Episode 2 of "Elsbeth" kicks off with an elite gathering of billionaires immersed in a space training program, their ambition palpable in the air. Among them, the rivalry between Gavin and Neal intensifies to a boiling point, culminating in Neal's sneaky maneuver to sabotage Gavin's boots. This treacherous act leads to a dramatic explosion during Gavin's centrifuge training session, sending shockwaves through the program.
In parallel, Elsbeth's serene day is disrupted by an unexpected encounter with a former colleague in a sleek black car. This acquaintance serves as a grim messenger, warning her that one of her esteemed clients stands on the brink of another divorce. The reminder of her confidentiality obligations looms large, casting a shadow over her legal practice.
As Elsbeth and her diligent colleague Blanke arrive at the high-tech training center, they find it in a state of lockdown. The captain and the resident fire expert present a plausible theory: the explosion could have been sparked by a battery, as all electronic devices were strictly prohibited during centrifuge sessions. Neal quickly points the finger at Gavin, alleging he used a vape. However, Elsbeth's keen investigative skills uncover the truth: Gavin relied on smokeless air inhalers, devoid of any batteries. Furthermore, Gavin's doctor verifies his five-year-long sobriety, promptly reclassifying the incident as a chilling murder case.
Elsbeth proposes a meticulous search for a missing battery across all gadgets in the station. Meanwhile, Neal's son, a fervent admirer of Gavin's work in renewable energy, grapples with the loss of his hero and the strained relationship with his father. Upon reviewing CCTV footage, Elsbeth's suspicions toward Neal deepen, especially after uncovering a past incident where Gavin publicly ridiculed Neal as a "snoozer" for boring a delegate to sleep during a presentation on paint at the G7 summit. Neal's son also stumbles upon Gavin's secret involvement in fracking, adding another layer of complexity to Neal's attempts to mend their bond. Later, Neal subtly hints at a possible romantic entanglement between Gavin and Morgan.
Elsewhere, Blanke and Wagner stumble upon an earring in Gavin's room, sparking suspicions of a connection. Morgan clarifies her innocence, revealing that she was merely interested in stock information and noticing Gavin's unusual use of insoles due to his height. Elsbeth theorizes that Neal might have concealed the battery within Gavin's insole as a revenge tactic for the "snoozer" insult. However, concrete evidence remains elusive.
Elsbeth discovers that Gavin's hoverboard, recently reported as non-functional, is inexplicably operational. The fire expert enlightens her that batteries can be repurposed in different devices, prompting a search for a recently failed one. At this juncture, Morgan casually mentions her electric face mask malfunctioning. Elsbeth interrogates her and confirms the missing battery's theft. When the team extracts the battery from the hoverboard, they uncover a gold pen tip, revealing Neal's clever modus operandi: he used his gold-tipped pen to extract the battery from the hoverboard and strategically placed it in Gavin's insole.
Neal's confession spills forth, driven by his resentment over Gavin's influence in alienating his son. The intricate web of deceit and revenge finally unravels, leaving the participants of the space training program, and indeed all viewers, captivated by the depth of human emotion and the lengths one might go to seek justice or vengeance.
Elsbeth makes her way back to the office, where she is met with unsettling news about a high-profile celebrity divorce case that stirs her emotions.
