Episode 5 of Season 1 of "Elsbeth" opens with a shocking revelation: the gruesome murder of renowned tennis player Yoyo. On the cusp of retirement, Yoyo unexpectedly suspended his plans, igniting a fury within his rival, Hunter. Yoyo had always been Hunter's nemesis, consistently outplaying him in their matches.
As Hunter prepares for his comeback match in New York, following the tragic loss of his mother, Yoyo stands as his first opponent. Hunter's father, deeply concerned about his son's waning performance since the loss of his mother, fears that further defeats could jeopardize Hunter's lucrative brand ambassadorships. Desperate, he takes matters into his own hands, secretly applying nitrogen ointment to the towels used in the match. Tragically, Hunter collapses and dies after unwittingly using the tainted towel.
Elsewhere, Elsbeth and Kaya are enjoying a leisurely lunch when news of Yoyo's death breaks out. Hunter's father's words during an interview pique Elsbeth's curiosity, but she's unable to raise her concerns during the official investigation as the detective in charge brushes her off. During their interrogation of the father, he suggests looking into Russian involvement, hinting that Yoyo's outspoken criticism of them may have led to his assassination as a warning from the government. However, Elsbeth remains skeptical and stays behind after the detective leaves to observe Hunter's father closely.
Meanwhile, Ashley, a ball girl, approaches the father. She had witnessed Hunter's father's dastardly act and knows him to be responsible for Yoyo's death. She proposes a deal, offering to sabotage Hunter's entire opponent list and placing a bet on him. She reveals that she has kept the tainted towel as evidence, but Hunter's father Elsebeth, eavesdropping on their conversation, steps forward and engages the father in casual chatter, eventually securing an invitation to a coaching session with him.
Eager to provide Elsbeth with a luxurious sushi experience, Wagner instructed his assistant to warm some towels in the microwave, despite their meal taking place in his office. Suddenly, a revelation dawned on Elsbeth, and she shared with Detective Smullen her suspicion about what might have transpired to Yoyo. She speculated that Yoyo had been drugged during a break, with the toxin administered via a towel. However, this theory seemed convoluted, as the towels should have been promptly cleaned after the match.
Fortunately, they received an anonymous tip, which unexpectedly provided a breakthrough. Ashley cunningly planted the towel in the room of Yoyo's purported Russian girlfriend. As the detectives followed up on the tip and brought her in for questioning, they easily stumbled upon the incriminating evidence. During interrogation, Smullen discovered that the girlfriend had lied about her nationality and that her social media profiles were fictitious. Under pressure, she confessed to administering erectile dysfunction medication to Yoyo, which was later detected in his system.
Smullen was quick to assume that the girlfriend was the culprit, but Elsbeth remained skeptical. Wagner tasked Smullen with reviewing CCTV footage to search for any suspicious activities that might have led to the anonymous call. Subsequently, Ashley was summoned for questioning. The footage revealed that she had visited the gym at the same time as Yoyo's girlfriend, later heading towards her room and making a call precisely when the police received the tip. Nevertheless, Ashley was confident that they had no solid evidence against her.
When Smullen inquired about the bet, Ashley cleverly pointed out that she had placed it before the coin toss. She questioned how she could have known which side Yoyo would choose to take since the towels were prepared before the match if she had indeed drugged him. Ashley's argument sparked a revelation in Elsbeth's mind. She hunted for Hunter and his father, who were wrapping up an interview after Hunter's qualification for the finals. Elsbeth interrupted, asking for an autograph on a towel. While Hunter was distracted signing other fan items, Elsbeth probed his father about the coin toss, learning that regardless of its landing, they had the option to choose a side or serve.
At the police station, Wagner approaches Kaya to inquire about Elsbeth's recent activities. Kaya informs him of her inquiries about Wally, and Wagner subtly urges her to report any suspicious behavior from Elsbeth, reminding her that Elsbeth's stay is temporary while Kaya has a long career ahead of her at the NYPD. Later, Wagner invites Elsbeth to lunch, where they engage in a candid conversation about family and Wagner's reasons for choosing an administrative role at the NYPD over remaining a detective.
Elsbeth inquisitively asks Hunter's father what choice Hunter would have made, and the father replies with certainty, to serve. Unbeknownst to them, Hunter eavesdrops on their conversation, recalling his father's earlier advice on which side to pick in such a scenario. The father's subsequent evasion when Hunter confronts him with his lie stirs suspicion within the young athlete. Later, at home, Hunter stumbles upon a jar of nitrogen ointment tucked away in his father's drawer, adding to his growing mistrust.
On the fateful day of the final match, Hunter's nerves are on edge as he senses the weight of everyone's bets against him. His father steps in to offer words of encouragement, vowing his unwavering belief in Hunter's abilities. However, the situation escalates when the father confronts Ashley, the leader of the ball boys who are wagering against Hunter. Ashley's aggressive outburst and subsequent drama force the father to withdraw, leaving Hunter to fend for himself.
During the tense match, Hunter opts to receive. At the break, he reaches for his towel, only to discover that Ashley has handed him a fresh one. His father's eagle eyes immediately detect the exchange and he becomes instantly protective, fearing that the ball boys are up to no good. Suspecting that Ashley has tampered with the towel to sabotage Hunter, the father urgently pulls Hunter aside before the game resumes, warning him not to use it.
Hunter, puzzled by his father's frantic warnings, demands an explanation. The father reluctantly confesses that Ashley has poisoned the towel in an attempt to ruin Hunter's chances. Shocked and disheartened, Hunter withdraws from the final game, realizing that his father's admission has validated Elsbeth's suspicions.
Little does Hunter know that the police have approached him, seeking his assistance in an unfolding investigation. Initially skeptical, Hunter agrees to cooperate, hoping to prove them wrong. However, the truth is far more sinister than he could have imagined, as both his father and Ashley are soon arrested.
At the episode's conclusion, Wagner approaches Elsbeth with inquiries about Teddy. She reveals that Teddy has landed a new and exciting job with an NGO, clearly thrilled with the opportunity. Suddenly, a realization dawns on Elsbeth as she recalls telling Wagner about Teddy's dissatisfaction with his previous job. It is then that she realizes that Wagner had been instrumental in securing Teddy's new position, a revelation that leaves Elsbeth deeply conflicted and her expression betrays her inner turmoil.
