Elsbeth gracefully pivots into the New York detective genre from the Chicago lawyer world of The Good Wife. Formerly a standout side character known for stumbling into legal brilliance, Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) now assumes the role of an impartial observer at the NYPD, actively participating in murder investigations.
This genre shift seamlessly molds Elsbeth into a classic detective archetype—a quirky yet astute investigator, reminiscent of icons like Columbo and his successors.
As the police struggle through their investigations, Elsbeth, accompanied by the insightful junior Officer Kaya Blanke (Carra Patterson) adeptly uncovers crucial details overlooked by her law enforcement counterparts. Together, they promise a refreshing and engaging departure from conventional detective narratives, introducing a dynamic partnership that adds a layer of intrigue to the crime-solving landscape.
Wendell Pierce skillfully portrays Captain Wagner, embodying the tough, skeptical, yet ultimately reasonable figure of authority. Fredric Lehne takes on the role of Lt. Dave Noonan, the unyielding character who proves to be the most formidable obstacle for Elsbeth.
The initial minutes unfold to reveal the murder committed by the esteemed theater professor Alex Modarian, portrayed by Stephen Moyer. The narrative's tension is rooted in dramatic irony, as the audience finds themselves cheering for the protagonist to unravel the crime, tracing breadcrumbs and following the trail, often through interactions with the antagonist.
This narrative formula proves particularly fitting for Elsbeth, whose amiable yet awkward demeanor positions her as easily overlooked and underestimated, both by law enforcement and the perpetrator. Within this subgenre, the detective employs cunning tactics to lead the murderer into inadvertently solving their own crime and exposing themselves—a strategy executed with finesse by Elsbeth in her dealings with Professor Modarian.
It's an odd choice for CBS to air the pilot and then make audiences wait a whole month for the remaining episodes, but fans of The Good Wife, The Good Fight and now Elsbeth herself will certainly tune in for the second episode on April 4.
