Based on a True Story Season 2 Episode 2, “Control F for Murder,” sees Matt trying not to succumb to his killer urges while Ava’s new mom friend might prove to be more detrimental than beneficial. It’s an entertaining episode, especially when the series leans into its darkly comedic roots and offers those fun, surreal breaks from reality. The outing is at its best when it focuses on propelling the overarching narrative; sometimes, it loses sight of that. All the Matt stuff is a blast. I’m not entirely convinced he’s still “sober,” considering that ending.
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Based on a True Story, “Control F for Murder”
We open with Ava (Kaley Cuoco) and Nathan (Chris Messina) reacting awkwardly to the news that Matt (Tom Bateman) and Tory (Liana Liberato) are engaged. Matt understands that this might come as a shock. After all, they’ve only been together for a few months. Of course, we know why Nathan and Ava are panicking. They pull Tory aside to try to talk sense into her. Tory fires back that Ava and Nathan took advantage of Matt and his “illness” for their podcast.
Ava and Nathan insist that the podcast is done. They regret ever doing it. Tory reassures them that Matt is sober now. He’s changed. He hasn’t killed anyone in 98 days. However, Ava isn’t convinced. After all, Tory fits Matt’s preferred murder victim: a brunette 20-something woman.
Baby Whisperer
Then, the gang races outside when they don’t hear baby Jack crying. They find Matt holding the infant, who’s quiet as a church mouse. Matt advises Ava not to be afraid to hold her baby too tightly. Also, when feeding, make sure the bottle is tilted upward. He recalls having to do all this when his son was small. A serial killer with a knack for calming crying babies? What can’t Matt do?
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Later, Ava pushes Jack in his stroller while Tory accompanies them for a walk. The sisters bicker about their respective predicaments. Tory accuses Ava of being like their mother — she’s afraid to be vulnerable. Ava also dropped out of college to follow Nathan when he was at the apex of his tennis career. Ava turns the mirror on Tory, claiming that the latter is on the precipice of self-sabotage. She’s about to start law school in two days, but she’s ready to throw it all away for Matt.
Tory urges Ava to make friends. In fact, plenty of parents are in this park with their children. Ava vows to be social if Tory will attend classes. Meanwhile, Matt sneaks up on Nathan as he’s about to leave. Naturally, he scares the crap out of Nathan. Old habits die hard, I suppose.
Sponsors and Friends
Matt asks Nathan to be his murder sobriety sponsor. Initially, Nathan is resistant to this idea. However, Matt gently wears him down to the point of acceptance. As you do. Matt tags along as Nathan drives to Jaden’s house for tennis lessons. Elsewhere, Ava works up the courage to approach a trio of parents in the middle of a gossip session. Ava introduces herself and explains that since their kids are around the same age, perhaps they should be buddies. Fun fact: one of the moms is played by Briana Cuoco, Kaley’s real-life sister, who I sometimes mistake for Whitney Cummings.
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Next, Ava’s new friends proceed to question her about her life, which morphs into a police interrogation setting. It makes sense that Ava’s mind would go there since she’s obsessed with true crime. Ava blurts out an excuse, claiming she has a work emergency, before speeding off with Jack. The gossipmongers she’s a drug dealer.
Later, Matt relays his triggers to Nathan. So, what compels him to murder? When pretty women slight him, when he’s treated like he’s invisible and the music of Rick Springfield. So, “Jessie’s Girl” for Matt is like all those trigger words that would “unlock” the Winter Soldier.
Park if You Want To
Nathan parks his Jeep in front of the mansion despite Christa (Stephanie Allynne) instructing him to pull behind the building. Nathan comments on this, but Matt encourages Nathan to stand tall. He deserves to park wherever he wants. She reminds him not to park out front when she spots his vehicle. Nathan believes it’s up to the city of Malibu to decide where he can park. Christa fires him on the spot.
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Then, the guys drink beers on the beach. Matt comforts Nathan. He remarks on Christa’s outdated security system, which, of course, the reformed serial killer would notice. Nathan realizes he can’t tell Ava about this. The conversation pivots to Matt’s growth and desire to change before returning to Nathan. Matt urges him not to give up on Jaden. Nathan simply needs to get creative.
That night, Ava chats with Tory on the phone as the latter moves into her new apartment. Ava reveals she panicked with her new parent friends. Tory encourages her to stick with it. Being vulnerable is challenging. After this, Ava watches a few TikToks about being like your mom and the identity of the Black Dahlia killer. Nathan climbs into bed with her, revealing he’s now Matt’s sponsor. He truly believes that Matt wants to change. Ava looks annoyed but accepts the idea.
Horny House of Cards
The following day, Nathan and Matt roam the tennis courts where Jaden will have a big match. They approach Christa and Jaden (Kingston Rumi Southwick). Nathan delivers a speech detailing why he should be Jaden’s coach. Christa compliments his speech but refuses to rehire him. Jaden speaks on Nathan’s behalf. Sure, Christa’s slept with Jaden’s last two coaches and isn’t attracted to Nathan (which is mind-boggling because Chris Messina), but he wants to keep Nathan around. Christa reluctantly abides by her son’s wishes.
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Later, Ava approaches her buddies in the park with cookies. She apologizes for abruptly peacing out on them yesterday. Then, Ava contradicts herself when she claims she’s no longer working. They remind her that she left because of a work emergency. Thankfully, a woman, Drew (Melissa Fumero), swoops in and saves the day. She asks the parent group if she can steal Ava away because the latter owes her money. Ava follows along. As they walk away, Drew asks Ava if she wants to go out for drinks.
Meanwhile, Nathan tries to amp up Jaden for his upcoming match. He tells Jaden and Matt about when his dad revealed he had pancreatic cancer right before a match. His dad claimed if Nathan didn’t win the 15 thousand-dollar grand prize, he wouldn’t be able to afford his next round of chemo. However, after Nathan won, his father revealed he didn’t have cancer. It was purely a motivator.
Margarita Moms
Anyway, Nathan won’t go that route re: motivation. Matt vows to “take care” of Christa so she won’t distract Jaden. Initially, Nathan looks nervous. Is Matt going to kill her? He envisions Matt swiftly and gracefully slicing Christa’s throat as blood splatters all over in slow motion. Opera music complements the very public murder.
At the same time, Drew and Ava have margaritas at a restaurant while chatting about motherhood. Drew reveals those gossipy parents are pretty judgmental. They were trying to size up Ava. Ava asks Drew if she believes she’s a good mom. Drew admits she’s not; however, she feels like she’s doing a better job this time around as opposed to her first child. She has a son with her “sh*thead ex.” Ava takes a liking to Drew.
Thankfully, Jaden wins his match. Afterward, Christa runs up to him to congratulate him. Nathan is relieved that Matt didn’t kill her. Matt confesses he wanted to, though. Earlier, we see him try to give Christa food so she couldn’t talk.
Jessie’s Girl
When that doesn’t work, Matt’s triggers rear their ugly heads. He was slighted by a pretty woman when he and Nathan arrived at the courts. Christa is being disrespectful and making him feel invisible. Matt sees a knife. To top it all off, “Jessie’s Girl” starts blaring over the loudspeakers. It takes everything in him not to commit murder. In the present, Matt remarks that Nathan looked disappointed that he didn’t kill Christa. Nathan tries to deny it, though.
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That evening, Ava, Nathan, Tory and Matt have dinner. They celebrate 100 days of sobriety for Matt. Tory had her first day of law school. Everyone seems content. Matt reveals he’s in a really good place. He has so much to live for.
It’s Murder Time
Five hours later, a woman arrives at a crime scene in a small apartment. We see a dead woman on the floor as the authorities swarm the area. “Young brunette, multiple stab wounds; yes, this is definitely him,” the detective states. It’s none other than Drew. Drew believes that the Westside Ripper is back in action.
So much for sobriety.
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Based on a True Story Season 2 is now streaming on Peacock.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
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