Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 13 Review: ‘Murder Six Across’

Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 13 “Murder Six Across” takes a deep dive into the world of crossword puzzles and the people who love them. The case is fun and fluffy enough, with guest star Steve Buscemi as our tradition-obsessed, black and white daydreaming, super puzzle solver. Yes, he spends this hour doing exactly what you’d expect from Steve Buscemi in that kind of role. Along the way, we learn that Elsbeth has had to quit crosswords after being a little bit too obsessed with them, but it doesn’t take much to get her interested all over again when she’s asked to investigate this case. Somewhere in there, there’s even a nice, heartwarming message about how these puzzles can bring people together.

All of that works fine enough, certainly better than the wiggins-inducing wig case in the previous episode, but then…Alec Bloom. It takes him lying about whether or not he’s seen E.T.—not entirely certain if he lies to Teddy’s boyfriend when he gushes over it being a favorite or if he lies to Elsbeth about never having seen it. Although, the latter is more likely, given the uncertainty clouding his backstory—for Elsbeth to finally have that moment of recognition that, yes, there’s something off about this guy. As always, it’s just bizarre that someone who’s usually so good at reading people has avoided so many red flags, including a skillfully-crafted attack ad put out by a group that a group associated with Winnie Crawford put out.

Potentially, this story could go somewhere now that Elsbeth knows…but at what cost? Either way, she’s been so charmed by this fraud and finally, actually, feels special because of him—to the point of absolutely gushing about him in Wagner’s office in this hour. Admittedly, Elsbeth getting all dreamy over Alec makes for a great moment for Carrie Preston. But knowing that the fantasy’s got to end sooner or later—turns out it’s sooner—it’s also just a deeply uncomfortable scene to watch. Preston also does some excellent work, pulling at our heartstrings, as Elsbeth can finally no longer deny what’s been staring her in the face this whole time. The way she goes from having this lovely time with her son, who until now has been keeping his distance, to…shock and horror really hits hard.

But to what end? At some point, we really need to think about what a disservice it does, not only to this series’ protagonist but, really, to any series’ female lead, to have a woman just lose all sense of intuition or intelligence in the face of an attractive man. As in, the implications…are not great. To say the least.

MORE: We were excited to see Marissa Gold back this season, even if her introducing Elsbeth to Alec has been a dirty trick from the start.

More Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 13 reactions

• “I still don’t know what that word means!” “Cheugy? It means outdated or uncool.” Stephen Colbert explained this better. Just saying.
• “Now, more than ever, we rely on supporters like you.” Ok, NPR.
• “A Tiktok dance? Really?”
• “You used to thrill us! You referenced the classics, geopolitics, and real music. Now, it’s all lazy clues and subpar pop culture references! Who is it for?! Why are you bending to the will of a generation that gets their news from an emoji? This puzzle is an institution that you’ve destroyed! And stay away from Elaine!” One, this is really well done by Buscemi. Two, big “youths bad” energy. Three, I mean…I do miss difficult puzzles…but I don’t think it’s a “the youths are dumb” thing so much as an “everyone’s brain is cooked right now” thing…
• I don’t understand how such an intelligent person, doing such an elaborate coverup, wasn’t worried about getting his prints all over the screen of that tablet.
• “A crossword puzzle case seems right in your wheelhouse.” “The thing is, I don’t do the crossword anymore. As you know, I have a tendency to become consumed by puzzles. I already have too many words and thoughts rattling around in my head.” Love how anxious and squirmy she is through all this. And “too many words and thoughts!” sounds like she’s had it up to here.
• This little crossword puzzle song: Instant hit.
• “Teddy thinks I’m not very rational when it comes to my love life.” Then, Wagner with the dad voice and head tilt: “Are you?” But like, literally, this is what I’m talking about. Because “irrational, lovestruck woman. Men in her life the smart ones” is not the best look!
• “No, but…can you blame me? The eyes of the entire city are on Alec Bloom. His eyes are on me. And ohhh, he can really wear a suit.”
• “I think I need more girlfriends to talk to.” “You do.” Yeah, so about that. She had a very good friend. Her name was Kaya, and we have no idea where she is after that last appearance! Also, the womenfolk can talk about more than just the cute boys together!
• “I thought I was obsessive.” Me when I see some of the things happening in my fandoms.
• “Everyone has an opinion. Whereas, pitch, it’s either right or it’s wrong.” 
• “I love your bag! Do you mind if i feel it?” You know when a fabric looks really soft, and you want to find out, but you know it’s weird to ask…or…
• “Simon says…Oh! That’s funny. Simon says.”
• “Elizabeth or Alice Beth. I forgot your name.” “Elsbeth. Tascioni. 15 letters.”
• Elsbeth working on all those puzzles, just surrounded and obsessing in the middle of the night, is so relatable. For me, it was trying to make proofs perfect in undergrad and trying 2938743 different approaches.
• “I don’t like being constrained by one box.” And this is why we love her.
• “You don’t belong in the ugly world of politics.” Me at this show right now.
• “I used to defend the governor of Illinois. Did I not mention that?” Oh, ok. Elsbeth hasn’t really fully shared much with this man either. Cool, cool. Also, used to. Used. To. Past. Tense.
• Carrie Preston doing the “Ell-i-ottttttttt” from E.T. YES. More of this, please and thank you.
• “To be clear, nobody asked you to stay up all night doing the crossword.” “All those empty squares were TAUNTING ME.” As if Wagner doesn’t even know her.
• “…it’s still a fun way to pass the time. While I drink my expensive coffee.” The way he raises that mug, though. But also. I once again have to be, like, “relatable.”
• Is that bit about the genius solver making an absolute mess of the puzzle supposed to be aimed at viewers who think they could do a better season arc or.
• “When you have a problem, you have to work around it.”
• Not Elsbeth asking if “delulu” is Italian.
• “Using any kind of bag to kill someone IS JUST WRONG!”
• “Lately, the best part of doing the crossword has been getting to do it with my kids.” Poor Elsbeth, just crushed there.
• And now…this.
• “…otherwise known as the late 1900s.” Thanks. I hate it.
• “No. Never doubt your intuition.” Just as Teddy’s starting to do the very supportive, loving son thing and say he’ll try to like Alec as long as he makes his mom happy.
• Pain.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 13 “Murder Six Across”? Leave us a comment!

Elsbeth airs Thursday at 10/9c on CBS, streaming on Paramount+ the next day.