In the vibrant and chaotic heart of New York City, the luxurious abode of Mrs. Pallione stands as the dramatic setting for the premiere episode of The CW's "Wild Cards," Season 1, titled "The Infinity Thief." Here, we are first introduced to the clever and conniving Max Mitchell, who adeptly transforms herself into Maria, a humble housemaid employed by the affluent Mrs. Pallione. With a flair for deceit that borders on artistry, Max skillfully snatches Mrs. Pallione's purse and meticulously alters her identification documents, her hands moving with practiced precision. She then proceeds to pilfer the keys to Mrs. Pallione's safety deposit box at the bank, all while maintaining her flawless disguise with the utmost ease.
Equipped with her newly forged credentials, Max strides confidently into the bank, her charm and quick wit serving as her most potent weapons. She cleverly distracts the bank manager, thwarting his attempts to verify her authenticity, thereby gaining seamless access to the deposit box, which she believes will yield a treasure trove of riches. However, fate has other designs in mind, as Mrs. Pallione arrives at the bank unexpectedly, throwing a wrench into Max's carefully laid plans. In a sudden twist, Max finds herself apprehended by the authorities, setting the stage for the introduction of the episode's other pivotal character, Detective Cole Ellis.
Cole Ellis, a seasoned detective once held in high esteem, has been relegated to the less prestigious duty of "Sea Patrol" due to a misjudgment that tarnished his reputation. Despite his demotion, Cole is summoned to the bank to escort Max to the precinct. Unbeknownst to him, this fortuitous encounter will serve as the genesis of an unlikely partnership. Upon arriving at the station, Max quickly ingratiates herself with the officers, displaying a remarkable ability to connect with anyone, regardless of their station.
Police Chief Lee assembles the squad for a briefing on a pressing case involving "The Infinity Thief," a shadowy figure who has orchestrated three high-profile robberies targeting the Mayor's major election donors over the past six months. The thief's signature modus operandi is leaving an infinity symbol at each crime scene, earning them their moniker. Intrigued by the case, Max eavesdrops on the briefing and even participates, posing pertinent follow-up questions with an air of curiosity and intrigue.
At the latest crime scene, investigators uncovered particles of soil originating from an aged vineyard within the city limits, along with three ancient coins that seemed out of place. Max, currently in custody, deduced that the dirt was a deliberate attempt by the perpetrator to steer the police off course, while the coins served as a taunting invitation to trace their steps. In a crucial juncture, Max boldly declared her knowledge of the thief's intended next target and utilized her sole phone call to reach Cole, who was at his residence. She foretold that Heritage Appraisals in Downtown would be the next stop on the thief's agenda.
Acting on Max's prediction, Cole decided to venture there solo. Max's intuition proved accurate, yet they were thwarted in capturing the thief, who incapacitated Cole with a swift blow to the head. The following morning, the Commissioner summoned them, prompting Cole to unveil Max's true identity. In turn, Max sought to capitalize on her insights to negotiate a lesser sentence from the prosecution.
Commissioner Russo then tasked Cole and Max with leading the investigation, presenting them with a high-stakes ultimatum. If they succeeded in apprehending the thief, Cole would return to his desk duties, and Max would receive a lenient sentence. However, failure could jeopardize Chief Lee's career. Max steered their focus towards the Thorpe Auction House, owned by Noah and Joey Vaziri, twin brothers with whom she had a past entanglement. She reasoned that the thief would require a venue to fence the stolen coins.
Employing her charm and persuasion, Max gained access to the auction house, where she observed suspicious dark marks on the floor, hinting that something had been dragged behind a bookshelf. Despite acquiring a list of names from Joey, Max was convinced that the information was deliberately misleading. Later that night, Cole trailed Max to Thorpe's, where they discovered a clandestine storage area concealed behind a bookshelf, containing Joey's lifeless body.
The next morning, the duo visited Noah and his wife Penny at their abode. Cole inquired about Joey's connection to the Russian Embassy, as his final call had been to someone within the building. Noah expressed disappointment, confessing that Joey had vowed to cease his involvement in moving stolen goods for a commission. He directed them to Caviar Stan, the son of a Russian diplomat entangled in illegal dealings with Joey.
However, engaging Stan directly remained beyond their reach. Max escorts Cole to the State Penitentiary, introducing him to her father, George Graham, within its confines. George orchestrates a connection for them with Teddy Takamoro, who grants them entry into one of Stan's exclusive, clandestine gatherings. When confronted, Stan balks at cooperating and issues ominous threats of violence. But Max earns his admiration by assisting Stan in outsmarting a roulette table swindler. During this conversation, Stan divulges that he had intended to meet Joey on the night of his demise, but the meeting never transpired.
This revelation leads them to Henry, a man steeped in criminal history and a long-time Vaziri family associate. Henry acknowledges knowledge of the thief's identity and admits to mentoring him in the art of theft. The thief is revealed to be Joey, pushed into criminality by overwhelming debts. Henry attests to encountering Joey on that fateful night but vehemently denies taking his life. Eager to wrap up the case, Chief Lee attempts to pin the murder on Henry, prompting a contentious clash with Cole.
In an effort to comprehend Cole's demotion, Max uncovers that he was falsely implicated in a setup involving cocaine planted in his vehicle. This discovery softens Max's stance, and she later visits Cole at his boat, where he finds solace. She urges him not to abandon the case and commends him as "a true officer of the law." Cole shares the deep emotional ties he holds for the boat and his cat, both once belonging to his late brother, brutally murdered in a random street robbery a year prior.
To alleviate the heavy atmosphere, they venture to a Chinese restaurant previously mentioned. The owner, Ronnie, shares footage of Noah and Penny's last visit, capturing their intimate moments. However, Max and Cole spot a neck chain on Noah, unmistakably Joey's. It transpires that Joey was entangled in an affair with his brother's wife, Penny. Penny confesses to murdering Joey after he broke his promise to flee with her.
With the case successfully closed, Commissioner Russo reinstates Cole into the station's roster, albeit with a probationary two-month assignment on boat duty. Should he prove his worth, Cole will be welcomed back permanently. As for Max, fresh information emerges that she did not pilfer the necklace from the deposit box. Instead, she retrieved Maria's Romanian passport, which Mrs. Pallione had confiscated, restoring her friend's freedom. CCTV footage from the bank captures Max mailing the passport, ensuring Maria's safety.
Amidst these unfolding developments, Russo decides to lesser Max's charges and enrolls her in a rehabilitation program, granting her freedom. Furthermore, Max will now lend her aid to the police department, fostering a partnership with Cole. However, in a climactic scene, Max confides in Graham, suggesting that her collaboration with Cole will "procure their desired outcomes," alluding to a concealed, deeper intention. "The Infinity Thief" meticulously lays the groundwork for an exhilarating series, intricately blending elements of crime, deceit, and unforeseen alliances. Through the dynamic duo of Max Mitchell and Detective Cole Ellis, viewers are treated to a narrative that is both engaging and promising, teeming with intrigue and suspense in the forthcoming episodes.
