Editor’s note: The following recap contains spoilers for Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 12.

Ah, the college admission season. Reflecting on my own experience, I can say that it was not as stressful — or financially burdensome — as depicted in Elsbeth Season 2, Episode 12, “Foiled Again.” This episode centers on a college admissions consultant who takes his promise of getting clients into Ivy League schools to an extreme. Let’s explore the episode.

Matthew Broderick’s Overreach in ‘Elsbeth’ Season 2 Episode 12

The episode starts with the consultant, Lawrence Grey ( Matthew Broderick ), who operates Outmatch Consulting, a firm that connects students with a “success trainer” to assist in crafting their Ivy League application essays. Lawrence presents his services to a set of parents, who initially hesitate at the price but are convinced by his claims of success, including a graduate who became the Director of Admissions at Baden University, an in-universe Ivy League. The parents, eager to secure their toddler son Andy’s future, sign up, unaware that he is still very young.

Afterward, Carl ( James Wilkie Broderick ), a success trainer, informs Lawrence that Bob Shane is upset because his son Bobby Jr. was rejected from Baden University after Lawrence assured them of his acceptance. Lawrence tries to backtrack, stating there were no guarantees, but Shane threatens to warn others against Outmatch if things don’t change. As Baden seems to be rejecting all Outmatch applicants, Lawrence decides to confront the Director of Admissions.

Ethan Brooks ( Rob McLure ), the admissions director, is not pleased to see Lawrence due to past pressures from him and his parents when he was a student. He shares his resentment over being pushed into extracurricular activities to enhance his application, despite wanting to attend drama school. Lawrence’s attempts to charm Ethan fail, and Ethan vows to prevent any Outmatch student from being admitted to Baden again and to expose Lawrence as a fraud. In a twist, Lawrence challenges Ethan to a fencing match: if Lawrence wins, Ethan must reconsider Bobby Shane Jr.’s application.

Lawrence later administers a practice LSAT and sets up for the fencing match, tampering with Ethan’s helmet. During the match, Ethan struggles to breathe due to the substance Lawrence applied, ultimately collapsing. Lawrence, witnessing the incident, makes it appear as though he was not there, returning just in time for the LSAT student.

With Ethan deceased, Elsbeth ( Carrie Preston ), Officer Kaya Blanke ( Carra Patterson ), and Detective Donnelly ( Molly Price ) arrive to investigate, theorizing that Ethan, who had asthma, was practicing alone when something triggered an attack. Elsbeth discovers a blue fiber in the helmet and suspects foul play, especially when she learns Ethan didn’t retrieve his inhaler.

Teddy’s Visit in ‘Elsbeth’ Season 2 Episode 12

Back at the precinct, Elsbeth, Blanke, and Donnelly update Captain Wagner ( Wendell Pierce ) on the case. Wagner agrees that foul play is likely, noting that Ethan’s rejection decisions could have significant implications for influential families. They determine that catnip was found at the scene, leading Elsbeth to suspect it was used to attract cats and trigger Ethan’s asthma. As they investigate, they find substantial cat dander in Ethan’s lungs and mask.

Elsbeth suggests someone might have intentionally harmed Ethan, while Blanke mentions Quad Cat, the campus cat, who is beloved and has an Instagram account. As the investigation continues, Elsbeth invites her colleagues to dinner to celebrate Blanke’s academic achievements, using the occasion to distract herself from missing Angus ( Ioan Gruffudd ), a Scottish musician from her past.

At her office, Elsbeth encounters Teddy ( Ben Levi Ross ), who is in town to help his boyfriend Roy move. Elsbeth invites both to dinner, eager to meet Roy. Meanwhile, in Ethan’s office, his assistant reveals that only early admission letters were sent out, and they have many applications still to review. Elsbeth notices a gift basket from Lawrence Grey, hinting at their complicated history.

They also meet Kelly Davis, Quad Cat’s Instagram manager, who confirms that Quad Cat is hypoallergenic, making it unlikely that she triggered Ethan’s asthma. As the investigation deepens, they notice a pattern among rejected applicants who are also Outmatch clients, linking them to Lawrence.

Confronting Lawrence, Elsbeth and Blanke learn that Lawrence knew about Ethan’s asthma. Elsbeth becomes suspicious of Lawrence’s knowledge of the details surrounding Ethan’s death. As the investigation unfolds, they find clues leading to Lawrence’s daughter, Mandy ( Cassidy Layton ), who arrives home from a hiking trip to learn about her cat’s death, triggering further suspicion for Elsbeth.

Elsbeth and Teddy Reconcile, and Judge Crawford Returns in Season 2 Episode 12

At the precinct, Elsbeth and Blanke review the rejected applications, reflecting on the privileged backgrounds of the applicants. Teddy arrives to apologize to Elsbeth for their earlier argument and introduces Roy to her, leading to an extensive conversation in the interrogation room. Elsbeth’s probing questions trigger a realization regarding Mandy and Lawrence’s potential involvement in Ethan’s death.

Returning to confront Lawrence, Elsbeth explains her theory that he had the opportunity to harm Ethan during the LSAT practice test, detailing how he used cat dander and catnip to frame Quad Cat. With the mystery resolved, Elsbeth learns from Teddy that Mark Van Ness is facing challenges in his divorce case, clearing the way for her to move forward. However, Judge Crawford ( Michael Emerson ) confronts Elsbeth, threatening her and Delia, hinting at unresolved tensions from past cases. As the investigation continues, the future remains uncertain.

The first twelve episodes of Elsbeth Season 2 are available now, with new episodes airing on CBS Thursdays and streaming the following day on Paramount+.

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