‘Elsbeth’ Season 2 Episode 18 “I Know What You Did Thirty-Three Summers Ago” Recap
- Barbara
- Apr 25
- 6 min read
Elsbeth is back with an all new episode (Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 18) and Michael Emerson is guest starring as Judge Milton Crawford.
A flashback shows three young people breaking into a country club at night. They get to the pool and two jump in. One guy who seemed to be the one who let them in leaves. The other guy tries to kiss the girl, but she tells him to stop. The guy kills the girl. The three people are Sherry Mitchell, Andy Mertens, and Milton Crawford. Andy is the person who let them in, and returns to ask Milton about the vehicle. He finds the girl dead, the other guy is getting out of the pool. The other young guy is now Judge Milton Crawford. That was a Shocker! He and Andy are tied to the murder of Sherry Mitchell. That explains a lot about Crawford. Would not have guessed this!
Present Day, Mr. Victor Landis is meeting with the judge about vetting him for a federal judge position. Mr. Landis tells the judge he needs to know everything about his past. The Judge says there is nothing in his past to reveal. Another flashback shows Crawford killing Andy. After detailed review of Crawford’s past, Landis later tells Judge Crawford he’s found nothing detrimental in his background. The only question are those two people he saw at Stockport asking questions about him. Crawford assures him they won't be a problem. Landis is convinced. He’ll notify the committee to make the announcement.
CPT Kershaw, CPT Wagner, Detective Blanke, Detective Rivers and Elsbeth meet in Wagner's office at the NYPD precinct. Wagner asks Elsbeth to give CPT Kershaw a good reason to go after Judge Crawford. Elsbeth asks Detective Rivers what record was playing on the turntable. He doesn't remember. Elsbeth says it was a Donna Summer song. Elsbeth puts the transcript of Delia Kirby's trial on the desk. Her defense was that she didn't hear Andy’s attacker because someone turned the stereo up loud. No one on the prosecutor’s team or the defense mentioned it. Judge Crawford knew about it. He slipped and taunted Elsbeth by calling her a disco-loving pervert. The only way he knew it was disco music playing was if he was there. Crawford railroaded Delia and was desperate to put her away.
Detective Rivers says this was a reach. CPT Wagner says when Elsbeth started asking questions, Judge Crawford kept intimidating her and interfering in their investigation. CPT Kershaw says Judge Crawford was scared. CPT Wagner asks Detective Blanke to re-exam the Mertens case. CPT Wagner says Detective Rivers will assist Detective Blanke. Detective Blanke asks why a judge would murder a financial analyst and frame his girlfriend. Elsbeth says they might have a lead. In walks Delia. She brings a box of items. She says Andy didn't talk much about his life before he moved to New York. Delia says she had some of his things they used during sexy role play. She had a badge of Andy’s from the Stockport Yacht Club where he worked one summer. Crawford ‘s Family has a summer home in the same town. Elsbeth says something happened there that Andy Mertens witnessed. It later cost him his life. CPT Wagner says they have to go on a road trip to find out.
Elsbeth paces back and forth behind Teddy as he waits for his LSAT score. She picks up Gonzo and holds him in her lap. Teddy checks his score and is surprised to find his LSAT score is really high. Elsbeth is so proud of her son. She asks how he feels. Teddy wasn't sure about his legal aspirations, but after his LSAT scores he decides to go to law school. Teddy will stay and take care of Gonzo, and research law schools.
Elsbeth and CPT Wagner get to the Stockport Yacht Club and meet with the manager. He gives them as much information as he remembers about Andy and Sherry. He also tells them the pool was closed after Sherry’s “accident”. He refers them to Sherry’s sister. They got some information that helped them with their investigation that tied Crawford and Andy together. She gave them evidence that led them to the investigating detective, Detective Haynes. Haynes adds more missing pieces to the puzzle that help Wagner and Elsbeth build a case against Crawford.
Meanwhile, Mr. Landis and Judge Crawford review all his past actions Landis asks about a recurring payment to somewhere in Stockport. It's his summer home near the Yacht Club. Crawford is a little anxious, and Landis makes a note as Crawford rushes off to order some food.
Back at the Yacht Club, Elsbeth deduces the blood couldn't have been Sherry's. She theorizes Crawford murdered her, and Andy knew about it. CPT Wagner says they need something concrete to connect Crawford to all of this. Elsbeth thanks the gentleman who opened the door for her as they left. It was Mr. Landis. He looked worried and calls Crawford. He asks why there was a man and woman with New York plates at the Yacht Club asking questions about him. Crawford realizes it's Elsbeth after Landis describes how she's dressed.
Elsbeth and Wagner return to the station. Detectives Blanke and Rivers created a murder board in Elsbeth’s office. They find that Crawford's was near Andy's apartment according to traffic cams. An entry in Sherry’s diary points to someone referred to as “the lurker”. Elsbeth believes that was Milton Crawford. They still need more evidence to build a strong case against Judge Crawford. Later that night, the team starts experiencing repercussions for investigating Crawford. He also follows Elsbeth and threatens her face-to-face that night. She finds out when she gets home and Teddy tells her his Dad is now facing possible disbarment due to a possible ethics violation. The next morning the precinct feels it, too. Jobs, family and friends all suffer from Crawford’s influence.
Elsbeth regrets going after Crawford and tells CPT Wagner they should let this go. CPT Wagner disagrees and says they always get their man. That evening he and his wife, Claudia, go to the law society gathering to talk with Judge Crawford. CPT Wagner agrees to a truce with Crawford, and will stop their investigation. That was a ruse, and Elsbeth waits for the Wagners downstairs.They got some evidence that could tie Crawford to Sherry’s murder. They leave and rush it to the lab. Later, their investigation suffers another devastating blow. All their evidence disappeared from the lab. Elsbeth talks with Delia and explains how Sherry's murder is tied to Andy's death. Delia says this is why Andy was so paranoid about being watched. Elsbeth tells Delia to be careful. Delia says she has nothing left to lose.
CPT Wagner says Crawford just announced for a federal bench position, and he’s untouchable. Elsbeth says she suddenly has to leave. She goes to confront Crawford after his ceremony, and vows to arrest him for the murders of Sherry and Andy. Crawford tells her that he's always a step ahead. Feeling invincible, Judge Crawford comes close to bragging and admitting he was guilty, and gets away with it. Outside on the courthouse steps, he tells Elsbeth the world no longer rewards the righteous. It now rewards the powerful and mighty. He calls Elsbeth naive. Someone calls his name and Elsbeth turns, recognizing Delia. Seconds later a shot rings out as she shoots Judge Crawford. Elsbeth tells Crawford to hang on, but he dies. Elsbeth cries out to Delia that they would have gotten him. Delia replies now they have.
An impromptu memorial forms on the steps of the courthouse for Judge Crawford. The media reports on his sudden death, making him a martyred hero. Wagner says this was lawlessness not justice. Teddy comes running into the precinct and hugs his Mom. He was worried about her. Teddy loudly protests and states he can't be a part of a world that privileges the rich and powerful. He no longer wants to be a lawyer. He asks what’s the point. Wagner says the point is to try. He asks Elsbeth to back him up, but she can't. She tells Teddy she understands.
This Elsbeth episode was a thorough mystery with not just one, but three different cases tied together. The Judge Crawford arc was magnificent with superb acting. This was another triumphant episode, as previous episodes. But, there was a feeling of despondency, helplessness and a touch of hopelessness. It was more baffling whether Crawford would even have been arrested. Did they have strong enough evidence to convict him, and would any of their friends and family members become collateral damage? Elsbeth’s lack of signature optimism and confidence reflected this uncertainty.
This episode was exceptional, frustrating, sad and thought-provoking. It was written, acted and produced well.
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