Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 9 Recap – How Tiff Giles Turned the Tables in New York

Glamazons Reunion

The story opens with a Dressed Up magazine journalist, Julian Simons, writing the cover story on the Glamazons 25th Anniversary. I love how they used a writer, in their element, starting the show. He adds some drama and hype to his article as he teases the possible appearance of Tiff Giles, a renowned member of the Glamazons. She was disfigured in a violent street attack, and never worked again as a star super model. It’s rumored she will attend the celebration. Whether or not she will join her fellow models, is still unknown one week before the event. The models were never seen together again. Madison Fortune and T.J. James, her husband, are orchestrating this big event. Many say the event won’t do well without Tiff’s appearance. 

Meanwhile, Tiff Giles is bartending in a Chester, Pennsylvania bar. Nicole LaLiberte, the Glamazons manager, walks in with all the style and glamour that’s second nature in their profession. She does overdo it a little. Tiff’s back is turned, but recognizes the new customer’s voice. She turns. Tiff Giles wears an eyepatch over her left eye, but Nicole is not shocked. Nicole compliments Tiff on being a real “SHero”, and gripes about having to come all the way to beg Tiff to attend the anniversary event. She also adds that’s going to be the name of her new modeling agency. Tiff doesn’t make it easy for Nicole to start a conversation. Nicole offers something resembling an apology for not visiting Tiff in the hospital after her attack. She went to a photo shoot in Hawaii with TJ, instead. Tiff notices something in her alibi and questions her about it, Nicole quickly sidesteps the questions. Nicole is known as the meanest of the mean girls, but is sorry for what happened to Tiff. She tells Tiff how horrible she and TJ felt about her accident. Tiff is touched that she came all that way to see her and lets it go.  Nicole asks her again to please reconsider appearing, and leaves with a flourish. She left a bag on the bar. Tiff opens it, and sees lots of bills inside.

Back in New York, Nicole and TJ talk about her possible success at getting Tiff to attend the anniversary. He tells her about a backup model they have in case Tiff doesn’t show.  Well, there’s no need because a stunning Tiffany/Tiff Giles gracefully descends the stairs to the shoot.  All eyes are suddenly drawn to her as she makes her entrance. The camera crew and reporters all go crazy.  Nicole welcomes Tiff home. The Glamazons do their iconic poses as cameras start clicking.  TJ is in the background happily watching the digital magic happen.

A Model’s Life is Not that Vapid Right?

At the after party, Nicole introduces the Glamazons to the (S)Heroes. The (S)Heroes are known as beautiful faces from ugly places. It’s like the models are commodities. Some of the SHeroes have causes they are passionate about. TJ walks over and adds his snide remarks to the conversation mix. Tiff chides him on getting his wife to drop off a bag of cash to get her to attend the anniversary. TJ is not apologetic for the bribe. Tiff, Nicole and TJ walk off together and run into Julian Simons. He bluntly asks them if they really hate each other. TJ places his glass on the bar and forcefully escorts Julian out.  Nicole follows them, leaving Tiff at the bar. She takes TJ’s glass and carefully places it in her purse. 

Don’t Wobble and the Murder Investigation Begins

Tiff is downstairs in the kitchen of the modeling agency.  Nicole is surprised to find her there. TJ’s in his man cave. Tiff  asks Nicole to have drinks with her. Tiff mixes the drinks and drops something to Nicole’s drink. She and Tiff reminisce about old times. Nicole tastes something strange in her drink. Tiff accuses her of causing her attack. Her alibi is questionable. Nicole confesses it was all TJ’s idea. They are upstairs overlooking the first floor. Tiff tells Nicole she and TJ are both going to pay.  

Enter Detective Fleming, Officer Hackett and Elsbeth. Glad to see Fleming and Hackett again. Nicole’s body is found on the first floor of the agency, dead. She apparently ‘fell’? Detective Fleming asks TJ if his wife overdid the drugs and alcohol. He says the ‘bennies’ help her sleep. He tells them where he was. Elsbeth begins her investigative mentally crime scene reconstruction, but still takes time to comfort TJ.  She sees the other models standing in the doorway and asks if they were a very attractive basketball team. TJ has to tell her they are models and it’s a model house.  Elsbeth is impressed.  Fleming continues questioning TJ, until TJ turns away crying.  Fleming, Elsbeth and Hackett discuss the findings. Hackett suggests it may be domestic abuse. Elsbeth is not that sure.  Her attention is instantly taken by Tiff’s entrance to the agency. She goes to introduce herself to Tiff. Tiff’s not that friendly and says the fashion world is not pretty.

How do Detective Fleming, Officer Hackett and Elsbeth solve this case?  Back at the precinct office, Elsbeth tells Detective Fleming about what she read about the Glamazons' history. They discuss past times and the effect the Glamazons had on global fashion. Tiff Giles was the IT Girl back then. They suspect something nefarious since two of the Glamazons were victims of violent crime. Captain Wagner overhears their conversation and suggests Thomas James was the connection between the crimes. Wagner tells them about his experience with TJ. He found him icky. The (S)Heroes models arrive for questioning, and Officer Hackett shares it does nothing for her self-esteem to have them there. Elsbeth gives her some very good advice, but Officer Hatchett is not convinced. The model questioning provided some clues, especially about TJ.  Elsbeth questions Nadine Clay about the model house. She tells her about how all the Glamazons used to live there. She also tells her about TJ, his job, and how he and Madison met.

Surprise Development

A surprising turn in the investigation happens when Tiff arrives at the precinct and tells Detective Fleming and Officer Hackett she has something to tell them. Elsbeth sits in as Tiff tells them she came to see her. What she tells them is suspect. What did she say?

Detective Fleming and Elsbeth update Captain Wagner on the case. Fleming says all clues point to TJ as the murder suspect, but Elsbeth does not and provides reasons. Officer Hackett tells of the latest on TJ from the officer tailing him. Things aren’t looking good after his confession. Elsbeth suggests another possible suspect.   

Side Job

A cute peek into Officer Hackett’s personal life, Detective Fleming tells Elsbeth and Captain Wagner about Officer Hackett’s first stand up comedy show. It was scheduled for that night, but she still didn’t invite any of them. Elsbeth says some people don’t like to mix their work and personal lives. Captain Wagner is curious, too. Hackett is on her phone and sees them watching her. Grace Hackett does her stand up set, but doesn’t see her precinct co-workers, Elsbeth, Fleming and Wagner there until she hears them laughing in the back. Hackett makes fun of everyone but Elsbeth which makes her curious.  Elsbeth sees Ivy, a bartender they knew from an old case. Ivy gives her another clue. 

The Investigation Continues and Concludes

Fleming, Elsbeth and Hackett go to the model house. They all are amazed at the modeling training. Elsbeth shares how Nadine helped her walk like a model. Tiff and Nadine are there training the (S)Heroes. They interrupt the training and tell Tiff who orchestrated the attack on her. Elsbeth angers her and gets pushback when she continues questioning her about her friendship with Madison.  Nadine gives them another valuable clue. What is that?  What does Elsbeth find that proves TJ’s right and he’s innocent of murder? Who confirms TJ’s alibi?  What got Julian fired from his previous job and who got him blackballed?  What’s a Leo Latch?  Why did Tiff return to New York? What was Ivy’s clue?  What is Captain Wagner’s stress reliever?Julian provides more clues that Detective Fleming and Elsbeth build their case. Detective Fleming and Elsbeth questioned Tiff. Elsbeth asked Tiff why she returned to New York. Elsbeth proves she’s a great interrogator, but Tiff is resistant. 

Elsbeth, Detective Fleming and Officer Hackett return to the model house. Detective Fleming arrests Tiffany after he and Elsbeth present their case. Elsbeth asks Tiff why she now wanted revenge.  The (S)Heroes ask what they do now? Elsbeth referred them to Nadine, and exited with her best model walk. 

I have yet to find an Elsbeth episode I didn’t like. This one is no exception. It was different as many of them are, with the consistent thread of murder, murder investigation, clue gathering, rotating investigative team members, suspect interrogations and getting the suspect. This show finesse the plot with added miniplots, sometimes with surprise characters that throw the viewer off or adds an unexpected clue. Today’s episode did just that. I loved how it also worked so well in the fashion world. Did not expect Elsbeth and Detective Fleming to be fashionistas. It was wonderful to see Officer Hackett’s side job as a stand up comedian. She was awesome. Liked how Captain Wagner, Elsbeth and Detective Fleming supported her and shared their way of enjoying themselves outside their stressful jobs. Wagner’s encouragement was great to see in a leader. This episode revealed the softer side of Elsbeth’s stalwart NYPD precinct co-workers. The acting, writing and production were all outstanding in this episode.

I give it 5 Stars out of 5.

What did you think?

Change Image

• Loved it
• Hated it
• So/So