The following contains spoilers for Poker Face Season 1, Episode 10, "The Hook," now streaming on Peacock.
On March 9, the inaugural season of Rian Johnson's Poker Face came to its close. After nine episodes of mysteries and over a year on the road, "The Hook" saw human lie detector Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) finally settle her debts with her pursuers, only to find herself caught up in a new conspiracy. After audiences were given a glimpse into Charlie's mysterious past, she managed to free herself from the clutches of the Five Families and seemingly rid herself of all threats. At long last, it seemed like Charlie could finally live her own life.
Unfortunately, no good deed goes unpunished, and "The Hook" ended with a promise of new dangers for Charlie and a new reason to return to life on the road. Poker Face is already confirmed to return for a second season, meaning the fallout from "The Hook" will be felt by Charlie and the audience in the stories to come.
How Does Season One of Poker Face End?
Written by series creator Rian Johnson and directed by Janicza Bravo, "The Hook" sees Charlie's luck run out as, after a year of running and multiple close calls, she's finally captured by Cliff LeGrand (Benjamin Bratt) and brought to Atlantic City to meet with Sterling Frost Sr. (Ron Perlman), Charlie's former boss who blames her for the death of his son (Adrian Brody) in the series' first episode. As it turns out, Frost no longer holds any ill will toward Charlie and wants to give her a job -- he's meeting with rival casino owner Beatrix Hasp (Rhea Perlman) and needs someone who can tell him when she's lying. Charlie seems relieved to be out from under Frost's wrath, but just as she's about to accept the deal, the lights go out and Frost is shot dead -- with Charlie as the only suspect.
It's quickly revealed that Cliff is the real perpetrator, as he had grown resentful of Frost for making him chase Charlie across the nation. Cliff had brokered a deal with Hasp himself, agreeing to knock off Frost and frame Charlie in exchange for new employment. After getting a bit of help from her estranged sister Emily (Clea Duvall), Charlie is able to prove her innocence, get Cliff arrested and escape with her life. Cliff in turn informs on Hasp and her backers, the Five Families Syndicate, meaning that all of Charlie's potential enemies are no longer a problem. However, Charlie and the audience soon learn that that's not the case.
How Does Poker Face Set Up Season 2?
In the final moments of "The Hook," Charlie receives a call from Hasp herself. Hasp is furious at Charlie for ruining her plans and, through her actions, inciting a gang war, and gives Charlie an ultimatum: work for the Five Families or be hunted down and killed. Charlie, not wanting to be under the thumb of a gangster again, decides to run, smashing her phone and hitting the road in her Plymouth Barracuda once more. However, as Hasp makes clear, the Five Families are much more capable and effective than Frost and Cliff were on their own, meaning Charlie's troubles have just begun.
"The Hook" plays with audience expectations, seemingly giving Charlie an escape from living on the lam just before thrusting her back into her episodic existence. However, two distinct changes occur. The first is Charlie getting new pursuers. While Frost was somewhat antiquated in his methods, Hasp and the Five Families are a modern criminal syndicate, meaning they'll use resources and tactics outside of Frost's reach and that Charlie is in more danger than ever. On the other hand, Charlie ends "The Hook" with a new ally: Luca Clark (Simon Helberg), a hapless FBI agent introduced in the fifth episode, "Time of the Monkey," who keeps getting promoted on the back of Charlie's detective work. Charlie may have a friend in the Feds, but she'll still have to keep her wits about her and her ears open if she wants to stay one step ahead of Hasp.
Poker Face is available to stream on Peacock.