Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 5 "Poetic Justice" Recap

A literary director of the Pigeon Print, Gary Pidgeon is at a working lunch with one of his friends, Delores Feinn, asking her for an additional donation to their literary journal.  She lets him know she won’t be donating anything if he doesn’t publish her latest epic poem. She’s such an odd and difficult person.  He’s not pleased when he returns to his office. His associate and arts administrator, Hannah Lee, complains to him about her paycheck bouncing, and threatens to leave if he doesn’t pay her. He shares that Delores may pass away soon due to her constant smoking.  He visits Delores the next day to review her poem with her while they edit it. They argue over some sections and eventually Gary leaves. On his way out of Delores’ apartment building, Gary sees the owner of his competing literary journal, Fred of the Tumbleweed journal. He’s bringing Delores a fruit basket and hints that their journal may print her poem. Gary rushes out to talk to Delores’ accountant. She realizes he’s there to get information on Delores’ will donation, and gives him news he really didn’t want to hear. 

This gives Gary an idea, and he acts on it. He goes to see Delores the next day, and gives her some suggestions to improve her poem. He admits he was wrong to make those previous cut suggestions. While Delores is distracted, Gary fiddles with her oxygen tank. He later leaves to attend Fred Harrison’s benefit. Gary orchestrates a perfect crime to get his donation, at least that’s what he believes.

Fast forward to another benefit, and Elsbeth is there attending a benefit and sees an old friend from Chicago, Marissa Gold. She’s there as Alec Bloom’s campaign manager, no longer a practicing lawyer. Alec Bloom walks over to see Marissa, and she introduces him to Elsbeth.  There’s a spark between these two, and Marissa also notices it as they share a cocktail New York hot dog.  Marissa breaks up their moment to rush Alec off for his speech. Marissa tells Elsbeth she just met the future mayor of New York City.

Alec Bloom goes with Marissa to give a speech supporting the “Coalition for Unhoused Children”. Elsbeth sits with Dr. Yablonski, a friend of hers. Dr. Yablonski remarks about how good Alec is, and Elsbeth actually seems to blush. Never saw her blush this much since Angus. As Dr. Yablonski teases her, Gary walks by their table, and stops to speak with the doctor. Dr. Yablonski extends his condolences about Delores’ passing, and Gary unwittingly gives a little too much information that catches Elsbeth’s attention.  After Gary nervously leaves them, Dr. Yablonski tells Elsbeth something that increases her curiosity. Gary’s mistake alerts Elsbeth’s innate detective skills. Too bad for him.

At the police station, Captain Wagner is distracted by how well Julia and Detective Rivers are getting along.  In an attempt to stop their obvious flirtations in the office, he assigns Detective Rivers to assist Elsbeth with the case she decided to investigate, Delores Feinn’s accidental death.  Detective Rivers’ attitude has undergone a real change since his earlier appearances. 

There’s lots of romance happening in this episode. Marissa comes by the station to see Elsbeth, and wants to fix her up with Alec Bloom. Alec Bloom is interested in Elsbeth’s consent decree and how it works. He wants to see how it can be used for future policing improvements. It would help him with changing the system from within and improve his appeal to the electorate. Elsbeth says yes to a date with Alec and heads to the Pigeon Print office. 

Hannah struggles to move furniture in the outer office to improve the feng shui, when Elsbeth arrives. She tells her the arts are under attack, and is happy to protect it. She also lets her know she just got a raise.  She shows Elsbeth into Gary’s office. He tells Elsbeth about Delores and how he edited her recent article in their journal. Elsbeth encourages him to read some of Delores' work to her. That was an experience to hear. Elsbeth overanalyzes the excerpt of Delores’ art. Cannot blame her. Gary awkwardly avoids critiquing the poem when Elsbeth asks.  

Captain Wagner tries valiantly to read Delores Feinn’s poem out loud, and confirms Elsbeth’s thoughts of it being really bad. They are at a loss of why no one else saw this. Detective Rivers joins them in Wagner’s office, and adds another piece to the puzzle. 

Elsbeth’s date with Alec and Marissa later that night goes well. She gets to see Alec’s charm in action, and is very much impressed.  She and Alec are great together. Marissa gives her a clue that adds another piece to Delores' questionable death puzzle, and how to verify digital data. 

Elsbeth and Detective Rivers continue their investigation and interrogate Fred who gives them more clues to build their case. Elsbeth uses what she’s gathered to confront the possible suspect, and accuse them of killing Delores. She and Detective Rivers attend Delores’ will reading, and witness the reactions of the recipients. Rivers and Elsbeth’s case also has problems after hearing what Delores left Gary.  Delores’ will introduces a slight hiccup in the case’s progress. Also leads Elsbeth to present her own poetry writings to Gary. Gary gives her a hilarious review. There’s a twist that adds another clue for Elsbeth’s pursuit of the case.

This episode has Elsbeth investigating clues on her own. Together with Detective Rivers they do solve the case.  It also highlights how much the literary world is surely under attack.  There is an undercurrent of humor and some intentionally exaggerated scenes, and larger than life characters like Delores, Jimmy Palumbo, Hannah and Gary.  Marissa, Dr. Yablonski and Alec Bloom are truly charming and viewers can find themselves smiling without realizing it, when watching them.  A possible new romance for Elsbeth may be budding. She and Alec Bloom are adorable together.  Detective Rivers is becoming more interesting, but can’t tell if it’s due to Julia. Elsbeth points out his definite attitude change to Captain Wagner. Hope to see more of the Julia-Detective Rivers couple.  Elsbeth’s big reveal to the murder suspect includes her very own poem presentation. She gets a harsh review from him, and there’s another twist to end the case. Love how they cleverly introduce the word “poetic”  and actual poetry into lines of dialogue and scenes throughout this episode. Marissa pays Elsbeth another visit at the station, adding a surprise ending to the episode. 

Elsbeth carries her trademark bags, and lovely, colorful attire including that beautifully cute dress on her date with Alec Bloom. Loved the poetry readings and seeing how powerful it can be. The many parts involved in this episode worked perfectly and seamlessly. The acting, writing, direction, production, costumes and scenery.  Of course I enjoyed this Elsbeth episode and believe it is one of its best because it shows the art of poetic words, written and spoken in a new light. I give this episode a 5 out of 5 Stars.  

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