CBS’s “Elsbeth” hangs tinsel and a body on its tree in “Gold, Frankincense, and Murder.” The festive episode finds Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) trading her usual legal briefs for a magnifying glass when a celebrity Christmas curator turns up deader than last year’s fruitcake.
In the world of high-stakes holiday decorating, DeeDee Dashers (guest star Vanessa Bayer) and her late husband were the reigning monarchs of Christmas kitsch. Now, a widow draped in more black crepe than garland, DeeDee finds herself at the center of Elsbeth’s unorthodox investigation. With her signature brand of offbeat questioning and unconventional methods, Elsbeth suspects DeeDee’s grief might be as staged as one of her elaborate holiday displays.
Adding to the festive chaos is Kidder Hawes (Dan Bucatinsky), the couple’s high-powered agent, whose perfectly manicured facade seems to crack a bit under Elsbeth’s scrutiny. Amid the interrogation and eggnog, Elsbeth also finds herself on the receiving end of a holiday surprise, courtesy of her colleagues, Kaya (Carra Patterson) and Wagner (Wendell Pierce).
“Gold, Frankincense, and Murder” continues the show’s tradition of balancing quirky humor with crime drama, proving that even during the most wonderful time of the year, some chestnuts just aren’t worth roasting. While Elsbeth unwraps the clues behind this holiday homicide, viewers can expect a stocking full of offbeat humor and a healthy dose of holiday spirit, even amidst the murder.
“Elsbeth” airs Thursdays at 10:00 PM, ET/PT on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
