Reviewer Rating: 5/5.0
5
This is easily one of Elsbeth’s funniest episodes to date. How writers continue to keep things fresh and exciting is a mystery to me, but we’re here for this.
“Elsbeth Flipbird” is the series’ most over-the-top, craziest plot yet, a non-stop roller coaster ride. We also see the return of another veteran from season one.
However, the most crucial thing that Elsbeth season 2 episode 5 brings to the table is the cost of avocado’s crime. Otherwise, how could this show mention something like the “Avocado Cartel”?
I didn’t expect the camp to reach this level. However, the price of green gold has skyrocketed and something needs to be done.
Best of all, we’re finally getting more information about the high-profile case Elsbeth was involved in.
Elsbeth may have to come to terms with her past as a lawyer
Is it a Chicago thing to mysteriously pull over in an all-black car just to chat with someone in another state?
In Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 2, Carter Schmidt has news for Elsbeth: A case from her past is about to hit them both hard.
Now, we meet the soon-to-be ex-wife of Elsbeth’s former client Mark Van Ness. When a person has “Van” in their last name, you know they are rich. I’m just saying that.
From the soon-to-be-single wife, we learn that Elsbeth handled Mark’s previous divorce. In doing so, Elsbeth learns just how awful her client is.
The problem was that Elsbeth didn’t share any information with Mark’s new wife, and they got divorced. Now the wife claims she married Mark under false pretenses.
Does Elsbeth have a responsibility to tell her new wife what she knows about her client? Or does this fall under attorney/client confidentiality? Someone called Kathy Bates in Matlock and learned about the situation.
Elsbeth has a big heart, but this is a moral dilemma. It makes you wonder why Elsbeth wanted to be a lawyer in the first place. There are other ways to get justice on a silver platter. Just ask Chef Z.
Pain tolerance that can only be described as medieval
The chef in this episode was outstanding. She’s crazy as hell, but brilliant as hell. On the one hand, the chef is a terrible murderer. She leaves a lot of clues right from the start.
When she put the dead man’s phone back, I immediately yelled, “You didn’t wipe the fingerprints!” Maybe it’s time to stay away from murder shows.
That said, the killing scenes are a bit far-fetched. First of all, the guy didn’t even try to push Chef Z off of him. He just stared at her and she slowly placed her hands on his neck.
It can be said that this murder case is not credible at all. Sure, adrenaline may give the chef strength, but it should do the same for him.
When people fight for their lives, they can become superhuman. But then that scene where the chef gets hurt is everything. Leave this level of madness to the Bear’s kitchen.
That woman hit herself over the head with meat tenderizer, for God’s sake. At least it prompted a hilarious comment from Elsbeth, who described Chef Z’s pain tolerance as “medieval.”
This wasn’t the only thing Chef Z gave to Elsbeth. Viewers were treated to another appearance by the fabulous Nadine Clay as the chef refused to let Elsbeth book.
I feel strongly that Elsbeth did a great job bringing back fan-favorite characters
If you’ve read the reviews of previous episodes, you’ll know that my favorite guest character is Nadine Clay. The character, last seen in Elsbeth Season 1 Episode 10, feels things very strongly.
Since then, she has gained a pound and returned to the habit of smelling her food instead of eating it. God, this character looks incredible – even if her purse is so ridiculously small it looks like it’s for a cat.
Who else do we see reappearing in this non-stop thrilling series? None other than Detective Grandpa, Detective Donnelly and Detective Edwards.
Donnelly just appeared in Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 4, so it was a treat to see the character again so soon. I wouldn’t be offended if I saw her being sarcastic more often than not. It perfectly balances Elsbeth’s whimsical nature.
Then there is Detective Grandpa. I’ve forgotten his real name, but who cares? The man is hilarious in a “back in my day” kind of way.
Finally, there’s Detective Edwards. Sure, her taste is a bit of an acquired taste, but it’s fun to watch the character recognize Elsbeth’s worth.
She wasn’t Elsbeth’s biggest fan when she first appeared in Season 1, Episode 6. Thankfully, her disdain has since turned to tolerance.
Elsbeth always needs more friends, especially when she drives Kaya crazy.
Lieutenants, lawsuits and exams, oh my!
Elsbeth is a wonderful series with consistently high quality writing. However, the campiness sometimes goes too far and comes across as disingenuous.
The scene where Elsbeth distracts Kaya from studying by cooking feels very forced.
First off, why was Elsbeth (Kelly Preston) making so much noise when she knew her friend was studying? This is very out of character. Secondly, why doesn’t Kaya just go to the coffee shop?
Are Elsbeth’s writers really trying to stir an invisible pot, because what makes the smoke detectors go off? There were two pans on the stove, neither smoking.
Still, their lives were much easier than those of Wagner (Wendell Pierce). The poor guy never behaved so badly as he did trying to get the precinct to like him.
From raffles to poker games, at least the captain is getting more social. Lieutenant Connor is truly a masterpiece, though.
Please help me. Is he taking a shot at Wagner and Elsbeth, or is he so detached from human emotion that the only thing that matters to him is etiquette?
The character walks around the precinct like C3PO. This is CBS, not Disney+. Seriously, the only two faces he can make are expressionless and confused, so maybe he’s a robot.
Anyway, between the popularity of Wagner, Elsbeth’s Chicago case, and Kaya’s passing of the exams, we had a lot to think about during Elsbeth’s sabbatical.
But don’t worry—we won’t have to wait too long. The show will return with Christmas episodes in early December. Until then, watch out for Elsbeth’s knees.
Do you think Elsbeth should tell Mark Van Ness’s new wife what she learned about her client?
What do you think Lieutenant Connor’s deal was with Elsbeth and Captain Wagner?
Leave a comment below to let me know what you liked about this episode, and join me again when I bring you my next Elsbeth review!
Be on the lookout for Elsbeth spoilers ahead of each new episode!
Watch Elsbeth online
