Editor’s note: The following recap contains spoilers for Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 14.

Creative minds must understand the rules before they can effectively break them, and so far, Elsbeth Season 2 has reinforced this belief. The show skillfully navigates the established “howcatchem” format, knowing when to adhere to it and when to deviate to keep the narrative fresh. This is evident in Season 2, Episode 14, titled “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant,” which cleverly intertwines various plotlines as the season approaches its conclusion. Let’s explore!

Elsbeth Takes on a Cold Case in Season 2 Episode 14

The episode begins in Little Italy, where Elsbeth ( Carrie Preston ), Teddy ( Ben Levi Ross ), and Teddy’s boyfriend Roy ( Hayward Leach ) embark on a walking tour centered around NYC crime. Elsbeth and Roy share a good rapport, much to Teddy’s discomfort. The tour culminates at Pupetta’s, a restaurant infamous for a mob murder that inspired the film City on a Knife Edge, one of Roy’s favorites. Their guide, Henry ( Murray Hill ), recounts the events of the crime, highlighting the violent feud between the Del Ponte and Nova crime families in 1998.

Henry narrates how Goldie Moresco, a member of the Del Ponte family, instigated the conflict by throwing a drink at Eddie Nova, leading to a brutal murder in the restaurant. Eddie stabbed Goldie with a corkscrew and shot him twice before fleeing, unaware that Gene Gianetti ( Ryan O’Dell ), a waiter, witnessed the entire incident. Three days later, the Del Pontes retaliated, killing Eddie, which escalated the gang war.

Curious and skeptical, Elsbeth questions the impulsiveness of the murder, noting inconsistencies in Eddie’s actions and weapon choice. Before she can delve deeper, they are interrupted by a woman ( Alyssa Milano ) who suggests Eddie’s behavior was simply foolish. As the tour concludes, Elsbeth notices a wall dedicated to City on a Knife Edge, featuring behind-the-scenes photos, including one of a young Gene with the actor portraying him.

Recognizing the older Gene ( Adam Ferrara ) serving their meal, Elsbeth attempts to interview him about the murder. However, he is hesitant, mistaking her for a producer. When she clarifies her connection to the police, Gene is momentarily intrigued but soon dismisses her with an address on a takeout menu, pretending it’s catering information.

An Old Mob Case Resurfaces in ‘Elsbeth’ Season 2 Episode 14

Despite Teddy’s reluctance to visit the location Gene suggested, Roy is eager for a collaborative investigation, prompting Teddy to join them. Upon arrival, they discover police at the scene of a hit-and-run involving Gene. Officer Kaya Blanke ( Carra Patterson ) allows them through the barrier, and Detective Flemming ( Daniel Oreskes ) reveals that Gene was struck by a vehicle deliberately.

Flemming shares that the Goldie Moresco murder was one of his first high-profile cases, making Gene’s willingness to speak to Elsbeth significant. He informs them about Pupetta, who was only 19 during the Del Ponte family’s massacre and has since been emotionally affected. When Pupetta arrives, she feigns relief upon learning Gene survived but Elsbeth suspects otherwise, noting Pupetta’s swift arrival and her earlier argument with Gene.

At the precinct, Lt. Connor ( Daniel K. Isaac ) discusses Blanke’s promotion with Captain Wagner ( Wendell Pierce ). They agree that Blanke’s exemplary work warrants her advancement to detective, despite concerns about her dynamic with Elsbeth. Meanwhile, Elsbeth and Blanke inform Wagner about the hit-and-run, speculating it was intended to silence Gene regarding Goldie’s murder.

Wagner is surprised that the case still has unexplored aspects, given the film City on a Knife Edge’s adherence to the facts. Flemming mentions rumors that Goldie was an informant, suggesting a motive for his murder. He recalls difficulties in pursuing this line of inquiry during his career, but sees this renewed investigation as a potential breakthrough.

Elsbeth Interferes in “Family Business” in Season 2 Episode 14

Elsbeth and Flemming return to Pupetta’s under orders to investigate the hit-and-run. Pupetta initially assumes Gene is dead but is relieved to learn he survived. When questioned about potential enemies, she insists Gene had none, although Elsbeth recalls their recent argument over their son, Gene Jr., whom Pupetta wants to work at the restaurant. Flemming gets word that Gene is out of surgery, and they rush to the hospital, where Pupetta is already present.

Elsbeth notices the height difference between Junior and his parents, prompting curiosity about their family dynamics. After Flemming suggests she speak to Gene alone, he brushes her off, claiming memory loss from his injury. Elsbeth suspects Pupetta’s influence is at play, given the mafia’s code against cooperating with law enforcement.

At the precinct, Blanke reveals she tracked the driver of the car that hit Gene to a body shop, where the driver confessed to being impaired during the incident. However, this driver has connections to the Del Ponte family, raising questions about the case’s complexity. Elsbeth recalls scratches found on Goldie’s body, which were never tested for DNA, leading to speculation that Goldie was murdered to silence him.

A Mafia Movie Aids the Investigation in ‘Elsbeth’ Season 2 Episode 14

During a movie night, Elsbeth, Teddy, and Roy watch City on a Knife Edge, which highlights Pupetta’s perspective. Elsbeth becomes fascinated by the attention to detail in the film, particularly regarding Pupetta’s nails. After discovering that the nail length aligns with the potential for injury, Elsbeth theorizes that Pupetta attacked Goldie for being an informant. She presents her findings to Wagner, who reluctantly agrees to consider exhuming Goldie’s body for new tests.

Elsbeth returns to Pupetta’s, where Junior warns her that now isn’t a good time to see his father, as Pupetta is keeping a close watch on them. Despite a promising job offer from Wall Street, Junior feels pressured to stay in the family business. Elsbeth’s investigation intensifies when she learns that Wagner’s attempts to get a judge to approve the exhumation have been thwarted by Judge Crawford ( Michael Emerson ), who deems it unnecessary.

Confronting Crawford, Elsbeth challenges his ethics, but he dismisses her concerns. The only way to compel a judge to approve the exhumation is with a new confession, which seems unlikely. Upon returning home, Elsbeth finds Pupetta outside, leading to a tense exchange about family secrets and threats.

The investigation is ultimately stalled due to a lack of evidence, but Blanke uncovers a connection between Junior’s education and a shell corporation linked to the Del Ponte family, suggesting that Pupetta’s motives for wanting Junior involved in the restaurant are deeper than they appear.

Elsbeth Uncovers a Startling Family Secret in Season 2 Episode 14

Using social media, Elsbeth finds an old photo of Junior resembling Goldie Moresco, connecting the dots between past and present. She confronts Gene with this information, revealing that Pupetta had never truly left the family business. Gene admits that they raised Junior under the pretense that he was their biological child as part of a deal to keep Pupetta out of the mafia life.

Elaborating on her theory, Elsbeth proposes that if Gene confesses to Goldie’s murder, they could secure exhumation of the body to find evidence exonerating him. After Junior picks up Gene from the hospital, Elsbeth retrieves his discarded coffee cup, hoping to find DNA evidence linking Pupetta to the crime.

As the investigation unfolds, Elsbeth interrupts a crime tour to clarify the true events surrounding Goldie’s death, asserting that it was Pupetta who killed him in a fit of rage. With evidence mounting against Pupetta, including the discovery of her DNA on the murder weapon, she is arrested. In a poignant moment, Junior reassures Gene that he recognizes him as his true father, regardless of biological ties.

Back at the precinct, Roy interviews Flemming for his podcast, while Elsbeth navigates her own feelings about Teddy and Roy’s relationship. As the season approaches its finale, the tension surrounding Blanke’s potential promotion looms large, leaving viewers eager for what comes next.

New episodes of Elsbeth Season 2 air Thursdays on CBS.

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