‘Based on a True Story’ Recap: ‘The Survivor’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

BASED ON A TRUE STORY -- "The Survivor" Episode 104 -- Pictured: (l-r) Chris Messina as Nathan, Kaley Cuoco as Ava -- (Photo by: Elizabeth Morris/PEACOCK)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Based on a True Story’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked at length about the satirical brilliance of the Peacock series, Based on True Story. Simply because this show has wonderfully examined how our obsession with pop-culture, or more specifically… true crime… could potentially lead people down some unfortunate paths. The kind that could jeopardize their mental health and their physical health. Especially when say… one ‘befriends’ a serial killer in order to hit it rich with a big-time podcast. For that is precisely what our characters have done, and they have compromised their morals and risked their safety in doing so and well… these wonderful explorations are clearly not leaving the forefront of the story any time soon. Since they were taken to new heights in the next episode of this refreshing and original tale. 
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Simply because ‘The Survivor’ opted to not only further explore the potential dangers that could come forth from enabling a monster like Matt… but it also dug deeper into the commentary regarding the fame and fortune people now desire from podcasting and how it can be harmful in so many other ways. For instance… this is an episode that quickly informed us… that Ava and Nathan didn’t account for a harsh reality in their quest to beat the Sisters in Crimeto an exposé on the West Side Ripper: failure. Because they had no social media presence before the launch, no lead up to the big show, so in this world of super content… no one was listening to this confession and well, that left this duo in a difficult place. Because they in essence, sold their souls for nothing and had to carry an ugly secret and they were certainly humbled. For they truly thought they would be the next big thing. 

All of which, had some real-world echoes since everyone expects a podcast to just become a thing or that they’ll be the next big sleuth because they have a slick podcast. When in fact, it takes hard work and patience and dedication to grow an audience and produce a show that people crave and rave over. So, that brought this couple, and creepily, Matt, to Las Vegas for a true crime podcast convention. Wherein they wished to learn how to do things right and well… this too offered up some fascinating commentary on the current state of the market and our obsession with such storytelling. Mainly because… this deeply reflected how crime has become a form of entertainment now, one that people consume heavily, and that… there should perhaps be some pause regarding that. Since this is something that deeply impacts people and changes lives and shouldn’t be celebrated in the manner it currently is. 

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BASED ON A TRUE STORY -- "The Survivor" Episode 104 -- Pictured: (l-r) Jessica St. Clair as Rochelle, June Diane Raphael as Romy -- (Photo by: PEACOCK)

Which is a lesson that Ava learned later on in this tale. Since she ran into Chloe’s mother. Who came to the convention to talk about her daughter’s death on the Sisters in Crime Podcast, and their interaction, really did hammer home that this desire for justice through fame, harbors some serious flaws and that made for an incredible and sobering moment in this story, one that was further compounded by the dark lesson present in this story. The one that revolved around enabling a maniac. For the convention and that iconic podcast were also host to the one woman that survived the West Side Ripper’s machinations and well, Ava, Nathan and Matt, heard her story and it didn’t resonate well with Matt in the slightest. In fact, it outright unlocked his fury.  
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Because he truly believed her to be a liar, and an opportunist, since no one had escaped him before, and the remote possibility that this could have even happened, prompted Matt to confront her when the moment was right… to prove that she was indeed using the killings to gain fame and a following and well, Matt was right about that. Because she claimed she could recognize him in a heartbeat and well… she didn’t seem to have much recollection of Matt’s face when he was standing there in front of her and one could infer that having his ‘work’ disrespected in such a manner, prompted Matt to do what he thinks he does best. Since the closing moments of this episode, featuring a falling ‘survivor’. One that certainly met a horrible end in front of Ava and Nathan.  

Which deeply spoke to the fact that enabling a monster such as Matt, was and will continue to be a terrible idea. For now, he believes he has agency and ownership and the ability to do as he pleases to defend his stance and his ugly desires, and that’s scary. Since it likely means… he will flex on this further and enjoy the power that’s been given to him by greed and the marginalization of his own actions and of the Bartletts. But while we wait to see what grows out of that, and the fallout of that death… we can celebrate the show’s best episode to date. Because this really was a powerhouse story that offered up some amazing commentary, and it will be interesting to see what other lessons and poignant moments await us regarding this central theme as this brilliant story continues along. Until next time. 

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