The fourth episode of Elsbeth's second season, titled "Elsbeth's Eleven," is a masterclass in storytelling, This episode not only includes the investigation of a murder case but also pays homage to the "Ocean's Eleven" series, especially "Ocean's 8," as there is a reference in the show like "you are looking for your Mindy Kaling."
The episode opens with Roselyn (Vanessa Williams), a fabulously wealthy woman facing a financial crunch. Despite her luxurious lifestyle and three well-heeled divorces, Roselyn finds herself short of funds to maintain her current pace of consumption for the next 30 years. Her predicament is exacerbated by the rules of Vivienne's, an exclusive Manhattan shopping club, which she has been a member of for over two decades. The club's new managing director, Valentina (Katie Lee Hill), enforces rules that Roselyn finds both gauche and humiliating, leading to a plot for revenge and financial recovery.
Roselyn, along with her friend Celeste (Jenn Lyon) and sales associate Judith (Becky Ann Baker), devises a heist inspired by the Met Gala jewel-thieving scene in Ocean's 8. They plan to swap fake jewels for real ones during the club's grand reopening gala, with the help of Celeste's bag faker, Huey (Adrian Martinez), posing as a plumber. However, the plan takes a murderous turn when Roselyn poisons Claude (Patrick Breen), the club's security chief and gemologist, after he refuses to join the heist and threatens to expose her.
The murder scene is a testament to Roselyn's desperation and cunning. She uses cyanide from silver polish to poison Claude's tea, staging the scene to look like an accident and even implicating herself to divert suspicion. Her calm and matter-of-fact explanation to Judith about Claude's death is both chilling and darkly humorous, highlighting the lengths to which the ultra-rich will go to maintain their status.
Elsbeth and Kaya's investigation into Claude's death is methodical and insightful. They suspect Roselyn due to her theatrical grief and the lipstick-smudged teacup, which is a tell-tale sign of her involvement. With the help of forensic accounting and Judith's confession, they uncover the financial motive and the details of the heist. They set a trap for Roselyn, Celeste, and Huey, leading to a reverse heist that sees the original heisters falling into their own trap.
The episode concludes with a delightful twist. Judith, who was pushed into early retirement by Valentina, gets her revenge by stealing everything from Roselyn's safe after being shoved into a walk-in closet filled with jewels. She retires in Paris, living a life of comfort and luxury, the unexpected victor of the episode's heist within a heist.
Throughout the episode, the themes of interclass solidarity, egalitarianism, and the superiority of defined benefit pensions over market-dependent retirement plans are explored. The relationships between Elsbeth and Kaya, as well as Captain Wagner's concerns about workplace morale, add depth to the narrative, providing a backdrop against which the heist unfolds.
"Elsbeth's Eleven" is a standout episode that expertly weaves a complex plot with social commentary and character development. The guest stars, including Vanessa Williams, deliver performances that are both engaging and fun, while the story itself is a thrilling exploration of the lengths to which people will go for prestige and survival. This episode is not just a heist; it's a commentary on society, wrapped in a cloak of elegance and intrigue.