In the sixth episode of The CW's "Wild Cards," titled "Dead of Night," Max Mitchell and Detective Cole Ellis find themselves immersed in the world of a popular TV show akin to the "Twilight" series. The episode is set entirely on the sets of "Dead of Night," where the cast members are receiving cryptic death threats from a stalker. With the filming of the final episode of the eighth season underway, it is crucial that the core cast of four remains safe and unharmed.
Executive producer Wendy has locked down the set, allowing no one to enter or exit without being logged in. Production assistant Eggs guides Max and Ellis through the sets to the actors' vanity vans. Ellis interviews Matt, who comes across as egotistical and isolated from the rest of the cast, while Max questions Kristin, who takes the threats seriously and believes someone doesn't want the show to end.
As the investigation progresses, a series of incidents suggests that the threats might be real. Matt's sunscreen is tampered with, causing his skin to burn upon contact with the sun. Despite initial skepticism, Ellis's own hand burns when he tests the sunscreen, confirming its tampering. The focus then shifts to Billy, a transportation guy who used to be Matt's driver until a falling out. Billy reveals that he invested all his savings in Matt's failed vodka company and discloses a past relationship between Matt and Kristin.
The situation escalates when Indiana, one of the cast members, is found dead with a knife through his chest. Detectives Simmons and Yates are called in to assist Max and Ellis with the increasingly complex investigation. Upon examining Indiana's phone, they discover that he had an affair with Wendy eight years ago, when she was married, and he blackmailed her into giving him his job.
Another alarming incident occurs when someone mixes peanuts into Charlene's juice, triggering a severe allergic reaction. Although she is saved in time, the stalker's actions are becoming more dangerous. Max and Ellis begin to suspect Eggs of being the stalker, given her lack of career progress and potential motive. However, she confesses only to selling the finale's script and denies the larger accusations.
The mystery deepens when the body of Margaret Darcy, Piper's mother, is found near tire tracks outside the set. Piper had mentioned not speaking to her mother for a week, and Max consoles her in an emotional moment, drawing on her own experiences. The investigation reveals that all the core cast's cars are intact, except for Matt's, which is "still in the shop." This raises suspicion, leading Max and Ellis to Matt's house, where they find out he has been practicing horse riding for a new movie.
The truth is finally revealed when Max consults Ricky, her tech guy, to retrieve audio recordings from Matt's car dash cam. The recordings show that Matt accidentally ran over Margaret, with the rest of the cast in the car at the time. They conspired to keep the secret and used the fake threats to distract the police. The episode concludes with the arrest of the trio, and the case is solved.
"Dead of Night" is a captivating episode that takes Max and Ellis behind the glamorous facade of show business to uncover a web of secrets, lies, and deception. The episode not only advances the main plot but also provides a deeper look into the characters' personal lives and motivations. With its blend of intrigue and behind-the-scenes drama, "Dead of Night" keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how Max and Ellis will unravel the next mystery.