Critic’s Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
4.5
I know ballet fans take their shows seriously, but this is ridiculous.
Elsbeth already dealt with someone who killed the person who kept making his ballet experience miserable on Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 1.
And now, Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 10 dealt with another murder at the ballet, though the circumstances were different.
(CBS/Michael Parmelee)
It’s Hard To Tell Whether Harris’ Plan Was Ingenious Or Unbelievable
Like all of the best criminals, ballet dad Harris Parson thought he’d committed the perfect crime — and given himself a great alibi.
It was somewhat hard to believe, however.
While physical therapy and other medical offices can get backed up, it didn’t seem plausible that someone could sneak out of an exam room, go four blocks to kill someone, and return before anyone realized they were missing.
It made for great TV when Harris’ plan was foiled by one tiny detail, though!
(CBS/Michael Parmelee)
Although the plot itself was ridiculous (and risky — what if he mistimed how long it would take or a nurse came in to check on him?), Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 10 unmasked it perfectly.
Harris was so sure that he’d covered his tracks, only to forget to check if he left a (fake) bloody print on the windowsill.
I know how the dude must have felt. It’s the same sinking feeling I get when I make what looks like a brilliant chess move only to realize too late I just gave my queen away.
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Imagine that happening after planning every detail of a convoluted murder plot!
The Death Itself Was One of Elsbeth’s Best Red Herrings
(CBS/Michael Parmelee)
Donovan Chase announced at least three times that he had a nut allergy, making it sound like an obvious announcement about how he was going to die.
While I thought that the AI-controlled contraption he had was dangerous, I didn’t expect it to be the cause of his death, considering his well-publicized allergy.
That’s how you do a red herring. Well done, Elsbeth!
That was painful and gruesome, though, even though Elsbeth thankfully spared us any graphic details!
I think I might have preferred the nut allergy, but since when does Elsbeth go for anything mundane?
(CBS/Michael Parmelee)
Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 10 Almost Gave Elsbeth A Real Challenge
Too bad the episode went so quickly from Harris seeming to have an alibi to Elsbeth figuring out the truth.
The correct suspect having what appeared to be an airtight alibi was a more interesting challenge than the usual unearned skepticism from cops who have worked with Elsbeth for a long time and know that she’s usually right.
Did you think the investigation moved on from this challenge too fast, or was it just right?
Let me know in the comments! Don’t forget to share this article with your Elsbeth-loving friends and famliy so they can join the conversation.
However, it was awfully convenient that the same video that gave Harris that alibi also showed an actor staring up at something, and that that actor’s secret video contained the final clue Elsbeth needed.
Procedurals like Elsbeth need to stay within strict time limits, which is probably why this solution felt rushed.
(CBS/Michael Parmelee)
Still, the pacing felt off, and it was disappointing.
I’d have liked Harris’ alibi video to have been discovered earlier so that Elsbeth would have had time to do more investigation to prove her case, rather than it being a temporary obstacle that didn’t really amount to anything.
Elsbeth Had To End On A Cliffhanger, Hence The Teddy Subplot
While Elsbeth was running around trying to prove that Harris killed Donovan, Teddy embarked on an investigation of his own.
He was determined to prove that Alec Bloom’s origin story was a bunch of malarkey, and by the end of the hour, Wagner had proof.
(CBS/Michael Parmelee)
Was anyone else underwhelmed by this secret?
Obviously, making up a guy who lived on the subway is problematic.
Lying and fabricating backstories should never be normalized, in politics or anywhere else, so I don’t agree with Wagner’s original assessment that this was just politics as usual.
On the other hand, we also shouldn’t normalize making minor scandals into more than they are, and while such a lie should put Alec’s political career in danger, I didn’t think Wagner’s warning to Elsbeth was warranted.
This kind of lie doesn’t logically imply that Elsbeth is in danger, except for the possibility of being disappointed when she finds out the truth.
(CBS/Michael Parmelee)
Whatever else Alec has done, he did help raise awareness and donations for the charity drive.
That might have been self-serving, but so far there’s been no evidence that he’s evil.
I loved Marissa’s cynical attitude that Alec’s working with his opponents to raise more for charity is a bad idea because he won’t get all the credit.
That’s a sad commentary on the state of US politics, but unfortunately, it rang true.
I’m also more curious about how Elsbeth will react to the revelation that Teddy was investigating her new love interest. She might not appreciate her son butting into her love life like that.
(CBS/Michael Parmelee)
What did you think of the Elsbeth midseason finale?
I know you have thoughts about what just aired and what you want to come next, so let’s have them!
Post your opinions in the comments, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends so they can participate in the conversation too.
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If you enjoyed this article, you might like our coverage of Only Murders In The Building, which has a similar vibe.
The Elsbeth midseason finale aired on December 18, 2025 at 10/9c and is currently available to stream on Paramount+. Elsbeth Season 3 will return on February 26, 2026.
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Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 10 might have had the most contrived murder ever, but was also one of the more entertaining cases. Our review!
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Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 9’s unlikable criminal almost got away because the cops wouldn’t listen to Elsbeth, and I get why now. Our review!
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Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 8 was one of the funnist episodes ever, but the mystry left something to be desired. Our review!
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