This episode features guest stars Alyssa Milano and Michael Emerson, playing Pupetta DeMarco and Judge Milton Crawford, respectively.
The story kicks off with Elsbeth, Teddy, and Roy (Hayward Leach) enjoying a Famous NYC Crimes Tour. Their final stop is the infamous mob murder at Pupetta’s Restaurant. Roy and Elsbeth have become close friends, with Roy affectionately calling her “ET” and mimicking the iconic finger-touch moment. As the group enters the restaurant, Elsbeth playfully embarrasses Teddy by mentioning his childhood potty training struggles. Tour guide Henry (Murray Hill) sets the scene by recounting the dramatic Moresco mob murder story, captivating everyone. Guests are served Goldie Moresco’s last meal, and Henry’s storytelling leaves the group hooked.
Elisbeth, however, begins to notice inconsistencies in the murder story and starts asking probing questions. Just then, a stranger named Pupetta interrupts, offering her own thoughts on the case. As the tour wraps up, Elsbeth spots a photo on the wall and questions Henry about it. The photo features the real Gene Genetti, the lone witness to the murder. Elsbeth is immediately curious and approaches him. He’s reluctant to engage but begins to argue with Pupetta, and before leaving, he scribbles an address on a takeout menu and hands it to Elsbeth. Teddy is hesitant about Elsbeth following up, but of course, she does, with both him and Roy tagging along.
They arrive at the address only to find the police there. Elsbeth calls Officer Blanke (Kaya) for information, and the three head inside to discover that Gene has been hit by a car in a hit-and-run. Detective Flemming (Daniel Oreskes) arrives and questions Elsbeth about her connection to Gene. Meanwhile, Pupetta makes a dramatic scene at the crime scene, leading Flemming to speculate about her involvement. The mystery thickens when Blanke and Elsbeth notice how quickly she arrived on the scene.
The next day, LT Connor meets with CPT Wagner to discuss Officer Blanke’s performance, who has received stellar reviews. When Wagner asks about the Ashton Hayes plea deal, Connor praises Blanke’s work and secures her detective gold shield.
However, they agree to assign someone to watch over Elsbeth, given the mysterious events surrounding the Moresco case.
Back at the restaurant, Elsbeth and Flemming visit Gene’s wife, Mrs. Del Monte, and inquire about the hit-and-run. She insists that Gene has no enemies but admits that she often argues with him. Elsbeth mistakenly believes the fights were about her younger friend, but Mrs. Del Monte reveals it’s actually about their son, Gene Jr. The detectives learn that Gene and Pupetta’s son may be involved in the case, and Flemming rushes to the hospital when Gene is out of surgery and able to speak.
Unfortunately, when they speak to Gene, he no longer seems willing to talk. Elsbeth suspects Pupetta may have threatened him into silence. The next day, Blanke brings in evidence revealing that money had been laundered through Pupetta’s restaurant for years and that the Del Ponte crime family may still be active. Elsbeth adds Pupetta’s name to the Moresco murder investigation, suspecting her involvement in both the hit-and-run and the original mob murder.
Pupetta is called in for questioning, but she denies any involvement and asserts that any further inquiries should go through her lawyer. Later, Elsbeth and Flemming watch the movie City on a Knife Edge about the Moresco murder at Roy’s place. Elsbeth becomes obsessed with the details, particularly the appearance of the Pupetta character’s nails, and realizes this may provide a crucial clue.
The next day, Elsbeth and Flemming present their theory to CPT Wagner that Pupetta is the real murderer of Goldie Moresco. However, Wagner insists they need a confession or hard evidence before reopening the case. Elsbeth later meets with Gene Jr., who reveals his mother’s push for him to join the family business. As she leaves, Elsbeth asks him to tell his father she was asking about him, as Pupetta watches from afar.
Back at home, Teddy is cooking dinner, and Roy suggests Elsbeth should start a podcast about unsolved detective cases. She agrees, and Roy plans to interview Flemming for the first episode. However, CPT Wagner calls Elsbeth to inform her that Judge Crawford may be blocking their efforts to exhume Goldie’s body, making him a powerful adversary.
The following night, Elsbeth returns to confront Judge Crawford. She tries to convince him to reopen the case, but he suggests a new confession is the key to moving forward. Later, Elsbeth is alarmed when she sees Teddy talking to Pupetta outside her apartment. Pupetta implies she knows all about Teddy and Roy, and threatens Elsbeth and her friends.
Back at the station, Flemming and Elsbeth discuss the reopening of the Moresco case, with Wagner still unconvinced. But Officer Blanke brings crucial evidence showing that money laundering has been taking place through Pupetta’s restaurant for years. They link it all back to the Del Ponte crime family and discover that Gene Jr. looks eerily similar to Goldie Moresco.
Elsbeth confronts Gene at the hospital and reveals what she’s learned about him and his son. Gene admits he made a deal with Pupetta but now realizes she didn’t keep her end of the bargain. Elsbeth convinces him to help her get Goldie’s body exhumed, and Gene confirms that Pupetta was the real killer. Elsbeth takes a coffee cup that Gene Jr. throws away for DNA testing.
Later, while watching the director’s cut of the Moresco murder movie, Elsbeth notices a critical clue: a broken nail belonging to Pupetta. She contacts Flemming and Blanke, and Goldie’s body is exhumed. Gene’s false confession helps make this happen. Back at Pupetta’s restaurant, Henry continues telling the story of Goldie’s murder, unaware that Elsbeth is about to reveal the truth. She walks in and exposes the facts: Pupetta was pregnant with Gene’s child at the time of the murder. Flemming presents the evidence, and they arrest Pupetta. Gene and Gene Jr. have an emotional moment, and Gene thanks Elsbeth for her help.
At the station, Roy begins recording his first podcast episode with Flemming, while Teddy talks to Elsbeth about possibly ending his relationship with Roy. Officer Blanke reassures Elsbeth that Teddy and Roy will work things out. Meanwhile, LT Connor and CPT Wagner discuss assigning a new uniform officer to watch over Elsbeth once Blanke moves on to her detective role. Wagner remarks that it won’t be the same.
This episode delivers a gripping two-murder mystery with a satisfying resolution, showcasing Elsbeth’s brilliance in solving complex cases. Another excellent addition to the series!
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