Critic’s Rating: 4 / 5.0
4
Things are certainly heating up on Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 2. This series is known for being extra, and it did not disappoint with another installment of this sensational show.
This episode, while drawing on multiple themes, secretly weaved a well-rounded episodic case. I’m not sure why the episode was titled “The Wrong Stuff,” though.
For an Elsbeth episode, the title is rather vague. Considering the twists and turns, I would’ve titled this episode something like “Going Up In Flames” or “Out Of The Fire Into Space.”
However, what this episode lacked in creative titling, it more than made up for in an incredibly entertaining episode. Elsbeth continues to deliver more than audiences hope for and exceeds expectations.
Elsbeth Caught Up With An Old Colleague That Left Her More Flabbergasted Than Usual
Right off the bat, this episode dove head-first into all the juicy parts. We’ll get to the wealthy space hobbyists in a minute. Right now, we have to talk about Carter.
We finally have an answer to who was in the mysterious SUV seen at the end of Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 1. It is none other than Carter Schmidt.
The character was first introduced in The Good Wife Season 5 Episode 3. Carter then appeared in the spinoff series The Good Fight.
Christian Borle, who portrays Carter Schmidt, has been in the entertainment industry for almost thirty years. He is known for roles in Evil, Prodigal Son, and Elementary.
Though he is only seen briefly during this episode, he left a lasting impact on Elsbeth and viewers. Apparently, Elsbeth is about to have a conflict of interest.
While the details of the case she worked on that she is legally bound to haven’t been laid out yet, Elsbeth’s reactions tell us she’s more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
Whatever the situation is, there’s no way it will be as much fun as the case in this episode was.
If There Is One Thing Space Doesn’t Need, It’s Billionaire Hobbyists
What do you get when you take a group of billionaires and stick them together in a building for two weeks? You get a lack of confidence in humanity, that’s what.
While I’m sure the writers of Elsbeth exaggerated the characters, you have to wonder where they got their inspiration. I do not doubt that people like the characters exist and shouldn’t be going to space.
First of all, I agree with Kaya. I have no desire to be anywhere that doesn’t have oxygen freely available. Never in my life have I ever desired to go into space.
Also, like Kaya, I get that billionaires will do what they want, but is space really the hobby that will scratch that itch?
Either way, Rob Riggle (Curb Your Enthusiasm) did what Rob does best. He’s a character actor who knows his strengths and plays to them. As always, he was the obnoxious guy who laughed at his own jokes.
Despite the possibility of another character being a killer, as expressed in the Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 2 Spoilers, we always knew it was Rob Riggle.
I’m not mad about it either because the only thing the other suspect is after is Elsbeth.
Where There Is Smoke, There Is Fire, And Where There Is Elsbeth, There Is Fire Marchal Jake
My goodness that fireman had a burning in his loins for Elsbeth. Dare I say, Elsbeth may have met someone with even less understanding of boundaries than herself.
The sexual chemistry between Elsbeth and John Behlmann’s (The Gilded Age) fire marshall, Jake Turling, was enough to cause an inferno. He certainly had me needing a hose down.
I absolutely love this side arc for Elsbeth. The confusion on her face each time Jake made a move had me screaming. You’ve got to love a man who knows what he wants.
And by the looks of it, he wants Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) to climb him like a firetruck ladder. Alright, I think I’ve made enough puns involving fire and firefighters.
Hopefully, this means Behlmann will stick around for a while. Let’s hope he isn’t allergic to dogs because I don’t want to choose between Jake and Gonzo.
You already know who will win.
Elsbeth And Team Take One Step Forward And Two Steps Back
While Lt. Steve Connor was nowhere to be seen, his presence was felt in “The Wrong Stuff.” Specifically, Kaya is back to tagging along with detectives.
It was nice seeing the trio working a case together again, but it was a little depressing seeing Kaya in her cop uniform. She made it so far just to take two steps back.
And who knew Captain Wagner (Wendell Pierce) was such a space nut? I would not have pegged him for a NASA enthusiast. That man always zigs when you think he is going to zag.
One thing that perked my ears was the mention of someone’s son again. Like Elsbeth Season 1, the titular character again brings up her son, Teddy.
I am developing a bone to pick with Elsbeth’s son. We haven’t seen the character, but he’s mentioned in almost every episode.
What is her son thinking? Can you imagine how much fun Elsbeth would be at a drag brunch? And you know Elsbeth would be thriving on a mother/son gay cruise.
Who knows? Maybe now that folks from Elsbeth’s past are popping up, her son will venture to NYC.
However, the real question is, what went down with this divorce that Elsbeth is now legally involved in? Will it take her away from the NYPD?
Like High Potential, Elsbeth is a series that revolves around the protagonist and their talents. In either show, the main character could move to another city or work for a hospital instead of a police station, and it would be, more or less, the same show.
That said, I hope the settings don’t change because NYC seems to have the most outrageous characters involved in the campiest murders.
All of those ingredients are part of what makes Elsbeth such an incredible show. As long as that never changes, you can count on me absorbing every second of this fantastic series.
Do you think Elsbeth is going to pursue the fire marshal?
If you’re familiar with Carter from The Good Wife, do you know the details of the case?
Please drop a comment below to let me know what you liked about this episode, and join me again when I review the next episode of Elsbeth!
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