"I Know What You Did 33 Summers Ago" might be classified as a somewhat inconsequential episode, yet it effortlessly clears the bars for entertainment and narrative progression. Serving adeptly as the penultimate episode's curtain-raiser, it deftly reminds seasoned viewers of the undercurrents driving the unfolding saga while swiftly bringing newcomers up to par. Structured around four distinctive sections—which I'll dub "The Predator's Trap," "Peak Quirkiness," "The Dark Side Strikes Back," and "Our Next Move?"—this episode weaves a tale that resonates deeply, depending on viewers' affinity for Elsbeth.
"The Predator's Trap" re-establishes or solidifies the stakes through a judicious blend of flashback and exposition. Why are Elsbeth, Captain Wagner, Kaya, and Detective Rivers determined to tarnish the reputation of Judge Milton Crawford, a formidable and esteemed jurist and a potential federal bench candidate? His impending federal appointment heightens the urgency, yet his influence and seemingly unassailable status pose significant hurdles. Moreover, they'll soon uncover that he's even more powerful and ruthless than anticipated.
Recall from "One Angry Woman" how Judge Crawford stealthily infiltrated financial advisor Andy Mertens' apartment, brutally beating him to death with a New York Yankees baseball bat. Andy's desperate pleas to keep Crawford's secret fell on deaf ears. The episode's opening flashback delves into the dark origins of the secret that bound these two—a fateful night in 1992.
A teenage Andy and a twentysomething Crawford broke into the Stockport Yacht Club's pool after hours, accompanied by the enchanting Sherry (played by Ava DeMary). Ethan Dubin, who masterfully mirrors Michael Emerson's chilling vocal inflections, portrays Crawford as an entitled, narcissistic prince oblivious to anyone but himself. After boasting about his family's standing at the club and sending Andy away so he can be alone with a bikini-clad Sherry, Crawford sets his plan into motion. The scene would have been a hilarious drama of misunderstandings, were it not for its tragic ending: Andy is oblivious to his feelings for Sherry, Sherry is clueless about Crawford's intentions, and Crawford is indifferent to either of their feelings. He's a self-absorbed, pretentious rich kid with a thin skin and a jaw-dropping sense of entitlement, and when Sherry resists his advances, he attempts to rape her. After a scuffle in the pool that results in Sherry's death when she hits her head on the side of the pool, Crawford coerces Andy into agreeing to lie to the police about their presence, saying it was an unfortunate accident.
Now we know Crawford as a murderer twice over, unrepentant and unapologetic. Could such a man be fit for the federal bench? Precisely what Victor Landis (Pun Bandhu), dispatched by the White House, aims to ascertain. If Crawford harbors any dark secrets, now is the time to confess, allowing Landis to preemptively address them. Unfortunately for Crawford but fortunately for justice, Elsbeth and Captain Wagner embark on a fact-finding mission to Stockport, revisiting the hallowed grounds of Crawford's and Andy's youth. Here, they uncover the tragic tale of Sherry's demise. Andy, a local boy of modest means, had worked at the yacht club that summer but stunned everyone by securing a last-minute scholarship to a prestigious New York university, never to return. Meanwhile, Sherry's sister has always viewed her sister's death as accidental, presenting Elsbeth and Wagner with a treasure trove of Sherry's memorabilia, including her diary and an evidence bag containing Sherry's slightly bloodstained fanny pack—a meticulous period detail in acid-washed denim that speaks volumes!
From this juncture, we transition seamlessly into a scenario where Elsbeth's investigation proceeds with unwavering sincerity, interwoven with a heightened dose of her quirky demeanor, turning the episode into a full-fledged exhibition of her Maximum Quirkiness. At the site of the now-obliterated pool, she dramatically reconstructs the night of Sherry's demise with such vigor and enthusiasm that the retired detective, once assigned to the case, first expresses concern for her well-being and subsequently pronounces that observing her in action far surpasses the thrill of pickleball.
Prior to this, we were entertained by her hilariously atrocious JFK impression, amplified by a whimsical reference to Little Edie Beale from Grey Gardens, and marveled at the extensive luggage she packed for a mere overnight stay – an assortment so voluminous that even I, who isn't exactly a minimalist traveler, found her two bags dedicated solely to snacks somewhat excessive. Her admiration for Sherry's fashion sense was palpable, adding another layer to her character.
Each episode features some allusion to Elsbeth's eclectic wardrobe and her knack for being omnipresent, armed with meticulously detailed inquiries. I suspect this overload of quirky traits is primarily intended to captivate new viewers.
Unfortunately, it's Elsbeth herself, oblivious to Victor's existence and his diligent vetting of judicial nominees, who inadvertently alerts Crawford to her and Wagner's investigation. Overhearing their conversation as they prepared to depart the yacht club, he swiftly dialed Crawford's number. My aversion to this character is as intense as if he were a genuinely odious individual in real life; his Empire Strikes Back maneuvers sent chills down my spine.
The extent of his knowledge about Elsbeth and her inner circle, coupled with his capacity to wield influence that could cause them harm, is breathtaking. Wagner received a stern reprimand from the police commissioner, was threatened with internal affairs investigations, and learned that his precinct's personnel budget was being slashed by 25% immediately. This cut could have dire consequences for Kaya, the most recently promoted detective. Recall Agent Celetano, Elsbeth's contact at the Department of Justice? He was fired! The consent decree under which she was seconded to the NYPD was also in jeopardy of being rescinded. Even Elsbeth's ex-husband bore the brunt of Crawford's wrath, facing potential disbarment due to a misconduct investigation – all the way in Illinois.
While I'm aware that Elsbeth won't suddenly veer into noir territory, it's undeniable that we're inching closer to a point of no return, thanks to Crawford's far-reaching machinations. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that his stalking and threatening Elsbeth at a subway station almost seems like a harmless display of camaraderie compared to his other actions. Of course, Crawford isn't content with merely ruining the lives of everyone in Elsbeth's sphere. He's determined to eradicate any remnants of her investigation into Sherry's death, once again wielding his influence to expunge all records of the evidence she and Wagner gathered in Stockport – including the DNA sample Claudia obtained from his glass of Scotch.
As Andy's girlfriend, Delia (Meredith Holzman), whom Crawford had sinisterly maneuvered to frame for his own protection from suspicion, opens fire on him on the courthouse steps on the fateful day of his nomination, the scenario shifts from dire to positively dystopian. As Delia, moments before being forcibly removed by the police, confesses to Elsbeth that she had nothing left to lose, doubts linger in my mind whether she acted alone. Should there be any plot twists surrounding this murder yet to unfold, I suspect they will be revealed in the remaining episodes of this season.
Now, with Crawford's life extinguished, the malicious turmoil he ignited continues to wreak havoc on everyone's existence, ushering in our climactic phase: What Do We Do Now? Kaya astutely observes that Crawford's assassination might paradoxically elevate him to the status of a folk hero or a martyred crusader for justice. Where does this leave our fearless protagonists? Teddy is consumed by despair and nihilism, deciding against applying to law school, unable to stomach the notion of operating within such a tainted system. Kaya frets over the potential loss of her job, while Elsbeth is consumed by regret and guilt for exposing her friends to danger, contemplating abandonment of their cause altogether.
Thank heavens for Captain Wagner's unwavering and laser-sharp resolve, as evidenced by his inspiring speech at the episode's close, which ranks alongside the legendary orations of Coach Taylor. Acknowledging their collective defeat, he steadfastly refuses to succumb, declaring, "We do what we can, every single day, to make this system marginally better." For him, the endeavor itself is the mission. The fruits of their labor may be uncertain, but when one has tried, they know they did not stand idle when action was possible. He is absolutely spot-on. Even amidst corruption or dire straits, the essence lies in striving.
