Elsbeth Recap: Radically and Transparently

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Greetings, Tascionians! It’s another year, and I must say, the intrigue surrounding Elsbeth continues to deepen, leaving me quite intrigued. Elsbeth, it seems, is venturing further into complex character territories, and I find myself eagerly following along. Although her decision to abandon her life in Chicago for her old DOJ role in New York might have been more about escape than opportunity, she has managed to establish a genuine home in the city. She boasts friends, professional connections, favorite hangouts, and activities – yet until recently, she’s kept her tangled personal issues hidden.

Elsbeth’s distinctive appearance – the fiery red hair, the daring mix of colors and textures, and the abundance of totes – has already proven effective in tracking down killers. Her vivacious demeanor and seemingly air-headed persona serve as a protective shield that loudly proclaims, “Who dares challenge little ol’ me?

Elsbeth has settled comfortably in New York, sharing secrets with Kaya and Captain Wagner. However, her protective shell might as well be a cell, hinting at her inner struggles. During an investigation into a murder at a wellness center in “Unalive and Well,” she discovers that her constant cheerfulness has left her out of touch with other emotions. She’s in a precarious situation and is unsure about how to seek assistance.

Elsbeth’s initial suspicion that something needs to be altered arises upon her visit to the police station yesterday. In the elevator ride, everyone is engrossed in the sensational headline from the New York View (a daily tabloid unlike the Post), where she is mentioned as one of the lawyers who concealed evidence regarding her ex-client Mark Van Ness’s domestic abuse during his first divorce. The situation doesn’t improve when she reaches her floor and encounters cold stares until Kaya chases after her, urging her to contact the reporter for a correction to the story.

It was expected that this situation would occur, as we had noticed hints of it in previous episodes. These hints included instances where another attorney from Chicago and Mark Van Ness’s soon-to-be-ex-wife reminded Elsbeth of it, as well as Judge Crawford’s self-satisfied toast to her when the news was first announced on TV before the holiday break. Unfortunately, Kaya was taken aback by the realization that Elsbeth can’t retract the information because it holds a significant degree of truth.

Kaya’s dismay over Elsbeth’s vague, unfulfilling explanation, stating she did her best given the information available at that moment, is crushing. What everyone needs from a true friend is someone who cares enough to call us out when our actions are unacceptable, and Carra Patterson delivers this poignantly in this scene. The conflicting emotions of disgust and optimism expressed on her face ring true, reflecting Kaya’s character, who values respect highly and sets a high standard for herself.

Wise decision by Wagner, as he directs Kaya and Elsbeth towards a meeting with Detective Smullin to probe into the puzzling demise of Cole Campbell, a young driver who apparently succumbed to an extreme allergic reaction on the road. It’s worth noting that this individual had attended a detoxifying meditation retreat at Heiwa Zen Center not long ago, a place known for offering mental and physical tranquility at approximately $3,000 per day. One wonders how a man with seemingly harmonious energy and an EpiPen in his vehicle ended up swollen-faced and lifeless near the Van Wyck Expressway?

One option: Disguise yourself and infiltrate the health spa where your dear sister passed away 15 years back, post a treatment involving the hallucinogenic substance from tree frogs known as Combo. Then, feign an unusual reaction to this same treatment, intentionally, to expose the retreat manager for continuing its use, despite swearing never to do so again.

As a curious fan, I find myself drawn to Heiwa Zen Center, where I’ll be spending some time delving deeper into an investigation. The center’s owner and retreat leader, Tom, a man of character as exquisitely portrayed by Eric McCormack, draped in luxurious rustic linen and adorned with a striking carnelian ring that speaks volumes, has agreed to let me stay.

The cost of my stay includes transformative moon journaling sessions and guided meditations, which I am eager to experience. A brief respite from the gossip mill is sure to be beneficial for my well-being too, as I navigate through this Asian-fusion wellness center’s higgledy-piggledy yet intriguing atmosphere.

Kaya and Smullin are picking up on clues that Tom has dropped about Cole. It’s strange that while Tom calls him Cole, everyone else at Heiwa knows him as Billy. To explain this discrepancy, Tom mentions that he recognized Billy’s deception from the start and chose to address him by that name during his stay out of respect for the young man’s personal journey.

Additionally, Tom was quite open about what had led Cole to Heiwa initially, stating it was because of Cole’s wish to reconnect with and pay tribute to his deceased sister, June, who had passed away due to a gallstone infection at the retreat around 15 years ago. However, one may wonder if that’s the whole story. What might Tom be hiding?

Through talks with June’s previous retreat companion and Cole’s attorney, certain details have been clarified. June, along with her partner, were among the initial attendees at Heiwa Zen Center’s retreats. Being quite young, they had great trust in Tom’s wisdom and believed in the supposed healing powers of traditional Asian and Amazonian remedies. Instead of taking June to the hospital when her infected gallstone worsened, Tom conducted a combined ritual. The delay in medical treatment ultimately resulted in June’s demise. In the end, Tom agreed to a private settlement with June and Cole’s parents to keep the case out of court and preserve his business.

In the agreement reached, it was clearly stated that Combo would never be administered again, a practice often referred to by wellness attendees as “visiting Midori.” If Tom is discovered repeating this action, the Campbells will have to pay an additional $2 million. This detail likely explains why Cole’s recent calls were made to a local diagnostic lab and his lawyer, with him leaving somewhat mysterious messages saying he now has all the necessary information. While they are still awaiting autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death, this development is promising.

While Elsbeth is thoroughly enjoying her stay at Heiwa, she’s immersed in activities such as guided meditations, learning about seed cycling (consuming specific amounts of sesame, flaxseed, etc.), drinking premium juices, and lounging in natural fiber pajamas in shades from white to ivory to non-dairy cream. It appears this retreat is exactly what she needed. Elsbeth instantly connects with Cheryl, who was once Cole’s companion on his journey and is well-versed in the history and intricacies of the Heiwa Zen Center, sharing valuable insights about Cole along the way.

Elsbeth finds in Cheryl a sympathetic ear, someone not connected to any other aspect of her life, whom she feels comfortable confiding in. So, during a campfire conversation, when Cheryl remarks on Elsbeth’s blocked throat chakra, she decides to open up about her investigation into Cole’s death. Feeling liberated, she also shares her feelings of constant anger and embarrassment over being deceived while amassing wealth for unscrupulous individuals. She’s struggling to explain her actions to friends and seek their help, and it’s causing her inner turmoil. Cheryl’s advice is simple yet profound: Be truthful with your friends, as they genuinely care about you. Moreover, relying too much on self-reliance can create a false sense of independence, which in turn becomes a trap!

In summary, Cheryl proposes that Elsbeth might find the reset and understanding she seeks by informing Tom that she wishes to visit Midori, a secretive term for a prohibited ritual. Predictably, when Elsbeth inquires about seeing Midori, Tom refuses, claiming that Cole brought his own concoction to the retreat and presumably overdosed on it. However, we know this is nonsense, as we’ve witnessed Tom facilitating the ritual and Cole subsequently vomiting (releasing toxins) and briefly passing out. Later, Elsbeth discovers that Midori is a tree frog residing in a unique geodesic dome greenhouse on the site. Indeed, Tom naming an Amazonian tree frog after a Japanese term sheds light on his peculiar nature.

At the police station, Smullin and Kaya discuss their new discoveries with Captain Wagner and Lieutenant Connor. It wasn’t Combo who killed Cole; instead, he died due to an allergic reaction triggered by sesame oil exposure. Surprise! Tom also contracted a private ambulance service following June’s death, failing to inform law enforcement about over a dozen medical emergencies occurring at Heiwa under his management. Moreover, Tom revised the participant waivers for Heiwa, including language that prevents participants from suing if they become ill while there. Connor already dislikes Heiwa’s operations, remarking that “Tom Murphy shamelessly appropriates multiple Asian cultures” (Orientalism is still very much alive in Tom Murphy’s philosophy and practice). Additionally, he points out that the kanji on their website means ’emptiness,’ not ‘peace,’ which Connor considers a foolish attempt to appear educated and authoritative by someone as desperate as Tom.

As a movie enthusiast, let me share my perspective: These revelations are quite unsettling, but what does Elsbeth think? At present, she’s engrossed in a phase called radical unplugging, which means she can’t answer phone calls right now. Connor’s shock over Elsbeth being at this retreat alone, and being cut off from the outside world, is his most expressive moment yet. The question, “May I ask why you’re still here?!” is a poignant display of concern and propriety from someone who looks like they were carved from starch itself.

It’s understandable that Connor might worry; it appeared for a moment as if Elsbeth had found herself in a tricky situation, fainting in the scorching 104-degree greenhouse following a sighting of Midori. Fortunately, a member of the Heiwa staff named Starlight discovered her and arranged for Tom, who happens to be the only person with access to syringes, to administer a B12 injection promptly.

In my humble opinion, the intricate detail regarding the needles unravels a thrilling mystery that Elsbeth, Kaya, and Smullin swiftly unfold for Tom and the entire retreat attendees. To steer clear of the looming $2 million penalty, Cole, with Combo in his system, resorted to a chilling act: he contaminated Cole by surreptitiously injecting mustard seed oil (a relative of sesame) into all the contraband snacks that Cole kept stashed in his car.

“I’ll send you positive energy… IN JAIL.” This shift in allegiance leaves me questioning the loyalties of those around me, adding another layer of suspense to this gripping tale.

Elsbeth’s stay at Heiwa Zen Center could potentially mend her relationship with Kaya. Although Elsbeth hasn’t yet fully accepted Kaya with her past involvement with Van Ness, she’s willing to cooperate, as long as Elsbeth is transparent about the details she’s allowed to disclose. Meanwhile, unaware to both women, Wagner is working towards justice by encouraging the newcomer Captain Kershaw to reopen the baseball bat murder case that strained Elsbeth and Judge Crawford’s relationship. Any true Red Sox supporter would not possess a Yankees bat, justice for the late Andy is due, and keeping this case unsolved negatively impacts Homicide’s records.

In This Week’s Tote Bag

Elsbeth’s love for accessories is unending. Even when wearing the uniform provided during retreats, she won’t compromise on her signature scarf. This time, it’s a crochet scarf inspired by “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.

In this episode, Wagner’s joke was the funniest. The Heiwa Zen Center is renowned as a sanctuary for the ultra-wealthy and minor royals worldwide, prompting speculation that Meghan Markle, who wasn’t even present, might be blamed by global media outlets! Bravo, Wagner, you’ll be entertaining us all week! Don’t forget to tip your server!

I find it amusing as well that Tom has adopted abbreviations reminiscent of Scientology: SC stands for trivial matters, FF refers to puffy face (also known as facial swelling caused by combination treatments), and the previously mentioned RU. It’s a bit absurd but surprisingly convincing.

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2025-01-31 07:55