From a purely plot-centric lens, Elsbeth's second season finale masterfully ties up a pivotal narrative thread—Kaya Blanke's transformation from a capable yet somewhat complacent patrol officer to an ascending luminary within the NYPD's detective ranks. Simultaneously, it grants viewers a nostalgic reunion between Elsbeth and a medley of killers whose schemes she and Kaya have thwarted across the first two seasons. Kaya's elevation to an elite task force stationed in another precinct signifies that Carra Patterson, whose portrayal infused warmth, steadfastness, and an instantly credible depth of New York savviness, will henceforth appear as a guest star.
As for guest stars, "Ramen Holiday" spares no expense. Through a ingenious and parsimonious sequence of introductions during an officer escort of Elsbeth to her cell in the Midtown Detention Center's women's section, we are reintroduced to an ensemble that includes Stephen Moyer as the lecherous theatrical director Alex Modarian, Mary-Louise Parker as the deceitful minimalist Freya Frostad, Alyssa Milano as the mafia princess Pupetta Del Ponte, Arian Moayed as the self-proclaimed male ally and mixologist Joe Dillion, Gina Gershon as the plastic surgeon Vanessa Holmes, Rhetta as the unparalleled matchmaker Margot Clark, Elizabeth Lail as the deceptive tech entrepreneur Quinn Powers, and André De Shields as the fashion designer Mateo Hart.
As always, the guest stars appear to be having an absolutely blast on set, with Moyer perhaps standing out the most by delivering a hilariously spot-on impression of Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter from "The Silence of The Lambs." Elsbeth's personal rogue's gallery serves as a reminder of the myriad worlds of affluence and privilege she has traversed over the series' initial 30 episodes, recreating an elitist bubble even within the confines of prison. Here, a motley crew of infamous (alleged!) murderers has converged, each possessing means, motives, and opportunities, thanks to the leniency afforded by Warden Mrs. Martin (Donna Lynne Champlin, who surprisingly refrained from singing a single note in this episode, defying my expectations).
Deprived of activities like arts and crafts and theatrical rehearsals, the wealthy, entitled inmates grow increasingly irritable, prompting Martin to indulge them. Unsurprisingly, Modarian takes on the role of writer and director for the jailhouse theatricals, whose oeuvre tackles a theme that resonates with all members of his troupe: How The Deceitful Elsbeth Tascioni Manipulated Each Of Us Into Our Present Predicaments. When Elsbeth attends a rehearsal, she is initially appalled by the script's allegations of evidence tampering, then overjoyed to catch a glimpse of Mateo (arguably her favorite perpetrator to date), and finally, perplexed by the actors' overt disdain for their director.
Becoming a pivotal figure within the prison walls—a writer-director, the supervisor of the library cart, and the orchestrator of the clandestine prison black market—proved insufficient for Modarian. He harbored an ambitious scheme that promised to transfer him to a more salubrious institution. Alas, his meticulous plan would have sailed smoothly to fruition had it not been for an interfering murderer who viciously stabbed him in the back, depriving him even of a single mouthful of his enticing ramen noodles.
When Elsbeth, accompanied by Officer Rocco Bellini (Geoffrey Allen Murphy), who reveres Captain Wagner and aspires to join the ranks of New York’s Finest, stumbled upon Modarian's lifeless body, an unmistakable aroma ascended from his still-steaming bowl of ramen. Though she couldn't quite place it, the scent was eerily familiar—a serendipitous clue she was convinced was no mere happenstance but rather an intricate part of the murder puzzle. Warden Martin indulged Elsbeth's inquisitive nature and penchant for sleuthing, allowing her investigation to unfold unhindered alongside an external inquiry. The warden's demeanor, benevolent and occasionally warm, combined with Elsbeth's extensive collection of tote bags, ensured a harmonious relationship.
Alibis crumbled like house of cards, complicated by the lack of surveillance in the laundry room, kitchen, and library. Yet, as Elsbeth interrogated suspects and gathered minutiae, her subconscious processed the information, orchestrating a surreal dream ballet—an adaptation of Chicago’s “Cell Block Tango,” where the (alleged!) female perpetrators revealed their reasons why Alex had it coming and was solely responsible for his tragic demise. Each (alleged!) murderer—Quinn, Pupetta, Freya, Vanessa, and Margot—donned a sparkly prison jumpsuit adorned in a hue of the rainbow, beautifully melding Elsbeth's twin passions for theater and vibrant hues.
In a nostalgic twist fitting a retrospective episode, a clue from a past case turned out to be the linchpin in unraveling the present mystery. This time, it was the ramen knife and its distinctive aroma, which lingered even after dissolving in Modarian's noodles. With black market delicacies now absent, Pupetta's lamentations echoed everyone's longing for the culinary bliss enjoyed during Chef Veev's (Pamela Adlon) incarceration. Eureka! This reminded Elsbeth of the unforgettable spice blend she had observed in one of Veev's instructional masterclasses, the very blend that accounted for the alluring aroma lingers in the library. From this revelation, a cascade of insights propelled Elsbeth towards uncovering the true culprit: Warden Martin.
Martin expertly navigated the clandestine passageway, meticulously dug by Pupetta's Uncle Vinny, between the kitchen and laundry room, effortlessly gliding between prison wings to visit his sweetheart, all while covertly indulging in his darker pursuits—murder, in his case. The warden, feigning ignorance and disinterest in Modarian's highly profitable black market operations, presented a veil of detachment, yet her true colors shone through her clandestine use of tote bags to smuggle contraband into the prison walls. Her desperation to silence Modarian stemmed from his threat to exploit his intimate knowledge of Martin's corruption, seeking a transfer to a more lenient facility.
One of the endearing facets of "Ramen Holiday" lies in its delicate weaving of nostalgic references to fleeting moments scattered throughout previous episodes, akin to accessories enhancing an already harmonious ensemble. Though I'm confident I overlooked many, some notable callbacks that captured my heart include the title's nod to Elsbeth's Audrey Hepburn adoration revealed during the Halloween episode, the Chicago number subtly evoking the "Hot Honey Rag" performance with Keegan-Michael Key's character, Chloe the consultant (Jordana Brewster) being the undoing of Judge Doussaint, and Margot's indulgence in a Lavish Ladies marathon.
Outside the prison walls, a week-long waiting period kept visitors at bay from seeing Elsbeth, leaving Kaya increasingly restless ahead of her undercover assignment. Wagner's attempts to reason with the unyielding Judge Doussaint, who refused to extend leniency or offer Elsbeth the benefit of the doubt, fell on deaf ears. Fortunately, Teddy uncovered a critical detail—Crawford was not originally assigned to preside over Andy Mertons' murder trial. Though it initially landed on Doussaint's docket, he recused himself due to a scheduling conflict stemming from an invitation to a junket hosted by the Historical Law Society. Intriguingly, Doussaint's companion at this junket was none other than Chloe the consultant. Guess who's about to make a triumphant return!
Elsbeth's grand entrance at Kaya's farewell party, orchestrated by Wagner and Chandler with a color-blocked, sequined minidress, was quintessentially her—a delightful surprise. Kaya and Elsbeth shared an emotional farewell, which, let's be honest, did not stir even a hint of moisture in my eyes. Absolutely not! Cameron's heartfelt toast to Kaya was followed by Elsbeth's own, offering profound insights into her upcoming journey. Despite the tumultuous year she had endured, leaving New York for a fresh start seemed plausible, yet she chose to emulate Kaya's resolve, staying put where she was needed most—within the precinct, where she could continue her noble work and effect positive change. Again, my emotional state remains unperturbed, steadfastly composed! Thank you for accompanying me on this vibrant, eccentric, and increasingly emotionally profound journey this season. Here's to more heartfelt adventures next time around!
