Whether fans already know the main character or are meeting them for the first time, a well-done spinoff series can be a real treat. In “Elsbeth,” the title character, Elsbeth Tascioni, is a well-known actress from “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight,” where she was known for being a funny but smart lawyer. In this new series, Elsbeth, a lawyer from Chicago, is sent to New York City by the U.S. Department of Justice to watch the NYPD as part of a settlement agreement in a case of wrongfully arresting someone.
In contrast to typical whodunits, “Elsbeth” focuses on the how and why of solving crimes. This meant that the pilot episode could avoid common problems. The thing that makes Elsbeth unique is the unusual way she solves problems. Even though Elsbeth seems to be a bit disorganized, her mind works quickly and she notices little things that other people miss. Because of this one trait, she is a strong lawyer and detective.
Elsbeth Season 1 Episode 3 Recap: Reality Shock
The main case in the pilot episode is the murder of Olivia Cherry, a wealthy college student, by her tutor and ex-lover, Alex Modarian (Stephen Moyer). Alex carefully planned his murder out of spite and fear of being found out as a womanizer. But Elsbeth quickly sees through the act and starts to figure out what really happened with Olivia’s death.
Arriving at the crime scene with a bunch of tote bags around her and a unique outfit makes Elsbeth stand out right away from the cops. The police are skeptical of her at first because she is strange and doesn’t do things the normal way. But as she finds important clues that point to foul play, they start to respect her.
Throughout the episode, Elsbeth and Alex are in a fight of wits that ends with Alex being caught. Even though he didn’t like Elsbeth at first, Alex learns to respect her skills and sees her as a worthwhile opponent.
Officer Kaya Blanke, played by Carra Patterson, is very important to the show. She is Elsbeth’s guide and at first doesn’t trust her methods. She does, however, learn to respect Elsbeth’s unique way of solving the case in the end.
Another important character is Captain Wagner, played by Wendell Pierce. At first, Elsbeth’s presence irritates him, but he grows to like her as she shows her worth. The episode is a little more funny because of Wagner’s deadpan delivery and Elsbeth’s strange attitude.
At the end of the show, it becomes clear that Elsbeth’s job is more than just being an observer. She is also in charge of looking into Captain Wagner, who is said to be crooked. This twist sets the stage for more mystery and court drama in later episodes.
Overall, “Elsbeth” has an interesting pilot episode that presents viewers with a new world full of strange characters and legal drama. Fans of both legal dramas and mysteries will enjoy this show a lot, thanks to Carrie Preston’s captivating performance as Elsbeth and good supporting roles from Stephen Moyer, Carra Patterson, and Wendell Pierce.
Elsbeth Season 1 Episode 2: Return Date and Promo
