Do you think The Good Wife writers knew they had a fan-favorite character on their hands when they created Elsbeth Tascioni? The love for her is great and not going anywhere anytime soon.
With the show’s second season at the halfway mark, it seems like a good time to say that Season 2 is even better than Season 1. Let me explain.
Elsbeth Season 1 spent a lot of time introducing characters with a new detective every episode all the way through the first half of the season. That’s not an issue for Elsbeth Season 2.
The series has been able to focus more on the story rather than world-building, bringing back guests from Elsbeth Season 1. Even the fake reality show Lavish Ladies got a shout-out.
Campiest Episode — “Devil’s Night” — Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 3
You can’t tell me Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 3 wasn’t the most fun episode of Elsbeth Season 2 so far. They had Elsbeth running around New York City on a murder scavenger hunt, dressed as Audrey Hepburn. Iconic.
Best of all, it was an actual murder mystery rather than a “howcatchem, ” which only helped to sell the performance of the actor who played the ditzy starlet.
We have to give it up to Brittany O’Grady (Star) as Mackenzie Altman. The actress’s talent is evident in her ability to play both annoying and charming.
Not to mention, she was funny as hell. How hilarious was it every time she took Kaya’s coffee right out of her hand, thinking it was for her?
And then she criticized Kaya’s coffee choices every time. Or, as Mac put it, “You need to up your bean game.” I just want to watch the character do her taxes.
Best Episode – “One Angry Woman” – Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 7
There was never any question about the absolute best episode. First, we finally met Elsbeth’s son, Teddy. Second, Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 7 delivered the most exciting and memorable experience of the series so far.
A real-life married couple playing antagonists to one another? Sign me up because Carrie Preston and Michael Emerson nailed it in “One Angry Woman.” They were so good, you wouldn’t be alone if you were shocked to find out these two shared the marriage bed.
One of the best things for eagle-eyed viewers like this TV Fanatic was some of the Easter eggs that may not have even been intentional.
Right off the bat, the courtroom in which the trial takes place is the exact same one from Evil Season 1 Episode 1, in which Emerson’s character from the series was first introduced.
Then there is the premise of the plot that is strikingly similar to Andy Griffith‘s Matlock Season 1 Episode 1, where Dick Van Dyke played a murdering Judge who sees over the trial.
Suffice it to say there was a lot of love about this episode. Although, with how things transpired in “Toil and Trouble,” I have a feeling there are many more episodes like this one to come.
Worst Episode – “The Wrong Stuff” – Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 2
Let me define “worst” in this context because many of you are likely asking, “What are you talking about? That was a great episode.” Listen, I agree, but let me explain.
Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 2 was the worst because it was a massive tease for only being the second episode of the season.
Did anyone else think Elsbeth was headed for a courtship side arc? I certainly did. Especially considering how striking John Behlmann’s (The Gilded Age) Fire Marshall Jake Turling was.
Of course, now we know Elsbeth is like catnip to firemen. As she herself said, “It’s the hair.”
With how strong that man was giving Elsbeth “I want you” eyes, you would think the writers had something up their sleeves. Alas, it was not to be — at least not yet, anyway.
That wasn’t this episode’s only misstep. Until Elsbeth Season 1 Episode 5, “The Wrong Stuff” was the only episode that mentioned the Chicago case in which Elsbeth is caught up.
Remember that little bomb that Carter Schmidt (Christian Borle) dropped on Elsbeth? Well, for a few episodes after, nothing was mentioned. Thankfully, “Elsbeth Flips the Bird” got the ball rolling again.
And after the winter finale, that ball is also on fire headed right towards Elsbeth.
Best Murder Scheme – Roslyn Bridwell – Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 4
Honestly, Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 4 was a contender for “best.” We got a double dose of criminal activity. Who doesn’t love a heist and murder combo?
We also watched Vanessa Williams dust off her diva chops to play a character reminiscent of the iconic Wilhelmina Slater from Ugly Betty.
What other character would juice a thousand apple seeds just to have a little bit of cyanide in their system to pass a drug test? And that fall she did when the cyanide was “kicking in” was the perfect amount of camp.
Even though Rosalyn utterly failed in her mission, it gave viewers a light Ocean’s 8 vibe that I was all for. Besides, we got to see the trio plus Detective Donnelly decked out in glam.
I asked this during my review of this episode, and I’ll ask it again: Why doesn’t the way Elsbeth dresses for fancy occasions translate to her everyday wardrobe? Enough with the bucket hats.
Worst Murder Scheme – Chef V – Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 5
Whew, Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 5 was a tough one to watch. I love Elsbeth, but damn, this episode’s murder scene was poorly choreographed. It was an enjoyable episode, but that kill scene was not believable.
First, the victim didn’t even try to fight Chef V off when she got on top of him. He just stared up at her while she slowly lowered her hands to his neck. That recipe needs less cringe.
Oh, and let’s not forget how she ultimately left her fingerprint on the victim’s phone, to which I immediately shouted out loud, “You didn’t wipe your prints, amateur.”
However, this was still an entertaining episode. It gave us the best quote of Season 2 so far when Elsbeth told Pamela Adlon’s (Archer) Chef V she had “a pain tolerance that can only be described as medieval.”
Murder is a dish best served with a prison sentence.
Honorable Mention — The Detectives, Except Smullen
That’s right, everyone except Detective Smullen. I don’t know what his issue is with Elsbeth, but he has pitted himself against the titular character and by extension, the captain. So, Smullen is excluded from honorable mention.
Thankfully, at least Lieutenant Connor has come around even though it took the entire half of Elsbeth Season 2 to see reason.
However, Connor isn’t the only new face floating around Elsbeth Season 2. I’m talking about none other than Detective Grandpa himself. Just so there is no confusion, I’m talking about Detective Buzz Flemming.
He’s so funny and sweet in that “back in my day” kind of way, but without the sexism or racism. He is a welcomed addition to the growing number of detectives who like Elsbeth.
Detective Donnelly was the only detective who wished Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) a farewell when it was thought that Wagner was firing her. Granted, she was the detective working the case in that episode, but still.
I’d even venture to say Detective Edwards is slowly coming around. In “Elsbeth Flips the Bird,” Edwards finally starts seeing why Elsbeth is such an asset to the NYPD.
Now, if those detectives could rub off on everyone else at the precinct, Captain Wagner would be utterly grateful. That poor man is trying so hard to be liked.
Thankfully, we don’t have too long to wait before CBS‘s Elsbeth returns with even more incredible episodes.
When the series returns in early 2025, Elsbeth will likely find herself in a world of chaos now that Judge Milton Crawford has not only set his eyes on the Chicago attorney but made the first move in what could be an epic battle of wills.
Until then, Elsbeth fans can relive the entire pastel-colored journey of Season 1 and Season 2 on Paramount+.
What has been your favorite Elsbeth Season 1 reference in Season 2 so far?
Which murder scheme has been the funniest to you?
Please drop a comment below to let me know, and join me again when I review the next episode of Elsbeth!
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