Episode 4 of "The Franchise" kicks off with an exhilarating scene as Daniel and Dag stand poised, eyes locked on an approaching truck. It's cameo day, the moment they've all been anticipating! Making a grand entrance is none other than Many Man, the renowned star from the "Centurios 2" movie, whose presence is meant to weave a golden thread connecting their film to the broader franchise. Adam, too, is buzzing with excitement, eager to share the screen with a genuine A-list actor.
However, the team's excitement quickly turns to shock when they realize that the studio hasn't sent Many Man; instead, they've dispatched The Gurgler. Daniel explains that The Gurgler is the least favorite Centurion, infamous for gurgling up toxic mucus. Anita, sensing the impending disaster, rallys everyone to put on a cheerful demeanor and warmly greet the actor, Kyle. Adam follows suit, and it becomes evident that Kyle and Adam share a playful history, stemming from their time as brothers on a sitcom called "Brad and Butter," where Kyle played the heavier sibling. Kyle's penchant for teasing Adam earns him an immediate liking from Peter.
As they prepare to shoot the scene, Eric hands Adam the reality crystal, a prop that's more than just a prop—it's an authentic crystal flown in from Uganda. Kyle, ever the improviser, tries to sprinkle his humor into the scene, but Adam struggles to keep pace with his quick wit. Eric, Steph, and Daniel find themselves grappling with the dilemma of the cameo gone awry, just when Mollusc Man enters the fray. He's scheduled for a scene requiring a clean shave, but his wedding looms over the weekend, and he's desperate to keep his hair intact for the big day. Despite Daniel and Steph's objections, Eric insists on postponing the shave, prioritizing a positive atmosphere on set.
Dag's sudden arrival brings another crisis: the reality crystal has vanished! Meanwhile, Adam beckons Steph to his trailer, seeking her help to devise jokes that can match Kyle's impromptu humor.
The team then ventures to the lavish "Centurios 2" set, a dazzling golden realm adorned with four technocranes. As they step inside, they're reminded to slip on shoe covers, maintaining the pristine environment. Pat, a friendly presence, returns the reality crystal to Eric, brushing it off as a playful joke between productions. Little do they know, the director of "Centurios 2" has taken a shine to the crystal, creating an even grander version for their movie, unwittingly setting the stage for an unforeseen twist.
Anita gently pulls Pat aside, pleading for a different cameo appearance in their film. Pat throws his hands up in frustration, explaining that the film is already over budget and there's little he can do to accommodate her request. He promises Anita a favor if she can smooth things over, and she reluctantly returns to her team, informing them that she did her best.
However, Daniel remains skeptical, urging Eric to make a fuss and demand what they need. Meanwhile, on the Tecto set, Steph attempts to lighten the mood with a few jokes, but they fall flat. No one dares to criticize her, though.
The next day, Eric demands a larger crystal for the Tecto film, prompting Dag to peek into the disorganized, fume-filled art department to check on the crystal's progress. She returns to the set, where the three actors are preparing for their next shot. Kyle suggests improvising one take of the scene, and Adam tries to launch a few zingers of his own. Unfortunately, his attempts at humor don't go well, and Kyle quickly shuts him down with a harsh comeback, sending Adam back to his trailer in defeat.
The new crystal finally arrives, but while it's bigger, it lacks the desired shine. It's coated entirely in black because the Centurios 2 movie used up all the metallic paint. This pushes Eric over the edge, and he storms up to the Centurios 2 set, driving a golf cart right onto the shiny gold backdrop. He returns in a rage, deciding to start shooting immediately. Since Adam is still in his trailer, the only option is Mollusk Man, and Eric orders that he be shaved immediately.
Kyle volunteers to handle the Adam problem and heads to his trailer. He explains to Adam that after Adam left Brad and Butter, Kyle struggled immensely, even blaming Adam for his hardships, despite it not being Adam's fault. He asks Adam for a truce and offers a hug, but when Adam agrees, Kyle kisses him on the mouth, dismissing it as a mere joke before leaving.
Anita storms into Daniel's office, berating him for causing Eric to create such a disturbance. Now, Pat is furious, and their film may not even get a cameo appearance, which could be disastrous for the film's success. She reminds Daniel that he should have left the producer diplomacy to her.
The episode concludes with Mollusk Man being shaved and talking to his fiancée on the phone, trying to convince her that their wedding photographs will still look okay. As the credits for The Franchise Episode 4 roll, a short scene shows Kyle speaking to the camera, jokingly hinting at his unexpected love for Adam.
