We were recently in the mood for something a little lighter for our dinner show, and I was delighted to find that Peacock’s “Elsbeth” uses a very similar formula to the amazing “Poker Face“: You see a crime at the beginning of each episode, and the mystery is how the main character manages to solve the crime (and prove it).
I’ve enjoyed Elsbeth so far, and my enjoyment is enhanced by the kindness the main character show to the people around her (even the criminals). But the show also features something that increasingly doesn’t sit well with me, and I thought I’d discuss it here.
In nearly every episode, within minutes of Elsbeth arriving at the crime scene, she identifies the perpetrator based on a hunch. She then spends the rest of the episode in tunnel-vision mode, gathering evidence to support her hunch and eventually entraps the person into confessing.
I have nothing against hunches, but this seems like a really good way to falsely accuse a lot of people. This is classic confirmation bias. Shouldn’t it be the other way around: Gather evidence, create a list of suspects, and narrow down that list until you have undeniable proof?
So far, season 2 mostly seems to recognize this issue and has at least one episode where Elsbeth’s initial split-second hunch is wrong, including some more convoluted crimes. We’ll see if that continues! Have you watched it?
One of our favorite lighter feel good shows together with the newer Matlock. We usually watch them back to back on Paramount.
I agree with your observation, it bugs me too, I wish there was a bit more open mindedness and even some intrigue regarding who did it. But we still enjoy the show (and love the character from back in The Good Wife).
Would you recommend the new Matlock to someone who has never seen the original?
100% yes, the only common thing is the name, completely different setting and characters (aside from the legal/courtroom side which is the same). I won’t spoil it but it’s mentioned in the first episode why it is even called Matlock.
Awesome! I’ll add it to my list. 🙂
Despite being avid fans of the Kings, my wife and I gave up on Elsbeth after the first season. It really lacked the punch of the Good Wife and the Good Fight, both in terms of the stories as well as the lead characters. I think it would have been fine (although perhaps, still not for us) had they not tied it to those other two masterpieces, but it really suffered from the comparisons that come from being a spin-off.
Thanks for sharing! I haven’t watched either of those. I can say, though, that the second season of Elsbeth offers MUCH more nuanced mysteries.
Highly recommend The Good Wife.