As the first season of Elsbeth wraps up, there’s exciting news: our favorite quirky detective will return next year with a full season of new episodes! This is a great time to reflect on how far Elsbeth has come in New York. She’s always been confident, whether working as an unexpectedly sharp unofficial detective or as a friendly and enthusiastic person who makes friends easily.
However, this season has also shown some uncertainty in her journey. Elsbeth’s place in the city, her role within the police department, and her relationship with Captain Wagner have all been questioned. Despite her confidence and keen detective skills, these issues have been a significant part of her story this season.
Now that Elsbeth and Captain Wagner have successfully cleared him of wrongdoing by getting the disgraced former lieutenant Noonan to admit to bribery and money laundering, everything should be great, right? Unfortunately, that’s not the case. It turns out Captain Wagner is quite sensitive, and Elsbeth’s months of secretly investigating him have hurt his feelings.
In a surprisingly emotional moment for what’s usually a light murder show, Elsbeth explains that her feelings for Captain Wagner were genuine. She liked him from the start, but she also had to do the investigation assigned to her by the Department of Justice, which ended up proving his involvement in the Flair-All scandal.
Captain Wagner, while clearly invested in justice, needs to move past his hurt feelings about the investigation. Elsbeth had to balance her personal feelings with her professional duties. For the sake of the show, it’s important that Captain Wagner addresses his emotions and moves on.
Despite this significant hiccup, we can be optimistic about Elsbeth and Captain Wagner’s future. On the other hand, some friendships can’t handle major conflicts. Take the relationship between talented but troubled photographer Ezra Tate and experienced fashion designer Mateo Hart.
In this episode, for the first time, the audience doesn’t know who the murderer is until the end. We’re just as in the dark as Elsbeth, trying to piece together clues and spotting several misleading hints along the way.
The episode centers on the final runway show of retiring supermodel Nadine Clay, played by Laura Benanti, who brings a unique accent and quirky style to her role. The show is part of a New York fashion event focused on climate change, and it’s organized by her soon-to-be ex-husband, Nick Garrison.
The event, held at New York’s Festival of Fashion (not Fashion Week™), is filled with glamour. Tim Gunn is there to interview fashion legends like Mateo, who wants to leave a lasting mark as a designer and former professor at FUNY (Fashion University of New York, which isn’t actually FIT or CUNY). Fashion editor Gisela Mott, played by Vanessa Kai, makes a dramatic entrance in oversized mirrored sunglasses, reminiscent of Iris Apfel but with a more severe style.
Among the photographers at the show is Ezra Tate, a handsome man with a ginger beard. He carries a messenger bag with an envelope labeled “Pangaea Project.” During the event, with all the flashing lights and loud music, it’s easy for someone to use a silenced gun and shoot Ezra without anyone noticing until the end of the show. It’s a very sad way for a character like Ezra to meet his end.
After Ezra’s murder, everyone is shocked. Although Ezra was a troubled gambler with no money to steal and no enemies, suspicion falls on both Nick and Nadine. They were backstage and out of sight when Ezra was shot. Their bitter divorce, combined with their ongoing professional connections and lingering feelings, leads each to blame the other.
Nadine and Ezra had been involved romantically during their time at FUNY, which made Nick very jealous. Nick later reveals that he’s suspicious of Nadine’s secretive financial activities. He thinks Nadine might have killed Ezra to stop him from blackmailing her to cover his gambling debts.
The tension and accusations aren’t just limited to Nick and Nadine. At the precinct, Captain Wagner makes it clear he wants Elsbeth to leave now that her investigation is over. To emphasize his point, he has both her office and Noonan’s cleared out at the same time. He adds a touch of gruffness by saying, “Don’t leave without saying goodbye.” Elsbeth responds with a small curtsy, almost like a student being dismissed by a strict but caring teacher.
This awkward farewell highlights the strain in their relationship. Despite this, things are still good between Elsbeth and her friend Kaya. Detective Donnelly, while not thrilled, is willing to let Elsbeth help with the investigation in a very unofficial capacity. However, this new role proves challenging for Elsbeth, as she struggles with a lack of her usual intuitive insights.
Elsbeth’s unsettled feelings with Captain Wagner make her more open to forming new connections with Mateo and Nadine, who are both quirky and creative. They, like Elsbeth, are going through significant career changes. Nadine is about to launch a brand of eco-friendly beauty and office products, including a unique combination of nail polish and staple remover—an idea that raises questions about its feasibility and safety. Mateo, on the other hand, is struggling to find inspiration for his final fashion collection and is frantic just days before his last runway show.
Elsbeth visits Mateo’s home-studio and becomes his muse just in time. Mateo is captivated by her vibrant and unique style and asks her to walk in his fashion show. Although she needs some guidance from Nadine, Elsbeth eagerly agrees. Mateo hopes her presence on the runway will bring a fresh perspective and excitement to the show, helping him make a memorable impact.
By the time Elsbeth has her final fitting with Mateo, the lines between her role as a secret investigator and her role as a muse and confidante have blurred. Elsbeth has grown to genuinely care for Mateo, who, like her, is a dog lover and very authentic. Mateo misses his beloved dog Sebastian, who is buried in his front yard where his new dog, Gonzo, plays. Both Elsbeth and Mateo are sincere and protective of their friends, and their shared love for dogs and genuine personalities have strengthened their bond.
Elsbeth’s growing affection for Mateo shows how her role as a detective doesn’t stop her from forming real connections. Despite her professional distance, she finds herself emotionally invested in the people she works with, adding depth to her character. Mateo’s passion for his work and his loyalty to his friends resonate with Elsbeth, making their relationship more meaningful and complex.
Mateo reveals the story behind the Pangaea Project, which has been a recurring topic in conversations with suspects and witnesses. This project was a collaboration between Ezra, Nadine, and Nick during their time at FUNY. Although the project aimed to showcase fashion trends from different cultures, it ended up being highly offensive. Mateo explains that the photos featured Nadine in various forms of “blackface, yellowface, and redface,” which were deeply problematic.
Mateo had recommended destroying all the photos due to their racist nature, but Ezra, passionate about his work, might have kept them. This raises the possibility that Ezra could have used these photos to blackmail Nadine or Nick. Their mutual suspicions and the potential for blackmail add layers of complexity to the case, suggesting that Ezra’s murder might be linked to these old, troubling photographs.
The story of the Pangaea Project not only sheds light on the conflict between the characters but also adds a historical context to their present issues. It highlights how unresolved and damaging actions from the past can influence current relationships and events, making the investigation even more intricate.
When Elsbeth realizes that Mateo, the kind and supportive person who truly appreciates her, is the one who killed Ezra, she experiences a jolt of both excitement and sorrow. Mateo’s involvement is revealed through Ezra’s last photos, which clearly show Mateo’s distinctively ringed hands holding the gun. This revelation is shocking because Mateo was seen as a warm and caring individual who seemed to genuinely care for Elsbeth.
The emotional impact of discovering that someone she has grown to admire is capable of such a crime is profound. Elsbeth now faces the painful task of confronting Mateo about his actions. This situation highlights how complex and multifaceted people can be, blending kindness with dark secrets. The realization that someone who seemed so genuine could commit murder adds depth to Elsbeth’s emotional journey and underscores the personal conflict she faces in resolving the case.
Mateo’s obsession with his legacy led him to make a terrible choice. Unable to face the thought of his name being linked to the accidental killing of a shady gambler who was troubling Ezra or to the offensive Pangaea Project, Mateo decided to kill Ezra to hide the entire mess. Despite this dark decision, Mateo showed his generous side one last time. He left the incriminating images for Nadine to destroy, so her reputation would remain intact.
Elsbeth, despite the heartbreak of discovering Mateo’s actions, can appreciate the positive impact he had on her life. Mateo’s support and the confidence he gave her to be herself and tackle challenges in her own unique way remain valuable. His legacy, though tainted by his crime, includes the personal growth and self-assurance he helped instill in her.
Mateo’s support helps Elsbeth achieve her biggest personal triumph yet. As she confidently walks down the runway to Cass Elliott’s “Make Your Own Kind of Music,” she is surrounded by proud faces: Kaya, Captain Wagner, and Donnelly. This moment rekindles Elsbeth’s confidence and joy.
As Elsbeth wraps up her latest case, there’s a twist. DOJ agent Celetano informs her that the consent decree is real and will fund a long-term position for her. Captain Wagner, recognizing her dedication, moves her from her old small office to a bigger one previously used by Noonan. Kaya will help decorate the new space and is set for a well-deserved promotion to detective. Wagner even shares a hug with Elsbeth, something he initially refused in the pilot episode. In the final scene, while walking Gonzo, Elsbeth notices glamorous young women wearing styles from Mateo’s show, reflecting her own unique influence. It’s clear that she’s made it and her future looks bright.
Best Line Delivery: In this episode, Tony-winning Broadway stars De Shields and Benanti were neck and neck for the top spot in line delivery. Benanti took an early lead with her witty comments about Nadine’s career plans and her humorous line, “I wasn’t myself yesterday, and not just because I was made up like a melting glacier!” But De Shields quickly caught up with his playful take on standard-issue models and his quip about moving to his favorite part of New York: Connecticut. His delivery added a delightful neo-Vaudevillian touch, proving that classic lines can still shine with the right zest.
Honorable Mention: Joel Marsh Garland, who played Pavel at the pawn shop, also deserves recognition. When asked about Pangaea, his response was perfectly balanced between enthusiasm and dry humor: “Sure, Pangaea was the ancient supercontinent landmass that broke apart at the end of the Triassic period into the seven continents we know today.” It was a standout moment of cleverness and charm.
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