Elsbeth Recap: Do Not Climb Ev’ry Bell Tower

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This week’s murder was particularly heartbreaking, both for the victim and those who knew her, and even for the killer. It’s a tragic loss of a talented life, and a terrible waste of Reverend Mother Constance’s intelligence and potential. While watching the episode, my initial enjoyment of Dianne Wiest’s acting turned to sadness as I saw how trapped Mother Constance felt. I was also appalled by Monsignor Frank’s prioritizing of his own ambitions over the well-being of the convent, and disgusted that Mother Constance used a past solution to a personal crisis to justify such a terrible act.

Alaïa Jade (born Alana Jacobs), a fictional pop star portrayed by Lindsey Normington, has passed away within the story. Inspired by artists like Madonna, Kesha, and Katy Perry, Alaïa was stuck in a difficult situation with her producer, Shane Sills (played by Ben Chase). Shane controlled all of Alaïa’s music and even had access to her private files, allowing him to profit from anything she created. Though she’s gone, there’s enough unfinished music to release at least two albums after her death, and plans for a holographic concert are already underway. Shane Sills, like many exploitative figures in the music industry – including real-life people like Dr. Luke and Scott Borchetta – served as the inspiration for this character.

Alaïa Jade was eager to start fresh and was willing to spend $27 million on a historic building to gain the freedom and creative control she desired. While rumors circulated that she was trying to escape the influence of her partner, Shane – who everyone agreed was unpleasant and controlling – detectives didn’t believe he was capable of murder, despite a potential motive. They saw him as a jerk, but not a killer.

Mother Constance, the head of the convent, misused her authority to severely punish Sister Darby (Eva Kaminsky) for being just two minutes late with the evening bell. While Sister Darby was doing dishes as punishment, Mother Constance secretly took her wristwatch and changed the time forward by about eighteen minutes. The next day, Sister Darby carefully watched the time during prayers and hurried to ring the bell exactly at six. However, because Mother Constance had altered the time, the bell rang with such force that it tragically pushed Alaïa Jade out of the bell tower window and onto the ground below.

Why would Mother Constance, who seems otherwise capable and well-intentioned, resort to such a cruel act – not just murder, but orchestrating it through someone else? Sister Darby immediately blames herself, adding another layer of pain to the situation. It’s clear Mother Constance is deeply upset by the idea of her nuns being forced out of their home without respect. Sadly, no one is speaking up for the elderly and vulnerable nuns who depend on the order for their medication, especially because Monsignor Frank is prioritizing his own ambition to become a bishop over their welfare. This story draws inspiration from two pop culture moments: Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” era, and Katy Perry’s 2015 attempt to buy a Los Angeles convent, which led to a lengthy legal fight.

The final straw for her – the thing that leads her to a drastic plan reminiscent of the morally questionable actions in the movie Hot Fuzz – is the callous disregard for her sisters and the disrespect shown to her as a respected leader. She discovers her power isn’t what she thought it was; her objections to the sale are easily dismissed. As Monsignor Frank explains, her concerns were heard, then ignored. It’s overwhelming! She can’t bear it, leading her to commit a terrible act: extinguishing a young life and framing an innocent, kind nun for the murder.

What exactly did Alaïa Jade do wrong? While she’s known for a wild public image and her recent music video is quite suggestive, Shane reveals to Elsbeth and Detective Smullen that those are just carefully crafted appearances. He’s the one who’s been spreading scandalous stories about her for years. In reality, Alaïa is a dedicated worker who rarely parties and planned to completely remodel the church into a recording studio. It’s understandable that Mother Constance would have been furious with anyone buying the convent.

Detective Smullen believes Alaïa Jade likely died in an accident, considering her public image and the dangerous condition of the bell tower. However, Elsbeth has doubts after hearing Mother Constance describe the singer as distressed about not being allowed access to the tower. Evidence from a fan’s photos contradicts Mother Constance’s account, showing Alaïa Jade happily talking to her outside the bell tower, not upset or angry.

Elsbeth’s relentless questioning about the bell tower forces Mother Constance to reveal a troubling secret: she admits she may have encouraged Alaïa Jade to go up into the tower. Haunted by the young woman’s death and worried about the scandal it would cause for the convent, the church, and Monsignor Frank’s prospects for becoming bishop, Mother Constance confesses all. Frank, in response, firmly tells Captain Wagner that any future visits from Elsbeth, Detective Smullen, and Officer Reynolds must be conducted with a proper search warrant – a demand for procedure, even from friendly investigators!

Monsignor Frank has no idea just how resourceful Elsbeth is. She quickly finds a way back to the convent, volunteering at their food drive. She even convinces Jack Wilson, the actor who played Father Garvey – the charming priest detective on season two’s Father Crime episode, “Toil and Trouble” – to join her. The nuns are thrilled to meet him, and even Mother Constance can’t resist the generous donations Jack brings with him.

Although Elsbeth isn’t at the convent to investigate a crime, she picks up on important clues from Sisters Frances and Darby. These clues relate to the timing of the convent bells compared to when a 911 call was made, and lyrics from a recently released song by the late Alaïa Jade, which quote Mother Constance describing “God’s divine light, gold and pure.” Elsbeth then presents the case in a dramatic way, framing it around the three major rules Mother Constance broke, before concluding with a satisfying epilogue.

Sister Frances is now Mother Superior, and thanks to a call from Alec Bloom, the convent – even the bell tower – will be beautifully restored. It seems like a perfect moment, but Teddy is starting to question Alec’s story about being helped by a kind MTA driver named Pete Hannigan. When Teddy spoke to Pete, he seemed sure he remembered Alec, but now he doesn’t recognize him at all and thinks Alec might be confusing him with Ed Koch, who was actually New York City’s mayor during that time. Alec, however, claimed he knew Pete immediately. This makes Teddy wonder if Alec is stretching the truth, or even making the whole story up. What will happen when Teddy, true to form, starts digging into the background of his mother’s new admirer?

From the Tote Bags!

This week’s episode title plays on the name of Agatha Christie’s famous novel, And Then There Were None, which was recently reimagined for television in 2015. That adaptation was created by Sarah Phelps, who later became known for her captivating TV series based on Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad novels.

I’m not sure if ‘Darby’ is a traditional name for a Catholic nun. I’m unfamiliar with the naming customs within the Roman Catholic Church and hope someone with more knowledge can help clarify.

I’m certain that the idea of a 5:42 p.m. sunset in New York City in November is wonderfully imagined. Actually, sunset in Manhattan on the day this episode comes out is expected to be at 4:34 p.m.

A charming public service announcement from 1980, featuring then-Mayor Ed Koch and New York City students promoting water conservation, occasionally reappears online and always brings a smile.

If you’d like a captivating and beautifully written novel about a complex and influential nun who isn’t necessarily good or evil, check out Lauren Groff’s Matrix. It’s a truly immersive read.

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2025-11-21 06:56