S02.E04: Diamonds Are for Elsbeth

[chitowngirl]

While investigating the death of an employee at New York's most exclusive jewelry store, Elsbeth and the team uncover plans for a gala heist orchestrated by a chic VIP customer.

Edited November 9 by chitowngirl

[AnimeMania]

   

Jenn Lyon as Celeste

Vanessa Williams as Roslyn

Molly Price as Det. Jackie Donnelly

[EtheltoTillie]

So did they ever arrest Becky Ann Baker?  

[possibilities]

I think she fled to France. Maybe they can have her sent back to the states, but I don't know how that works.

[EtheltoTillie]

37 minutes ago, possibilities said:

I think she fled to France. Maybe they can have her sent back to the states, but I don't know how that works.

Right. They showed her at the Eiffel Tower. I think they could extradite her if they could find her.  They just left us with an amusing but inconclusive ending. 

[Irlandesa]

7 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

So did they ever arrest Becky Ann Baker?  

First, I have to say that the guest cast was immaculate.  Vanessa, Becky Ann, Jenna and Molly Price back as my favorite 'extra' detective.

As for her being arrested,  I could have sworn they mentioned Becky Ann's character had worked out a plea agreement that she needed to sign after they arrested Vanessa and Jenna's characters.  Since there was only talk of a robbery from the boutique store that was never actually completed, and she wasn't involved in the murder/murder coverup, and she cooperated, I suspect she got a charge that didn't require jail time.

[EtheltoTillie]

1 hour ago, Irlandesa said:

First, I have to say that the guest cast was immaculate.  Vanessa, Becky Ann, Jenna and Molly Price back as my favorite 'extra' detective.

As for her being arrested,  I could have sworn they mentioned Becky Ann's character had worked out a plea agreement that she needed to sign after they arrested Vanessa and Jenna's characters.  Since there was only talk of a robbery from the boutique store that was never actually completed, and she wasn't involved in the murder/murder coverup, and she cooperated, I suspect she got a charge that didn't require jail time.

But she completed a different crime.  Might void her plea agreement.  ???  As I understand it, she ran off with the proceeds of her jewel heist.

Edited November 8 by EtheltoTillie

[Irlandesa]

7 minutes ago, EtheltoTillie said:

But she completed a different crime.  Might void her plea agreement.  ???  As I understand it, she ran off with the proceeds of her jewel heist.

Sure, but they'd have to prove she robbed Vanessa Williams first.  Right now, they only suspect it. It's probably not at the top of the list in terms of things they're going to spend resources on pursuing unless the jewelry show up.

I think they're saying she has a plea agreement that doesn't keep her in the country.  And since she can escape the country, she's going to get away with the second heist.

[laredhead]

I really enjoyed this episode, and loved the ending.

[kwnyc]

I think the show has found its tone. And it was definitely about dressing everyone up last night. And they all looked great in eveningwear.

I've always liked Vanessa Williams's comedy chops, and Molly Price brought some too. 

Kaya is a good friend for Elsbeth to have, because she is a bit more attached to everyday life.

I love how everyone was into the heist and the counter heist.

[shapeshifter]

7 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

I think they're saying she has a plea agreement that doesn't keep her in the country.  And since she can escape the country, she's going to get away with the second heist.

As a viewer the same age as Becky Ann Baker who myself was forced into early retirement at 64 along with several other women my age at my place of work, my take on the final scene:
Having not had enough Social Security and/or retirement money to get by without working, combined with being too old to get hired elsewhere, I think we are supposed to give Becky Ann Baker (Judith) an attagirl for stealing the jewels of Vanessa Williams' hoity-toity character Roslyn Bridwell, who had never spoken to sales associate Judith in a friendly manner in 20+ years until she wanted something from her, and then, only because Roslyn was not willing to sell her own jewelry to solve her cash flow problems because she could not bear to be just "upper middle class."

However, I'm a little bit sorry for Vanessa Williams' character because, according to failed frozen-yogurt entrepreneur Celeste, the jewels were going to be sold to pay for Vanessa's/Roslyn's legal fees. But were they really? Or did Becky Ann Baker/Judith just beat Celeste to the punch/jewel safe? I wonder if that was supposed to be a longer final scene?

I'm fanwanking that snooty Valentina gets fired for letting it happen. 

[kaygeeret]

Loved this episode especially the ending shot of Becky with the Eiffel Tower behind her.

I choose to believe that she is safe and enjoying her life - - excellent revenge!

[DanaK]

This was pretty enjoyable 

Interesting that the episode title changed. The Futon Critic still has it as the previous one

[Cress]

Paramount+ has the episode title as "Diamonds are for Elsbeth."

I liked that Kaya and Elsbeth discussed the rental agreement and Elsbeth finally listened when she said she didn't want charity. It's good they can be honest with each other.

Edited November 9 by Cress

[Yeah No]

6 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

As a viewer the same age as Becky Ann Baker who myself was forced into early retirement at 64 along with several other women my age at my place of work, my take on the final scene:
Having not had enough Social Security and/or retirement money to get by without working, combined with being too old to get hired elsewhere, I think we are supposed to give Becky Ann Baker (Judith) an attagirl for stealing the jewels of Vanessa Williams' hoity-toity character Roslyn Bridwell, who had never spoken to sales associate Judith in a friendly manner in 20+ years until she wanted something from her, and then, only because Roslyn was not willing to sell her own jewelry to solve her cash flow problems because she could not bear to be just "upper middle class."

Yeah I don't know if I'm willing to give her an "attagirl" for that. I'm kind of conflicted about the ending in this episode. I generally like my crime shows to solve all crimes committed on screen, not let some slip through for any reason. Also, it kind of takes away from our confidence in Elsbeth's keen crime solving ability when one can be committed without her knowledge and the person gets away with it. And I wanted to see some consequences for Valentina too.

Otherwise, though, it was very enjoyable. I loved how Vanessa Williams looked in that black and white dress but none of the wardrobe sites mentioned it. They mentioned every other one, though!

[shapeshifter]

28 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

Also, it kind of takes away from our confidence in Elsbeth's keen crime solving ability when one can be committed without her knowledge and the person gets away with it.

Did it, though?

The last spoken lines of the episode are:

• [CELESTE TO ELSBETH AND KAYA] Roselyn wanted me to sell all her jewels to pay for our defense, and look. Empty. All of them. All-all... all... all the jewels... gone.
• [ELSBETH] Oh, dear. That's a twist. Do you know if anyone else was ever in here?

which seems to imply Elsbeth does figure it out pretty quickly, but Celeste is not likely to tell Elsbeth that she was there to see Judith, because that would further implicate herself.
 

Edited November 9 by shapeshifter

[Yeah No]

9 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Did it, though?

The last spoken lines of the episode are:

• [CELESTE TO ELSBETH AND KAYA] Roselyn wanted me to sell all her jewels to pay for our defense, and look. Empty. All of them. All-all... all... all the jewels... gone.
• [ELSBETH] Oh, dear. That's a twist. Do you know if anyone else was ever in here?

which seems to imply Elsbeth does figure it out pretty quickly, but Celeste is not likely to tell Elsbeth that she was there to see Judith, because that would further implicate herself.

But wouldn't Elsbeth want to get to the bottom of where the jewels went? That's what I don't understand. It felt like the episode ended with a loose end still untied.

[AnimeMania]

55 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

But wouldn't Elsbeth want to get to the bottom of where the jewels went? That's what I don't understand. It felt like the episode ended with a loose end still untied.

It is probably a different department of the Police, the Chief didn't even want to investigate the heist, but did, because there was a murder connected to it.

[Milburn Stone]

On 11/8/2024 at 3:30 PM, kwnyc said:

I think the show has found its tone...

Was just about to write something similar. Did not care for Eps 2 and 3, but this one was a return to what the show does great--namely, satirize segments of New York society to a fare-thee-well; roast them until they're well-done. To me, that's what this show is about. Elsbeth and all the recurring characters are fun, and the case-solving is intriguing, but when you add on top of that the satire that the show is capable of--the bringing down of well-deserving societal cohorts--it becomes a great show.

In this case, the targets were not only the two rich women, but the store's snobby "new boss" character, who was so fun to hate. A lot of the credit for that goes to the actress, who was fantastically funny, hitting just the right notes of exaggeration without over-the-top silliness. I want to know more about her. Has she done a lot of NY theatre? I can find out more about her on IMDB, of course, just wondering if anyone here was familiar with her before this.

Edited November 10 by Milburn Stone

[shapeshifter]

22 hours ago, Yeah No said:

But wouldn't Elsbeth want to get to the bottom of where the jewels went? That's what I don't understand. It felt like the episode ended with a loose end still untied.

Since Judith had already opened up about her role in the heist and about having not signed on for murder (neither had Celeste) maybe Elsbeth's okay with the overworked and underpaid Judith retiring to Paris on Roslyn's jewels?

21 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

It is probably a different department of the Police, the Chief didn't even want to investigate the heist, but did, because there was a murder connected to it.

Maybe it is now in FBI jurisdiction?

 

[Silver-hyren]

I just want to say I loved Kaya's Lavish Ladies sweatshirt.  Fun callback.

[njbchlover]

4 hours ago, Silver-hyren said:

I just want to say I loved Kaya's Lavish Ladies sweatshirt.  Fun callback.

Me too!  Also loved Captain Wagner's comment during their "fun lunch", asking Kaya something like "So, that last episode of Lavish Ladies was something, wasn't it?"  

It's great that the writers are throwing in these little Easter eggs to relate back to previous episodes.  I've started watching for them now!  

This was one of my favorite episodes!  

Edited November 10 by njbchlover

[Mellowyellow]

One of the best episodes ever! Sooooo much fun! Poor Captain Wagner and his fun lunch! I hope he ends the season with a new friend or something!

Love Elsbeth and Kaya's friendship. Especially loved the minor glitch they had between rent and no rent. Elsbeth is so often written as being able to float in and gain the upperhand, I really enjoyed seeing her not "getting" it and then coming around to see things from Kaya's point of view in the end.

Vanessa Williams is an absolute gem in her role. I genuinely wonder what she is like in real life. It's hard for me to imagine her as anything other than a petulant, rich lady.

Yaaay to my favourite Detective Donnelly being back!!! Rotating detectives is the best thing ever about this show. Loved the "It's either love or money" detective too.

[ItCouldBeWorse]

I had some logical issues with this episode:

1) When Captain Wagner said: "The ME suspects that the victim polished the cups and didn't properly wash them out before using them" I had to rewind (wasn't watching it live) because it was so ridiculous.  No one uses silver polish on china tea cups.  No one.  Not an expert, not a novice. No ME, police officer, or anyone who heard of silver polish would entertain that as a possibility.  Didn't Roslyn leave her spoon near Claude's cup to imply that he had stirred his tea with it after polishing it, while it still contained polish residue?  Why didn't the ME just come to that conclusion?

2) Instead of making up the story about having her candlesticks polished, why not just leave her silverware there, with the one teaspoon on the cup?  Was she really going to sit and wait for Claude to polish a service for 12 (which I doubt he would be doing personally, but ok)? It would take hours to polish it, wash off the residue (to prevent cyanide poisoning!), and then dry it thoroughly. It's just as believable that he would use a client's newly-polished but poorly washed spoon to stir his tea as it is that she would sit there watching him polish the entire set. She was also very lucky that Claude was so trusted that there was no video surveillance on that floor.

3) It is very rare that a silverware set "matches" a china set.  They're usually made by different companies.  Therefore, the fact that the teaspoon Claude supposedly used didn't match his teacup was not a clue. (They also never said that Roslyn would have had to have purchased her silverware set at Vivienne's in order for Claude to polish it, but I guess  the implication of them trying to establish that she had gotten it there was that they provided free polishing of purchases for club members.)

3) Nothing to do with the actual case, but why was the lottery lunch set up for 3 people?  Did the winner get to bring a guest?  Did he choose 2 winners?  Did Elsbeth win twice because she had 2 tickets? Did he assume that Kaya/Elsbeth wouldn't come without the other one so he added an extra place setting??  Why didn't he tell them which one of them had won?

Then I wondered why the milkshakes were in milkshake glasses. Did Captain Wagner insist that the restaurant provide glasses into which he decanted the takeout cups of milkshake? Did he purchase glasses in order to do so?

4) I'm pretty sure that Roslyn would also have been loaned a bracelet or two to show off at the party

5) Not a logical issue, but I really hope that Adrian Martinez turned off the water to the 5th floor toilet before he started swapping out gems for Beyoncé

 

On 11/8/2024 at 5:33 PM, shapeshifter said:

However, I'm a little bit sorry for Vanessa Williams' character because, according to failed frozen-yogurt entrepreneur Celeste, the jewels were going to be sold to pay for Vanessa's/Roslyn's legal fees.

Well, she did murder Claude in cold blood.

And I doubt the police were going to take a criminal complaint from an alleged murderer just then. Although she will need one in order to file an insurance claim.

[shapeshifter]

On 11/8/2024 at 5:33 PM, shapeshifter said:

However, I'm a little bit sorry for Vanessa Williams' character because, according to failed frozen-yogurt entrepreneur Celeste, the jewels were going to be sold to pay for Vanessa's/Roslyn's legal fees. But were they really? Or did Becky Ann Baker/Judith just beat Celeste to the punch/jewel safe? I wonder if that was supposed to be a longer final scene?

20 minutes ago, ItCouldBeWorse said:

Well, she did murder Claude in cold blood. And I doubt the police were going to take a criminal complaint from an alleged murderer just then. Although she will need one in order to file an insurance claim.

Can a convicted killer file an insurance claim?

[ItCouldBeWorse]

1 hour ago, shapeshifter said:

Can a convicted killer file an insurance claim?

Sure. Not a life insurance claim for the person they killed, though.

[VanillaBeanne]

“That may be okay for you, but I will not be upper middle class. “

Vanessa Williams’s delivery of that line has motivated to become rich so that I can someday say it to someone.

Just loved this episode.  My other favorite parts were Capt Wagner consoling himself with a milkshake and the detective excitedly joining the heist take down.  

[snarktini]

Elsbeth's dress is just so HER. Everyone else is sophisticated in their neutrals and metallics but she's wearing pink pleats with pleats and tiers.

Especially following her as Audrey Hepburn which looked stunning but far too classic (and black) for her.

[txhorns79]

I enjoyed the episode, even if I would say a high end jewelry store in Manhattan has cameras covering everything, even areas where there was no jewelry.  The murder would have been caught on film.