Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 9 Review: Barking Bad

Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 9, “Barking Bad,” turns cuddly companions into motivations for murder and self-reflection.

Written by Marcus Robinson and directed by James Genn, this episode is full of unexpected moments that make the consultant procedural drama better. 

“Barking Bad” may take one too many turns before it gets on track, but once it does — around Act 3 — there’s no stopping this howling good time.

Wild Cards continues to play with the idea of stability in Max’s life.

As this sophomore season gets closer to its conclusion, so does George’s sentence. Every case is also another step towards possible uprooting the life that Max has built since Wild Cards Season 1 Episode 1, “The Infinity Thief.”

“Barking Bad” presses that issue in overt — Ellis temporarily moving in with Max and Ricky — and discreet — Max and Yates getting drinks to talk about the dirty details of a suspect’s malfunctioned handcuffs. 

While one gets more screen time than the other, both hold weight in Max’s life. More importantly, both work because of the work that this season puts into making these dynamics beyond Ellis and Max believable. For instance, Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 4, “Dial A for Alibi,” really works wonders for Max and Yates.

“Barking Bad” also has some standout exchanges between Yates and Simmons. 

Wild Cards will always be better by including more of them. Amy Goodmurphy and Michael Xavier’s chemistry gets sharper and their banter gets quicker with every episode that gives them more to do. Yates saying, “Better safe than stinky,” in the foreground while Simmons takes off his coat in the background works.

This episode revels in their humor, but it also lets them hold their own in a more emotionally driven scene. Sachin Sachel’s raw emotion when Oscar identifies Janice’s body works because his performance is strong. It becomes even better because of Goodmurphy, Xavier, and Manuel Sosa’s supportive performances. 

It’s exciting to see Wild Cards showcase the cast’s broad strengths. 

Hopefully, the same will eventually be true for Fletcher Donovan and his turn as Ricky. This episode’s frequent scenes at Max and Ricky’s loft suggest that “Barking Bad” should peel a layer back on their friendship. Instead, the show sticks to anecdotes when it doesn’t (adorably) pair Ricky up with Marc.

Wild Cards still holds all of its cards extra close to its chest when it comes to Max and Ricky. It’s an especially strange choice during an episode that brings Max to a crossroads about attachments to people in her life.

While Max questions what’s next for her and Ellis (and Yates, Simmons, Li, and even Marc), Ricky is a constant. That stability is clear, but its source is nebulous. 

Somehow, Ricky and Marc’s dynamic leaves “Barking Bad” with nearly as much definition as that between Ricky and Max. The latter undoubtedly needs some work if that’s one of the only dynamics Max could have left if she does choose to follow Jonathan Ashford’s advice by the end of the season. 

Meanwhile, “Barking Bad” continues to make great progress with Max and Ellis.

The dinner scene’s framing is especially perfect. Suggesting that the dynamic duo is having a romantic, candlelit date only to pull back and reveal Ricky and Marc at the other end of the table? That’s gold!

It’s as visually satisfying and productive as the editing when Ellis and Max’s minds are spinning. The use of split screen and key framing sells their romantic tension even though they’re in different rooms.

Adding Ricky and Marc to the side defuses the moment with humor — something Wild Cards has become extra good at over the last two seasons.

“Barking Mad” lets that romantic tension ebb and flow best in a moment that reflects the cold open. The eulogy encourages the grieving family to follow their loved one’s advice and listen to what the world tries to tell them.

This episode follows Wild Cards Season 2 Episode 6, “Séance and Sensibility,” in suggesting that the answers come to Ellis and Max in the quieter moments.

Ellis making Max pancakes with his mom’s recipe, and Max feeling comfortable with that domesticity speaks volumes. It’s endearing and intimate, and Wild Cards holds those tones with as much care as it does its sense of humor.

How else can “Barking Bad” go from that moment that may influence Max’s decision to Vanessa Morgan going undercover as Becky Ann Swanson with Lola the dog as Woofie Goldberg? Wild Cards has it all! 

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

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