This Elsbeth episode shows her on the other side of crime, the courtroom and begins with a masked person or two on the fire escape about to break into someone’s apartment. It’s revealed that two are neighbors and role playing. They made out. The lady, Delia, went into the shower. The guy, Andy, was played music when someone came into the apartment off the fire escape and beat Andy to death with a bat. Delia comes out and finds him. She’s arrested for murder. Entering the precinct, Elsbeth brings her son, Teddy, to work with her. Everyone knows him, and Teddy tells his Mom not to broadcast all his business to everyone. Elsbeth had to leave for jury duty and promises to return soon. (Elsbeth’s wearing that hat and coat and stands out.)Elsbeth talks with potential jurors about excuses for getting out of jury duty. The jurors go into the courtroom, and she drops stuff as the judge, Judge Crawford, enters. The judge asks Elsbeth why she can’t be impartial. Earlier she noticed something strange about the judge’s juror selection process. They later make her an alternate juror. CPT Wagner meets with the Morale Officer, LT Conner, to find out about the morale of the precinct officers. They discuss Elsbeth’s job, and how she’s basically a babysitter for the precinct, and that it reflects shame on the department. CPT Wagner agrees to interview employees about grievances and get feedback on how things are going in the precinct.
Back in Elsbeth office, Teddy is there waiting until his Mom returns. He tells Officer Blanke she got picked as Juror# 13. He doesn’t mind, because he really doesn’t mind not touring NY cuz he doesn’t like it there. Officer Blanke takes Teddy to Coney Island, where Elsbeth was going to take him. Officer Blanke loves doing touristy stuff. They have fun!Back at court, the prosecution begins. Elsbeth sees the defense lawyer is not paying attention just playing on his cell. He is not very professional, or prepared. In the judge’s chambers, Elsbeth asks the judge for a timeline for the case. She tells the judge she rarely gets selected due to the fact she’s a lawyer. He can’t let her go because she’s the last alternate. Elsbeth technically begins advocating for the defendant, and says she deserves better. Elsbeth’s sleuthing senses kick in. The judge is curious about her, too. Back in the CPT’s Office, Teddy and Officer Blanke are back enjoying a beer with CPT Wagner. Teddy asks questions about NYC. Officer Blanke says she thinks Teddy fits right in. Elsbeth shows up singing a show tune. She asks Teddy how he liked NYC. Elsbeth tells them of her case. She says the judge seems to be more for the prosecution, but the defense is losing the case.
Teddy researched Judge Crawford. Teddy is so like his Mom, Elsbeth. CPT Wagner knows of the judge, too. In the courtroom, Elsbeth begins to help the defense attorney. He’s been glued to his cell during the prosecutor’s examination. She signals them with helpful hints. At the CPT’s office, CPT Wagner meets with Officer Blanke and tells her about the way she wraps food in the refrigerator. This is one of the employee complaints he has to resolve. Elsbeth secretly helps the defense in the courtroom. The judge sees her signals and calls the defense, prosecution and Elsbeth into his chambers. He wants her to stop. The prosecutor wants her dismissed. The judge asks Elsbeth to control herself. She challenges him and angers the judge.
The judge threatens to dismiss her, hold her in contempt, and trash her reputation. Back in the courtroom, a testimony by a witness makes the defendant look guilty. Elsbeth sees jurors already making up their minds. Next, the defendant gives her emotional testimony. She told about her relationship with Andy. He also had a restraining order against her. The judge prevents the defense attorney from asking pertinent questions that could help his client. Delia reacts angrily on the stand. At home, Elsbeth and Teddy talk about her case, and his feelings about NYC. His Mom is sad he doesn’t like it there. Teddy asks why his Mom left Chicago and made a drastic life change. She found out about his new love. In the court, Elsbeth tries to get on the jury. She achieves that skillfully by reporting the podcast guy, Lonnie. The judge says he can do a podcast after the case ends. They get rid of Lonnie after he reveals the podcast title, “Nut Job Sluts Who Kill”. Elsbeth gets on the jury. Elsbeth stops the jury from arriving at a verdict. She walks through all the facts. She introduces doubt, especially after reviewing the motive and the witnesses’ testimonies. They take another vote and find the defendant not guilty. Elsbeth sees the judge is displeased. He stops her outside the courthouse and intimidates her as he walks off. The defendant and defense attorney see Elsbeth outside and thank her, Elsbeth asks Delia what the music was playing the night Andy was killed. Back at the precinct, LT Conner tells CPT Wagner about the infractions committed by the precinct police officers. CPT Wagner returns the list of complaints from his officers.
The morale officer discovers that Elsbeth is the one who would have noticed the potential internal infractions before they became a problem. The CPT knows that is one of her purposes of being there.
Elsbeth is back in her office as Teddy comes by. He congratulates his Mom on the not guilty verdict. She confronts LT Conner before he can explain what he discovered about her presence there. He knows her son’s name and even says hi and wishes him safe travels. Elsbeth doesn’t notice this. Teddy stopped by because he’s leaving. Elsbeth is determined to find out information on the judge in a future episode.
Teddy adds a special and welcome layer to Elsbeth’s already full life.YES, it was Another Elsbeth Superb Episode! It was fun seeing the mystery and courtroom drama unravel. Liked the courtroom, and jury scenes, and getting to know Teddy! Also liked the new layer to LT Conner revealed. Michael Emerson was outstanding as the intimidating, dishonest Judge. He's just as impressive as he was in “Person of Interest”! Ben Levi Ross, Teddy, was an Excellent addition. This episode was like watching a well-orchestrated play. Every scene worked in sync and Elsbeth was the glue that tied them together. One more episode for this year next week!
What did you think?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So
Comments