Critic’s Rating: 5 / 5.0
5
There are Elsbeth episodes, and then there is this pulse-pounding, edge-of-your-seat, eyes-wide, and can’t-look-away masterpiece of an episode. Hands down the best of the series.
While the show is known for its lightness and general wrapping things up in a nice and neat little bow, “One Angry Woman” gave viewers a crash course in what this show is capable of.
Elsbeth continues to raise the stakes and keep things fresh in exciting ways that not even die-hard fans can anticipate, yours truly included. Then again, it doesn’t hurt to play against the love of your life.
Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 7 introduced Micheal Emerson’s killer, Judge Milton, in the most exhilarating way. Not to mention a giant easter egg from Emerson’s previous and most prominent role in Evil.
Elsbeth Gives Audiences A Massive Evil Easter Egg
I just have to get this out of the way now. If you’re a fan of Evil and Elsbeth, you may be like this TV Fanatic and noticed a massive crossover between the two shows.
Are you ready for this? The courtroom in Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 7, “One Angry Woman,” is the exact same courtroom from Evil Season 1 Episode 1, where audiences first meet Emerson’s character.
How mind-blowing is that? While it’s not unheard of for shows, especially those on the same network, to share locations, this seemed remarkably purposeful and is deeply appreciated.
Easter eggs aside, Michael Emerson is a force of nature once he steps into a role.
As mentioned in the Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 7 Spoilers, Carries Preston had initially hoped for Emerson to play a character opposite to the creep roles he is usually cast in.
Suffice it to say, we are quite glad that did not happen because, within one episode, Judge Milton left such an impression on viewers that there’s a good chance the judge could become a staple of the show.
Everyone loves a good rival origin story, and there’s something so juicy about keeping it close to home and in the family.
Elsbeth Dips Its Toes Into An Old But Still Beloved Series From The ‘80s
Weirdly, “One Angry Woman” is set up so similarly to the first episode of Matlock. No, I’m not talking about the Kathy Bates one. I’m referring to the Andy Griffith run.
In that late ‘80s episode, Dick Van Dyke murders a woman he is sleeping with and frames the lover. Later, it is revealed that he is the judge on the case.
Much like this episode of Elsbeth, Dick Van Dyke’s Judge Carter Addison did all he could to derail the defense, much to the titular character’s confusion and anger.
Those feelings are going around because we saw a fired-up Elsbeth ready to jump into the fray for justice. Seriously, she looked ready to blow a gasket at any moment.
It was bad enough that he kept bringing up his family coming over on the Mayflower. That’s a weird flex. I don’t know why that’s impressive. My ancestors were already here.
Thankfully, Elsbeth’s keen sleuthing skills and expert eye for detail secured her spot on the jury by outing a garbage podcast host with questionable views on women.
That guy’s podcast was called “Nut Job Sluts Who Kill.” Not even Judge Milton could find a way to justify having him on the jury.
However, it wasn’t all intense stare-offs between Elsbeth and Milton. There were plenty of light and comedic moments to break up the tension.
Family Will Forever Be A Part Of The Heart Of Elsbeth
If you were along for the ride with TV Fanatic through Elsbeth Season 1, you know I had a chip on my shoulder about Teddy being a terrible son who never called or visited.
I am so glad to say that I was incredibly wrong. Teddy is as sweet as his mama and just so darn adorable. He really is just as kind and thoughtful as Elsbeth.
Teddy wasn’t mentioned in this episode’s promo, photos, or description. So, even though he was in Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 6 at the end, there was no guarantee he would stick around.
Like Elsbeth, we’d love it if Teddy made a trip to NYC more often, especially if his new guy, Roy, lives in Brooklyn.
Didn’t it just melt your heart when Kaya (Carra Patterson) got so excited about showing Teddy around the city? This show depicts how people can come into our lives as if they were always family.
There’s more to that precinct than meets the eye.
Carrie Preston And Michael Emerson Brought Incredible Chemistry That Translated Into The Very Best Episode Of The Series
After multiple random pop-ups, viewers finally got a clearer picture of what is going on with Lieutenant Connor. Apparently, he was salty about the captain giving Elsbeth Noonan’s office.
To be fair, I have always found it really strange when characters who do the same job as other employees have MUCH nicer offices.
It’s been present in popular shows like Emily in Paris and the original run for Charmed, where Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), the advice columnist, had her own private office away from the bullpen.
It’s a weird storytelling tool that is slowly but surely making its way out of TV, namely on shows like Matlock, where Kathy Bates shares an office with two other associates.
However, as Lieutenant Connor did in this episode, we see Elsbeth’s worth and why she should, in fact, have her own private space. She needs a lot of room for all that thinking.
We can officially take Lieutenant Connor off the naughty list, as he is no longer gunning for Elsbeth or making things difficult for Captain Wagner.
Also, this could just be me, but did anyone else notice a slight sparkle in the lieutenant’s eyes whenever he addressed Teddy? It might just be me, but seeing those two together would make for hysterical TV.
Either way, it’s great to have one less person for Elsbeth to worry about because by the end of “One Angry Woman,” everyone’s favorite Chicago attorney caught the scent of murder from Judge Milton.
Carrie Preston and Michael Emerson brought incredible chemistry that translated into the best episode of the series. If Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 7 doesn’t stir some awards feathers, then the system is broken.
Thankfully, there is one more episode before CBS‘s Elsbeth takes a slight pause through the winter holidays. The series will be back and ready for more campy fun in early 2025.
However, if the next episode is anything like “One Angry Woman,” wear a helmet because we will likely have our minds blown again.
Did you notice the Easter Egg from Evil and the similarity to Matlock?
This episode had so many incredible moments; what was your favorite?
Please drop a comment below to let me know what you think, and join me again when I review another episode of Elsbeth!
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