This time, she encounters Joyce (S. Epatha Merkerson) and Irene (Judith Light), two indomitable women at a retirement home, who hold grudges that run deep.
Meanwhile, Charlie receives a job offer from FBI agent Luca (Simon Helberg), but she finally decides it’s not the right moment for her to take on that role. After a close brush with death involving an exploding golf cart, Charlie feels grateful just to be alive. Now, let’s see what twists and turns Episode 6 has in store.
Michael and Kathleen’s feud hides a deadly collaboration behind the curtains (Photo: Poker Face/Sky Stan MEP Capital Alceon Entertainment Partners)Welcome Back to the ’90s
In “Exit Stage Death,” we meet Kathleen Townsend (Ellen Barkin), a once-popular television actress known for her role in the kitschy 1990s series Spooky and the Cop, alongside actor Michael Graves (Tim Meadows).
Despite his financial struggles, Michael’s lavish mansion tells a different story. His new wife, Ava (Jameela Jamil), is thriving with her women-focused online brokerage, She Trade. Kathleen, who has not spoken to Michael in years, reluctantly pays him a visit to ask for a favor.
Kathleen proposes that Michael co-star in a play with her, but he immediately dismisses her request with laughter. Given their history, he doubts she could genuinely expect his help. She clarifies that it’s a one-night-only performance backed by wealthy fans of their series.
The play, titled Ghosts of Pensacola, prompts Michael to scoff, claiming it was awful even decades ago. Kathleen counters that those were their best reviews, yet he remains uninterested. His reluctance stems from their contentious past, which involved accusations of illiteracy and tabloid drama.
Just as Kathleen is about to plead, Michael offers to cover the kill fee from his wife’s fortune, prompting an explosion of expletives from Kathleen as she storms out. Ava expresses concern over Michael’s dependence on her success and his forgotten medication, hinting he might be missing the spotlight.
Three weeks later, tensions mount as the first rehearsal uncovers. Although Michael has reluctantly joined the production, he is furious to learn that Kathleen is also directing. She insists on replicating the original staging from their 1991 performance, including the crucial timing of her character’s trapdoor exit.
When stage manager Phil (Chris McKinney) informs her that the stunt is now deemed unsafe, Kathleen dismisses his concerns, recalling how she performed it flawlessly every night. Fearing her wrath, Phil reluctantly agrees to find a solution, knowing that a furious Kathleen is the last thing anyone wants.
The pressure mounts as the crew has only four rehearsals before opening night. Kathleen erupts at the slightest disruption, even from crew members doing their jobs. During the chaos, Michael accidentally falls through the trapdoor but is fortunately cushioned by mats.
Although he narrowly avoids injury, he attempts to quit, only to be reminded of the hefty $200,000 kill fee tied to his contract. While Michael contemplates using Ava’s funds to cover it, Kathleen threatens him with blackmail, revealing that he has dirt on her, too.
He reluctantly agrees to continue, cautioning her that their time is running out: “When the curtains drop on this play tonight, you can kiss your career goodbye.”
Opening Night Madness
As opening night approaches, the tension between Michael and Kathleen simmers. Kathleen thanks Ava for persuading Michael to participate, while Ava claims she did it to help him overcome his performance anxiety.
Cast member Rebecca (Audrey Corsa) warns Michael to be cautious with his script, reminding him that Kathleen would notice if he wasn’t “off book.” As the show commences, Ava sits in the audience, visibly bored.
Tensions escalate as Charlie’s sharp wit clashes with Kathleen’s fiery temper (Photo: Poker Face/Sky Stan MEP Capital Alceon Entertainment Partners)Backstage, Michael and Kathleen exchange frustrated murmurs, while the stage manager responsible for a key stunt is asleep on the job. Michael takes matters into his own hands, inserting dry ice into the trapdoor hinges and removing the mats.
As the performance progresses, a massive light falls dangerously close to Michael, exacerbating Kathleen’s frustration. Moments later, Michael suffers a heart attack, prompting Ava to rush over with his medication.
Unfortunately, she accidentally falls through the trapdoor, hitting her head and tragically dying. After a conversation with the police, Kathleen and Michael celebrate their “performance of a lifetime” with a kiss, revealing that their animosity was merely a facade designed to eliminate Ava.
Charlie’s Investigation
Halfway through the episode, we rejoin Charlie, who gets fired from her waitressing job in an alley. After sharing a smoke with the stage manager who witnessed her dismissal, she receives an unexpected job offer at the dinner theater where Ghosts of Pensacola is being staged.
During the rehearsal night, the chef discusses important details, including an actor’s nut allergy, but Charlie is too distracted by the rain sound effects playing in her headphones. While refilling an ice container, she inadvertently disrupts the rehearsal, causing Kathleen to explode with anger.
Kathleen storms into the kitchen, berating Charlie for her interruptions and declaring that the stage should be treated like a sacred space. Unfazed, Charlie retorts that Kathleen is far removed from the great actors of films like Roadhouse and True Romance.
Although Charlie contemplates quitting to preempt her firing, Kathleen reveals that she hasn’t been spoken to like that in thirty years and could use the disrespect as “fuel” for her performance.
During the show, Ava leans over to Charlie and requests that she keeps her drinks full, expressing her desire to get “absolutely sh*t faced.” In the kitchen, the staff becomes embroiled in Michael and Kathleen’s argument, overhearing their conflict due to forgotten microphones.
As the audience, primarily older patrons wearing headphones, becomes confused by the competing sounds, Charlie observes Kathleen’s anxious demeanor as Michael positions himself on stage.
The moment a light crashes down wakes Phil, who realizes the trapdoor’s bar is missing. Before he can secure it, Ava falls to her demise. Overwhelmed with guilt, Phil remains unaware that Charlie is intent on proving he wasn’t to blame for the tragic incident.
Suspicions Arise
Charlie suspects foul play and questions how the show is continuing as if nothing tragic occurred. The head chef informs the staff to accommodate Sheriff Ed (William Hill), an enthusiastic fan of Spooky and the Cop.
Meanwhile, Rebecca confronts Kathleen and Michael, expressing her suspicion over Michael reading his script, as he was supposed to be off-book. She discovers a different script in his pocket and accuses them of using the fight to cover up Ava’s murder.
Despite Kathleen’s attempts to deny it, Rebecca isn’t convinced and demands payment to stay quiet, while Kathleen hatches a more sinister plan. As Charlie investigates, she notes that Phil had indeed secured the trapdoor, raising the possibility that someone deliberately unfastened it.
Convinced that Kathleen was the target, Charlie attempts to share her theory, but Kathleen brushes it off, insisting that mishaps are common in theater and the show must proceed.
Watching footage from the previous night, Charlie spots dry ice smoke emanating from the trapdoor. Determined to prevent another accident, she tries to warn Kathleen, but upon noticing red marks on Michael’s hands similar to her own after handling dry ice, she grows suspicious of him.
Finding pink fuzz from Kathleen’s slipper near the light rafters, she begins piecing the puzzle together. When Kathleen professes her love for Michael in character, Charlie realizes the sincerity behind her words and tells Rebecca her theory about the attempted murder of Ava. However, Rebecca, focused on her desire for blackmail money, dismisses Charlie’s theory.
Charlie uncovers pieces of the fight script in the dressing room and Michael’s coat, along with Rebecca’s blackmail note. She connects the dots, realizing Kathleen attempted to poison Rebecca with peanut treats placed in the prop bowl, given Rebecca’s allergy.
As Charlie interrupts the show to prevent the poisoning, Kathleen and Michael sneak off to their dressing room during Rebecca’s monologue. The Sheriff, using the headphones Charlie provided him, overhears their conversation and the recording device they used. Despite their predicament, they decide to channel the adrenaline into delivering their most captivating performance yet.
