Episode 6 of Based on a True Story commences with a dramatic shift in the podcast's fortunes, as Matt's bold maneuver appears to have struck gold. The podcast has become the talk of the nation, a sensation that has captured the hearts and minds of the American public. The Bartletts envision a wave of wealth flooding their way in the near future.
Simon and Ruby's lavish mansion hosts a dinner-auction extravaganza, and all the pivotal characters gather under its grandeur. Matt arrives with a stunning plus-one, surprising everyone with Michelle, the charming clubgoer. Nathan is initially startled by her presence, but they seem content in each other's company.
Unbeknownst to Ruby, she has cunningly invited her boyfriend, Carlos, to the gathering, assuming Simon would be indifferent to his presence. Little does she realize the turmoil she has unwittingly stirred as the evening progresses.
Nathan and Ava float on a cloud of euphoria, expecting lucrative million-dollar deals to materialize. However, Matt's ambitions soar even higher. He cares little for the podcast's success; his focus is solely on personal gain. A thorough exploration of Reddit reveals a divide among subscribers: a minority desires old murder tales, while the majority thirsts for "fresh content"—a euphemism for bloodshed.
The Bartletts request Matt to suspend his schemes for now, yet Ruby's intrigue is piqued by the mysterious burner phone. She suspects Matt is the elusive Westside Ripper. She sees him alone and courageously dials the burner, her face transforming into a mask of disbelief as Matt answers, confirming her suspicions.
Nathan's agitation mounts as he watches their beloved dog, McEnroe—now renamed "Duke"—playing joyfully with Simon. Nathan recalls the story of how the Bartletts gave up McEnroe, believing their backyard was too cramped. Now, with wealth on the horizon, Nathan believes it's only fitting to reunite with their loyal pet.
Meanwhile, Ruby confronts Ava with the burner phone and her newfound revelation. Ava initially denies the truth, but eventually confesses: Based on a True Story is, in fact, built upon a foundation of "fake stories." Matt is merely "pretending" to be the Ripper, a desperate measure as the Bartletts faced financial ruin.
Ruby is utterly convinced that the Bartletts would be foolish enough to embark on a podcast featuring a genuine "serial killer." She vows to keep their identity a secret. Nathan's obsession has now become palpable, as he stands by Simon's side, eagerly throwing the ball. Astonishingly, the dog seems to respond more warmly to Nathan than its supposed companion, Simon. In a stroke of creative genius, we witness the canine pondering a mischievous plan—to nudge Simon into the flames behind him, incinerate him, and then return home with Nathan. While mere wishful thinking, it betrays the canine's true desires.
The dinner table is a bubbling cauldron of tensions and conceits, all bubbling to the surface simultaneously. Simon fidgets, agitated by the animated conversation between Carlos and Ruby. Matt and Tory share a secretive glance, while Ava keeps Nathan in the dark about Ruby's revelation. Nathan's thoughts are consumed by McEnroe, and eventually, the conversation pivots to the podcast, drawing everyone's attention. The consensus is unanimous—the podcast is genuine. Tory lambasts the Ripper and his interviewers, questioning their ethics and compassion.
Abruptly, Simon takes charge, shifting the focus to finances. He's clearly agitated with Carlos and attempts to lure him away with a lucrative offer. Carlos, who owns a gym chain but aspires for expansion, falls for Simon's trap. Simon proposes to fund all of Carlos's new operations in New York, but with a catch—Carlos must forgo his visits to Ruby in LA. As anticipated, Carlos accepts the offer without hesitation, upon Simon's immediate transfer of $250k into his account.
This ignites a public spectacle of humiliation between the couple. Before the drama unfolds, Ruby, with tears in her eyes, makes a desperate plea to Ava, begging for a spot on the podcast. Ava initially refuses, but Ruby's tone turns menacing. She threatens Ava, claiming she'll take Matt's glass, laden with his DNA and fingerprints, to the police and demand a comparison with the Ripper's. Unwavering, Ava walks away and immediately informs Nathan, who consults with Matt.
Just then, they witness the ripple effects of Jessica Alba's tweet against the podcast, sparking a chain reaction that culminates in the show's cancellation. If they fail to act swiftly, they'll never recover their platform.
Returning to the scene of the shaming spectacle, words flew thick and fast, painting a picture of Simon's fading affection for Ruby and his apparent reliance on his trust fund to maintain her affection. Nathan, sensitive to McEnroe's nervousness, tucked him away in the guest room for safety. However, McEnroe's persistent barking soon became an annoyance, prompting Ruby to request Simon to "silence the canine."
Little did they know that, in his fragile emotional state, Simon would react so drastically. He retreated, and the next moment, McEnroe's life was cut short by a gunshot. The atmosphere turned chillingly silent as Simon emerged, gun in hand, pointing it menacingly at Nathan. Just then, Matt appeared from behind Simon, his voice steady and convincing, urging him to lower the weapon. As Simon complied, Nathan, overcome with grief, rushed into the room and wept bitterly over the loss of his beloved pet.
