Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 1 Ending Explained: How Elsbeth Solves Her First Case of the Season

Behind him sits Phillip Cross, an opera lover and critic, who finds Eddie’s behavior disruptive during the performance.

When Eddie’s cell phone rings mid-opera, he answers and speaks loudly, prompting Phillip to return home, where after some whiskey, he unfortunately takes it upon himself to stab Eddie to death.

What are Elsbeth’s theories on the case?

In the first moments of the episode, Elsbeth and her team are introduced to the murder case. Detective Fleming, an experienced investigator with a lack of motivation, assumes the motive was lust or greed. This theory seems plausible, particularly when Eddie’s wallet is found missing from the scene.

Although the wallet is eventually located, it is devoid of cash. Unconvinced by Fleming’s theories, Elsbeth is determined to delve deeper into the investigation.

Investigation leads her to the victim’s phone, where she finds photographs of Eddie at the opera with various women, noting Phillip Cross’s discontented expression from a position directly behind Eddie. This sparks Elsbeth’s suspicion that Cross might be connected to the crime, leading her to approach him at the opera.

Elsbeth’s initial experience at the opera proves emotionally intense, leading her to tears during the performance. Sitting in the victim’s spot, she attempts a conversation with Cross afterward, who initially appears dismissive but eventually compliments Elsbeth’s charm and wit.

Subsequently, Elsbeth visits Cross at his home to gain further insights into opera, and after a lengthy session, he gifts her a pair of opera glasses. She later has these examined at the lab, hoping to find Cross’s DNA, but to her disappointment, they do not yield a match.

Elsbeth solves the case with a spectacular conclusion

While searching Cross’s home, Elsbeth discovers a retractable knife, which he received from Gino Gozzi, a renowned performer. This knife had a troubling history, having been involved in a chaotic on-stage accident in 1968, almost leading to Gozzi’s death.

Believing the knife could potentially be the murder weapon, she requests Cross lend it to her for analysis; however, he denies this, claiming its retractable nature makes it impossible as a weapon.

Later, discussing the case with Blanke, who is feeling disheartened, a connection sparks in Elsbeth’s mind when Blanke mentions her suit possibly retaining traces of her DNA. She concludes that since Gozzi had been stabbed with a knife, his DNA could be present on the weapon Cross possesses.

The dress Gozzi wore during the 1968 incident is soon uncovered, allowing DNA tests that confirm a match with the foreign DNA found on Eddie’s body. The DNA transferred from the knife to the victim when Cross stabbed him links back to Gozzi.

In a dramatic conclusion, Elsbeth makes one final visit to Cross’s home, revealing the DNA match that cracks the case. She explains his actions clearly, leaving even Cross impressed by the lawyer-turned-detective’s astute observations.

Consequently, Cross is arrested and taken into custody. Before his imprisonment, he offers Elsbeth his opera subscription as a parting gift, which she politely declines.

What are your thoughts on this episode? We welcome your comments below.

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