Elsbeth (2024) s03e10 Episode Script

1
["OVERTURE" FROM TCHAIKOVSKY'S
THE NUTCRACKERPLAYING]
DONOVAN: For nearly a century,
Midtown Ballet has done the same
production ofThe Nutcracker.
It's been a rite of passage
for generations of young ballet dancers.
It's pretty.
It's sweet.
It's tired.
It's time for a change.
That's why I bring you
Drosselmeyer's Revenge,
a modern pop-goth ballet
about the terror
of a young girl reaching puberty.
If you read E.T.A. Hoffmann's
original Nutcrackerstory,
you'll see that this is
the true theme of the piece.
As I'm sure you know,
or you've read in the Times,
I prefer a stripped-down production,
which is why
this will be the only set.
Well, not this, but 30 feet tall.
My team
calls it the Contraption.
Equipped with AI sensors,
the mouth opens and closes
with the motion of the dancers
as they leap through it
to the Land of Acid.
Motion sensors? Like the doors at CVS?
If that comparison helps you understand.
[PEOPLE COUGHING]
How safe is that?
It's very safe.
And I always demonstrate for my dancers
before they do anything risky.
Great,
because we have the children
to think about.
Lucky for us, there are no children
in Drosselmeyer's Revenge.
And no nuts. I'm allergic.
Uh, no children?
Like, what about Clara?
That role is split
between prepubescent Clara
and teenaged Marie, both played
by dancers in their 40s.
And another thing.
There will be blood.
Lots of blood.
ELISE: This could be
very exciting for us.
No Sugar Plum Fairies?
No magical Christmas tree?
The audience will revolt.
Donovan Chase is big with young adults.
We've always struggled
to draw that crowd.
So get them after the holidays.
Christmas is for The Nutcracker,
not some puberty ballet.
It's true. Our Nutcrackerticket sales
fund the company for the entire year.
Donovan Chase's Orphan Girl!
just recouped on Broadway
in record time. He must be
doing something right.
That moment in Orphan Girl!
where a camera follows
the orphans out on the street?
It's genius.
Yeah, there's no
children in that cast either.
- No.
- ELISE: Harris, let's not play games.
We all know you just want to preserve
the role of Clara for your daughter.
It's not about that Elise.
PAUL: Time to vote.
All in favor of approving
Donovan Chase's ballet?
- Yep.
- Yes.
- Aye.
- Absolutely.
Sorry Noelle won't get
to play Clara this year.
It's not about Noelle playing Clara.
I was supposed to play Clara.
Noelle has played every child part
in The Nutcracker since she was six.
She's paid her dues.
This was supposed
to be her year. It's not fair.
Well, at least she'll have
more time during the holidays.
- I don't want more time.
- Honey,
it's not the end of the world.
Rich, she's allowed to be upset.
Noelle, take a second and breathe.
[JILL AND NOELLE INHALE]
[EXHALING]
And tell us the worst that can happen
if you don't dance Clara this year.
[FINGERS SNAP]
If I don't dance Clara this year,
I never will.
What about next year?
I'll be too old.
There's an age cutoff.
NOELLE: And freaking
Samantha will do it,
and she'll take all my parts,
and I'll never dance again,
and my life will be over!
Do you have something to say, Rich?
You put this dream in her head.
You figure out how to make her happy.
This is a slow yawn. I need it to snap.
If it were manually controlled,
it'd be safe to move at that speed.
Don't use that word with me.
Safety is the enemy of art.
The Contraption must move organically
with the dancers. Go to the computer.
Figure out how to speed it up.
We need it to cue the blood.
We got to go easy on the blood.
It makes the floor slippery.
The blood is the point.
Go.
- Lizzie.
- Yes.
Bring me my trail mix.
Mm-hmm.
And no nuts!
If I die, it's because
that idiot poisoned me.
- Come here. Did you build this?
- This is going to be a disaster.
We have everything in storage.
Mark my words, next year we'll be back
to our "tired" old production.
Well, next year will be too late
for Noelle.
Unless there's some catastrophe,
this is our Nutcracker this season.
I want to see it.
No. No. This is all wrong.
Kevin!
- I want the blood
- I have to go teach a class.
DONOVAN: Not to the side. Down.
Can you nod?
At me, please?
Thank you.
Keith, we need to talk.
Harris, I know. I'm sorry.
I had had a Negroni.
I won't do it again.
You need to stop texting me.
Rich is getting upset.
I know. I know.
DONOVAN:
Back up. Back up. Everyone back.
- How's your mom?
- Fine.
She ever ask about me?
What? No.
That was over a decade ago.
- You need to let it go.
- Right.
I just wanted to let you know
I was upset
about Noelle not getting Clara.
- Is she all right?
- What's the holdup, Kevin?
It's Keith.
I don't allow observers in the workshop
before demonstration day.
I think it's the safety mechanism
that's slowing the jaw down.
Turn it off.
Uh, Mr. Chase, I'm sorry, but, no,
- absolutely not.
- DONOVAN: Excuse me?
I could try changing the angle
on the sensors, so it shuts just
as the dancers clear the teeth?
Fine. Do that.
This is our fourth test, guys.
Why does it feel like our first?
Why does no one speak to me
when I speak to them?
No one will nod,
no one will shake their head.
[DONOVAN CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]
PHYSICAL THERAPIST:
This should help with the pain.
I hope so, with the holidays coming up.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
I'll be back soon.
Take your time.
[DOOR CLOSES]
DONOVAN: She is experiencing growth.
She is experiencing blossom.
But with that blossom comes horror.
With that blossom comes fear,
vulnerability.
We've come from battle.
Clara is weary.
Drosselmeyer's creature revives her,
brings her to the giant nutcracker head.
He draws her to it.
This is a seduction, people.
This is our pas de deux.
This is coming of age
in its horror and its beauty.
In its simplicity. He pulls her in.
The creature does his tour en l'air
for the final count of eight.
And then Clara will do her jeté,
jeté through the mouth.
As the mouth closes, she goes in a girl.
She comes out a woman.
This is a transformation.
It's a transmogrification.
As the mouth closes, she opens. Watch.
On me. Clara does her jeté, jeté.
Through the mouth. Watch.
Bring them in with you.
Bring the audience into the mouth.
You shake them about.
Jeté, jeté into the mouth.
Puberty happens in here.
- [WOMAN SCREAMS]
- [GROANS]
Ooh. Sorry for the delay.
We're running behind.
Not a problem.
- Feeling better?
- Yeah.
[SIREN WAILS]
[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS]
There's blood all the way over here.
It's everywhere, but it's stage blood.
Most of it, anyway.
Oh. Oh. It's been a while
since I've seen The Nutcracker.
I don't remember blood.
Oh, it's a Donovan Chase production.
Yeah, he directed that show Orphan Girl!
on Broadway,
just a few blocks from here.
Oh, I read about that one.
That's the one with the camera
on the street,
and the audience sees the performers
on a screen in the theater.
Yeah, that part of the show
is called "The Orphan Walk."
- It's all over the Internet.
- Mm, so theatrical.
- Or is it cinematic?
- Donovan Chase
he loves technology.
And violence.
Uh, I can see that.
So I suppose what's listed here
as the Contraption
is that thing.
- Was it known to glitch?
- No.
It was working fine an hour ago.
Donovan and I smoothed out the
kinks over the past few days.
How does it, you know?
[MAKES WHOOSHING SOUND]
The Contraption is computer-operated.
- Who are you?
- Oh.
I'm Elsbeth Tascioni.
I'm an observer with the police.
You look so sad.
- This shouldn't have happened.
- DONNELLY: This is Keith.
He's the Midtown Ballet
technical director.
Donovan wanted the jaws to open and shut
just as the dancers jumped through.
Well, that seems unnecessary
and dangerous.
It was a symbol of puberty.
Oh, and I thought mine was horrific.
So, how does it know
when a dancer's gonna, you know, jump?
There are sensors.
Oh. Like a garage door?
Uh, sort of.
I'll show you.
Wait.
These sensors are facing the wrong way.
Oh, my God. The safety's off.
Someone has moved everything around.
Could Donovan Chase
have done any of this
without your knowledge?
No way. He didn't have the
security code for the computer.
I made sure of that.
Who did have the security code?
Noelle, I have good news.
Attention, everyone, I have an
important holiday announcement.
[TOY HORN HONKS] [TOY SIREN WAILS]
- [LAUGHTER]
- It's that time of year again,
when we get to help brighten
holidays for children in need.
But this year the NYPD toy drive
is gonna look a bit different.
And here to elaborate is
mayoral candidate Alec Bloom.
Alec?
Thank you, Captain.
I'm proud to announce
that I am partnering
with my opponents in the race
to help boost the NYPD toy drive.
We've each selected
a police precinct to represent,
and the one that collects
the most toys wins.
Now, since I'm particularly fond
of the fine folks at Precinct 11,
I'll be representing you.
My opponents and I may be
battling it out at the polls,
but I believe the holidays
are a time to come together.
So, together, let's show the children
of this wonderful city how much we care.
I hope we win.
I'm really not good with failure.
Oh, I hope so, too.
Marissa, I suppose this was your idea.
Hardly. I think it's a mistake.
Why should Alec partner
with his opponents?
- What's the upside?
- More toys for needy kids?
Exactly, thanks to Alec, except
he doesn't get all the credit.
Doing good and good politics
are not always the same.
- Are they ever?
- I need coffee.
You'll need a dollar.
I think what you're doing is wonderful.
What can I say? I love children
and I love Christmas.
Oh, gosh, me, too.
Well, every other year when
my son Teddy spends it with me.
You remember Teddy? He's, um
- somewhere.
- Yeah. How could I forget?
That article he wrote about me
was great for us.
He seems like a terrific kid.
Oh, he is.
He helped me bring a whole wagonful
of presents for the toy drive.
- Now I just have to wrap 'em.
- Oh.
Actually, we're not supposed
to wrap the donations.
It's a security issue.
In case someone sends something naughty.
- Oh. [LAUGHS]
- Not that there's
- anything naughty in here.
- I-I-I don't think so.
She brought that thing on the subway?
Yeah, it was a whole ordeal.
Worse than a stroller.
Uh, hey, c-can I ask you
something in confidence?
Sure.
What's wrong?
So, I think I might have
messed up in my article.
You know, the one about
Subway Pete, the MTA worker
who fed Alec Bloom when he was unhoused?
Well, the guy I found has dementia.
I think I might have profiled
the wrong man.
Mistakes happen.
You can always publish a correction.
Yeah, but what's weird is, Alec acted
like he knew exactly who he was,
like they were old friends.
Maybe Alec just misremembered
and played it up for the cameras.
Sure, but I mean, I can't find
the real Subway Pete.
I've made over a hundred calls.
What are you saying?
I think Alec might have made it up.
Hmm. That would be a shame.
But he is a politician.
Yeah. Something's not sitting right.
I tried looking into his background,
but I keep hitting walls, so, um,
can you help me? I mean, you have access
to pretty much every database there is.
Why is it so important to you?
Well, you've seen the way
my mother looks at him.
If there is something off,
I think she'd better know
sooner rather than later.
All right, I'll see what I can do.
Excuse me.
What were you and Teddy scheming about?
It better not be
about a present for me, because
I told him I don't need anything.
Well, in that case, don't worry.
All right, Detective, what do you have?
From the looks of it, a homicide
disguised as an accident.
Our victim was a big shot
choreographer and director
named Donovan Chase.
He was working
on a modern Nutcrackerballet
when he got crushed in this
thing called the Contraption.
What kind of contraption?
This kind but giant.
It's supposed to be a nutcracker head,
but I think it's a Christmas nightmare.
And you believe
it's a murder because?
The safety mechanism
had been disengaged,
and somebody had tampered
with the sensors
that control the mouth.
Yeah. And these dancers were supposed
to jump through the mouth,
which represents puberty.
But Donovan Chase jumped in
first to demonstrate.
And then [MAKES WHOOSHING SOUND]
And then [MAKES POPPING SOUNDS]
- You're kidding me.
- No.
Brace yourself.
The first suspect is Keith Dreyer.
He was the ballet company's
technical director.
His prints were the only one
that were found on the control board.
And his PIN code was used
to move the sensors.
But Keith's demeanor was hard
to gauge at the scene.
He was sort of
- Devastated.
- Oh.
Anyone else on your radar?
Uh, what was going on
in Donovan's personal life?
He didn't have one.
His life was his work, and lately
he was working on this ballet.
[GROANS]
What kind of production is this?
The Nutcrackeris supposed
to be a comforting
- holiday experience.
- ELSBETH: I agree.
But Donovan Chase's production
was dark and avant-garde.
And without children,
which just makes me sad,
'cause the dancing children
they're my favorite part.
There must be a lot of unhappy
little ballerinas this year.
Actually, you make a good point.
If dance moms are
anything like sports moms,
there must be a lot of unhappy parents.
OLIVIA: Oh, yes,
- there were many complaints.
- [PIANO PLAYS CLASSICAL MUSIC]
Which was understandable.
Parents spend a great deal of money
to send their children here.
As director of the company's school,
I know how much
The Nutcrackermeans to them.
DONNELLY: Why is that?
A traditional production
of The Nutcrackercan have
as many as a hundred children
in the cast.
And all of my students
who went on to be principals
danced The Nutcracker as children first.
Do you teach adults?
Because this place it's so stunning.
All the [HUMS]
makes me really regret
quitting dance when I was seven.
I was too self-conscious
about my knobby knees.
Yes, I do teach adults.
So how long
has the company been putting on
the traditional Nutcracker?
Since before I danced Clara as a girl.
- Aw.
- Some good news, though.
With Donovan's production
on hold indefinitely,
the board has decided
to take the traditional
Nutcrackersets out of storage
and put it on for the holidays.
That is good news.
Forgive my ignorance,
but why would the board bother
hiring Donovan to revamp
the ballet in the first place?
It seems like his version was a
little edgy for a holiday show.
They were trying
to bring in new audiences.
But I agree. Donovan's
Nutcrackerwould have been
a grotesque departure from tradition.
Not that the classic Nutcracker
is without flaws.
We only phased out
the more racist costumes
in the last decade.
And was there anybody else on the board
that shared your opinion
of Donovan's work?
Maybe, but the only one
who spoke up was Harris Monroe.
And where can we find him?
- [PIANO PLAYING]
- HARRIS: Sure, I admit it.
I didn't like Donovan's take.
But I was outvoted.
Still, what happened
to him was just awful.
This is the battle scene.
The Mouse King is coming.
Why are you smiling?
Noelle's dancing is perfection,
but her, uh her acting needs work.
I think your daughter's
a beautiful dancer.
- Hmm.
- And her name means Christmas
in French. How wonderful.
It's a different spelling,
so not really.
DONNELLY: Were you aware
of any conflict between Donovan
and the company
technical director Keith?
Some of the workshop crew said
that they overheard them arguing.
I'm not really involved
in the day-to-day.
Well, where were you
on Wednesday, say, 3:30?
Where was I?
[LAUGHING]: Uh, I was at,
uh, Noelle's school
for a parent volunteer
holiday party until 2:15.
And then I rushed to physical
therapy for a 3:00 appointment.
I'm a dancer myself. I used to be.
But these days my focus is Noelle.
But at my peak
I danced all the big parts
the Cavalier, even the
Nutcracker Prince as a teenager.
Wow. That's impressive.
- [LAUGHS]
- Oh, wait. I see it now.
Wow. You stand up so straight.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Ah, just, uh, one more thing.
Considering your history,
Donovan's rejection
of the traditional Nutcracker
it must have felt so
personal.
Oh, no, I Like I said,
I'm not a dancer anymore.
No, but your daughter is.
Has she danced any of the big parts yet?
What about the role of Clara?
No, she's never danced Clara.
Not yet, but she has a chance again.
By the looks of it, a very good chance.
Well, she's certainly very talented,
but in a cutthroat world like
ballet, there are no guarantees.
Oh, gosh, I bet.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Well, it's a good thing
she has you to help her. Wow.
Talk about a motive.
Harris could have killed Donovan
to sabotage his staging
so that Noelle could
dance the part of Clara.
Normally I'd say it's a stretch,
but I know some hockey moms
who would absolutely consider homicide
to get their kid on the team.
It can't hurt to run Harris's alibi.
I'm on it.
Oh, um, do you want to get lunch
in Times Square first?
I know a really fun place.
If you say it's your birthday,
they let you stand on the table.
I don't go to Times Square
unless I'm looking at a body.
I want to go talk to Keith again.
There's something
about those weepy ones.
They're very hard to read.
Hmm. All right,
I'll see you at the precinct.
I bet everyone here dances on Broadway.
You can just feel the
artistic heartbeat of the city.
Oh. I agree. It's so glamorous.
Oh, hey. I know you.
Rob the Choreographer.
He taught me the Hot Honey Rag.
Hey, Red. You working another case?
I'm here for a groin injury.
Don't ask how it happened.
I won't.
Uh, so, is it always this busy in here?
Because we've been waiting forever
just to speak to somebody.
This? No, this is quiet.
But it's worth the wait.
It's the only place
that charges on a sliding scale.
Oh, I get it. I hear
the arts are under attack.
- Mm.
- [GASPS] Look, the patients
- sign headshots.
- ELSBETH: Ooh.
- Oh, I think he's dead now.
- Wait. That's Harris.
"Thanks for getting me
back on the stage."
Huh.
You guys talking about Harris Monroe?
I know him.
I haven't seen him here in ages.
Because he recovered from his injuries?
Figured it was because
he doesn't dance anymore.
He doesn't have to.
He married into money.
I wish I could do that, but I need love.
I hear you.
If Harris doesn't dance anymore,
then how did he reinjure himself?
And if he has money,
why would he come here?
No offense.
DONNELLY: We might be looking
at a joint effort.
Turns out our man Keith used to go out
with Harris back in the day,
a detail that Harris failed
to mention yesterday.
Really? Those two? I don't see it.
And get this. Keith told me
that Harris paid a visit
to The Nutcrackerworkshop
two days before the murder.
Harris didn't mention that, either.
- How's his alibi looking?
- Oh. Shaky.
The physical therapist's office
could only confirm
that Harris checked out
of his appointment at 4:15.
There's no record of when he came in.
And that clinic is notorious
for running behind,
so Harris could have gone
to the workshop,
tampered with the sensors,
and then turned up late to PT.
Time of death was 3:35.
So, if he slipped out
right before Donovan died,
do you really think that no one noticed
he was that late for his appointment?
Yes. That place is a zoo. Literally.
They have an entire wing
dedicated to The Lion King.
Oh.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
RICH: Look, I don't care
if the staff doesn't want
to be back in the office.
A mandate is a mandate.
Tell them to put on some real pants
and get their butts to work.
Okay. Yeah. Bye.
[SCOFFS] These people.
They won't follow rules.
Sorry, but why aren't you in the office?
Because I'm the boss.
And I can't focus in that environment.
- I'm Rich.
- I can tell.
- Hi.
- I hear you're looking for my husband.
Harris is out with our daughter.
What do you need him for?
We have some follow-up questions
regarding the death of Donovan Chase.
ELSBETH: Mm. I also
wanted to bring Harris
a little get-well-soon gift.
- They're sugarplums.
- Get well from what?
His injury.
He was at, uh,
physical therapy
the day that Donovan was killed?
Right, right. Okay. Right. Thank you.
I didn't realize
sugarplums were a thing.
Probably because
they're not from this century.
So, is Harris at Nutcrackerrehearsal?
Did your daughter land a role yet?
To be honest, I'm not really up to date.
Ballet is their thing.
Uh-huh. I understand.
Well, Noelle must have been
so disappointed
when Donovan's kid-free
production was announced.
A little disappointment
is good for a child.
- God knows she needs it.
- Daddy! Daddy!
I got the part. I'm going to be Clara.
Ah! Oh!
Congratulations.
We confirmed that you were
at physical therapy
- at the time of Donovan's death.
- Great.
I don't think
Rich knew you were injured.
Sorry if we let that slip.
Oh. Um, you're right.
I didn't want to tell him
that I hurt myself
ice-skating at Rockefeller Center.
- 'Tis the season.
- [LAUGHING]: Oh. 'Tis indeed.
I love ice-skating
in Rockefeller Center.
You keep that a secret
from your husband?
No, I keep it a secret from Noelle,
which is why I didn't want Rich
to accidentally tell her.
We don't allow her to ice-skate.
We can't risk her getting hurt
and missing dance.
- Ah.
- DONNELLY: Is there anyone who can
confirm that that's how
you sustained your injury?
No, I was alone.
Oh, but I do have a receipt.
You went ice-skating alone?
Isn't that a little odd?
- No.
- No.
[CHUCKLES] It's actually quite relaxing.
- Yeah.
- Yeah. [LAUGHS]
I mean, the view, the decorations,
all those people looking down on you.
You're never truly alone
in New York City.
Someone's always watching.
Well, if you don't have
any more questions
Uh
Oh.
- Bye.
- Bye-bye.
- Thank you.
- Uh-huh.
Oh, by the way, Keith Dreyer mentioned
that you visited the workshop,
but you told us
that you're not involved
in the day-to-day stuff.
Oh, I just stopped by one day,
just out of curiosity.
Was it to visit Keith?
Why would I visit Keith?
'Cause he told us that you used to date.
- [LAUGHS]
- [ELSBETH CHUCKLES]
That was a long time ago.
I dated a lot of people before Rich.
It felt like
Keith still had a thing for you.
Keith is a lonely guy.
I feel awful for him.
I mean, talk about wrong place,
wrong time.
People are blaming him
for what happened to Donovan.
But I don't think he's capable
of making that kind of mistake.
Uh, intentional or not.
Boy, Keith is lucky
to have you in his corner.
[LAUGHS] Thanks for the sugarplums.
[GROANS]
- Your back acting up?
- Yes.
I'm sorry I didn't tell you
about ice-skating.
It's just,
sometimes I just need to be alone.
I understand.
So, you want to tell me
why the police are coming to our door?
Don't be upset, but
Keith has been texting again.
[SCOFFS] Are you kidding?
That guy needs to get a life.
I know. It feels like
he's getting more obsessive.
- Let me see what he wrote.
- No, it's better if you don't see it.
But in the days leading up
to Donovan getting killed
on Wednesday, it just
it felt like he was going
to do something bad.
Well, why didn't you tell the
detective or that other woman?
Well, because I didn't want
to get Keith in trouble. [SIGHS]
Just, honey, whatever you do,
just promise me
that you won't tell the police.
So, of course,
I came to you immediately.
Harris wanted you
to send these texts to us?
Harris doesn't know I'm here.
I pulled the messages
from our cloud drive.
For some reason, Harris is
still protective of Keith.
Out of pity, I suppose.
- Hmm.
- Listen to this.
"Someone's gonna get killed.
Donovan better watch out."
That's very incriminating.
Well, Keith was worried about safety.
There's one where Keith says
he's heartbroken
he won't see Harris anymore,
with Noelle not getting Clara.
It's pretty clear
he blamed Donovan for that.
DONNELLY: It's looking
like Keith is our guy.
Donovan made his life hell, and I think
Keith felt like he needed
to protect the company.
He had been the
technical director for decades.
And I think that
that he sabotaged the
Contraption 'cause he was still
in love with Harris
and he wanted to spend as much
time with him as possible.
Then why not kill Harris's husband?
It's not like
murder is a logical solution
to someone's problems.
It's deranged,
but the texts are damning.
You're not buying this?
The Nutcrackerisn't about romance.
It's about
a little girl named Clara, or Marie,
if you're going with the original story
by E.T.A. Hoffmann.
- Elsbeth.
- Right. Right.
Harris was all about Clara.
He wanted so badly for his daughter
to star in this year's production.
And he had access to the control board.
We know he went to the workshop
at least once.
He'd have to tamper with those sensors
within minutes
of Donovan's death or else
risk harming someone else.
- He has an alibi?
- ELSBETH: He had the appearance
of an alibi,
but if he moved fast enough,
he could have committed that murder
and then run the four blocks
to his PT appointment.
It's tight, but it's not impossible.
Have you tested this out?
Ooh. I'd love to.
Ooh, I love the theater, don't you?
I got tickets to Operation Mincemeat.
Oh, I hear it's amazing.
Yeah, I didn't get to see it, though.
They were a gift for Teddy
and Roy's one-year anniversary.
You know, I didn't want
to be the third wheel.
Okay. So that was some long four blocks
from Donovan's workshop,
but we made it here
in less than ten minutes.
- Yeah. PT office is right here.
- Right. So, imagine
it took Harris less than five minutes
to get to the second floor,
making that a total of 15 minutes late
to his 3:00 p.m. appointment.
Yeah, which explains
why he signed out at 4:15
for an hour-long session.
- Yes. Wait. What's that?
- This ain't where our story ends ♪
- [GASPS]
- Today is the day ♪
"The Orphan Walk." Oh, that's so rad.
- That's so cool.
- We're done with them ♪
We're running wild,
we're free again ♪
Oh, that's right.
The theater's right there,
and it's a matinee day.
Wait. Matinees are on Wednesdays.
The murder was on a Wednesday.
Matinees are at 2:00 p.m.,
which means
But this ain't where our story ends. ♪
ELSBETH: We got it.
Orphan Girl!
does their on-camera segment
halfway through
their intermission-less show,
from 2:57 to 3:05 p.m. on matinee days.
Officer Hackett got the
recording from last Wednesday.
They keep it on a hard drive
for liability.
The camera passes
right in front of the entrance
to the physical therapy building.
If Harris is telling the truth,
this video will show him going
into his PT appointment.
But he won't be because he lied.
This ain't where our story ends ♪
Today is the day new life begins ♪
- We're done with cages ♪
- There.
- ELSBETH: What?
- 3:00.
Right on the dot.
And he didn't leave
the building until 4:15.
Which means
Your man has an alibi.
Wow. Elsbeth,
you're actually wrong.
[SIGHS]
Nice, Lily.
Shoulders back, Mia.
["DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY"
FROM THE NUTCRACKERPLAYING]
Rory, very good.
Elsbeth.
Good progress.
Bourrée. Bourrée. Bourrée.
Run, run, run, run, run.
Everyone follow.
And bourrée, bourrée, bourrée,
bourrée, leap.
Follow. Run, run, run.
- Oh.
- [OLIVIA SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]
I'll be right back.
Whew!
I thought I might see you here.
Elsbeth.
Good for you for giving ballet a try,
even though you're
clearly not made for it.
What's, what's going on with your knees?
I guess you could say
I've had ballet on my mind.
Do you ever get fixated on something
and you just can't let it go?
Anyway, I have good news.
Uh, we found video footage of the street
that your physical therapist's
office is on.
It's, uh, from Donovan Chase's
Broadway show Orphan Girl!
And guess who we saw in the background.
You.
The camera caught you
going into your appointment.
3:00 p.m. on the nose,
just like you said.
So [TONGUE CLICKS]
you're in the clear.
Well, that makes sense. [CHUCKLES]
Although I guess that means we won't be
seeing you around anymore.
But I do hope you come see
Noelle in The Nutcracker.
Oh, I wouldn't miss it.
Wow, that is such a beautiful costume.
This is the perfect Clara.
How did you get it made so fast?
Oh, we ordered it last summer.
I can't believe
I finally get to wear it.
You ordered Noelle's costume
before she was cast?
That's
oddly confident.
- [LAUGHS SOFTLY]
- And how strange that you didn't
cancel the costume when
Donovan's kid-free production
was announced.
Well, it was custom-made in Milan.
It's not like they do refunds.
Right, of course not. Not Milan.
- [LAUGHS]
- Well
I guess you got everything
everything you hoped for.
Except for Donovan
dying in the giant nutcracker head.
Is she okay?
No.
What is this?
Poker chips are not for children.
Officer Hackett.
Find whoever donated these
and give 'em back, please.
Yes, sir.
What are we looking at here?
Oh, it's, uh, footage
from Donovan Chase's
Broadway show Orphan Girl!
It's pretty cool.
Wait, have you seen it yet?
No. And I don't plan to.
I find it egregious to charge 400 bucks
and then make me watch a video
of the street outside the theater.
- Call me old-fashioned.
- I don't know, Captain.
Have you heard the soundtrack?
It's great.
It's called an original cast recording.
Even I know that.
But keep up the good work.
- [LAUGHS]
- Today is the day new life begins ♪
That's weird.
That guy in the back
he keeps looking up.
Ooh, that is weird.
I wonder what he's looking at.
Think we should find out?
TEDDY [OVER PHONE]: Captain Wagner?
Hi, Teddy.
You found something on Alec Bloom?
I'm afraid so.
ELSBETH: Oh, excuse me.
Are you the performer
that we saw in last Wednesday's
"Orphan Walk"?
You were here for that?
You want my autograph?
- Oh. Yes, please.
- Uh
No, we are on police business.
But we did see your performance.
You were very good.
Um, can you tell me
what you are looking at here?
Oh, geez.
It's dumb.
I'm a swing, and last Wednesday
was my first time performing that track,
so I recorded myself.
Please don't tell the producers.
I don't want to get fired.
Oh, no, we won't. But what's a swing?
I thought you loved Broadway.
I do, but I don't want to know
how the sausage is made.
A swing is a member of the ensemble
who can perform a bunch of roles.
We get called when someone is out,
usually at the last minute.
There's a stomach bug going around,
so I had a really good week.
[LAUGHS]: Oh, I see.
So, um, how did you record yourself?
Uh, I put my phone in the window
of the dressing rooms
- on the balcony.
- How long does your video run?
Uh, at least 45 minutes.
I didn't get a break until
nearly the end of the show.
Why?
Hello?
- Elsbeth?
- [DOOR CLOSES]
You said 6:30, it's 6:30.
I don't have all night.
Ta-da!
[GROANS, SIGHS]
What is wrong with you?
That dress is bad enough.
You said you wanted
to ask me one more question
before you closed your case,
so go ahead.
Ask your silly question.
Actually, it's less of a question
and more of a statement.
Tell me if I'm right.
You did come to this workshop
the day of the murder,
and I'm guessing that you hid
in this deeply disturbing
Mother Ginger dress to avoid being seen.
Then you went to the control
board and you typed in
your old friend Keith's PIN code,
which you saw two days earlier
when you came to see him.
And then you disengaged the safety
and you turned the sensors around.
No one even noticed
because they were all at the Contraption
for Donovan's dance demonstration
at 3:30. See?
You then raced back
to your PT appointment,
where no one even realized
you were gone.
That is a really cute picture
of you in the waiting room, by the way.
This is insane. You checked my alibi.
You have a video of me going into
the physical therapy building
at 3:00, remember?
True. But that's not
the only video we found.
Officer Hackett.
Luckily for us,
a very enthusiastic swing
in Donovan Chase's Broadway show
took a video of himself
doing "The Orphan Walk" that day.
And guess what this video shows.
You, Harris,
sneaking out of the PT building
and rushing to this very workshop.
And here you are, going back to P
after tampering with the sensors.
You can't prove that.
The only thing this proves is
that I left my PT appointment,
which I have every right to do.
Wrong. We can prove that you were here.
Because the workshop
was covered in blood,
which you carried back
to your PT office.
This is insane.
I wasn't here when Donovan died.
Oh, correction: stage blood,
which is a proprietary blend
and which we found on the windowsill
of the PT's exam room.
You left it there
when you slipped back in
mid-appointment.
This place was covered in the stuff.
I can't believe it.
Why me?
Why did you fixate on me?
Because you were so fixated
on your daughter's ballet career.
I guess you could say
your dancing is perfection,
but your acting needs work.
Hands behind your back, please.
Wait.
I have one request.
["WALTZ OF THE SNOWFLAKES"
FROM THE NUTCRACKERPLAYING]
Okay, we can go now.
[APPLAUSE]
[SIGHS] It's a beautiful ballet.
But it is kind of old-fashioned.
I'm thrilled to announce
that with a total of 875,
Precinct 11 collected the most toys.
- [APPLAUSE]
- Yay!
Of course we did.
ALEC: I-I'd like to thank you all,
especially Captain Wagner,
for allowing me to participate.
And me. I brought a ton.
- [LAUGHTER]
- ALEC: Yes, thank you, Marissa.
Okay, enough yapping. Pop the champagne.
- [LAUGHTER]
- Elsbeth.
This is for you.
- What's this?
- Well, you're always giving gifts.
- I wanted to get you one.
- Aw.
Orphan Girl! tickets?
- Ah!
- [LAUGHS]
You must have paid a fortune for these.
Oh, well, they were cheaper
'cause they're for New Year's Eve,
when Times Square is nuts, but
it'll be over before that, and
I've enjoyed working with you this year.
Oh.
Mm, I've enjoyed working with you, too.
Uh, but I can't accept these.
- The consent decree.
- Oh.
But if I pay you back for one ticket,
- would you happen to sit next to me?
- Absolutely.
- [BOTH LAUGH]
- Yay.
All right, well, shall we toast
to closing the case?
Uh, you go ahead. [CHUCKLES]
Congratulations
on a very successful toy drive.
- It was a group effort.
- Yeah.
- Too bad there's no mistletoe.
- [LAUGHS]
Yeah, Captain Wagner
wouldn't let me hang it.
- HR.
- [CHUCKLES]
What are you doing New Year's Eve?
I'm I'm busy, actually.
- Oh.
- But I'm wide open in January.
No plans.
Let's make a date, then.
WAGNER: Elsbeth. [CLEARS THROAT]
I need to speak with you.
This gives me no joy to say,
but it might be best that
you not get too close to Alec Bloom.
He may not be fully honest
about his past.
What do you mean?
I did some digging into his childhood
and his story about being unhoused.
Alec's parents lived in the same
apartment for over 16 years,
until he was well out of high school.
I confirmed it
with the building's super.
There's nothing to indicate
a lapse in housing.
Well, maybe there's some reason.
Well, could be.
But you should talk to Teddy
about Pete Hannigan.
The man from Teddy's article?
Is that what you and Teddy were?
I'm just telling you to be careful.
Merry Christmas, Elsbeth.
[LAUGHS SOFTLY]
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Happy holidays.
This ain't where our story ends ♪
Today is the day new life begins ♪
Break every rule, refuse to bend ♪
This life is ours, we won't pretend ♪
We write our fate and we'll defend ♪
'Cause this ain't
where our story ends ♪
No, this ain't where our story ends. ♪