In the fourth episode of The CW's "Wild Cards," titled "Strangers on a Wave," Max Mitchell and Detective Cole Ellis tackle the mysterious death of an Australian surfer, Koa, who is found with two gunshot wounds on the beach. The episode begins with Max and Ellis being joined by Chief Li and Detectives Simmons and Yates at the crime scene. Despite Ellis's insistence on a subtle approach, the detectives initially take a more aggressive stance, which does not sit well with the tight-knit surfer community.
Ellis, in an impromptu move, decides to go undercover as a surfer to infiltrate the group. He even stages a fight with Simmons, leading to a fake arrest, in an attempt to gain the trust of the surfers. Koa, Chilly, and Slater are part of a group known for traveling the world in search of the perfect wave, and they are under suspicion for not reporting Koa missing despite hearing the gunshot.
Max, who is assisting Ellis as part of her agreement with the Commissioner, offers valuable advice on how to play a con, suggesting that Ellis should tell a slightly different version of the truth rather than an outright lie. This advice helps Ellis craft a backstory involving surfing and his deceased brother, which resonates with the surfers and gains him entry to a memorial celebration.
The celebration is cut short when Chilly and Slater leave abruptly, prompting Max and Ellis to follow them to a warehouse. There, they discover the surfers removing drugs from surfboards, confirming their involvement in drug smuggling. Ellis decides against arresting them immediately, fearing it would jeopardize the murder investigation. They then follow the surfers to a motel, where Chilly briefly enters a room before leaving.
Max's impulsiveness leads her to break into the motel room, where she observes a truck from a company called Cranway leaving the area, suggesting a connection to the drug trade. Max goes undercover as an efficiency expert at Cranway, where she befriends Kathy, who complains about the new general manager, Mr. Trip. Max learns that Trip was driving the van the previous night, confirming her suspicions.
Simmons is sent by Ellis to investigate Trip, only to find him dead in his car from a gunshot wound. The bullet, however, is different from the one used to kill Koa. Ellis then tricks Chilly and Slater into thinking they are being pursued by the police for the murder and drug charges. While Slater is oblivious, Chilly becomes increasingly paranoid.
Ellis follows Chilly back to Cranway's office, where Max has remotely accessed Trip's computer with the help of her friend Marc. Kathy and Chilly have sex in a storage room, and Max overhears their conversation through an air vent. Afterward, Kathy confesses to killing Koa, explaining that their alibi is solid. Chilly admits to killing Trip, and it appears that Kathy was the mastermind behind the entire plan. Marc reveals that the van was signed out from Kathy's computer, indicating her involvement.
Simmons informs the duo that Slater has been caught and is relieved to be behind the drug issue. With the case seemingly resolved, Ellis asks Max to get out safely, but she trips on the air vent and falls into the room. Kathy holds her at gunpoint, and Chilly ties her up, taking her to a cliff in one of Cranway's vans. Ellis asks Marc to locate the van, and they manage to track it down.
Kathy forces Max to jump to make it look like a suicide, but Max delays them long enough for Ellis, Simmons, and Yates to intervene. Kathy and Chilly are arrested, and the case is closed. Back at the station, Chief Li admonishes Ellis for risking Max's life, and Max pleads with Li to let Ellis off the hook. Li reveals that Ellis was demoted after a case involving his brother's death, where Ellis lost his rational perspective.
"Strangers on a Wave" is an engaging episode that showcases the dynamic partnership between Max and Ellis as they navigate through a complex web of deception and crime. The episode not only advances the main plot but also deepens the characters' development, particularly in exploring Ellis's past and the growing trust between him and Max. The show's ability to blend humor with serious themes creates a compelling viewing experience that keeps audiences engaged and eager for more.