Elsbeth continues to shine in its second season, with the latest episode, “Finance Bros,” bringing a thrilling combination of corporate drama and a classic crime procedural plot.
While there isn’t a Succession-style crossover, fans of both shows will find plenty to enjoy, especially with Alan Ruck making an appearance as not one, but two characters.
The episode weaves a complex narrative, filled with twists, as Elsbeth faces a high-profile murder investigation in the heart of Wall Street, all while dealing with a sensitive legal case from her past. Here’s a breakdown of the events that unfold in this standout episode.
Alan Ruck Doubles the Drama
Right from the start, the episode introduces us to Bill Hepson (played by Alan Ruck), a wealthy businessman who, following a near-death experience on a private plane, decides to liquidate all his assets and donate his fortune.
This drastic decision causes tension between him and his brother Peter (also played by Alan Ruck), who doesn’t seem to believe Bill’s near-death experience was as severe as Bill insists. The brothers’ contrasting approaches to life become evident as the episode progresses. Bill, in a zen-like moment, decides to give up his wealth, while Peter’s reaction is less than supportive.
The tension between the two brothers only escalates. While Bill sees this decision as a new beginning, Peter is more focused on maintaining the power and wealth the family has enjoyed for years.
During an appearance on a financial news program, Peter tries to play the role of the corporate man, offering generic statements about his brother’s decision.
However, things take a darker turn when Peter, during a phone call with someone, becomes irritable and ends up making an unprovoked outburst in public, which raises suspicions about his true feelings.
The Murder of Bill Hepson
Later, Peter takes matters into his own hands in a shocking act of violence. Disguising himself as his brother and taking advantage of their physical resemblance, Peter sneaks into Bill’s apartment. Initially, Bill seems happy to see his brother, but the situation quickly turns violent.
Peter attempts to strangle Bill, and in a chilling moment, he pushes Bill out of a window, leading to Bill’s death on impact. Afterward, Peter makes sure to pocket his brother’s wallet before leaving the scene, covering his tracks and setting up a false narrative.
Elsbeth’s Personal Revelations
While the Hepson brothers’ drama unfolds, Elsbeth is dealing with a personal issue tied to a long-ago divorce case. She confides in Officer Kaya Blanke (Carra Patterson) about her involvement in the case of Van Ness, a wealthy client from her past.
The case had involved accusations of abuse made by Van Ness’s ex-wife, which Elsbeth, at the time, had been skeptical about. Elsbeth explains that she later discovered that one of the other lawyers in the case had suppressed police reports that would have confirmed the ex-wife’s allegations.
This revelation causes Elsbeth to question her earlier actions and, feeling the weight of her mistakes, she leaves the case and relocates to New York.
Elsbeth shares her inner turmoil with Kaya, who assures her that she is not to blame for the case’s outcome. However, Elsbeth is still haunted by her inability to listen to her instincts at the time. This personal moment adds depth to Elsbeth’s character, showing us that despite her brilliance as a lawyer, she too is human and capable of doubt.
The Investigation Into Bill’s Death
Back to the murder of Bill Hepson, Elsbeth and Kaya arrive at the crime scene, where they discover a series of strange clues. A $10 bill found on the body doesn’t match up with the typical currency Bill would carry. They soon find out that Bill had been a regular at the local donut cart, and the vendor, Duncan (Ethan Herschenfeld), recalls a recent altercation with Bill.
Duncan describes Bill as irritable and distracted on the morning of his death, unlike his usual friendly demeanor. This change in behavior leads Elsbeth to suspect that Bill may not have been himself when he died, and she begins to think that Peter may be involved in the crime.
As the investigation unfolds, Detective Smullen (Danny Mastrogiorgio) and his team pursue a potential suspect, a young man found with injuries near Bill’s apartment. The initial theory is that the suspect might have been involved in a robbery gone wrong, but Elsbeth quickly dismisses this idea.
She points out that the theory doesn’t make sense, especially considering that Bill’s television was still on when his body was found. Why would a mugger wait for Bill to settle in before attempting to rob him? It’s clear that Elsbeth doesn’t believe the story Peter has given the police, and she begins to probe further into the circumstances surrounding Bill’s death.
Elsbeth Faces a New Challenge
Just as the investigation heats up, Elsbeth receives a visit from Carter Schmidt (Christian Borle), a lawyer representing Van Ness. Carter delivers a cryptic warning: his firm has completed its internal investigation into the suppressed police report, and if the report ever becomes public, the blame will fall squarely on Elsbeth’s shoulders.
This news is a devastating blow for Elsbeth, as it threatens her job with the police. Carter makes it clear that Elsbeth is the firm’s designated fall guy in the event the information leaks, given her current status as a civilian.
Elsbeth is furious at Carter’s attempt to manipulate her, but she has little choice but to listen. However, she cannot discuss the matter publicly because of attorney-client privilege, and it becomes clear that Elsbeth is caught in a web of professional and personal challenges. With her reputation and career on the line, Elsbeth must figure out how to face this new dilemma.
The Hepson Capital Connection
As Elsbeth works through the case, she begins to dig deeper into the financial connections of the Hepson family. Peter, it turns out, has a history of being ruthless in business, having bought up controlling shares in a tech company, Telnon Technology, and forcing the company’s founder, Conrad Deckles (Ed Moran), off the board.
Elsbeth sees a potential motive in Deckles’s ousting and the fact that Peter and Bill’s company had recently made a massive profit by investing in cobalt, a precious mineral used in batteries.
Despite being told that Peter had an alibi — a phone interview on a financial news program — Elsbeth is skeptical. She begins to question whether Peter might have used the interview as a cover for committing the murder.
While Peter was supposedly in his office during the time of the murder, Elsbeth points out that the interview might have been prerecorded, and Ava Mornier (Tina Benko), the host, confirms that Peter’s interview was not live, raising doubts about the credibility of his alibi.
The Plot Thickens
The investigation takes another unexpected turn when Elsbeth and Blanke discover that the Hepson family had positioned themselves for a huge financial windfall. After Bill’s death, the price of cobalt soared, and Peter’s firm reaped the rewards.
Elsbeth’s suspicions grow stronger as she connects the timing of the murder to the rise in cobalt prices. With this new information in hand, Elsbeth starts to piece together a picture of greed and ambition, suggesting that Peter may have orchestrated his brother’s death for financial gain. However, they still lack concrete proof.
In the meantime, Peter continues to deny any involvement in Bill’s murder, and he tries to shift the focus onto others, particularly Conrad Deckles, who has a clear motive for revenge. But Elsbeth and Smullen are unconvinced. They realize that the key to the case lies in unraveling Peter’s true motives and his complicated relationship with his brother.
Elsbeth’s Clever Strategy
In the final act, Elsbeth employs her trademark legal expertise to outmaneuver Peter and his team. After a series of confrontations and dead-ends, Elsbeth finally gets the breakthrough she needs. She uncovers a crucial detail — Peter had used a VPN to disguise his location during the phone interview, making it appear as though he was in his office when he was actually somewhere else.
With this new evidence, Elsbeth is able to confront Peter in his office, revealing the holes in his alibi. At this point, Peter’s facade begins to crack, and Elsbeth closes in on the truth.
With her brilliant deductive skills, Elsbeth proves that Peter was responsible for his brother’s death. It wasn’t just about money; it was about pride, jealousy, and a long-standing resentment toward Bill, who had always been the favored son.
Conclusion: A Win for Elsbeth
In the end, Elsbeth’s investigation into Bill Hepson’s murder uncovers a complex web of lies, greed, and familial dysfunction. Peter’s motivations are revealed, and he is arrested for his brother’s murder. However, the episode also highlights the continuing struggles Elsbeth faces in her personal life and career.
Her fight with Van Ness, the looming threat to her job, and the challenge of balancing her professional ethics with her own moral compass all come to a head.
Despite these challenges, Elsbeth emerges victorious. Her intellect and determination allow her to face a complex legal and moral view, uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served. However, as the episode ends, it’s clear that the challenges Elsbeth faces are far from over, setting the stage for more thrilling developments in the episodes to come.
The first ten episodes of Elsbeth Season 2 are now available for streaming, with new episodes airing on Thursdays on CBS and streaming the next day on Paramount+. The mix of legal drama, crime procedural, and corporate intrigue ensures that this season is one you won’t want to miss.
