Poker Face Season 2 Episode 12 Review: The End of the Road

Poker Face Season 2 Episode 12, “The End of the Road, is an action-packed, homage-laden finale, bolstered by terrific performances across the board. We learn the identity of the infamous Iguana, the outcome of the Beatrix situation, and Charlie’s unfortunate fate. The season seamlessly interweaves multiple narrative arcs to deliver an entertaining outing while leaving enough room for a third season. 

The Iguana Has Her Day

Yes, Alex, Charlie’s multi-episode companion, is the world’s deadliest assassin, foreshadowed by Luca in the penultimate episode. While this isn’t a surprising twist, the show handles it well. There’s a 10-minute expositional dump as Alex explains her life as a contract killer and how she found Charlie, but it’s a compelling segment, thanks in part to Patti Harrison’s performance. 

Harrison’s heel turn is a delight. Admittedly, this reviewer is used to seeing her as a comedian. However, comedians tend to make the best dramatic actors, and Harrison is no exception. You can tell she relishes playing this role. If an actor is having fun, we’re having fun, right?

Harrison also boasts excellent chemistry with Natasha Lyonne, making Alex’s pivot to bona fide enemy all the more impactful. There’s something intriguing about Charlie’s number one nemesis being someone who cannot get caught in a lie. Someone whose very profession requires the ability to conceal those lies. Alex challenges herself to hide her lying triggers to fool Charlie, and it works … for a time. 

Do You Really Like People?

I love that this doesn’t indicate that Charlie’s inherent lie detector is faulty, per se, more that she thought she found a true friend — someone she could trust. Charlie tells Alex she likes people during their confrontation at Beatrix’s safe house, and she means it. Our nomad helps solve murders across the country because she genuinely cares. Season 2 challenges her innate belief in humanity, but in the end, she’s still Team People. 

“The End of the Road” packs an emotional wallop for our protagonist. Because of her knack for knowing when someone’s lying, Charlie craves authenticity. She thought she had that with Alex, only for the rug to be pulled out from under her (until the Big Red test, of course). Charlie finally laid down roots after being on the lam, but betrayal reared its ugly head. 

Now, Charlie’s Moriarty is still out there. “The End of the Road” establishes Alex as a viable multi-season antagonist — the Moriarty to her Sherlock. Alex’s inexplicably escaping the burning wreckage of Charlie’s car after falling 500 feet off a cliff requires a suspension of disbelief, but it’s Patti Harrison, y’all. She fits this show so well and deserves more screentime to go toe-to-toe with Natasha Lyonne. 

Lyonne continues to anchor this series with her grounded performance. Her scene with Simon Helberg toward the end, in particular, is a punch to the gut. It’s heartbreaking watching a tearful Charlie realize she must go on the run again. Luca clearly wants to help her, and Helberg conveys his conflicted emotions well here. 

The End of the Road for Poker Face Season 2

After that brilliant, cleverly executed Thelma & Louise reference — and the literal cliffhanger — the season concludes with significantly high stakes for Season 3. Charlie’s now wanted by the FBI for multiple crimes, including aiding and abetting a serial killer. Alex killed Beatrix, but Charlie led her there. Luca threatens to arrest Charlie if he sees her again. 

Not to mention, her precious Barracuda is out of commission. So, Charlie must hitchhike to get, well, anywhere. Of course, this sets the stage for Charlie to continue doing what she did before — solving murders from town to town. The premise of this series remains intact. 

“The End of the Road” is proof positive that when this series fires on all cylinders, it becomes so hot that the brakes give out and it careens off a cliff. Well, figuratively. And, thankfully, we have time to tuck and roll before the narrative wreckage consumes us, marveling at where this series can — and should — go. 

Stray Observations: 

• As a bulldog owner, I can confirm that they’re stubbornly persistent at lunchtime — any mealtime, really. 
• The next time I need a pep talk, I’m calling Luca. He knows a thing or two about going to bat for someone. 
• Charlie returning to cigarettes after spending a season vaping is a key indicator that shit has hit the fan. 
• That “To Be Continued” cliffhanger almost made me throw my laptop across the room. Well played, Poker Face. 
• Rest in peace to the Barracuda. A car as iconic and intrinsic to this series as Charlie’s signature rasp. 
• I hope nothing bad happens to the dog Charlie takes in at the end of the episode. I will absolutely riot.
• I love that the Barracuda crashes through a “Road Ends” sign in an episode titled “The End of the Road.” It’s figurative and literal. 
• I also dig the aerial shot of the interior of Beatrix’s safe house. This show is filmed like an arthouse film, and I love it. 

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Poker Face is now streaming on Peacock. 

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