In the eighth episode of The CW's "Wild Cards," titled "Eternal Sunshine of the Therapized Mind," Max Mitchell and Detective Cole Ellis are thrust back into action despite their desire for a break. They are assigned to investigate the death of Dr. Sophie Fernwood, a renowned therapist and bestselling author. Fernwood is found in the pool of her $5 million house, surrounded by $500,000 worth of cash, but she did not drown. Instead, she died before being pushed into the water.
Upon arriving at her estate, Max and Ellis encounter Daphne, Fernwood's business manager. Daphne had been on a flight the night of the murder and returned early in the morning to retrieve Sophie's laptop, which contained the unpublished manuscript of her latest book, "Dream Interpretations." This manuscript was expected to be even more successful than her previous works.
To aid their investigation, Max steals a copy of Fernwood's book, "The Lighthouse Inside," hoping it might provide clues. They attend Sophie's funeral, where they pretend to be a couple. The funeral is overshadowed by a sensational confession of the murder by Wendell Collins, a famous news anchor. Wendell, however, keeps repeating his confession and nothing else, raising suspicions but not providing enough evidence to indict him.
Max and Ellis meet with Jane, Wendell's producer, who explains that Wendell had been seeing Sophie to overcome his fear of public speaking. Max discovers that Sophie had fictionalized her patients' names in her books but used their actual accounts. Further investigation reveals that Sophie used hypnosis in Wendell's treatment, explaining his repetitive confession.
As Wendell regains his senses, he vehemently denies the murder allegation. Max and Ellis then head to the Fernwood Wellness Center, posing as a couple going through tough times. They need to find out which other therapist at the center knows and uses hypnosis in their treatments. During this time, Max and Ellis genuinely open up about their personal struggles, with Ellis revealing how his father's expectations drove him to become a detective. New evidence emerges that gives Daphne a strong motive to kill Sophie. Daphne had been fired from her job as Sophie did not believe she could lead her to the next phase of her career. Feeling betrayed, Daphne wanted to publish the manuscript and get her cut before she was off the payroll.
Max brings up a book about dreams she saw on Joan's table, suggesting that Joan, Sophie's best friend from college, might have assisted with the books. Further investigation reveals that Sophie made several payments to Joan after the release of her books, confirming that Joan was the ghostwriter. Joan had access to all of Sophie's patient interviews and knew about Wendell's condition.
When Max uses the phrase "Just speak your truth," which Joan had said to him at the funeral, he goes back into hypnosis, confirming Max's theory. They confront Joan at the wellness center, prompting her to run upstairs. Joan threatens to jump off and commit suicide, but Max and Ellis try to talk her out of it. Joan confesses to the murder but pleads that she had no intention. Max encourages her to keep writing from prison, which could still mean she has a life after it. After the case is wrapped up, Simmons asks Ellis if therapy helped him. Ellis's response is lukewarm, prompting Simmons to open up about his own therapy sessions after Daniel died. He encourages Ellis to take them more seriously and work through his unresolved issues.
"Eternal Sunshine of the Therapized Mind" is an intriguing episode that delves into the complexities of therapy, deception, and the lengths people will go to protect their interests. The episode not only advances the main plot but also deepens the characters' development, particularly in their personal struggles and relationships. With its blend of mystery and emotional depth, this episode keeps viewers engaged and eager for more.