Elsbeth’s Showrunner Wanted To Explore The ‘Darker Sides’ Of Carrie Preston’s Character, And I Think She Totally Crushed It

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Be advised, the new winter episode of ‘Elsbeth’ Season 2 titled “Unalive and Well” is out now. You can watch it exclusively with a Paramount+ membership.

Stepping into the realm of television criticism, I must say it was a delight to see the enigmatic Elsbeth back on CBS, gracing our screens in the 2025 lineup. In this latest installment, we find Carrie Preston’s character grappling with the repercussions of her past misdeeds from her days in Chicago, casting a long shadow over her present life. For those familiar with “The Good Wife” and its spin-off, “The Good Fight,” Elsbeth has always been an intriguing character; however, in “Unalive and Well,” we’re delving even deeper into the complexities of her earlier career.

Elsbeth was not her typical vibrant self in this episode, and I must commend Kaya and the team for allowing Carrie Preston to showcase Elsbeth’s “darker side.” Showrunner Jonathan Tolins has praised the leading lady for her compelling portrayal, promising more insightful glimpses into the title character’s enigmatic past.

In a stark contrast to their time working together in the fall finale, where they teamed up to expose Laurie Metcalf’s character as a killer, Ms. Tascioni found herself largely estranged from her friends due to circumstances surrounding “Unalive and Well.” Kaya was particularly troubled after Elsbeth admitted that the headlines about her were accurate, and this tension was exacerbated by Elsbeth’s attorney/client confidentiality. It wasn’t until a wellness retreat that Kaya had a heart-to-heart with an unexpected individual, which ultimately led to her emotional breakdown.

Luckily, it wasn’t Tom Murphey, the chilling character portrayed by Eric McCormack (the murderer), who was there, but her activity partner, Sheryl. Elsbeth admitted that she was furious because she had been deceived, which was not a common occurrence for her. When I conversed with the showrunner, I mentioned that it was one of Carrie Preston’s most compelling dramatic portrayals in the series thus far, and Jonathan Tolins responded affirmatively.

I really enjoy it! With all this extra time and numerous episodes at our disposal, I appreciate the moments when we delve deeper into her character and uncover what else might be going on. I suspect someone as perpetually cheerful as she is must have other challenges to face too. [laughs] We subtly touched upon it in the first season when she mentioned having various moods while with the matchmaker. She’s an older woman who lives alone, though she now has a pet, but her son isn’t around as frequently as she’d prefer.

Elsbeth often appears lively and colorful, adorned with vibrant clothing and loaded with tote bags, but she harbors deeper emotions beneath her cheerful exterior. Subtle signs throughout the season suggested that her struggles were intense as her past intersected with her current life, causing her to verge on tears when son Teddy visited. Given the show’s extended run for a full season instead of just ten episodes in 2024 spring, we can delve deeper into Elsbeth’s complex character layers, according to the showrunner.

I enjoy it immensely when we can reveal the complex aspects of Elsbeth’s character in a way that feels authentic to the storyline. The setting of the wellness center, with its enigmatic guru, provided an excellent platform for this exploration, given Carrie’s remarkable ability to portray honest and emotionally expressive characters. Furthermore, working alongside Marcia Debonis, who brings such raw emotion, vulnerability, and sweetness to her roles, seemed like a perfect match to delve deeper into Elsbeth’s character. One of my favorite scenes we’ve produced is the one around the campfire where Elsbeth pours out her heart to Sheryl – it was a truly captivating moment that showcased Elsbeth at her most open and vulnerable.

In “Unalive and Well,” Elsbeth’s emotional collapse is not necessarily indicative of a permanent shift towards darkness, given that she reached out for help from Kaya at the end of the episode. Additionally, upcoming promotional materials suggest that her usual lively crime-solving demeanor will return. It appears that Elsbeth merely required an external viewpoint, supplied by her partner during their wellness retreat, to help her sort things out – a fact emphasized by Jonathan Tolins’ perspective on Sheryl as the ideal confidante for Elsbeth.

It’s frequently astonishing who we reveal our deepest secrets to, and in this case, it’s someone she’s only known for a couple of days. Interestingly, they’ve been participating in various wellness activities, but it seems like they were the right person at the perfect moment. I believe many people will find that intriguing.

The showrunner further explained that it’s often simpler to confide in a fresh acquaintance due to fewer potential complications and less past baggage, which seemed to be the insight Elsbeth required to understand she could reach out to her friends for assistance.

It’s uncertain if Elsbeth and Kaya will delve into heavier discussions about her past in Chicago during the show, but they appear to make an unshakeable duo in the sneak peek for the next episode, set to air on CBS on Thursday, February 6 at 10 p.m. ET. Here’s a glimpse:

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I can hardly contain my excitement as I look forward to the upcoming appearance of Alan Ruck, a former star from Succession, on the show! The impressive lineup of guest stars continues to grow, with an array of big names portraying villains. From Nathan Lane in the premiere, to Carrie Preston’s real-life husband Michael Emerson later in 2024, and Eric McCormack at the start of 2025, it’s been a rollercoaster ride of star power! Don’t miss out next Thursday as Alan Ruck graces our screens!

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2025-02-01 01:37