The third season of Elsbeth has stirred up interest by featuring Stephen Colbert in its premiere, where he steps into the familiar shoes of a late-night host. Notably, this episode, which also includes Amy Sedaris and Andy Richter, sees the absence of Kara Patterson, a character who had been a staple in the previous two seasons.
Elsbeth Season 3: Stream or Skip?
Opening scene: A group of tourists visits the office of a late-night show. I was late with Scotty Bristol.
Key details: Scotty Bristol (played by Stephen Colbert) has been a long-term late-night host but isn’t the favorite among his staff. Executive producer and lead writer Laurel Hammond-Muntz (Amy Sedaris) walks by the tourists, explaining that Scotty has dismissed all their ideas. They hear him shredding sketch scripts in a large industrial shredder he humorously calls “Mickey II,” complete with googly eyes.
As for “Mickey I”? That’s Mickey Mantz (Andy Richter), Scotty’s on-air sidekick and also Laurel’s husband. They share a complicated past, having been in an improv group in Seattle ages ago, which bred resentment when Laurel chose Mickey over Scotty. Scotty’s digs at Mickey on air over the years have added to the tension, ultimately leading to Mickey’s health issues. When Scotty refuses Mickey time off, Laurel takes it upon herself to intervene.
Earlier that evening, Scotty and Laurel encounter Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston), who is in town supporting a friend at a wellness retreat promoting her book. Fresh off a trip to Scotland with Angus (Ioan Gruffudd), she’s jet-lagged and dozes off at unexpected times. After returning home to her son Teddy (Ben Levi Ross) and her dog, she gets called back by Captain Wagner (Wendell Pierce) to look into the circumstances surrounding Scotty’s death.
While it seems like a tragic “shredding accident,” Elsbeth suspects foul play. With Kaya (Kara Patterson) undercover, Elsbeth pairs up with Grace Hackett (Lindsay Mendes), an aspiring comedian and patrol officer. It soon becomes clear Scotty was murdered, and detective Bobby Smullen (Danny Mastrogiorgio) suspects Mickey’s involvement, especially since Mickey confronted Scotty’s body. Elsbeth then encourages Laurel to learn the basics of improv and take on the head writing role.
Remember the show? Elsbeth gained popularity for its engaging murder mysteries akin to shows like Columbo, and it’s made a comeback, especially alongside titles like Poker Face.
Our Thoughts: Despite the buzz around Colbert’s cameo, it’s essential to remember that his appearance came on the heels of the late show’s cancellation. Elsbeth seems to return to its roots that fans loved at its inception. The previous season leaned heavily on a continuous storyline, which took away from the individual mysteries. It appears some story arcs will persist this season, yet there’s room for the mysteries to thrive beyond just supporting Carrie Preston’s role as Elsbeth.
This season may delve into Elsbeth’s son Teddy and budget cuts impacting Lieutenant Connor (Daniel K. Isaac), who is under pressure. However, it’s unfortunate that Patterson has shifted to more of a recurring role rather than being a regular cast member. She’ll still show up occasionally, just not each week.
One of the highlights from the first two seasons was Elsbeth and Kaya’s camaraderie, and it will be missed. On the bright side, though, Elsbeth’s established trust with Inspector Wagner and the precinct turns that need for a partner on its head. If the writers can give us another engaging partner like Grace Hackett, it might work out well.
Regarding the murder aspect in the premiere, I enjoyed watching Colbert and Sedaris in their first shared appearance. Their long-standing friendship shone through, echoing past collaborations like Strangers with Candy. Plus, Richter’s role as the sidekick serves as a playful nod to his years with Conan O’Brien. However, while I understand the attempt to highlight the “yes, and” ethos of improv with Elsbeth and Laurel, that might feel a bit overdone by the end.
Gender and skin: None noted.
Parting scene: Elsbeth finally manages to grab some much-needed rest, with Teddy kindly covering her in a blanket.
Sleeper Star: I’m curious to see if there will be more detectives introduced this season. We’ve come to like characters like Smullen, Fleming (Daniel Oreskes), Donnelly (Molly Price), and Edwards (Michaela Diamond), so hopefully, they remain prominent while adding new faces too.
The most pilot-like line: The episode certainly played with improvisation, emphasizing the “yes and” concept as a recurring theme.
Final Verdict: Our recommendation? Stream it. We have a soft spot for engaging mysteries, especially those like “How Catch Me.” While Elsbeth usually hits the mark, last season strayed a bit from that formula. Here’s to hoping Season 3 refocuses on the intriguing weekly mysteries.
