The Great American Art Form – As the episode opens, Chloe Lake (Natalia Dyer) tells a friend about her successful blind date. She says they have a second date scheduled for Friday. Noting the 11pm hour, she hurriedly ends the call to get in a workout session. While doing jumping jacks, a thudding grabs her attention. Pausing her exercise, she tracks the noise to the door. The peephole reveals no one in the corridor. As she restarts the workout, a clad figure in black attacks her from behind.

Two Weeks Earlier – Nathan Bartlett (Chris Messina) relives the biggest win of his tennis career from his laptop. The commentator (Patrick McEnroe) describes each play-by-play leading up to his win over Roger Federer. Ava Bartlett (Kaley Cuoco) listens to Detective Quincy Burrell (Miles Mussenden) speak about the “Westside Ripper). She boasts a real serial killer on the prow in their neighborhood. She updates Paul (Brandon Keener) on a real estate property when Tory Thompson (Liana Liberato) approaches wearing her pants. Tory tells her that she won’t need them any time soon.

Open House – While putting the finishing touches on her open house. Ava listens to a true crime podcast about a killer dismembering two victims. Homeseeker, Ryan (Alex Alomar Akpobome) is the first to look at the property. She delivers a spiel about the possibilities of the property as he tries to set out on his own. In the bedroom, she imagines herself having sex with Ryan when he comments on the great view.

The Clubhouse – Nathan gives Tess (Ava Catanzarite) a tennis tip. She follows up with a tennis serve that pleases both of them. A short time later, Michelle (Li Jun Li) informs him that Mason (Belmont Cameli) has been appointed the new Director of Tennis. She adds that he should expect to be demoted. He reminds her of his 17-year tenure 17-year tenure and how he built the club from 200 members to what it is today. She says he is assigned to the Red Ball Club, a class of 5-year-olds.

Open House – Ava’s open house isn’t going well. A prospective homebuyer suggests she got the listing as a favor from her boss. She tells him that every real estate agent must start somewhere.

Bartlett’s Residence – Ava fills Nathan in on her failed open house. He informs her of his demotion. Tory pleads with them to help her. Ignoring her, Nathan contributes his demotion to the loss of his “power bass” with the students’ mothers. He sarcastically suggests Mason’s cocktails and cardio won them over. She asks if Mason young, good-looking guy. He tells her that management reassigned him to Red Ball. She says the class is for toddlers. Giving in to Tory’s pleas, they discover her soaking up water from an overflowing toilet.

Toilet Warehouse – Saleswoman, Lisa (Jill Lover) assists Nathan and Ava find a new toilet. They dismiss her first suggestion, a $4k “Toto Aquia.” He suggests a more practical brand.

Bartlett’s Residence – Nathan promises Ava that she will have her “Malibu Beach house.” She warns against relying on the Tennis Academy to make it happen. She suggests a murder podcast. He assures her that tennis is a popular podcast topic. She sarcastically says not unless he knows someone who was stabbed at Wimbledon. She tells him it isn’t healthy for him to continuously watch his tennis videos. Their discussion gets more heated by the insult. He was once great, he got hurt, he got fired, and now he can’t get her the mansion she’s always wanted to impress her fancy friends. She tells him that he isn’t the Nathan she married. Irate, he leaves her alone in bed.

Matt Pierce (Tom Bateman) arrives to install the new toilet. As Nathan escorts him to the bathroom, Matt encounters Tory who later comments on his sexiness to Ava. During the install, Matt tells Nathan that he was almost the next Aggasi. Nathan says until he injured his knee. Matt claims to have played on the Pomona Courts. He admits to relocating after a neighbor was attacked. Nathan tells him that he coaches at the Beverly Club. Matt invites him to play sometime when Ava pulls him away to assess a leak in the kitchen. After he explains the costly, lengthy repairs, Nathan offers free tennis lessons in exchange for the work. Matt agrees.

Beverly Club – Matt and Nathan’s tennis lesson isn’t going very well. Not taking the comment well, Nathan dispatches the amateur tennis hopeful and has him darting all over the court like a madman, unable to return the balls. Nathan compliments his impressive forehand before pointing out his weak backhand. Mason offers them half-priced cocktails for “Thirsty Thursday.” Alone, Mason explains to Nathan why he accepted his position. Nathan assures him that he is okay with the demotion, besides, a few “up-and-comers” will seek out his services. Mason claims to have requested management to retain Nathan as a “Coach Emeritus.” Nathan loses his cool and all but tells Mason that he doesn’t need his pity.

Bartlett’s Residence – Ava’s “True Crime Club” is in the middle of a meeting when Tory approaches. Carolyn (Aisha Alfa) asks if she has a date. Serena (Annabelle Dexter-Jones) corrects her by saying it is a “Tinder F**k Fest,” not a date. Ava points out that Tinder is extremely dangerous. She says a friend claimed to have been restrained by her Tinder date while he tried to defecate in her mouth. Tory questions if her date should be forced to wear a condom. She adds at least if he pulls out, his DNA will be found everywhere. Her murder could land on “Dateline.”

Local Bar – Matt contributes his impressive dart skills to his failed marriage which led to him spending a lot there. Nathan asks if they’re still together. Matt confirms their marriage ended in divorce.

Bartlett Residence – Ava’s “True Crime” club discusses dating prison dating. Ava changes the topic to infidelity which she assumes would be a lot of work. A woman accuses her of at least considering it. Ava readily denies the allegations when Ruby Gale (Priscilla Quintana) admits to having an affair for the past six months. She claims Simon (Aaron Staton) and her wax technician, Val are having an affair. Ava is shocked to learn three of her friends are involved in extramarital relationships.

Local Bar – Bartender, Chloe Lake prepares tequila shots for Nathan. She admits to liking a steady flow of customers as it helps speed time along. He asks if she enjoys hanging out with drunk men. She says it depends on the man. Leaving a heft tip, he takes the drinks back to Matt. As they discuss Chloe, he looks over to receive a flirty wave.

Bartlett Residence – Ava watches a Channel 4 news report about the Westside Ripper. The news presenter (Robert Kovacik) tells the latest updates on the case. A knock at the door increases her anxiety. Looking to the peephole, she sees Matt with an intoxicated Nation. He helps Nathan to the sofa. She thanks him for bringing Nathan home.

Matt repairs the plumbing lead in the kitchen while Tory checks him out. She tells him that rumor has it a plumber with no crack is trustworthy. He asks what she is studying in college. She informs him of her plan to return to school to prepare for the prelaw finals. An incoming call from Nathan appears on his phone. He invites her to hang out tonight at the local bar.

Local Bar – Heading to the restroom, Nathan collides with Chloe on her phone. The impact sends her phone spinning. Picking up the phone, he returns it to her. She coldly accepts the blame before rejoining her date (Pierson Fode). He watches as the couple shares a playful moment. A brief clip of Chloe’s murder plays.

Bartlett Residence – Ava wakes up to find Nathan’s side of the bed empty. She discovers a note that explains his whereabouts, an early tennis lesson. The laptop comes one, showing Nathan’s latest activities that involves Chloe’s social media. While scrolling through Chloe’s profile, she sees a post about her death. Making a connection, she opens the Channel 4 website. A reporter (Lynette Romero) reports on the slaying of 28-year-old bartender, Chloe Lake at her Venice apartment. The police believe Chloe is the seventh victim of the “Westside Ripper.

When Nathan arrives home, she demands what time he got in last night. He tells her that it was late while she was asleep. When she asks again, he questions why she is giving him such a hard time. She turns her laptop around to the Channel 4 news report featuring Chloe’s death. He admits to recognizing the girl from the bar and decided to research her. She suggests he may have seen the killer at the bar last night. He informs her of Chloe’s date. She assures him a serial killer wouldn’t be seen in public with her before killing her.

Poolside – Ava tells Caroline, Serena, and Ruby Gale about Nathan’s encounter with the Ripper’s latest murder victim, Chloe. Serena warns it is too big a coincidence to ignore. Ruby Gale tells her that the police may want to question him. A Channel 4 news alert informs viewers of the recent breakthrough in Chloe’s case. Ava dials Nathan’s mobile which he ignores. She arrives home to find him in the kitchen with Matt. Once they’re alone, she informs him of a blue shoe cover being found outside Chloe’s apartment building. In the kitchen, Matt is clad in his blue shoe covers. She points out the scratches that he claimed were the product of a cat. Realizing Matt doesn’t have a cat, Nathan is beginning to side with Ava. He says Matt is so normal when they hang out. She asks if he believes Ted Bundy aired his necrophilia (sex with corpse) infatuation.

Nathan warns against her listening to murder podcasts. When he says Matt lived in Pomona, she informs him of the district’s 24 murders. She suggests it happened while he was living there. An Internet search reveals the murder of Nicole Gibson at 242 Park Street, adjacent to the tennis courts Matt frequented. He questions why Matt would mention it if he thought it would eventually lead to his arrest. They’re discussing the Westside Ripper when Matt announces his departure. Matt asks Nathan what he was going to tell him earlier. Nathan claims to have forgotten. Matt tells them that there is another leak that a few more free tennis lessons should cover. Nathan readily accepts the offer. After Matt’s departure, Nathan calls 911. Convincing him to hang up, she proposes a podcast with a true serial killer, never done before with big earning potential. He warns the killer could go after the host or continue killing.

Ava asks what the serial killer would choose, prison or podcast. She questions how he’ll feel when their income forces them into a small apartment with a baby. She tells him that she could do open houses for 3% while her pregnancy hormonal changes urge her to fantasize about home seekers. She informs him of all her friend except one are having affairs. He eventually caves to her podcast ideal.

Local Surf Spot – Matt believes he is meeting Nathan to hit the high tide but in fact, Nathan has other plans. Nathan identifies him as the Westside Ripper. As Matt laughs his accusations off, a lady can be seen watching them from a short distance away. The episode ends.

 

Based On A True Story Review

I would have to start by pointing out that I know nothing of the true events this story is based around. I’m not even entirely sure that it is, although I seem to recall an earlier search revealing that it was. Either way, I cannot deny the potential here. It took some work to get past some of the crude and raunchy humor, but I did feel as if they made it work somehow. I’m not saying that this is an acting Tour De Force, with the most heart-wrenching scenes you’ll find on modern TV, but everything comes together extremely well.

From the humor to the acting, the plot, and the budding storylines, I have to say I am actually looking forward to where these bumbling characters take this story. It’s not just that, but the plots and the characters are complex enough to make the series a real mindbender. For these reasons alone, I would have to give this episode 5.5 out of 10.

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