Episode 4 of Elsbeth Season 2, “Elsbeth’s Eleven,” brings us into domain luxury and suspense. Inspired by classic heist films like Ocean’s 8, this episode is full of glamour, drama, and thrilling mystery.
We follow Roslyn (Vanessa Williams), a wealthy but troubled socialite determined to reclaim her fading status by planning an elaborate jewel heist.
The target is Vivienne’s, a high-end jewelry store known for its exclusivity. Roslyn’s motivation is fueled by her financial desperation and a longing to feel powerful again.
What starts as a joke about a jewel heist becomes an elaborate scheme involving betrayal, clever planning, and even murder.
The storyline follows Roslyn as she brings together a group of accomplices, plotting every detail with precision.
But as events unfold, she faces unexpected challenges, including the loyalty and suspicions of her accomplices, and the sharp instincts of the investigator Elsbeth (Carrie Preston). The episode combines elements of crime, suspense, and humor to keep viewers impressed.
Vivienne’s: A Luxurious and Exclusive Jewelry Boutique
The story opens at Vivienne’s, a high-end jewelry boutique known for its elite clientele and strict access policies. Roslyn, a regular customer, arrives with her friend Celeste (Jenn Lyon) for a private shopping appointment.
Judith (Becky Ann Baker), Roslyn’s usual sales associate, greets them and reveals that she will soon retire, a decision that seems sudden and unplanned. Roslyn seems surprised, but she quickly shifts her focus to assisting Celeste in obtaining a membership at Vivienne’s.
During the visit, Judith introduces them to Valentina (Katie Lee Hill), the new creative director at Vivienne’s. Valentina has brought many changes to the store, including a requirement that customers show proof of funds to view certain high-value pieces.
For Roslyn, this request feels insulting, especially because she has been a long-time client. Judith, who used to bypass these restrictions for regular clients like Roslyn, finds Valentina’s approach unsettling.
Valentina makes it clear that her role is to bring Vivienne into the modern age, and part of that means enforcing stricter policies.
While waiting for Valentina, Judith asks Roslyn about her choices for the upcoming gala. She shows Roslyn a pair of earrings from the same designer she wore to her third wedding.
When Valentina arrives, she firmly informs Roslyn that new membership applications are on hold until the store rebranding is complete.
Valentina further denies Roslyn’s request to see the earrings, explaining that Roslyn will need to provide proof of funds, which was something associates like Judith had not enforced before.
Though Roslyn feels slighted by the proof-of-funds demand, she agrees to comply and calls her accountant. The response, however, is far from reassuring; her trust fund holds less than $1 million, a sum Roslyn describes as “unlivable.”
The news shocks her, given her accustomed lifestyle. Her friend Celeste suggests she sell her jewelry to raise funds, but Roslyn finds the idea ludicrous. Celeste, it turns out, is also facing financial difficulties as her frozen yogurt business struggles with low sales.
Feeling frustrated and with alcohol loosening her inhibitions, Celeste playfully suggests that Roslyn “take back” the wealth she believes Vivienne has taken from her.
Roslyn laughs at first, but the idea of a jewel heist slowly becomes less humorous and more intriguing. By the end of their meeting, she is no longer laughing; instead, she is planning.
Recruiting a Team for the Heist
To pull off a heist of this scale, Roslyn realizes she needs a team. She arranges a lunch meeting with Judith, marking the first time they’ve met outside of Vivienne’s.
Rather than a casual get-together, Roslyn shares her idea, suggesting that they could work together to pull off a heist at Vivienne’s.
She mentions her disdain for Valentina’s recent changes, positioning her plan as a form of payback against the store’s new direction.
Judith, who also feels undervalued and excluded due to her upcoming retirement, finds the idea surprisingly appealing. Roslyn’s subtle persuasion, combined with Judith’s frustrations, leads Judith to join the heist plan.
The next recruit is a “fence” who can make replicas of the jewels they intend to steal. Celeste introduces Hughie (Adrian Martinez), a designer who creates knockoff luxury bags.
Initially reluctant, Hughie agrees to join under certain conditions, including targeting simpler pieces that are easier to replicate.
With Judith and Hughie on board, Roslyn’s team is taking shape, but they still need a gem expert to verify the authenticity of the jewelry they plan to steal.
For this role, Roslyn selects Claude (Patrick Breen), a Vivienne’s employee with extensive knowledge of precious stones and silverware. Claude’s job includes polishing clients’ silver collections, a skill that makes him a perfect fit for Roslyn’s team.
She arranges to meet him after hours, hoping to recruit him. During their conversation, she flatters his expertise and subtly hints at her heist plan. She even references Ocean’s 8, suggesting she needs him as her “Mindy Kaling.”
Unfortunately for Roslyn, Claude refuses, expressing loyalty to Valentina, who recently promoted him. He even goes so far as to insult Roslyn, calling her “trash.”
Claude’s rejection infuriates Roslyn, but she refuses to let it derail her plan. Determined to move forward, she decides to handle his refusal drastically.
A Deadly Solution: Claude’s Rejection and Roslyn’s Plan
Unable to let Claude’s rejection go unpunished, Roslyn invites him over for tea. What Claude doesn’t know is that she has spiked his drink with cyanide using silver polish, a cleaning solution that contains the deadly substance.
Claude unsuspectingly drinks the tea and collapses moments later. Before leaving, Roslyn carefully leaves a lipstick mark on her teacup to create an alibi, suggesting that she too could be a victim.
The next day, Roslyn gathers Judith, Celeste, and Hughie to inform them of Claude’s death. While Judith and Celeste are shocked, Roslyn insists that the plan must continue. She explains that Claude’s refusal left her with no other option and emphasizes the need to focus on the heist.
Meanwhile, Elsbeth and Officer Kaya Blanke arrive at Vivienne’s to investigate Claude’s mysterious death. They quickly learn about Claude’s reputation as a meticulous professional, which makes accidental poisoning unlikely.
However, Valentina, eager to avoid bad publicity before Vivienne’s grand reopening, accepts the ruling of an accidental death.
When Roslyn arrives at the scene, she pretends to feel faint and collapses dramatically, drawing attention to herself as a supposed victim.
Her performance diverts suspicion, cleverly shifting her role from a possible suspect to a victim, all while reinforcing her carefully constructed alibi.
Elsbeth’s Growing Suspicion
Back at Roslyn’s residence, Elsbeth notices an unusual amount of apple pulp in the trash. When she asks about it, Roslyn claims she and Celeste were experimenting with new frozen yogurt flavors.
However, Elsbeth later discovers that Celeste’s company recently went bankrupt, making Roslyn’s explanation suspicious.
Realizing that apple seeds contain cyanide, Elsbeth suspects that Roslyn may have used them to simulate cyanide poisoning in her system, adding another layer to her alibi.
Elsbeth’s suspicion grows as she revisits Vivienne’s to question Valentina and Judith about Roslyn’s recent activities.
Valentina mentions that Roslyn sent proof of funds immediately after Claude’s death, which strikes Elsbeth as odd. Blanke analyzes the document and confirms it as a forgery, strengthening Elsbeth’s belief that Roslyn has a hidden agenda.
The Heist: Detailed Planning and Execution
With the night of the gala approaching, Roslyn and her team refine their plan. Judith’s role is essential for ensuring the fake jewels they return to the store match the originals.
Roslyn stages a “flood” on the members-only floor, allowing Hughie to enter as a maintenance worker and discreetly swap the real jewelry with replicas. Her plan relies on precise timing and her team’s dedication to executing each detail.
Despite Roslyn’s careful planning, Elsbeth, Blanke, and Detective Donnelly remain on high alert, sensing an impending heist.
As each new clue surfaces, they draw closer to uncovering Roslyn’s plot, setting up a high-stakes confrontation between the heist team and the investigators.
The Gala: The Heist Reaches Its Peak and Falls Apart
During Vivienne’s gala event, Roslyn puts her plan into action, signing out select jewelry pieces with Judith’s assistance and having Hughie make the necessary swaps.
But as she attempts to take a final item—a missing spoon from her silverware set—she is caught in the act by Elsbeth and her team.
At this point, Elsbeth reveals her suspicions, connecting Roslyn to Claude’s murder and the forged proof of funds. Elsbeth further explains that Roslyn’s missing silverware, a gift from her mother, ties her directly to the crime.
Realizing her plan has unraveled, Roslyn finds herself arrested alongside Hughie. Elsbeth’s sharp instincts and observations have revealed every aspect of Roslyn’s plot, bringing her downfall to a definitive end.
Aftermath and Unexpected Betrayal
While Roslyn and Hughie face the consequences, Judith makes a surprising choice. With Roslyn out of the picture, Judith takes the opportunity to sell Roslyn’s jewelry collection, using the funds to start a new life in Paris.
Her decision reflects the ultimate betrayal, as she abandons her former accomplices in pursuit of her aspirations.
Elsbeth and Blanke wrap up the case, reflecting on the complex layers of deception, manipulation, and betrayal that characterized Roslyn’s attempt to reclaim her wealth.
Elsbeth observes that Roslyn’s desperation led her to cross moral boundaries, ultimately causing her to trust the wrong people and seal her fate.
The episode “Elsbeth’s Eleven” in Elsbeth Season 2 offers an intriguing journey through a glamorous yet suspenseful world where betrayal, wit, and ambition drive the plot.
By setting up a clever heist in an elite jewelry store, the episode brings us into the luxurious life of Roslyn, a once-wealthy socialite desperate to reclaim her fading fortune.
Inspired by the heist-themed film Ocean’s 8, the episode combines high-society glamour with an intricate scheme that keeps viewers engaged.
Roslyn’s carefully constructed plan, driven by her bruised ego and dwindling wealth, highlights both her determination and moral descent.
Her character’s flaws add to the richness of the storyline, as she manipulates others to achieve her goal, displaying an unyielding belief in her entitlement to luxury.
The strengths of this episode lie in its careful storytelling, creative twists, and well-executed suspense. Each character is given a distinct role, with Roslyn’s team of accomplices adding layers of depth to the plot.
Judith, the loyal sales associate turned accomplice, and Celeste, the struggling friend with financial woes of her own, add complexity to Roslyn’s team.
These relationships offer insight into the driving motivations behind the heist and give viewers an understanding of the desperation that fuels the characters’ choices.
The intricate plan, filled with fake alibis, clever forgeries, and the staged “flood” at the gala, keeps the audience guessing at every step.
Elsbeth’s sharp investigative skills add an enjoyable element of suspense as she unravels the mystery. Her growing suspicion, which builds through subtle clues, enhances the tension and serves as a strong counterpoint to Roslyn’s schemes.
The episode’s pacing and plot progression are well-handled, allowing the story to unfold naturally while maintaining viewer interest.
However, the episode is not without its drawbacks. One of the main issues is the predictable outcome of Roslyn’s downfall. While her arrest and Judith’s betrayal are fitting conclusions, they may feel somewhat expected to viewers familiar with heist narratives.
The episode could benefit from a less predictable ending or a final twist that further complicates the story.
Additionally, while the character of Claude adds suspense, his decision to insult Roslyn and refuse her offer so openly seems slightly forced.
His role, though integral, could be developed with more nuance to make his choices feel more realistic and his death even more impactful.
Another drawback is the limited coverage of certain characters’ backgrounds and motivations, particularly Hughie and Celeste. Their reasons for joining the heist are hinted at but not fully dealt, which could have added emotional weight to the story.
By going deeper into each character’s struggles, the episode could enhance the emotional impact and make the heist’s risks feel more urgent and personal.
Elsbeth’s Eleven succeeds as an entertaining, stylish episode that combines suspense, wit, and high-society intrigue.
Despite some predictable elements and minor character development gaps, the episode delivers a solid heist plot with enough charm and drama to engage its audience.
Its focus on betrayal, ambition, and the pursuit of wealth offers a cautionary tale on the dangers of greed and misplaced trust, wrapped in a glamour world and deception.
