What to Watch: Elsbeth
Carrie Preston & Carra Peterson
To preface this review, I have to state, while I watched the whole series of the Good Fight. I never went backwards to its origin, and watched The Good Wife. Why, no clue, timing, interest, all I can say is, no clue! ELSBETH is a character that appeared in several seasons of the Good Fight. I watched the whole series during the COVID pandemic, and then watched the final season during post-COVID. While I was drawn to The Good Fight, because of Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald. Like any good show, there was always a surprising character who would assume the number spot when they appeared on the show. Now if you are asking yourself, where have I seen Elsbeth before, roll the clock back a decade to HBO’s TRUE BLOOD series. Which she stared in for 6 season. Preston has so many movies and tv shows on resume. From one of the quirky southern cousins in My Best friends Wedding, to even a Woody Allen film. I know, many are trying to forgot those jobs, how about instead, she’s acted alongside greats like Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymore Hoffman and Julia Roberts, twice!
Jane Krokowsky, Blair Underwood, Rhetta, Linda Lavin
That surprise character, was Carrie Preston as Elsbeth, a hyper aware and intelligent lawyer, who’s quirky southern accent, just makes you fall her instantly. Preston’s character Elsbeth, actually made its debut on The Good Wife series, and then in The Good Fight. Both shows are the brain child of Michelle and Robert King, and Preston’s portrayal of Elsbeth has manifested into a third show within the King Realm of TV. Elsbeth continues the guest staring episode formula that is present in it’s two predecessor. All three series have a long list of heavy hitters guest staring on the show, while having key characters crossing over from the other two series. Elsbeth’s new collection of friends and family for the titled character is where the gold is. Preston’s on screen chemistry with her partner Carra Patterson is seamless from season to season and finally after more than a decade of the Elsbeth character on TV, we finally get to meet the son she can’t seem to stop talking about.
This show is worth getting into because it’s already renewed for it’s 3rd season. Do you need to watch the other series (Good Wife/Good Fight) to get into Elsbeth? My go to answer is no. I think the three series can stand on their own, but there are story arcs that do have some origins that can prove useful in fully understanding what some of the character s are talking about. Preston’s portrayal of Elsbeth is enough of a distraction to get past the small hidden story lines. The show is on Paramount+.
Elsbeth is already in it’s second season, both seasons premiered in 2024, which is pretty amazing fete. The first season pickup where the character Elsbeth left off during the final season of The Good Fight in 2022. Fair warning that last season is a bit emotional, because it will send you right back into your memories of post Covid and the post 2020 election. Each episode in first two seasons are again a stand alone story that is edited with a continuous story of some of the characters. The characters is where the gold is with the show. Right out the gate you get to watch seasoned actors like Preston but also Wendell Pierce (from Jack Ryan & Suits) who is just a master of presence on your tv screen. He’s made so many great shows and even appears in the Superman.
The guest starts is another highlight of this show. From icons like Gina Gershon to Mary-Louise Parker, to comedy legends like Nathan Lane, Linda Lavin, Tracy Ullman and Eric McCormack. Heck the show even hits the rewind button and calls back to greats from the 80’s like Jill Eickenberry and Blair Underwood. Then there is a long list of unknowns but then there are the familiar faces who are just there to light you up when they walk on to the screen. My top two guests in the series most certainly was Rhetta (from Parks & Recreation and Good Girls) and standup king Murray Hill. The kids especially love this show. I think I’ve even peeked an interest in exploring two origin shows for the rest of HK5.