‘Based on a True Story’: Everything You Need to Know Before Season 2

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  • Where the Situation Lies at the End of Based on a True Story Season 1
  • What Do Ava and Nathan Have to Worry About in Based on a True Story?

As a seasoned crime analyst with years of experience under my belt, I must say that the lives of Ava and Nathan in “Based on a True Story” are nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. They find themselves entangled in a web of secrets, deceit, and danger that would make even the bravest hearts quiver.

This production, titled “Based on a True Story“, skillfully combines audience fascination with mysteries, true crimes, and podcasts into a captivating blend of comedy, thriller, and darkness. The lead characters, Ava and Nathan, portrayed by Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina respectively, are a married couple on the verge of parenthood, striving to achieve their professional dreams. An intriguing opportunity arises when a local serial killer emerges, Ava’s passion for true crime podcasts, and their unique knowledge that could potentially lead to success. However, this opportunity also presents dangerous risks that seem to steer them towards impending doom.

In the initial season, which debuted in June 2023, there were eight episodes released simultaneously on Peacock. Given that Season 2 is set to premiere on November 21, 2024, it’s a perfect moment for a recap of all the events that unfolded.

The Key Things to Remember From Based on a True Story Season 1

At the outset of the first season, Ava is expecting a child while continuing her career as a real estate agent. However, she’s experiencing a slump with few sales or chances for high-profile deals. Simultaneously, Nathan—previously a celebrated tennis player—is employed as a coach at an upscale resort. Yet, he’s grappling with insecurity and apprehension about keeping his job due to a fresh, attractive young coach who seems to be garnering all the limelight.

In a challenging phase of their lives, coincidentally when their toilet overflows at an inconvenient moment, they find themselves unable to bear the additional cost. Yet, they decide to hire a youthful, appealing plumber named Matt (Tom Bateman) to tackle the issue. As fate would have it, Nathan develops a friendship with him. Their socializing begins to bring some positivity into Nathan’s life.

As a cinephile immersed in the suspenseful world of crime dramas, when I heard about a young woman being brutally murdered and the media labeling the suspect as the Westside Ripper, a chill ran down my spine. The latest victim was someone I remembered from the bar that fateful night. Piecing together clues like an armchair detective, I started to connect the dots – Matt was our prime suspect. Instead of rushing to the authorities with this chilling revelation, Ava suggested we use our friendship as a means to reach him. She saw an opportunity for profit and was eager to capitalize on it.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I found myself in a peculiar situation when Nathan approached me with a tantalizing offer: collaborate on a gripping true crime podcast that delves into the intricate details of heinous murders, all while maintaining anonymity, and without involving the authorities in my identity. With a heavy heart and a mix of apprehension and curiosity, I agreed to this unusual proposition, albeit with one condition: I must cease my violent actions. However, dealing with a narcissistic, sociopathic individual isn’t straightforward. I saw this collaboration as a chance to elevate my own status and assert myself as the driving force behind the podcast.

Additionally, Matt gradually becomes more involved in the lives of Ava and Nathan, engaging with their friends’ circle, influencing their workplaces, and developing a stronger bond with Tory (Liana Liberato). While Ava and Nathan strive to increase their podcast’s popularity, Matt persistently interferes, pushing for his own methods. Meanwhile, women continue to be murdered, causing Ava and Nathan to doubt Matt’s claims of innocence regarding the crimes.

As Ava and Nathan delve deeper into this unfolding situation, they start to understand that they’re in a predicament from which there seems no escape. Now Matt has them under his control. He is aware that they won’t report him to the authorities because doing so would also incriminate them. However, when Ruby (Priscilla Quintana), Simon’s (Aaron Staton) wife’s corpse is discovered at their beach house, Ava and Nathan come to the sobering realization that things have spiraled far beyond what they initially anticipated.

Where the Situation Lies at the End of Based on a True Story Season 1

At the close of Season 1, Ava and Nathan’s podcast titled “Based on a True Story” had achieved the popularity they had anticipated. The journey wasn’t easy, and it required some unconventional maneuvers by Matt during a CrimeCon convention to spark curiosity. Nevertheless, they faced a brush with controversy when actress Jessica Alba tweeted that the individuals behind the podcast must have questionable moral values for their actions.

The tweet rapidly escalates and before long, the podcast is banned across all significant streaming services. This leads to a loss of sponsors and leaves Matt with no means to disseminate his ideas. He feels misled since he believes he’s been swindled. Desperate for a platform to share his wisdom again, Matt contemplates reviving the podcast, but Nathan strongly disapproves due to obvious reasons. However, their predicament intensifies when they realize that their friend Ruby has deduced that Ava and Nathan are the anonymous creators of the contentious podcast.

The imminent danger to their well-being and liberty swiftly vanishes, yet when a knock echoes at the door of their recently acquired Malibu beach house, revealing Ruby’s lifeless body sprawled on the entrance mat. In panic and uncertain about the next steps, they reach out to Matt, whom they suspect as the culprit. However, he counters by urging them to solve the mystery independently.

The duo conclude that a sinking area at the tennis club, which Nathan manages, would be an appropriate place to dispose of her body since it’s due to be filled for renovations shortly. Having spent the entire night executing their plan, they return to their beach house to wash away the traces of blood on the kitchen floor. Suddenly, Simon makes an appearance, looking surprised and inquiring whose blood he sees. Meanwhile, at Ava and Nathan’s primary residence, Matt is present with Tory, who appear to be growing increasingly flirtatious. Their emotions finally boil over as they share a passionate kiss, foreshadowing a chilling Season 2 setup.

What Do Ava and Nathan Have to Worry About in Based on a True Story?

In Season 2, Ava and Nathan face multiple issues looming over their heads. One is Matt, who insists on carrying on with the podcast. He even convenes a Zoom meeting with other suspected killers, intending to broaden the podcast’s scope by including episodes about more killers. Another is Ruby’s death. They have been concealing the identity of a confirmed serial killer and maintaining a friendship with him, while also being implicated in her murder. Although neither of them actually committed the crime, they are accountable for burying the body, disposing of evidence, and failing to inform authorities about it. This situation potentially exposes them to significant prison time.

At an inconvenient moment for Nathan and Ava, as Simon entered the room, they found themselves needing to explain why they were cleaning up pools of blood on the floor. Given Ava’s pregnancy, it might seem plausible that it was related to a difficult childbirth. Yet, since her baby isn’t due, appears healthy, and seems likely to arrive without complications, it’s doubtful Simon would accept this explanation easily. Do they choose to conceal the truth by possibly eliminating Simon or devise a convincing lie that could satisfy him?

To wrap it up, the matter at hand involves Matt developing feelings for Tory. This implies that Matt’s feelings could be reciprocated by Ava’s younger sister, who is unaware that her affection is directed towards a serial killer with a history of violence. This situation might cause distress to Ava, given their close bond and Ava’s role as a protective figure in Tory’s life during their upbringing. Additionally, if Matt persists in his actions, it places Tory in grave danger.

Matt isn’t just a murderer; many of his victims share striking resemblances with Tory: they are young, have dark hair, exude vitality, and are attractive women. Tory mirrors his victim profile almost perfectly, leaving Ava and Nathan in a tricky situation. They must decide whether to reveal the truth to Tory, try to stop Matt from dating her, or keep their romance hidden. With its gripping plotline, “Based on a True Story” demonstrates how greed and desperation can drive even good people towards dark paths. Ava and Nathan are now in a situation from which they may not be able to escape. As they grapple with parenthood, struggling careers, hidden murder secrets, and a friend who is also a killer, the upcoming Season 2 promises to offer an intriguing journey. Tune into “Based on a True Story” on Peacock.

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2024-11-14 04:32