Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Con in 60 Seconds

Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 1, “Con in 60 Seconds,” channels The Fast and The Furious to help the consultant procedural make a heart-pounding return.  

The season premiere, written by Michael Konyves & James Thorpe and directed by James Genn, starts at full speed and rarely takes its proverbial foot off the gas.

The fast-paced story cleverly juxtaposes Ellis and Max pumping the brakes. 

“Con in 60 Seconds” wastes no time reminding audiences why — Max’s betrayal with the Imperial Egg. Likewise, Wild Cards swiftly ties up those loose ends by returning the egg to evidence. Then, it uses the USB — with the identity of Cole’s brother’s killer on it — as Russo’s motive to hold Max’s probation over her. 

The latter’s exposition unfolds in a quick aside between Max and Commissioner Russo that leaves Ellis and Chief Li in shock. Mainly, it encourages Wild Cards to utilize Russo more often — it’s fun to watch her and Max go toe-to-toe.

With that outstanding story wrapped up, “Con in 60 Seconds” shifts into gear with this season’s procedural and serialized arcs. 

This episode suggests that Ellis may come face to face with the man who (likely) killed his brother — it even gives him a fork-in-the-road moment to make that choice. Surprisingly, it’s a relief every time Wild Cards delays that interaction. 

Ellis only learns that Billy “Zippo” O’Brien is the voice on the recording during “Con in 60 Seconds.” All the anticipation Wild Cards puts into this serialized arc over the last season will fizzle out in seconds if it shows its hand so soon.

This episode gives Ellis just enough information and nudges him out of his comfort zone, making everything more interesting. Plus, the past season — and this episode — establishes that Giacomo Gianniotti is more than capable of conveying Ellis’s inner conflict as all of this progresses.

The show’s focus on developing character instead of speeding through the plot makes this season’s scenic route all the more appealing.

By taking its time, Wild Cards can make the story more complicated, like having Simmons cover for Max, who is covering for Ellis. 

Wild Cards Season 1 Episode 8, “Eternal Sunshine of the Therapized Mind,” finally starts to dig deeper into Ellis and Simmons’s dynamic. Still, its depth pales compared to that of Ellis and Max — understandably, given the show’s concept.

It’s also expected that all the characters and their relationships become more three-dimensional as Wild Cards progresses in its (hopefully long) run.

So, it’s good that “Con in 60 Seconds” bodes well for the future of Simmons and Ellis’s dynamic and the other relationships on the show besides Ellis and Max.

While it still has plenty it needs to do with and learn about Yates, the show continues to pick up steam with Simmons — and Li. This episode believably expands upon Li’s concerns about Ellis after Daniel’s death, which Li tells Max about on Wild Cards Season 1 Episode 4, “Strangers on a Wave.” 

It’s only natural for these interpersonal relationships to strain and stretch now. 

“Con in 60 Seconds” finds the perfect motivator for those evolutions with the pressure Zippo’s evasion puts on everyone. As leads ebb and flow over the season, tensions will rise, and Wild Cards can explore what that means to the characters.

Of course, it’s exciting to imagine what that will do for Ellis and Max, but it’s equally valid about Simmons, Yates, Li, and even Ricky. The latter pops in and out of the consultant procedural’s debut season. This season premiere makes him an even more active participant in the story — not only because Max needs him.

Hopefully, Ricky’s frequency is another positive sign for Wild Cards Season 2. 

One of its best signs is that it doesn’t spin out when reuniting with Ellis and Max.

Gianniotti and Vanessa Morgan fall seamlessly back in step with one another. From undercover street races to elevator heart-to-hearts, these two appear to have the best time playing these characters.

In fairness, Wild Cards also knows how to have fun — it relishes in its subgenre. Whether nodding to others like it or enjoying its structure and tropes, Wild Cards thrives as a consultant procedural drama.

That sentiment extends to its guest stars — Marie Avgeropoulos and Tony D’Angelo. Avgeroploulos and Anthony Konechny give the heist crew emotional weight that pulls that case-of-the-week together with the serialized arc.

In giving Nadia and Ryan closure in the reunion with their son, Ellis denies himself any closure in his brother’s murder. That convergence is a constructive and sympathetic way for Wild Cards to tell its story.

“Con in 60 Seconds” also represents the efficiency in Max’s arc. With the Imperial Egg gone, the season premiere introduces a new serialized scheme with a (special?) watch that goes for more than $33 million.

Like Ellis helping Jacob, the show sells the new con with its unexpected emotional tether — Uriah Heep means something to George. But that history is a story for another episode.

Wild Cards Season 2 is only picking up speed from here.

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Wild Cards airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

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