In the latest episode of Elsbeth, titled “Family Business,” our sharp-witted detective Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) finds herself tangled in a web of secrets, lies, and mafia ties as she investigates what first appears to be a straightforward hit-and-run case. However, as she and Officer Kaya Flemming (Carra Patterson) dig deeper, it becomes evident that the case is anything but simple.
A Routine Investigation Turns Personal
Under strict orders to focus solely on the hit-and-run, Elsbeth and Flemming return to Pupetta’s restaurant, a family-owned establishment with more history than its menu lets on. Pupetta, the formidable woman behind the bar, greets them with a mix of curiosity and tension, initially fearing that her husband, Gene, has succumbed to his injuries. Once reassured that he is alive and undergoing surgery, her relief appears anything but genuine.
Elsbeth wastes no time asking whether the accident might have been intentional. Pupetta insists Gene had no enemies, but Elsbeth recalls a heated argument she witnessed between the couple the day before.
At the time, Elsbeth assumed the young man accompanying Pupetta was her lover—only to now learn that he is Gene Jr., their son. This revelation adds a new layer to the case, especially since Pupetta wanted Junior to work at the restaurant after earning his business degree from Wharton, while Gene was adamantly against it.
Before Elsbeth can press further, news arrives that Gene is out of surgery. At the hospital, they find Pupetta already by his side, with Junior arriving moments later. Noticing how much taller Junior is compared to both parents, Elsbeth is intrigued—while not impossible, such a genetic disparity is rare.
Suspicious glances and whispers between Pupetta and Gene only fuel her growing doubts. When she asks Gene about the accident, he feigns memory loss, claiming his injuries have left him unable to recall any details. Given that his injuries are to his shoulder and not his head, Elsbeth deduces that someone—likely Pupetta—has warned him to keep quiet.
Connecting the Dots
Back at the precinct, Officer Wendie Blanke (Keegan-Michael Key) traces the car involved in the hit-and-run to a body shop and identifies the driver, who confesses to losing control of the vehicle while impaired. On the surface, this seems like an open-and-shut case, but a closer look at the driver’s history raises red flags.
Decades ago, he was arrested for bar fights at The Iron Horse, the same place where Goldie Moresco and Eddie Nova had their fateful altercation in 1998. Even more alarmingly, his arrest occurred the same night as Goldie’s murder.
Flemming, revisiting his old case files, recognizes the driver as an associate of the infamous Del Ponte family. Elsbeth, poring over crime scene photos, spots deep scratches on Goldie’s face and chest, a detail that was never fully explained. Flemming had suspected a woman was involved but had no conclusive proof.
Given the eerie parallels between Gene’s accident and Goldie’s murder—both appearing to be silencing tactics—the team begins to suspect that these crimes are connected, with one common denominator: Pupetta.
Unraveling Pupetta’s Past
Summoning Pupetta to the station, Elsbeth questions her about the driver. Pupetta plays innocent, dismissing him as a reckless drunk. But when Elsbeth inquires about her long nails, Pupetta admits that she used to wear them much longer, a fashionable choice at the time. When confronted about Goldie’s murder, Pupetta grows defensive, calling it “ancient history” and storming out.
Later that night, Elsbeth, Flemming, and Roy gather for a movie night featuring City on a Knife Edge, a dramatized retelling of Pupetta’s life. While Teddy grows bored, Elsbeth and Roy take a keen interest in historical details—particularly Pupetta’s long, rhinestone-adorned nails, identical to the ones Flemming described from the crime scene photos.
A behind-the-scenes featurette reveals that a local salon custom-made a distinctive rhinestone for Pupetta’s nails, which could be the missing link to identifying her as Goldie’s killer.
Elsbeth brings this theory to Captain Wagner, who is skeptical but willing to pursue it. However, their request to exhume Goldie’s body for further testing is repeatedly denied by every judge Wagner approaches. Elsbeth suspects that Judge Crawford (Michael Emerson), notorious for protecting certain criminal interests, may be pulling the strings behind the scenes.
A Mafia Warning and a Breakthrough
The situation takes a personal turn when Pupetta shows up at Elsbeth’s home, making polite conversation with Teddy while petting their dog, Gonzo. When Elsbeth arrives, she immediately recognizes the veiled threat in Pupetta’s friendly demeanor. After sending Teddy inside, Elsbeth confronts Pupetta, who warns her to stay out of her family’s affairs—or else.
Though visibly shaken, Elsbeth is more determined than ever to crack the case. At the precinct, Blanke provides a breakthrough: While reviewing past cases, she discovers that Ashton Hays, a forensic accountant arrested in a previous episode, worked for a shell corporation linked to Pupetta’s restaurant.
This suggests that the establishment is more than just a family eatery—it’s a front for laundering mob money. Even more damning is the revelation that Junior’s expertise in forensic accounting makes him the perfect successor to oversee these illicit finances, explaining why Pupetta was so insistent that he take over the family business.
A Shocking Family Secret
A closer look at Junior’s social media reveals an important clue. An old Instagram photo from his senior year shows him with long hair and a mustache, striking a remarkable resemblance to Goldie Moresco. The implication is astounding—Junior is not Gene’s biological son, but instead, he is Goldie’s.
Elsbeth confronts Gene at the hospital, revealing what she knows. Gene, finally breaking down, admits that he and Pupetta made a deal years ago: he would marry her and raise Junior as his own in exchange for her leaving the family business behind. But she never truly left, and her recent actions proved it. Gene, tired of the lies and wanting to protect his son, agrees to cooperate.
The Final Confession
Knowing that a confession is the only way to force an exhumation, Elsbeth convinces Gene to take the fall for Goldie’s murder, confident that the forensic evidence will ultimately exonerate him and expose Pupetta. Meanwhile, she secures DNA evidence by collecting Junior’s discarded coffee cup.
As expected, the forensic tests reveal the truth—Pupetta’s broken nail was embedded in Goldie’s skin, and her DNA was all over the corkscrew used to stab him. When Elsbeth arrives at Pupetta’s restaurant, she interrupts a mob history tour, publicly revealing the true sequence of events.
Pupetta tries to pin the murder on Gene, claiming he acted out of jealousy, but the forensic evidence leaves no room for doubt. She is arrested on the spot.
Aftermath and New Beginnings
As Pupetta is led away, Gene and Junior are left to process the truth. In a touching moment, Junior reveals that, deep down, he always suspected that Goldie was his biological father, but Gene is the only dad he has ever known.
Back at the precinct, Roy finally sits down with Flemming for his detective podcast while Elsbeth and Teddy discuss their personal lives. Teddy confesses that he’s considering breaking up with Roy, not because of distance but because Elsbeth actually likes him—a notion that unnerves him.
Meanwhile, Wagner and Connor observe Elsbeth and Blanke together, realizing that no future partnership will match their dynamic. As the season finale approaches, the possibility of Blanke’s promotion looms over the team. If she leaves, it will be a significant loss, but given the chemistry between her and Elsbeth, fans are hopeful that the duo will find a way to stay together.
Conclusion
Season 2, Episode 14 of Elsbeth masterfully blends intricate storytelling, character-driven drama, and thrilling procedural elements, solidifying its place as one of the most compelling episodes of the season. The episode takes viewers on a suspenseful journey through past and present crimes, weaving together a decades-old murder mystery with a present-day hit-and-run investigation.
Elsbeth’s sharp intuition and unconventional investigative techniques continue to set her apart, as she pieces together clues that others might overlook, ultimately unraveling a web of deception tied to the infamous Del Ponte family.
One of the episode’s greatest strengths is its balance between crime-solving and personal dynamics. The revelation about Junior’s true parentage adds emotional weight to the case, providing a poignant moment between father and son amid the high-stakes investigation.
Meanwhile, the tension between Elsbeth and Judge Crawford hints at a larger battle brewing, suggesting that her pursuit of justice will only become more challenging.
Beyond the case, the episode explores Elsbeth’s personal life, with her growing connection to Roy and the complexities of her relationship with Teddy. The subplot of Teddy considering a breakup adds a layer of personal stakes, showing that Elsbeth’s world isn’t just about crime-solving but also about maintaining meaningful relationships.
With the case closed and Pupetta arrested, Elsbeth sets the stage for even more dramatic twists in the season’s final episodes. As Blanke’s potential promotion looms and Elsbeth faces increasing opposition, the show leaves viewers eagerly anticipating what comes next.
New episodes of Elsbeth Season 2 premiere on Thursdays on CBS.
Also Read: ‘Elsbeth’ Season 2 Episode 13 Recap: Murder, Deceit, and Dark Secrets Unfold in Elsbeth Season 2
