“You Think You’re Getting a Pizza and You Get Murdered Instead. Rude.”
One of my surprise favorites from the 2023-2024 TV season was Wild Cards. I even turned it on at the last minute that first episode. But I quickly became hooked then, and I found season two just as enjoyable.
The show centers on Max (Vanessa Morgan), a con woman. She has found herself partnered up with a cop, Cole (Giacomo Gianniotti). Yes, the reasoning why is explained in the pilot. Pretty much, just go along with it and enjoy. While Cole isn’t happy to have a partner and definitely not Max, the two begin to fall for each other, although they are still at the denying their feelings for each other stage of the will they/won’t they. Max, meanwhile, is working to get a reduced sentence for her father (recurring guest star Jason Priestley, who is in jail for a con.
As this season opens, Max has come back after successfully pulling off a con. The reason? She’s found the first lead in Cole’s brother’s death that the police have had in a couple of years. With that evidence, and returning the items she stole, Max gets enough into Cole’s good graces to reform their partnership. But will Cole trust her again? Should he?
Yes, this show has a bit of an ongoing storyline. But it isn’t the main focus of most episodes. In fact, what Max is up to this season gets more of a through line than the brother’s murder storyline. But both come to a head by the end of the season in the great season finale.
Instead most episodes focus on the case of the week. Among the cases the duo tackle over the thirteen episodes this season, we get a case involving the death of a stud horse, a Rear Window homage with Max witnessing a murder in the building across the street, a visit from Max’s best friend, a fellow conwoman, Max and the police chief trapped in police headquarters alone with a bomb, and a murder on the set of a reality TV show.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, this isn’t a hard-hitting realistic mystery show. It’s on the lighter end of the spectrum. Since that’s my preference, I’m really enjoying it. Yes, it takes the stories seriously each week, but there are some comedic moments, especially with a zinger or two from Max.
The chemistry between the two leads is good as well. There is a bit of romantic tension, and they play off each other perfectly.
An interesting note - Martin Sheen has a small recurring part this season on some videos that Max is watching. I would never have expected to see him pop up here.
Because, as much fun as the show is, it is a lower budget show, and that comes through. I’m not saying it is bad, but it isn’t quite as good as it could be with a larger budget. As long as you go into the show expecting that, you’ll be fine.
Season two ended on quite a cliffhanger. The Canadian channel where the show originally airs has already renewed it for two more seasons. As I post this, there is no word on whether The CW will air it here in the States. I hope so because I need to see what happens next.
This is one of those shows you need to just accept the premise. But once you do, you’ll find yourself enjoying season two of Wild Cards.
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