Elsbeth (3x20) ⁞⁞ Episode Spotlight

Episode 20 of the CBS crime comedy Elsbeth was the third season finale. The episode titled "That's All" found leading lady Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) called up to use her legal skills to help investigate the mysterious death of a distant member of the royal family who is found at New York's legendary Hotel Reilly. The hotel's resident cabaret singer Ruby Lane (Patti LuPone) is at the center of the mystery, given her proximity to the crime and her secret history with the duke, Sebastian Mason. Ruby is joined in her act by her accompanist, Jolly Baker (Nathan Lee Graham). The two are shown to share a strong bond, despite their catty behavior towards one another. 

But before Elsbeth can get to solving the mystery, she gets a visit from her son Teddy (Ben Levi Ross), who reveals that he may be getting engaged to his boyfriend Roy (Hayward Leach). Elsbeth is excited but confused about the lack of confirmation on the engagement. Teddy reveals that he and Roy were talking about it and he got the hint that Roy wants him to propose, instead of the other way around, given Teddy's introverted personality. Unlike his mother, Teddy isn't a fan of standing out or making grand gestures. Elsbeth quickly makes some suggestions to help with his proposal, but Teddy isn't a fan of any of them, wanting to keep things low key. 

Back at the hotel, Elsbeth gets to know Ruby and Jolly, until Ruby catches on that Elsbeth suspects her involvement in the Duke's death. This causes her to clam up, though Jolly is more than happy to tell Elsbeth all about Ruby's behavior, putting her on the trail to the fact that a lot of Ruby's outlandish diva persona is not real, and put on for everyone around her that she sees as an audience. Elsbeth also crosses paths with another hotel resident, Monty Blakemont III (Michael Urie), as the two bond over Elsbeth interest in a painting in the hotel. Monty reveals his love of the hotel's art and his deep pockets. He gives her details on Ruby's performance the night the Duke was in attendance before his death, while also revealing that the hotel was potentially up for sale with its shareholders, including Ruby & the Duke, split on the decision. 

Later, Elsbeth arrived back at her office to find Roy, surprising her. Unaware of Teddy's previous visit, Roy confided in her about the possible engagement which he was leaving in Teddy's hands. Elsbeth kept quiet about Teddy's insecurities. Roy opened up to her about being the more outgoing of the duo, but wanting their engagement to feel special. He also revealed that he was willing to have a quiet future with Teddy, even if they move out of the big city in order to start a family. This revelation got Elsbeth scared that she might lose touch with her son if he moved away. 

After finding Monty in the Duke's hotel room, sealed by the police investigation, Elsbeth and Police Captain Wagner (Wendell Pierce) got more details on Ruby's adamant position that the hotel not be sold, which Elsbeth later discovered was likely due to her being in huge debt and being able to leverage her job to keep her residence. With the evidence mounting, Elsbeth got all the evidence she needed from Jolly to help close the case, as Ruby was arrested for killing Duke Mason. It was later revealed that the hotel would indeed be sold, but implied that Monty was the buyer, which would ensure it's artistic legacy. 

Despite her fears that Teddy would move away after marrying Roy, Elsbeth urged him to come up with a bigger gesture for the proposal, wanting to make sure that Roy felt special. Teddy resisted her advice, but later ran into Captain Wagner. He inquired about how the older man proposed to his wife and Wagner relayed the story, and how it impacted his life for years as his wife relayed it to everyone she met, including their children, who now saw it as part of their family history. Teddy took this to heart and called in some favors. He later arrived at the Hotel Reilly with Roy, revealing the club was reserved for a private event. Teddy surprised Roy by singing him a song, accompanied by Jolly and his band. Elsbeth watched happily from afar, despite her sadness that he relationship with her son was changing. The now-engaged Teddy & Roy ended the episode with a celebratory slow dance.