Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 9 Review: Fast Crimes as Ridgemont High

Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 9, “Fast Crimes as Ridgemont High,” turns Ellis’s high school reunion into a crime scene where no one can outrun the past.

The season’s penultimate episode, written by James Thorpe and directed by Bosede Williams, makes various developments  — some work better than others.

First and foremost, the case of the week works the best for Ellis.

Unfortunately, the characters around him aren’t all that compelling.

They fall into classic high school stereotypes, and the aptly titled “Fast Crimes at Ridgemont High” doesn’t really deconstruct or subvert them much.

Those tertiary characters make way for a more interesting investigation into a chapter of Ellis’s life that he keeps close to his chest. Again, the episode leans into archetypes. A heavily edited photo presents Ellis as a kind, nerdy teenager who becomes the butt of jokes by the two most popular kids in school.

Because of the level of predictability, it’s a relief that Wild Cards doesn’t make Mr. Loomis, the librarian, the prime suspect in Lexi’s — classic mean girl — murder. 

Instead, Mr. Loomis remains a bright spot for Ellis and a character who knew him long before any of the other Wild Cards characters.

That pre-existing dynamic works far better for Ellis and Jessica’s relationship than much else has after Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 6, “Return of the Corkscrew Killer.” It means something to Ellis and, therefore, to the audience, when Mr. Loomis realizes that Ellis is happy and part of that is because of Jessica.

As for Jessica, it’s nice to hear her talk about her development, since she’s usually only on-screen when it contributes to her relationship with Ellis.

“Fast Crimes as Ridgemont High” provides some insight into who she was before she became the intrepid journalist Ellis met in Mexico. That exposition sets Wild Cards up for that sweet moment when Jessica resets the prom scene to give Ellis a better memory. It’s endearing for their pasts to lead them here.

This show never misses a moment to move the needle with Ellis and Max. It has the perfect lay-up with Max walking in on Ellis and Jessica. 

It works particularly well because “Fast Crimes at Ridgement High” doesn’t manufacture a reason for Max to go to the gym. The episode shows her taking off her jacket in Act One, and, naturally, she goes back for it in Act Six.

Wild Cards tightens that thematic thread of growing up, but some things make one feel like they’re back in high school — or, at least, younger — like Max seeing the guy she likes dancing with the girl he likes.

This episode really leans on the time capsule of high school as a method for the characters to reflect on whether or how they would have done things differently.

With such an emphasis on Ellis and Jessica’s relationship, it’s fascinating to see Wild Cards pivot to Max and Li. Rather than dwelling on missing a high school experience, they commend themselves for having “the scars and street smarts instead.” It’s also such an organic way for Li to bring up the Crimson Vipers again.

Max and Li’s bond, as featured on Wild Cards Season 3 Episode 8, “The Hostage Always Rings Twice,” is one of the season’s highlights. 

Another is George’s relationship with the incarcerated individuals and his parole officer. Hopefully, there’s more in store for George, Artie, and Howard. Otherwise, Wild Cards could have used more consistent screen time for the significance of those dynamics to land better.

The same is sadly true for Simmons. The unexpected undercover task force makes it all the more disappointing that Wild Cards hasn’t gotten to know Simmons better. The show has still barely scratched the surface with him and Ellis.

Michael Xavier and Amy Goodmurphy sell the scene’s sentimentality, emphasizing what the consultant procedural loses by breaking up this partnership.

There’s certainly something in Simmons being ready to move on to the next chapter. It’s only that Wild Cards doesn’t necessarily earn that in the same way that it earns that final scene between Max and Vivienne. “Fast Crimes at Ridgemont High” gets the confrontation that this season anticipates. 

Vanessa Morgan and Tamara Taylor handle these weightier scenes with ease. 

The argument’s content creates a harrowing juxtaposition of Max and Vivienne arguing before something tragic happens. Before, Max believed her mother to be dead. Now, Max has been kidnapped. How about that for a cliffhanger? 

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

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