By: Mark T. Wilson
Season 2 of Wild Cards is officially over in what the writers have deemed a cliffhanger at the end. But was it? The moment felt entirely out of place and had no business making the script’s final draft.
Max was on her way to meet Ellis at his boat so they could sail off into the sunset. However, on her way out the door, her mother appeared. Yes, the same mother who had supposedly been dead for years. And then, to add more insult to the script was that Max had a reaction reserved for kids who just pooped in their pants and decided to keep playing as if nothing happened.
There was no excitement from Max, just a normal voice as she said, “Mom”. It was almost as if she was expecting her mother to be outside her door the entire episode.
But why now? Why did Wild Cards decide to bring back a mother from the grave? The only thing I can think of is that ideas are running thin in the writer’s room, and this is a way to try to save the show. I love Wild Cards, but my 1 household is not going to save the show.
The intrigue of Max and Ellis hooking up was touched upon early in the season. We can still wrestle with the question of if they did or didn’t when it’s clear they believe they did, and that’s enough. Yet, and very strangely, it’s never been talked about again. Now, we know they have strong feelings for each other, hence the invite from Ellis for Max to come along. Max came clean to her dad, and he gave his blessing. However, was that due to him finding the clues to $100M from his mentor?
But the bigger storyline heading into Season 3 is what does the mom add to the storyline? Of course, there is the mystery of her not being around, but was the father in on it all along? I mean, as soon as he got out of jail and figured out the clues for the money, she shows up out of the blue in a house that was a secret nonetheless.
Yes, Ellis will be upset that Max didn’t show up, but he will understand. But where do Wild Cards go from there? Will they follow the bluepotinf of Castle and have the pair get married possibly. Maybe the mom is the new villain, and Ellis and the team will have to track her down. This could be a wild cat-and-mouse chase for Season 3. Maybe the dad and Rickey are all in on it, and only Max was left in the cold about it all.
But the way the season ended and some of the storylines before it, Wild Cards was getting a bit dull. Some spice needs to be added to the show, and I guess Will Cards pulled a wild card out the deck and decided to bring the mom back in, but in what capacity?