The episode was alright but it just wasn't funny this time. Elsbeth's humor sorely lacking here. Carrie Preston was reaching for tears... but she failed and looked ridiculous. At first, I was confused thinking her character was bluffing but, as it turns out, Carrie Preston can't act sadness and so Elsbeth was crying sans tears. Confusing, ridiculous and painful to watch. For the rest, she wasn't showboating it here, but seems like unless she does that, she just ain't funny. Bummer!
The whole upcoming arc vibe just doesn't jell here. We viewers don't want mystery-melodrama following Carrie from week to week. This is how shows get cancelled and leave the viewers hanging. They need to put a stop to that: we have no idea what they're talking about and it's annoying to the point that we don't care. (S1 had an arc about Elsbeth's boss being corrupt, that was more interesting, though still annoying.) Arcs are as mind-numbing as flashbacks are to series.
I can't stand the dude from Will & Grace's Erik and I cringe just to see him. But, he didn't overemote and embarrass himself like Laurie Metcalf and Vanessa Williams did a few episodes prior, by turning their villains into caricatures and proving themselves inept actresses. Well done to him. Still don't like him but I'm a very fair reviewer.
I Iiked that Elsbeth didn't solve the crime within 3 secs of "on the scene", though of course, Erik's character's arrogant vibes spelled it out for us. I like the packaged juice clue was just tentative in the beginning and that helped her solve it. Ok. I'll buy that. No psychic Elsbeth here. Better.
The ending revealed how the tide has turned from liberal to conservative in this show: marking the end of the "woke" era, as enacted by McCormack's character's assistant. This show revolved around a New Age cult. I wonder if they'll soon have one revolving around the religious cultists? In 2025 era, it remains to be seen if they'll go there.
In conclusion, Carrie Preston's acting was confusing, unfunny and not good in the emoting scenes, but more steady in the rest of the episode. The bad guy was good and didn't overact. Still can't stand him though. (What skeletons will be revealed hang in his closet? Hmm...) A very fair 7/10.
