'Elsbeth' Episode 1 Sneak Peek: Derisive professor Alex Modarian gets detained for Olivia Cherry's murder
Spoilers of 'Elsbeth' episode 1
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Created by Robert King and Michelle King, CBS' latest comedy-drama, 'Elsbeth' is the spin-off of 'The Good Wife.'
The series features Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston), an atypical legal practitioner who, after a 30-year flourishing profession in Chicago, relocates to New York City to join the NYPD.
The first episode of the season explores the complicated case of Olivia Cherry (Alex Costello), who is thought to have committed suicide but was killed by her acting school director, Alex Modarian (Stephen Moyer).
Alex Modarian murders Olivia Cherry in 'Elsbeth' Episode 1
The episode begins with Alex engaging in nefarious actions, swapping Olivia's prescription tablets with narcotics in an attempt to conceal his nefarious acts. The tension between Olivia and Alex came to light when Olivia issued a threat to expose Alex's adulterous relationship with her.
It was established throughout the episode Olivia was not the first pupil with whom the teacher had a sexual relationship in exchange for meaty parts in the productions.
Unfortunately, Olivia had no idea that the threats would endanger her life, as Alex shows up at her flat under the stormy, pitch-black night. Olivia, who had taken the phony tablets, was still alive but was lying on the ground incoherently.
The cunning director skillfully manipulated the evidence to create the illusion that Oliva's death was a result of suicide. Initially, he clones her Sim and proceeds to send messages to her peers, suggesting dissatisfaction and a potential inclination towards self-harm.
Then he pretended to research suicide techniques on the Internet before covering Olivia's head with a plastic bag. The girl yearned for her life but ultimately succumbed to death.
Alex Modarian complains about Elsbeth Tascioni
Alex, confident that he had successfully concealed his wrongdoing, was taken aback when Elsbeth questioned his involvement. The initial action she takes is to interrogate him about wearing the identical Old Irish deodorant found in Olivia's bathroom cabinet.
The double space similarities between Alex's syllabus and the texts Olivia sent to her friends before taking her own life additionally give him the willies, as Elsbeth seized on these resemblances to intensify her scrutiny during the interrogation
The cunning director initially tried to divert the doubts about him to a phony stalker of Olivia by using a forged printed letter that contained an identical double mistake, further solidifying Elsbeth's doubt.
Later, he threw his student Todd under the bus to protect himself. However, his unease persisted upon discovering that Todd was released due to insufficient evidence.
In a bid to further implicate the boy, he tries to plant the Sim clone in his bag, but Elsbeth and the NYPD team catch him in the act.
Ultimately, the cunning director was apprehended for his crimes.
'Elsbeth' episode 1 is now streaming on Paramount+