For most of its run, Elsbeth has been a textbook howcatchem, following in the footsteps of Columbo by showing us the killer upfront and letting the fun come from watching the brilliant, quirky Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) piece together the evidence. But the show's latest episode, "Death of a Playwright," flips the script, delivering a traditional whodunit that might just be the series' strongest case for occasionally stepping outside its comfort zone.
The whodunit format has been a mixed bag for Elsbeth. The first attempt, Season 2's "Tiny Town," was a clever twist on the formula. A murder in New York is witnessed via a 24/7 livestream by a musician in Scotland, but he misses the crucial moment. Elsbeth and Officer Kaya Blanke (Carra Patterson) are left with a vague description and a victim's work ID, forcing them to work through a list of suspects. That episode worked because it honored the whodunit's core elements—red herrings, false leads, and a genuinely surprising reveal—while still letting Elsbeth's unique observational skills shine. It was a fresh take that felt true to the character.
But then came Season 3's "Basket Case," a whodunit that was a whodunit in name only. The killer was painfully obvious from the start, the red herrings were almost nonexistent, and the clues practically fell into Elsbeth's lap. It was a frustrating misfire that made you wonder why the writers even bothered trying to break the mold.
Now, "Death of a Playwright" has broken the tie. This episode doesn't have a huge cast of suspects, but it has enough to keep you guessing. The red herrings are well-placed, and the reveal is a genuine surprise. What really sets it apart, though, is the way the reveal unfolds—it's very Elsbeth. The exposition is a wild, sprawling explanation that both embraces and gently pokes fun at the whodunit genre. It's a satisfying payoff that respects the format while making it distinctly Elsbeth.
This episode proves that the whodunit can work on this show, as long as it's done with the same care and creativity that makes the howcatchem episodes so enjoyable. It's a welcome change of pace, and it opens the door for more experimental episodes in the future. Just don't overdo it, CBS. The howcatchem is still the show's bread and butter, but a well-executed whodunit every now and then is a treat.
For fans of the genre, this episode is a must-watch. It's a reminder that even a show with a winning formula can benefit from a little variety. And if you're looking for more twisty mysteries, check out Hulu's 'Phony' or Prime Video's 'From'. For more of Elsbeth's adventures, you might want to see who she faces off against next.
