Episode 4 of "Based on a True Story" kicks off with a vibrant portrayal of America's unwavering fascination with true crime, as CrimeCon Vegas 2023 comes to life. Our enticing trio ventures into this carnival of serial killers, undeterred by the dwindling podcast numbers, which now hover at a mere 113 downloads, starkly contrasting our earlier expectations. Ava remains resilient, hopeful of identifying their shortcomings and anticipating the Lipsinki sisters' live podcast delving into the notorious Westside Ripper case. Matt too, joins in the anticipation.
Amidst the buzz and excitement, a surprising turn of events unfolds as the Sisters summon Melissa Lake, Chloe's mother, to the stage. The tension between the Bartletts becomes palpable, their eyes nervously darting between each other, perhaps reflecting the moral turmoil within. The Sisters then shock the audience by introducing Dahlia Stone, purportedly the sole survivor of the infamous Westside Ripper's reign of terror. Dahlia boasts of her escape, claiming not only did she survive but she fought back, kicking the Ripper in the groin and shouting, "Not today!" If she ever laid eyes on him again, she swears she would recognize him instantly.
Matt sits seething in his seat, disdain and anger etched on his face. He declares unequivocally that Dahlia is a liar, pointing out that her catchphrase, which doubles as the title of her book, is a direct lift from Season 8 of "Game of Thrones." He warns the Barteletts that Dahlia is detrimental to their podcast's credibility, diminishing the terror of the Westside Ripper by claiming she escaped unscathed.
As the chaos swirls around them, Nathan and Ava find a moment of respite, reminiscing about their wild days in LA when they were younger. Nathan suggests they rekindle that spark, and Ava eagerly agrees, longing for a return to those carefree times.
Matt gracefully reclined beside Ava, completely overshadowing Ava's recollection that Ruby was also present at the convention. Initially, Ava mistook Matt for her "charming plumber," but her perception shifted as Nathan walked in, and she envisioned the trio indulging in a "blissful open relationship."She also takes offence when Nathan mentions how fit she looked in her social media story. While having a bath, Ava fantasizes about meeting Ryan at the convention and proceeding to have sex with him at the Zodiac Killer presentation. The show is truly living up to its billing!
In a tense and nail-biting moment, the Barteletts, Matt, and Dahlia descended in an elevator. Dahlia barely took notice of Matt, and even when her gaze fleetingly met his, she failed to recognize him. It seemed that he had spoken the truth, after all. In the bathroom, Ava stumbled upon Melissa, feeling a pang of guilt for using the murderer of her child as a pawn in her own game. Meanwhile, Matt, with stealthy steps, trailed Dahlia from her book signing event to the rooftop, the skyscrapers looming ominously above them.
Beneath the guise of an admirer, he approaches her. She remains mostly taciturn, yet Matt steadily gains momentum to unveil his truth. With a firm tone, he declares, "I know you are lying." Dahlia's countenance hardens as Matt exposes his identity as the WR. He further punctures her facade of amassing funds for charity, revealing her indulgence in materialistic pleasures. As Matt turns to leave, Dahlia is thrown into a frenzy. We witness her leap from the rooftop, plummeting to the ground, impaled, in the stark presence of Ruby, Carlos, and the Bartletts who are engrossed in their evening meal.
