe Vivienne will make good on that threat. (So, it’s a promise.) And if she’d done it, I would’ve supported her.
“You want me to let his daughter go?” Talk about the most condescending line reading.
“Tomo, who? Am I right?” “Stop talking.” “…that i’m not so good at.” Super comedic timing from Kevan Ohtsji and Vanessa Morgan here. Also, as a blanket statement, Ohtsji’s Tomo Hayashi is the villain this season finale deserved. Varga…is a disappointment. But this guy? That’s some strong Big Bad energy.
“Oh. That won’t be happening. No matter where they go, I will find them. Just like I found you. And when I do? I’m gonna kill them. And it will be slow. And painful. First Ricky, then your father. And of course, I’ll…I’ll save your mother for last.” This delivery? Diabolical.
“I would’ve said something…wittier, but that’ll do.”
HIT HIM HARDER.
“No, please! He’s innocent!” “When did that ever matter.”
“Happy trails.” Not one iota of a F— to give.
Who knew getting out of a sticky situation would require something…sticky? I will say, for all my issues with the overall arc, that is clever.
“Pressure or guilt?” “Both. Guilt. Mostly.” And yet.
These little reactions every time Howard/Varga/whoever realizes they’ve well and truly got him are great. I particularly like that expression after Max drops the “so, you’re saying someone stole your prints in advance and set this whole thing up? I don’t know. This is sounding a little crazy” comment.
“…you’re stronger than the story he wrote for you.”
“Max isn’t just my partner, she’s my best friend.” So, first of all, at this point? She’s neither. Second, if Ellis doesn’t have to choose between Jessica Journalist and “best friend” Max, why does he say yes to her bland offscreen proposal….just after Chief Li gives him his lecture about choosing his path?
I love how Max has to stick to the story in that interrogation because of Li, yet still manages the tiniest of triumphant little looks after they tell Varga he’s going away for life.
“Hey. Thank you for risking your life. For my family.” “Yeah, well, I heard you did the same for me. Guess that makes us even.” “Yeah. Even.” One: Look at how heartbroken Max is the second Ellis talks about being even. And two: Let’s humor Cole the Clown’s “best friend” claim for a second. That’s…still not how that works. Friendships, especially best friendships, aren’t transactional. There’s never any “even.” Period.
Her little longing look back over her shoulder, his gazing—if they didn’t want to get ElliMax together yet, Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 10 could’ve ended there.
“I’m seeing a pattern. A pattern that I don’t like in you.” As a viewer, it feels like I’m talking to this series after the season we’ve had.
“Only” a consultant. Whatever, Li.
Like, technically? Yes. But…no.
Also, unfortunately, ElliMax have…not been rubbing off on each other.
Beautiful full-circle moment for Max and Vivienne. Talk about the relief and affection here, as opposed to Vivienne’s surprise appearance at the end of last season.
(But yet another thing that makes the lack of a fix on last season’s missed opportunity for ElliMax a bad plot point.)
Now, the parents? They have chemistry. At least someone gets their big, romantic moment.
“Oh. Yeah. I know all of that already, but it doesn’t change what’s plain to see. Ellis loves you, and I saw it the moment I met him. And today confirmed it. Because otherwise, he wouldn’t have risked his life and his career for you the way he did.” “Mom.” “And I know you love him, too.”
We’ve ended two season finales with Max’s parents pointing out the obvious to her and giving her, essentially, their blessing. George in Season 2, now Vivienne here. That this wasn’t it…really, truly falls flat. Jessica continues to read like a plot device/spare, despite the engagement. The main reason is the glaring lack of chemistry, but repeated chunks of dialogue like this, paired with Max going way overboard with denial, paint a clear picture. Unfortunately, forcing a delay on ElliMax instead of letting their relationship continue to grow organically throws egg all over that image…right on Max’s face. After these repeated missteps, any endgame or payoff risks making her look like she’s been pining and desperate. A lovesick woman, rendered incoherent by the big, strong man.
“So don’t waste time. And don’t waste love.” And yet.
The only emotions in the end scene that are genuine are Max’s. Just horribly awkwarded out…and crushed. (Thanks, I hate it.)
Did they dig this engagement up from Jonesy the Cat’s litter box?