Reviewer Rating: 5/5.0
5
There’s the Elsbeth show, and then there’s this heart-pounding, tense, wide-eyed, can’t-look-away masterpiece of a show. Hands down the best in the series.
While the show is known for its lightheartedness and simplicity, “An Angry Woman” gave viewers a crash course in what the show was capable of.
Elsbeth continues to up the ante and keep things fresh in exciting ways that even die-hard fans can’t predict, and your fans are truly included. Then again, there’s no harm in going up against the love of your life.
Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 7 introduced Michael Emerson’s killer, Judge Milton, in the most exciting way possible. Not to mention a huge Easter egg from Emerson’s previous most prominent role on Wicked.
Elsbeth gives viewers a giant evil Easter egg
I have to solve this problem now. If you’re a fan of Wicked and Elsbeth, you might, like this TV fanatic, notice that there’s a huge crossover between the two shows.
Are you ready? The courtroom in Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 7 “An Angry Woman” is identical to the courtroom in Wicked Season 1 Episode 1, where viewers first meet Emerson’s character.
How exciting is this? While it’s not unheard of for shows (especially those on the same network) to share locations, it seems to be very purposeful and much appreciated.
Easter eggs aside, Michael Emerson is a force of nature once he steps into character.
As mentioned in Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 7 spoilers, Caris Preston originally wanted Emerson to play a character opposite to the weird characters he usually plays.
Suffice it to say, we’re glad that didn’t happen, because within one episode, Judge Milton left viewers with the impression that this judge could very well become the show’s protagonist.
Everyone loves a good antagonist origin story, and it’s fun to keep it close to home, at home.
Elsbeth taps into old but still-loved 80s series
It’s strange that the setting of “An Angry Woman” is so similar to the first episode of “Matlock.” No, I don’t mean Kathy Bates. I’m referring to Andy Griffith’s run.
In the late ’80s episode, Dick Van Dyke murdered a woman he was sleeping with and framed the lover. Later, word spread that he was the judge in the case.
Like Elsbeth’s episode, Judge Carter Addison, played by Dick Van Dyke, does everything he can to sabotage the defense, leaving the protagonist confused and angry.
These feelings flourish because we see an impassioned Elsbeth ready to plunge into the fight for justice. Seriously, she looks like she’s ready to snap at any moment.
It was bad enough that he kept bringing up the family members from the Mayflower. It’s a weird bend. I don’t know why this is impressive. My ancestors are already here.
Thankfully, Elsbeth used her sharp investigative skills and expert eye for detail to expose a trashy podcast host with questionable views on women, thus securing her place on the jury.
That guy’s podcast is called “Killing Nut Job Sluts.” Even Judge Milton couldn’t find a way to justify including him on the jury.
However, it wasn’t all intense looks between Elsbeth and Milton. There are plenty of moments of levity and comedy to lighten the tension.
Family will always be a part of Elsbeth’s heart
If you watched the first season of Elsbeth on TV Fanatic, you know that I resented Teddy being a terrible son who never called or came to visit.
I’m happy to say I was wrong. Teddy is as cute as his mother, very cute. He was truly as kind and thoughtful as Elsbeth.
There is no mention of Teddy in the promotional videos, photos, or descriptions for this episode. So even if he ends up in Elsbeth in Season 2 Episode 6, there’s no guarantee he’ll stay.
Like Elsbeth, we’d love it if Teddy traveled to New York more often, especially if his new friend Roy lived in Brooklyn.
Did your heart melt when Kaya (Kara Patterson) was so excited to show Teddy around the city? This show depicts how people come into our lives like family.
There is more to this area than meets the eye.
Kelly Preston and Michael Emerson bring incredible chemistry that translates into one of the best episodes of the series
After multiple random pop-ups, viewers finally get a clearer picture of Lieutenant Connor’s situation. Apparently he was dissatisfied with the captain’s relinquishing of Elsbeth Noonan’s office.
To be fair, I’ve always found it weird when characters who do the same job as other employees have nicer offices.
It appeared in both Emily in Paris and the original run of Charmed, in which advice columnist Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) had her own private office away from the bullpen.
It’s a strange storytelling device that’s slowly but surely disappearing from television, especially on shows like “Matlock,” where Kathy Bates shares an office with two other co-workers.
However, as Lieutenant Connor does in this episode, we see Elsbeth’s value and why she actually deserves her own personal space. She needs space to think.
We can officially take Lieutenant Connor off the naughty list as he no longer shoots Elsbeth or causes trouble for Captain Wagner.
Also, this might just be me, but has anyone else noticed that whenever the Lieutenant talks to Teddy, he has a slight twinkle in his eye? Maybe it’s just me, but seeing these two together makes television hysterical.
Regardless, it’s a good thing that Elsbeth has one less person to worry about, because by the end of “An Angry Woman,” everyone’s favorite Chicago lawyer smells murder from Judge Milton.
Kelly Preston and Michael Emerson bring incredible chemistry that translates into some of the series’ best episodes. If Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 7 doesn’t spark some awards interest, then the system is broken.
Thankfully, there’s one more episode left before CBS’s Elsbeth takes a little hiatus over the winter break. The series will return in early 2025 and is ready for more camping fun.
However, if the next episode is anything like “An Angry Woman,” put on your helmets because we might be in for another big surprise.
Did you notice the similarities between the Evil Easter Egg and Matlock?
There were so many incredible moments in this episode; what was your favorite?
Leave a comment below to let me know what you think, and join me again as I review another episode of Elsbeth!
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