As a longtime fan of legal dramas, I’ve seen my fair share of courtroom battles and character crossovers. But nothing quite prepared me for the thrilling reunion of Elsbeth Toll and Carter Schmidt in Season 2, Episode 2 of Elsbeth.
Spoilers for Elsbeth Season 2, Episode 2 are ahead! To catch up, you can stream the series with a Paramount+ subscription, and then catch new episodes as they air on the 2024 TV schedule every Thursday at 10 p.m. on CBS.
During Season 2’s opening episode, a black car from Elsbeth’s past appeared, and it was soon unveiled in Episode 2 that Christian Borle’s character, Carter Schmidt, was the one behind the wheel. With this significant link to “The Good Wife” established, I spoke with Carrie Preston and Jonathan Tolins about filming the scene and its impact on Elsbeth’s future developments.
In reply, I discovered the reasons for resurrecting Carter at this time and an unexpectedly religious tale connected to the portrayal of the main character’s colleague lawyer from Chicago during the filming process.
Why They Decided To Bring Christian Borle’s The Good Wife Character Back
Last week, Elsbeth introduced a new actor from “The Good Wife” played by Nathan Lane. This time around, an actress returned to reprise her role from “The Good Universe.” Indeed, Christian Borle, known for his character Carter the sly lawyer, has been brought back to provide insight into why the main character moved from Chicago to New York. Showrunner Jonathan Tolins shared this information with me during New York Comic-Con.
We sought an individual, specifically from The Good Universe, with expertise on legal matters and preferably someone who had previous interactions with Elsbeth. They had collaborated on projects before. However, we also required someone who could project a certain level of intimidation, as Carter often did with his sharp demeanor. This fit perfectly with our current storyline, which we’ve nicknamed in the writers’ room as ‘the mysterious black car plot.’
The episode commences with Carter picking up Elsbeth. As they travel together, he reveals a secret about a case they previously handled, linking the former lawyer-turned-amateur detective to her past. Carrie Preston explained that this development brings a fresh “shadow” to the series.
Indeed, he seems to be stirring shadows from my past amidst the radiance of now, which is unsettling for me, Elsbeth. His demeanor can only be described as subtly sarcastic, and there’s an undeniable friction between us that occasionally grates on both our skins.
In Season 2, Episode 4 of The Good Fight, titled “Day 429,” Elsbeth and Carter had their last on-screen encounter. This meeting was filled with tension as Borle’s character disclosed to Preston’s that a case they had worked on previously had resurfaced in a challenging manner, requiring her to keep confidentiality.
In simpler terms, Tolins shared with me that the “black car storyline” will remain significant in Season 2. But prior to diving deeper into this storyline on the series, there are some practical hurdles to discuss regarding the filming of scenes involving the “black car.
The Story Behind Filming Elsbeth And Carter’s Meeting
As a devoted viewer, I must say, even though Borle’s screen time is limited in this episode, his presence is indelible. The narrative cleverly underscores that Mark VanNess’s ongoing divorce will be a significant factor. The scene set in the car, shrouded in darkness, is particularly impactful and dramatically intense. Intriguingly, it unfolds not just anywhere, but within the confines of a dark vehicle. Preston shared with me behind-the-scenes details about how this scene was filmed, which only adds to its potency.
As a gamer, I stepped onto a soundstage unfamiliar to me on a day when nature decided to put on a grand show with a thunderstorm outside. Originally planned for filming in the car parked outside, the scene had to be adapted due to inclement weather. Instead, we moved the vehicle into a parking garage, making the logistics of our shoot that much trickier.
It seemed intriguing yet tricky, as pointed out during the episode, discussing such matters in a car park wasn’t exactly normal. Nevertheless, I found it entertaining, and Preston felt the same. She confided that although they needed to act swiftly and her character’s pet dog Gonzo introduced an additional layer of complexity to the scene, overall, she and Borle had a fantastic time collaborating together.
Due to being short on time, we needed to act swiftly. Given Christian Borle’s caliber as an actor, he handles such situations gracefully, making his marks perfectly and delivering the material effortlessly. However, when a dog is introduced into the equation, complications arise. Performing that scene proved challenging, but working alongside someone of Christian’s talent makes it feel harmonious.
More Exciting Guest Stars Are Coming To Elsbeth
In the second season of Elsbeth, Carrie Preston’s husband, Michael Emerson, has been added to the cast. Here’s what the showrunner shared about bringing in guest stars with ties to the existing cast.
The way it’s crooning is quite captivating, and I’m eagerly anticipating how this scenario might turn around to trouble poor Elsbeth as the second season unfolds.
As a gamer, I’m absolutely thrilled to see the links being drawn back to “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight”. I can hardly wait to unravel this mystery from Elsbeth’s past that’s unfolding in her present. With her having established a completely new life in New York, it’ll be intriguing to see how her old Chicago specters resurface and cause some chaos. Here’s hoping these encounters will lead to even more exciting and tumultuous backstage action just like they did before!
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2024-10-25 06:07