Elsbeth (2024) s02e16 Episode Script
Hot Tub Crime Machine
1
(WHIRRING)
FREYA: The calendar this
month feels a bit imbalanced.
Imbalanced? How?
I managed a dozen press events
and still made time
for this relationship.
Shouldn't I get, uh,
a little reciprocity?
Could you set the book
down when you talk?
It's like there are two of you.
This calendar, it's-it's packed
with Axel and Taylor time.
16 blocks,
including tonight.
For this relationship to work,
it needs equal apportionment.
You're always invited, Freya,
you just never want to join us.
For a microbial soak? No, thank you.
It's a hot tub, babe, not a petri dish.
(SCOFFS)
Well, I guess I'm doomed,
to be an outsider
in my own relationship.
TAYLOR: Hey.
We love you.
And we appreciate
everything you do for us.
Really? You do? Like what?
Like the calendar.
Oh, yeah. The calendar is vital.
And you're right.
We'll make more time
for the three of us together.
What about tomorrow?
- But just us.
- Deal.
You can pick what we do.
AXEL: Cool. So, what's next
on this agenda?
Oh, a gift
from Axel and me
(FREYA GASPS)
to celebrate you joining our life.
The last six months have been
the best in our marriage.
Thanks.
I don't think I have
anything to put in here.
Your gummies, maybe.
- (LAUGHS)
- FREYA: Of course,
you know you have to give
something up for this.
No, come on, we can make an exception.
She's already given up plenty.
And gained two partners.
Excess is for the masses. You know that.
Plus, this will help you maintain
your 44 items.
AXEL: Sweet.
Meeting over? I want to go finish
my squats reps.
It's leg day. Mwah.
Maybe we should call it a night.
Pass me a towel.
(FREYA GASPS)
You've been naughty. (LAUGHS)
What is this?
This is your real anniversary present.
It's beautiful.
But I don't have anything
to give up for it.
Well, it'll just be our little secret.
Sometimes, baby, more is more.
Mm.
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
FREYA: It's so nice
to have our night out.
Axel would hate this hotel.
But it's perfect for us.
(LAUGHS)
Totally.
Why don't we go to
a karaoke bar or something?
Wouldn't that be fun?
Mm
I have a better idea.
What about
some relationship-building exercises
Mmm.
Where we just stare
into each other's eyes
for eight minutes?
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
How about this for a
relationship-building exercise?
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
FREYA: You have to come in.
The water is perfect.
One second.
(QUIETLY): Come on.
(MUFFLED GROANING)
(BEEPING)
(EXHALES)
(MUFFLED GRUNTING)
(MUFFLED SCREAMING)
(SIGHS)
Axel?
Where is he?
(SIGHS) Of course,
he wouldn't clean up after himself.
Something's wrong.
He wouldn't leave his phone.
(COVER WHIRRING)
(STEAM HISSING)
(SCREAMS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hello.
Oh, excuse me. Yeah.
Is Detective Kaya Blanke on this case?
EDWARDS: Hate to disappoint,
- but no.
- Oh.
Of course. (CHUCKLES)
I don't know why I thought
that we'd be on the same cases
now that she's made detective.
Um, authentic New York
Black & White Cookie?
Uh, not much of a sweet tooth.
More for me.
So, what happened here?
Hot tub drowning. Axel Frostad, 52.
- Personal trainer.
- ELSBETH: Mm,
how horrifying. Heart attack?
Worse. It appears a clogged
drain caused another drain
to overcompensate.
The force sucked in his ponytail
and held him under long
enough for him to drown.
Yikes. Any witnesses?
No.
The family was at a hotel.
What a terrible way to go.
Terrible, but not unusual.
Suction entrapment accounts for dozens
of injuries and deaths every year.
Not much else for us to do here.
I'm gonna wrap this up.
Maybe skip your Elsbeth-y thing
this time.
- Hi.
- FREYA: Oh, uh
Uh, all of your colleagues are
wearing their shoe coverings.
Kindly follow their lead.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I can't believe he's gone.
FREYA: It's been quite a shock.
- Who are you?
- Um,
I'm Elsbeth Tascioni.
I'm with the police.
Police carrying baked goods?
Unorthodox.
They're not standard issue,
but they make
great conversation starters.
Would you care for one?
Thanks, no. Are those your crumbs
- on my floor?
- Freya, please.
"Freya"? (TONGUE CLICKS)
Wow, that's a beautiful name.
FREYA: Freya Frostad.
Axel was my husband.
I'm Taylor.
The three of us were together.
Oh, so you're a throuple?
I'm sorry, I don't mean
to act surprised,
I've just only ever seen that on TV.
- It's so not a big deal.
- EDWARDS: This was recovered
from one of the drains.
Do either of you recognize it?
BOTH: No.
Are you sure? This looks, um,
pretty unique.
One, two, three, four
tote bags?
Why are you carrying around so much?
Are you worried you're not enough?
(LAUGHS SOFTLY) People
usually say I'm too much.
FREYA: I'll get you a copy of my book.
It can help with all the excess.
Oh, I recognize you now.
You were on my favorite
morning show this week.
You help people, um
declutter.
Mutt may
"Much More for More," or something?
"Less is More," and it is.
Oh. Thank you. I, uh, I enjoy my excess.
People acquire unnecessary stuff
because it makes them feel in control,
but they're not.
We're certain that's none of ours.
Now, if you'll excuse us,
we'd like to grieve in private.
And one word of advice: just let go.
Start with one
tote bag, just one.
Are you happy now that
you've made the family upset?
There's something odd about that woman.
Yeah, she's odd.
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
Oh, hey, hey.
Perfect timing. (CHUCKLES)
- I've only got a minute or two.
- Okay, I am decluttering.
Which one of these bags
speaks to you the least?
"Less is More With 44:
"The Freya Frostad Method of Letting Go
for a Life of Quality,
Not Quantity."
That is a long title for a minimalist.
- (LAUGHS): Yeah.
- Ooh.
Is that your new case? Let's brainstorm.
- Actually, I
- Oh, I almost forgot.
Brain food.
I got these from the cutest
little bakery on 73rd.
I can't get enough of them.
Thanks, but I've been
cutting down on sugar lately.
Oh, um, I didn't realize.
No, it's no sweat.
I should get back to it.
We'll talk later?
Definitely. I'm just so sad
that we're not working on
the same cases anymore.
Oh. Yeah.
But I kind of like the challenge.
Right.
Yeah. (CHUCKLES)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
Progress, I see.
I pulled Axel Frostad's
medical records.
Due diligence.
Wow, that's a lot of records
for a personal trainer.
In the last six months, Axel Frostad
has been to the urgent care
over half a dozen times.
Repeated G.I. distress,
hair-dryer electrocution.
Multiple slip-and-falls. One of them
was on a frozen yoga mat.
Is that a thing?
I'm sure it isn't.
Either Axel Frostad
is the unluckiest man in New York or
Somebody's been trying to kill him.
Oh, thank you for walking Gonzo.
This case I'm on has me all
(BABBLES)
Yeah, it looks like it.
And I'm happy to help.
Roy's job gave him equipment
to record his White Whale
podcast at home.
- Ooh, that's great for Roy.
- Yeah, sure,
except he lives in a studio,
and I ruined a take by sneezing.
Are you okay? Do you have a temperature?
No. Mom.
No, I'm fine, I'm just more annoyed
than anything.
Roy said that I'm fine and can stay
as long as I make no human sounds.
Oh, no. Are you and Roy
So, um, what's this new case you're on?
Get this:
it's a throuple maybe murder.
Mm. Well, that expands
the usual suspect pool.
And it's got me thinking.
First of all, why would you kill someone
instead of just breaking up with them?
Hmm, maybe because breakup
conversations are the worst?
And second,
can you get everything
you need in a relationship
from just one person?
You must have thought
Dad was enough to marry him.
Oh, of course, but we married young.
And then we grew and we changed, a lot.
A lot, a lot.
Our politics, our hobbies, our
hats, but then we got you,
and it was all well worth it.
It was worth your dumpster-fire divorce?
Yes. Every second.
I don't know, maybe you can't
expect everything
from just one person.
I mean, like you said, people change.
And I-I haven't really experimented
with dating more than
(STAMMERS)
So, I heard
that you had a thing with
some hot Scottish dude.
Kaya told you? (CHUCKLES)
I was gonna tell you eventually,
I promise.
I'm happy for you.
(LAUGHS): Well, thank you.
Me, too.
It's nice to have a "thing."
Especially one that doesn't
have a lot of baggage.
(CHUCKLES)
Love you. Mwah.
Bye, Gonzo.
You're a good girl. Gonzo.
(WHIMPERS SOFTLY)
So, Captain, uh, froth was present
in the upper and lower airways.
Also, findings of pleural effusion
and lung overinflation.
- So, Axel Frostad drowned?
- Uh, yes.
Uh, he also had fresh, broken skin
on the knuckles of both hands.
EDWARDS: Our victim got into a fight
with someone, then.
Got his hair stuck in a drain
and drowned.
One hell of a fight.
There was no blood at the crime scene.
It was weirdly immaculate.
And as far as we know, he was alone.
So who did he fight with?
Or what?
Perfect. I'll send out
an APB for a "what."
Better yet, go back to the scene.
Maybe we missed something.
Oh, good idea. But I don't think Freya
will be very happy with me.
Why? Are you gonna accuse her of murder?
No, not yet. Because I haven't let go
of even one item from my totes yet.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Captain, we have something
we need your eyes on ASAP.
Sorry to interrupt.
Oh, never apologize.
ASAP?
That sounds important.
Is there anything I can
WAGNER: Detective Blanke
can handle this on her own.
Ms. Tascioni,
close the door on the way out.
That she can. And of course.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
Time is of the essence, my friend.
Okay.
We could start
with frozen hot chocolate
at Serendipity.
And she says she hates merry-go-rounds,
but people just say that
until they're on them.
Is this about the case?
The case? Case of the birthdays.
- It's Kaya's birthday.
- What? When?
The seventh.
The seventh?
I had no idea.
Oh, my God.
And I have such a backlog of cases.
This-this-this cannot be
my first boyfriend fail.
It won't be, boyfriend. (CHUCKLES)
Sorry, that sounded weird.
I'm just so excited
we can finally say it.
Um, my note cards and I
have this handled.
You and your dead bodies can rest easy.
Sorry, that sounded weird, too.
Yeah thank you, Elsbeth. Um
You know, Kaya's lucky
to have a friend like you.
(CHUCKLES) Oh, stop it.
I'm the lucky one.
I guess I am, too.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
Ooh, boy, it's dark in there.
That's a top-of-the-line
Tub Top with a watertight seal.
You could develop film in there.
Don't say that. She'll try it.
What are you looking for, anyway?
Mr. Frostad had bloody knuckles.
There was no indication of
a struggle outside the hot tub,
so we're trying to see
if something happened inside.
Maybe he was trying
to fight his way out.
You can't punch your way out.
Our tops could survive a nuclear blast.
Oh. That's a selling point. Huh.
- Anything?
- Let's see.
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(SOFTLY): Any update?
(WHISPERING): No.
Just rubbing their dirty feet
all over our hot tub.
You'll be the first to know
the minute I find out anything.
About that, um
When you tell me,
I may be somewhere else.
Freya, I can't be here anymore.
If it's too much
to be where Axel passed,
then let's-let's check into a hotel.
No, I saw
the new calendar with all
of the shared time for just us,
and my palms started to sweat.
That's not a dynamic I'm interested in.
It's a lot to get used to.
And we've just
we've just suffered a devastating loss.
And that loss makes us
a couple, not a throuple.
I don't do couples.
I'm sorry. We both deserve
what we need and want
from a relationship,
and "us" just isn't for me.
Like you say, I think
it's time to let go.
No.
What?
No, no.
I-I just, I-I agree with you.
It's too
it's too much pressure
with just the two of us.
Let's bring in a third.
(GRUNTS SOFTLY)
The sooner, the better.
I'm putting it at the top
of our to-do list.
Really?
We've had to let go of so much.
I can't lose you, too.
(EXHALES)
I won't, I won't lose you, too.
(SIGHS)
ELSBETH: (GASPS) So I was right.
Axel was alive.
MISTY: I was right, too.
Told you you can't punch
through our quality tops.
So we found your "what."
But what does that give us besides
for an even less pleasant
drowning than we thought?
Well, Axel wouldn't close
the cover on himself.
Generally, he couldn't have,
- but technically
- What do you mean by "generally"?
The Frostads have
an upgraded motion control feature.
If no movement is detected
in the hot tub for 30 minutes,
the cover closes automatically.
So, if Axel was moving,
the motion detection
shouldn't have kicked in.
Correct.
And what did you mean by "technically"?
Technically, you can override
the motion detection
and close the cover via the app
like I did when you got in.
But Axel's phone wasn't near him.
And what if the Wi-Fi goes out?
Then you can just press
the physical switch,
which should be
(HUMMING SOFTLY)
Oh, found it.
MISTY: I can't count how many
electric code violations that is.
The proximity to water alone.
This was clearly a user error.
But which user?
Because Axel
couldn't have reached the switch.
Regardless, the switch placement
voids our warranty
and Tub Tops's liability in the matter.
FREYA: Where else could it go?
You had the switch installed down here?
Of course I did.
Anywhere else would be an eyesore.
Pure anarchy.
People need to use things as intended.
FREYA: I need
to grieve my husband in peace.
We understand.
Taylor was particularly upset.
We're equally upset.
Right, but you can appreciate
that my job
is to make sure the police do
a quality investigation.
And mine is to make sure
Tub Tops's good name
doesn't get smeared in the press.
Why didn't you unclog the drain
after we sent text alerts?
(SIGHS) I delete all my texts.
After reading, they so quickly
become digital clutter.
Unbelievable.
- Smart.
- Convenient.
So, if there's nothing else
There is, unfortunately.
Axel was alive and fighting
to get out of the hot tub
after the cover closed.
You're saying Axel could have survived?
I don't understand.
None of us do, frankly.
EDWARDS: The motion detection
should have prevented
the cover from closing,
so it must have malfunctioned.
Again, please refrain from accusing
our product of malfunctioning.
It's in perfect working order.
Someone must have hit the switch.
Who? No one else was here
at the time of death.
You're the police. You figure out who.
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
ELSBETH: Well,
that's who.
Yeah. I must have
I must have activated
the Sopa that night out of
habit.
Axel was always out
of the hot tub by 9:00.
(CRYING)
Oh, my God.
(WAILING)
How could I make such a tragic mistake?
Yes. How could you have?
ART: Sopa Sweep Cleaner
Enterprises will not take
the public heat because
our Sopa cleaned too well.
And Tub Tops will not be
blamed for manufacturing
- too good a cover.
- The cover wasn't faulty.
And the Sopa Sweep Cleaner is clean,
both technically and physically.
It was empty before we arrived.
One man's emptying is
another man's tampering.
So it was
- User error.
- User error.
Error the user Freya
was more than willing to point out.
Accidents happen.
Murder is better for a brand
than an accident.
Sorry to disappoint.
(EXCLAIMING)
How long would it take for
this much hair to accumulate?
- Five months.
- Several months.
And it was only in one drain.
(TONGUE CLICKS)
Maybe we should run some tests on it,
you know, since that is an option.
Is it, now?
A clog this big
with someone as tidy as Freya?
User error or user something else.
- Like something intentional.
- Mmm.
Test the hair.
Gross, but plausible.
Tub Tops will cover the cost of testing.
Cover the cost?
- Well, that's a great deal
- (DEVICE WHIRS)
Uh
Fine. We'll test the hair.
Before it gets swept away. Satisfied?
ALL: Yes.
I'll show you out.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
Sorry. But not sorry.
You could've stopped at the first sorry.
I know accidents are never accidents
in Elsbeth's brightly dystopian world.
But there is something fishy
about all of Axel's hospital visits.
And I found Freya
and Taylor's updated profile
on the dating site Polymates.
They're looking for a new third.
Well, Freya is the guru of letting go.
Exactly. She "let go" of Axel.
Tub Tops and Sopa Sweeps and throuples?
(STAMMERS) No judgment,
but I can't get my head
around any of it.
Well, "sopa" means "sweep" in Swedish,
so, technically, it's "Sweep Sweep."
What's confusing about throuples?
Throuple the trouble, if you ask me.
Or pleasure.
ELSBETH: But for our purposes,
differences in dyads can cause conflict.
"Dyad"?
It's the relationship
between two people.
A triad can be made up of
(CLICKS TONGUE)
three dyads.
Freya showed us her calendar.
Axel and Taylor spent a lot
of nights alone in the hot tub.
NRE can cause a lot of jealousy.
New relationship energy.
W-What language are you all talking?
Polyamory jargon. I've been reading.
And I've been living.
Well, I don't need to do either.
I get all I need from
my one love, Claudia.
Maybe people would actually be happy
if they focused on one person
and less jargon.
But no judgment, though, right, Captain?
- Was it something I said?
- Yes.
FREYA: Thank you for bringing back
the Sopa.
Oh, of course.
We got all 11 of your messages
asking for it back.
Well, it is my favorite of my 44 things.
That's telling.
So, where did I
It's in here, somewhere. (LAUGHS)
I can't take it.
We are decluttering your totes.
Right now.
I tried your method,
but then I didn't have any boxes.
So I went to buy them,
but then I didn't know what size, so
And what does my method say
about excuses and procrastination?
Don't.
Exactly.
So where's Taylor?
She's taking her time.
I'd rather we not bother her.
You really love her, don't you?
Well, she brought life
to our home.
To me.
And, uh, without her, my life
would be
Empty?
Let's take everything out of your totes.
Oh. That's easy.
ELSBETH: Huh.
It's less than I thought.
You know, I, uh, I put things in,
but I never really know
what I'm gonna pull out.
- It's a mystery.
- Mm.
And I do love a mystery.
Mystery is one word to describe it.
It's just (CHUCKLES)
having all of my things with me,
it helps me think.
Decluttering our things
helps declutter our minds.
Then we can focus.
I hope so.
Because Axel's accident,
as simple as it seems,
- confounds me
- Uhp, bup, bup.
Mrs. Tascioni, ready?
Deep breath.
Raindrops on roses ♪
Okay, I don't need it.
Bright copper kettles ♪
And warm woolen mittens ♪
Brown paper packages
tied up with strings ♪
These are a few
of my favorite things ♪
When that dog bites,
when that bee stings ♪
When I'm feeling sad ♪
I simply remember my favorite things ♪
And then I don't feel ♪
So bad. ♪
Oh. Makoto.
(LAUGHS)
You must think I'm so weird.
Oh, please.
Last year, I cleaned out a
$20 million West Village carriage house
with 146 gold-gilded deviled egg plates.
N-No, uh 147.
I mean, I love deviled eggs
as much as the next Midwesterner,
but yowza.
People hold on to the things they value,
but the value isn't in the thing.
It's in the memory attached.
I guess I just like having
my things on me, you know?
Mm. My bags don't feel heavy to me.
Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa,
that's my son's first Mother's Day card.
Well, the value isn't in the thing.
Sometimes it is.
But he spelled "mother" wrong.
It's easy for you to let things go.
You know, your method,
it must've helped
in your throuple relationship.
I mean, some say that's complicated.
Does having one partner
make it any less complicated?
Was your
son from a successful relationship?
We divorced.
He didn't meet an untimely end.
Lucky you.
And him.
Your relationship with Taylor
must feel less
cluttered
with Axel gone, no?
"Less is more" and everything?
I think that's
That's enough work.
And I'll dispose of all these things
so you won't be tempted to reclaim them.
And I hope you'll find it's
a little bit easier to let go.
Thank you.
I'm sure you do.
TEDDY: Why won't Gonzo go already?
She has public bathroom shyness.
- Did Gonzo tell you that?
- Your mom did.
And we have to say "good potty"
when she does go.
This is moving way too fast.
No. Our relationship.
I mean, first it's movie nights,
and now it's bathroom habits?
I mean, I barely got to know you
before my mom got involved,
and now we're all in the same city,
walking her dog?
Barely. We were together for six months
before you even told her.
And I'm close to your mom
because I love you.
Yeah, but aren't we too young
for all this?
I mean, I haven't really explored yet.
And I get hit on a lot in D.C.
A lot.
Rightly so.
No, I'm serious.
Are we just supposed
to give all that up for
Us? Yes.
There's always going to be "that,"
but what "that" won't have is me.
I've been waiting for you
to be ready to talk about this.
I want to commit.
Or we can end things.
No pressure, but also pressure.
But what if things change?
Of course things will change.
We can change with them.
But if something better comes along
for either of us,
we can say, "Good for you.
You have my blessing."
That would be very big of us.
But I don't think
I'm gonna have to say that
because you're not gonna find
a cuter podcast producer
with a studio apartment in Brooklyn.
(CHUCKLES)
Teddy.
You have to decide
by the end of this visit
if you want "that" or this.
(SIGHS)
So it was Axel's hair
in the clogged drain.
Glad we didn't pay for those results.
But only Axel's hair.
That's weird.
Taylor and Axel used the hot tub
together all the time.
Well, there's, um there's more.
Oh, I love when there's more.
So it's Axel's hair, but,
uh, much older and different
from the hair we collected
from his body.
And the drain hair
shows traces of arsenic.
All of Axel's medical problems
and he had bad luck with arsenic?
No way. A certain someone
tried to poison him.
I agree. Taylor.
I was thinking Freya someone.
Taylor was the hot tub user
and was with Axel at all
of his medical visits,
which all happened since she joined
the longstanding relationship.
She wanted successful
Freya all to herself.
ELSBETH: The all of it is why
it was Freya.
She is relentless and persistent
in her methods.
WAGNER: Let's start with
Taylor.
Bring her in.
But keep it discreet.
We don't want Freya knowing.
She is good at throwing things away.
Hang back for a second, Edwards.
I need to apologize
for my insensitivity earlier.
Sir?
When we talked about relationships.
Oh. It's no big
No.
As my family keeps reminding me,
we listen,
and we don't judge.
And not understanding something
isn't an excuse.
Not understanding is when
I should listen more
and talk less.
Thank you, Captain.
Is that it? Do you have
anything more to say?
Yeah, uh, n-no.
Okay.
(DOOR CLOSES)
Okay. I've compiled a list
of all my ideas
for Kaya's birthday. I call it
"Project Sprinkle."
Sprinkle?
You know she's
cutting back on sugar, right?
- A setback, not a roadblock.
- (LAUGHTER)
There's always charcuterie.
Oh. Fondue.
You know, I've actually, um, come up
- with a few ideas myself.
- Ooh.
- (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- So
Hey.
What's going on in here?
Um, just, uh I was just showing
Cameron some of my real estate.
I mean, not that I'm, uh,
moving to the West Village,
but, um, you know those
tricky interest rates. Interest rates.
You two.
You're being weird.
See you at home later?
(CHUCKLES)
She used to say that to me.
CAMERON: (SIGHS) That was close.
Okay, so, um, should I
run these ideas
You know what? You two.
Whatever you come up with
will be perfect.
Really.
Okay.
Axel and I were in love.
Why would I want him dead?
Why is it that every time Axel
had one of these "accidents,"
you were conveniently right there?
Freya never wanted to go with him.
- Hospital germs freaked her out.
- And yet,
these accidents only started happening
after the Frostads welcomed
you into their home.
What you're implying is bull.
Is it? From the outside,
you don't exactly scream
"Frostad material."
Think whatever you want.
- What we had worked for us.
- Taylor,
did you ever see
Mr. and Mrs. Frostad fight?
Like any couple.
Sometimes our weekly meetings
would get heated,
but they would always
settle down before it was over.
So Mrs. Frostad had a temper?
Freya could be really intense,
but she cared.
She taught me the value not of "things,"
but of the things we do for each other.
Oh.
Axel would train us at the gym.
I'd lead us through meditations.
And Freya would make us
soothing beverages.
Each cup made special just for us.
And Axel would drink
every single one of those cups,
no matter what they tasted like.
I tried his, once. It was bitter.
But sugar is excess,
and we loved each other.
The tea was bitter how?
I don't know, just not good.
Wait
All of his stomach problems,
you don't think?
We're exploring every possibility.
We pulled both yours
and Freya's bank records.
We noticed a recurring charge
labeled "self" under Freya's account.
We're waiting for the bank
to explain it.
Do you know what "self" could be?
Um, maybe like self care?
She was into that kind of thing.
Like I said, teas, tonics, tinctures
Exactly the same amount every month?
- Was it a membership?
- Freya kept a very detailed
family calendar.
I would know if there was
something called "self."
We don't always know everything
about the people we love.
Freya's not a killer.
She's a lot of things, but she's not.
Until this is solved,
you should be very careful.
I'd advise you not to mention
this conversation.
You may be involved with a murderer.
FREYA: So far,
you seem like a great match
for us, Brock,
so, now that we've gotten to know you
a little bit better, is there anything
you'd like to ask us?
What happened to your last partner?
He's no longer with us.
He drowned in our hot tub
and nobody knows how.
(LAUGHS)
Um
I just I just remembered, I
I-I think I left
my refrigerator door open.
(CHUCKLES)
Rain check?
Of course.
Um
Let me walk you out.
What was that?
I thought a third was what you wanted.
I was just being honest.
It's the foundation
of any relationship, right?
Of course.
These are strange times,
and Axel's death
was a terrible accident.
It's natural to feel unsettled, or
blame yourself.
Why would I blame myself?
Let's not dwell on the past.
Why would I blame myself, Freya?
Leaving extraneous jewelry around?
It was bound to cause some trouble.
You must be tired.
Why don't I make you a drink?
And then you can take a nap.
I'm gonna
go for a walk.
Oh, n
Don't go.
Taylor!
ELSBETH: Okay.
This is for you.
(MUTTERS) And, um
this is for Roy.
Yeah, I don't think I'm gonna be
taking any more stuff
over to Roy's right now.
- You two had the talk, huh?
- He told you?
Mother's intuition.
Yeah, well, he gave me an ultimatum.
Commit or break up.
- Well, do you love him?
- Yes.
Oh.
Yeah. But
sometimes I wonder
if it's partly because you love him.
- Well, would you rather I didn't?
- No.
I just after what you said about Dad,
I thought, God, I really don't
want to make the wrong choice.
No, no, no, I don't accept that.
Life is full of wrong choices, Teddy.
What matters is that they're yours.
I don't know what I want.
Okay.
Do you think of Roy
as quantity or quality?
You know what? Never mind. Oh, my gosh.
I've been reading too much of that book.
Clearly.
Teddy
I support you,
but this isn't about me,
or Dad, or anyone else.
This is about you becoming an adult
and acting like it.
Now, here.
Okay, Mom
I love you,
but I really can't take all this stuff.
Oh. Is it too much?
Any more and I'd have to rent
a self-storage unit.
"Self"
Storage.
(LAUGHS)
- That would be funny.
- What would?
Right, 'cause why would a de-clutterer
need (LAUGHS)
Okay, I'm sure you'll explain later.
(LAUGHS)
(DOORBELL RINGS)
Oh.
Were you expecting someone else?
Um, I just thought you'd
be happy to see my
quantity.
(GRUNTS)
You came all this way to show me?
Yeah.
My son didn't want any of it,
and it's just too enticing to keep.
Will you dispose of it for me?
My expectations were low.
Very low.
But job well done, Ms. Tascioni.
You were right.
Decluttering decluttered my mind.
And thus, the case.
I'm ready to let go.
Glad I could help.
Let me know when you want to
tackle your wardrobe.
(DOOR RATTLES)
Bet that's more than 44 items.
You followed me?
I let go of Axel's drowning,
but I realized
I wasn't ready to let go of this.
And all the other cases.
What other cases?
(GASPS) Thank you
for collecting all the evidence we need
in your self-storage.
Because in the end, it is all about
your self, isn't it?
Your needs, your wants,
your secret hoarding.
How dare you use
that filthy word with me.
How else would I describe someone
with, um oop.
146. No.
147 gold-gilded deviled egg plates.
Why would anyone remember that number
unless they were the one
least able to let go?
You can't charge me with theft.
All of these items
were discarded by my clients.
You're right, Freya.
We did discard our things, but ah.
I sure am glad to have mine back.
I realized, there's a lot
of quality to my quantity.
Found it.
Oh. And thank you for telling me
about all your other clients.
Especially the owners of
the West Village carriage house
worth $20 million.
I found the listing.
It turns out that house was owned
by the same family, for generations.
A family that originally
made its fortune
in the extermination
and pest control business.
Making it a house
that would have old flypaper
from the 1800s.
Poor Axel.
Why poor Axel?!
He didn't drown in flypaper.
No. Like I said, we let go of that.
It's not the quality
of Axel's drowning case,
it's the quantity of all your
other attempts to murder him.
Including arsenic poisoning.
All one has to do is soak
the old flypaper in water
to extract the arsenic.
And wouldn't you know.
- ELSBETH: If only you'd been able
- (HANDCUFFS CLICK)
to just let go of Axel.
And Taylor.
I bet you'll be under
44 items in jail, though.
You're wrong.
I don't need anything.
And I still have Taylor.
Oh
I have a feeling she's gonna
find more quality.
("I GOT YOU BABE"
BY SONNY & CHER PLAYING)
They say we're young
and we don't know ♪
We won't find out till we grow ♪
Well, I don't know
if all that's true ♪
'Cause you got me ♪
And baby, I got you ♪
Babe ♪
I got you, babe ♪
I got you, babe ♪
I got you to hold my hand ♪
I got you to understand ♪
I got you to walk with me ♪
I got you to talk with me ♪
I got you to kiss good night ♪
I got you to hold me tight ♪
I got you, I won't let go ♪
I got you to love me so ♪
(LAPTOP RINGING)
Ooh.
I got you, babe. ♪
Hi.
(WHIRRING)
FREYA: The calendar this
month feels a bit imbalanced.
Imbalanced? How?
I managed a dozen press events
and still made time
for this relationship.
Shouldn't I get, uh,
a little reciprocity?
Could you set the book
down when you talk?
It's like there are two of you.
This calendar, it's-it's packed
with Axel and Taylor time.
16 blocks,
including tonight.
For this relationship to work,
it needs equal apportionment.
You're always invited, Freya,
you just never want to join us.
For a microbial soak? No, thank you.
It's a hot tub, babe, not a petri dish.
(SCOFFS)
Well, I guess I'm doomed,
to be an outsider
in my own relationship.
TAYLOR: Hey.
We love you.
And we appreciate
everything you do for us.
Really? You do? Like what?
Like the calendar.
Oh, yeah. The calendar is vital.
And you're right.
We'll make more time
for the three of us together.
What about tomorrow?
- But just us.
- Deal.
You can pick what we do.
AXEL: Cool. So, what's next
on this agenda?
Oh, a gift
from Axel and me
(FREYA GASPS)
to celebrate you joining our life.
The last six months have been
the best in our marriage.
Thanks.
I don't think I have
anything to put in here.
Your gummies, maybe.
- (LAUGHS)
- FREYA: Of course,
you know you have to give
something up for this.
No, come on, we can make an exception.
She's already given up plenty.
And gained two partners.
Excess is for the masses. You know that.
Plus, this will help you maintain
your 44 items.
AXEL: Sweet.
Meeting over? I want to go finish
my squats reps.
It's leg day. Mwah.
Maybe we should call it a night.
Pass me a towel.
(FREYA GASPS)
You've been naughty. (LAUGHS)
What is this?
This is your real anniversary present.
It's beautiful.
But I don't have anything
to give up for it.
Well, it'll just be our little secret.
Sometimes, baby, more is more.
Mm.
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
FREYA: It's so nice
to have our night out.
Axel would hate this hotel.
But it's perfect for us.
(LAUGHS)
Totally.
Why don't we go to
a karaoke bar or something?
Wouldn't that be fun?
Mm
I have a better idea.
What about
some relationship-building exercises
Mmm.
Where we just stare
into each other's eyes
for eight minutes?
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
How about this for a
relationship-building exercise?
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
FREYA: You have to come in.
The water is perfect.
One second.
(QUIETLY): Come on.
(MUFFLED GROANING)
(BEEPING)
(EXHALES)
(MUFFLED GRUNTING)
(MUFFLED SCREAMING)
(SIGHS)
Axel?
Where is he?
(SIGHS) Of course,
he wouldn't clean up after himself.
Something's wrong.
He wouldn't leave his phone.
(COVER WHIRRING)
(STEAM HISSING)
(SCREAMS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hello.
Oh, excuse me. Yeah.
Is Detective Kaya Blanke on this case?
EDWARDS: Hate to disappoint,
- but no.
- Oh.
Of course. (CHUCKLES)
I don't know why I thought
that we'd be on the same cases
now that she's made detective.
Um, authentic New York
Black & White Cookie?
Uh, not much of a sweet tooth.
More for me.
So, what happened here?
Hot tub drowning. Axel Frostad, 52.
- Personal trainer.
- ELSBETH: Mm,
how horrifying. Heart attack?
Worse. It appears a clogged
drain caused another drain
to overcompensate.
The force sucked in his ponytail
and held him under long
enough for him to drown.
Yikes. Any witnesses?
No.
The family was at a hotel.
What a terrible way to go.
Terrible, but not unusual.
Suction entrapment accounts for dozens
of injuries and deaths every year.
Not much else for us to do here.
I'm gonna wrap this up.
Maybe skip your Elsbeth-y thing
this time.
- Hi.
- FREYA: Oh, uh
Uh, all of your colleagues are
wearing their shoe coverings.
Kindly follow their lead.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I can't believe he's gone.
FREYA: It's been quite a shock.
- Who are you?
- Um,
I'm Elsbeth Tascioni.
I'm with the police.
Police carrying baked goods?
Unorthodox.
They're not standard issue,
but they make
great conversation starters.
Would you care for one?
Thanks, no. Are those your crumbs
- on my floor?
- Freya, please.
"Freya"? (TONGUE CLICKS)
Wow, that's a beautiful name.
FREYA: Freya Frostad.
Axel was my husband.
I'm Taylor.
The three of us were together.
Oh, so you're a throuple?
I'm sorry, I don't mean
to act surprised,
I've just only ever seen that on TV.
- It's so not a big deal.
- EDWARDS: This was recovered
from one of the drains.
Do either of you recognize it?
BOTH: No.
Are you sure? This looks, um,
pretty unique.
One, two, three, four
tote bags?
Why are you carrying around so much?
Are you worried you're not enough?
(LAUGHS SOFTLY) People
usually say I'm too much.
FREYA: I'll get you a copy of my book.
It can help with all the excess.
Oh, I recognize you now.
You were on my favorite
morning show this week.
You help people, um
declutter.
Mutt may
"Much More for More," or something?
"Less is More," and it is.
Oh. Thank you. I, uh, I enjoy my excess.
People acquire unnecessary stuff
because it makes them feel in control,
but they're not.
We're certain that's none of ours.
Now, if you'll excuse us,
we'd like to grieve in private.
And one word of advice: just let go.
Start with one
tote bag, just one.
Are you happy now that
you've made the family upset?
There's something odd about that woman.
Yeah, she's odd.
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
Oh, hey, hey.
Perfect timing. (CHUCKLES)
- I've only got a minute or two.
- Okay, I am decluttering.
Which one of these bags
speaks to you the least?
"Less is More With 44:
"The Freya Frostad Method of Letting Go
for a Life of Quality,
Not Quantity."
That is a long title for a minimalist.
- (LAUGHS): Yeah.
- Ooh.
Is that your new case? Let's brainstorm.
- Actually, I
- Oh, I almost forgot.
Brain food.
I got these from the cutest
little bakery on 73rd.
I can't get enough of them.
Thanks, but I've been
cutting down on sugar lately.
Oh, um, I didn't realize.
No, it's no sweat.
I should get back to it.
We'll talk later?
Definitely. I'm just so sad
that we're not working on
the same cases anymore.
Oh. Yeah.
But I kind of like the challenge.
Right.
Yeah. (CHUCKLES)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
Progress, I see.
I pulled Axel Frostad's
medical records.
Due diligence.
Wow, that's a lot of records
for a personal trainer.
In the last six months, Axel Frostad
has been to the urgent care
over half a dozen times.
Repeated G.I. distress,
hair-dryer electrocution.
Multiple slip-and-falls. One of them
was on a frozen yoga mat.
Is that a thing?
I'm sure it isn't.
Either Axel Frostad
is the unluckiest man in New York or
Somebody's been trying to kill him.
Oh, thank you for walking Gonzo.
This case I'm on has me all
(BABBLES)
Yeah, it looks like it.
And I'm happy to help.
Roy's job gave him equipment
to record his White Whale
podcast at home.
- Ooh, that's great for Roy.
- Yeah, sure,
except he lives in a studio,
and I ruined a take by sneezing.
Are you okay? Do you have a temperature?
No. Mom.
No, I'm fine, I'm just more annoyed
than anything.
Roy said that I'm fine and can stay
as long as I make no human sounds.
Oh, no. Are you and Roy
So, um, what's this new case you're on?
Get this:
it's a throuple maybe murder.
Mm. Well, that expands
the usual suspect pool.
And it's got me thinking.
First of all, why would you kill someone
instead of just breaking up with them?
Hmm, maybe because breakup
conversations are the worst?
And second,
can you get everything
you need in a relationship
from just one person?
You must have thought
Dad was enough to marry him.
Oh, of course, but we married young.
And then we grew and we changed, a lot.
A lot, a lot.
Our politics, our hobbies, our
hats, but then we got you,
and it was all well worth it.
It was worth your dumpster-fire divorce?
Yes. Every second.
I don't know, maybe you can't
expect everything
from just one person.
I mean, like you said, people change.
And I-I haven't really experimented
with dating more than
(STAMMERS)
So, I heard
that you had a thing with
some hot Scottish dude.
Kaya told you? (CHUCKLES)
I was gonna tell you eventually,
I promise.
I'm happy for you.
(LAUGHS): Well, thank you.
Me, too.
It's nice to have a "thing."
Especially one that doesn't
have a lot of baggage.
(CHUCKLES)
Love you. Mwah.
Bye, Gonzo.
You're a good girl. Gonzo.
(WHIMPERS SOFTLY)
So, Captain, uh, froth was present
in the upper and lower airways.
Also, findings of pleural effusion
and lung overinflation.
- So, Axel Frostad drowned?
- Uh, yes.
Uh, he also had fresh, broken skin
on the knuckles of both hands.
EDWARDS: Our victim got into a fight
with someone, then.
Got his hair stuck in a drain
and drowned.
One hell of a fight.
There was no blood at the crime scene.
It was weirdly immaculate.
And as far as we know, he was alone.
So who did he fight with?
Or what?
Perfect. I'll send out
an APB for a "what."
Better yet, go back to the scene.
Maybe we missed something.
Oh, good idea. But I don't think Freya
will be very happy with me.
Why? Are you gonna accuse her of murder?
No, not yet. Because I haven't let go
of even one item from my totes yet.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Captain, we have something
we need your eyes on ASAP.
Sorry to interrupt.
Oh, never apologize.
ASAP?
That sounds important.
Is there anything I can
WAGNER: Detective Blanke
can handle this on her own.
Ms. Tascioni,
close the door on the way out.
That she can. And of course.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
Time is of the essence, my friend.
Okay.
We could start
with frozen hot chocolate
at Serendipity.
And she says she hates merry-go-rounds,
but people just say that
until they're on them.
Is this about the case?
The case? Case of the birthdays.
- It's Kaya's birthday.
- What? When?
The seventh.
The seventh?
I had no idea.
Oh, my God.
And I have such a backlog of cases.
This-this-this cannot be
my first boyfriend fail.
It won't be, boyfriend. (CHUCKLES)
Sorry, that sounded weird.
I'm just so excited
we can finally say it.
Um, my note cards and I
have this handled.
You and your dead bodies can rest easy.
Sorry, that sounded weird, too.
Yeah thank you, Elsbeth. Um
You know, Kaya's lucky
to have a friend like you.
(CHUCKLES) Oh, stop it.
I'm the lucky one.
I guess I am, too.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
Ooh, boy, it's dark in there.
That's a top-of-the-line
Tub Top with a watertight seal.
You could develop film in there.
Don't say that. She'll try it.
What are you looking for, anyway?
Mr. Frostad had bloody knuckles.
There was no indication of
a struggle outside the hot tub,
so we're trying to see
if something happened inside.
Maybe he was trying
to fight his way out.
You can't punch your way out.
Our tops could survive a nuclear blast.
Oh. That's a selling point. Huh.
- Anything?
- Let's see.
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(SOFTLY): Any update?
(WHISPERING): No.
Just rubbing their dirty feet
all over our hot tub.
You'll be the first to know
the minute I find out anything.
About that, um
When you tell me,
I may be somewhere else.
Freya, I can't be here anymore.
If it's too much
to be where Axel passed,
then let's-let's check into a hotel.
No, I saw
the new calendar with all
of the shared time for just us,
and my palms started to sweat.
That's not a dynamic I'm interested in.
It's a lot to get used to.
And we've just
we've just suffered a devastating loss.
And that loss makes us
a couple, not a throuple.
I don't do couples.
I'm sorry. We both deserve
what we need and want
from a relationship,
and "us" just isn't for me.
Like you say, I think
it's time to let go.
No.
What?
No, no.
I-I just, I-I agree with you.
It's too
it's too much pressure
with just the two of us.
Let's bring in a third.
(GRUNTS SOFTLY)
The sooner, the better.
I'm putting it at the top
of our to-do list.
Really?
We've had to let go of so much.
I can't lose you, too.
(EXHALES)
I won't, I won't lose you, too.
(SIGHS)
ELSBETH: (GASPS) So I was right.
Axel was alive.
MISTY: I was right, too.
Told you you can't punch
through our quality tops.
So we found your "what."
But what does that give us besides
for an even less pleasant
drowning than we thought?
Well, Axel wouldn't close
the cover on himself.
Generally, he couldn't have,
- but technically
- What do you mean by "generally"?
The Frostads have
an upgraded motion control feature.
If no movement is detected
in the hot tub for 30 minutes,
the cover closes automatically.
So, if Axel was moving,
the motion detection
shouldn't have kicked in.
Correct.
And what did you mean by "technically"?
Technically, you can override
the motion detection
and close the cover via the app
like I did when you got in.
But Axel's phone wasn't near him.
And what if the Wi-Fi goes out?
Then you can just press
the physical switch,
which should be
(HUMMING SOFTLY)
Oh, found it.
MISTY: I can't count how many
electric code violations that is.
The proximity to water alone.
This was clearly a user error.
But which user?
Because Axel
couldn't have reached the switch.
Regardless, the switch placement
voids our warranty
and Tub Tops's liability in the matter.
FREYA: Where else could it go?
You had the switch installed down here?
Of course I did.
Anywhere else would be an eyesore.
Pure anarchy.
People need to use things as intended.
FREYA: I need
to grieve my husband in peace.
We understand.
Taylor was particularly upset.
We're equally upset.
Right, but you can appreciate
that my job
is to make sure the police do
a quality investigation.
And mine is to make sure
Tub Tops's good name
doesn't get smeared in the press.
Why didn't you unclog the drain
after we sent text alerts?
(SIGHS) I delete all my texts.
After reading, they so quickly
become digital clutter.
Unbelievable.
- Smart.
- Convenient.
So, if there's nothing else
There is, unfortunately.
Axel was alive and fighting
to get out of the hot tub
after the cover closed.
You're saying Axel could have survived?
I don't understand.
None of us do, frankly.
EDWARDS: The motion detection
should have prevented
the cover from closing,
so it must have malfunctioned.
Again, please refrain from accusing
our product of malfunctioning.
It's in perfect working order.
Someone must have hit the switch.
Who? No one else was here
at the time of death.
You're the police. You figure out who.
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
ELSBETH: Well,
that's who.
Yeah. I must have
I must have activated
the Sopa that night out of
habit.
Axel was always out
of the hot tub by 9:00.
(CRYING)
Oh, my God.
(WAILING)
How could I make such a tragic mistake?
Yes. How could you have?
ART: Sopa Sweep Cleaner
Enterprises will not take
the public heat because
our Sopa cleaned too well.
And Tub Tops will not be
blamed for manufacturing
- too good a cover.
- The cover wasn't faulty.
And the Sopa Sweep Cleaner is clean,
both technically and physically.
It was empty before we arrived.
One man's emptying is
another man's tampering.
So it was
- User error.
- User error.
Error the user Freya
was more than willing to point out.
Accidents happen.
Murder is better for a brand
than an accident.
Sorry to disappoint.
(EXCLAIMING)
How long would it take for
this much hair to accumulate?
- Five months.
- Several months.
And it was only in one drain.
(TONGUE CLICKS)
Maybe we should run some tests on it,
you know, since that is an option.
Is it, now?
A clog this big
with someone as tidy as Freya?
User error or user something else.
- Like something intentional.
- Mmm.
Test the hair.
Gross, but plausible.
Tub Tops will cover the cost of testing.
Cover the cost?
- Well, that's a great deal
- (DEVICE WHIRS)
Uh
Fine. We'll test the hair.
Before it gets swept away. Satisfied?
ALL: Yes.
I'll show you out.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
Sorry. But not sorry.
You could've stopped at the first sorry.
I know accidents are never accidents
in Elsbeth's brightly dystopian world.
But there is something fishy
about all of Axel's hospital visits.
And I found Freya
and Taylor's updated profile
on the dating site Polymates.
They're looking for a new third.
Well, Freya is the guru of letting go.
Exactly. She "let go" of Axel.
Tub Tops and Sopa Sweeps and throuples?
(STAMMERS) No judgment,
but I can't get my head
around any of it.
Well, "sopa" means "sweep" in Swedish,
so, technically, it's "Sweep Sweep."
What's confusing about throuples?
Throuple the trouble, if you ask me.
Or pleasure.
ELSBETH: But for our purposes,
differences in dyads can cause conflict.
"Dyad"?
It's the relationship
between two people.
A triad can be made up of
(CLICKS TONGUE)
three dyads.
Freya showed us her calendar.
Axel and Taylor spent a lot
of nights alone in the hot tub.
NRE can cause a lot of jealousy.
New relationship energy.
W-What language are you all talking?
Polyamory jargon. I've been reading.
And I've been living.
Well, I don't need to do either.
I get all I need from
my one love, Claudia.
Maybe people would actually be happy
if they focused on one person
and less jargon.
But no judgment, though, right, Captain?
- Was it something I said?
- Yes.
FREYA: Thank you for bringing back
the Sopa.
Oh, of course.
We got all 11 of your messages
asking for it back.
Well, it is my favorite of my 44 things.
That's telling.
So, where did I
It's in here, somewhere. (LAUGHS)
I can't take it.
We are decluttering your totes.
Right now.
I tried your method,
but then I didn't have any boxes.
So I went to buy them,
but then I didn't know what size, so
And what does my method say
about excuses and procrastination?
Don't.
Exactly.
So where's Taylor?
She's taking her time.
I'd rather we not bother her.
You really love her, don't you?
Well, she brought life
to our home.
To me.
And, uh, without her, my life
would be
Empty?
Let's take everything out of your totes.
Oh. That's easy.
ELSBETH: Huh.
It's less than I thought.
You know, I, uh, I put things in,
but I never really know
what I'm gonna pull out.
- It's a mystery.
- Mm.
And I do love a mystery.
Mystery is one word to describe it.
It's just (CHUCKLES)
having all of my things with me,
it helps me think.
Decluttering our things
helps declutter our minds.
Then we can focus.
I hope so.
Because Axel's accident,
as simple as it seems,
- confounds me
- Uhp, bup, bup.
Mrs. Tascioni, ready?
Deep breath.
Raindrops on roses ♪
Okay, I don't need it.
Bright copper kettles ♪
And warm woolen mittens ♪
Brown paper packages
tied up with strings ♪
These are a few
of my favorite things ♪
When that dog bites,
when that bee stings ♪
When I'm feeling sad ♪
I simply remember my favorite things ♪
And then I don't feel ♪
So bad. ♪
Oh. Makoto.
(LAUGHS)
You must think I'm so weird.
Oh, please.
Last year, I cleaned out a
$20 million West Village carriage house
with 146 gold-gilded deviled egg plates.
N-No, uh 147.
I mean, I love deviled eggs
as much as the next Midwesterner,
but yowza.
People hold on to the things they value,
but the value isn't in the thing.
It's in the memory attached.
I guess I just like having
my things on me, you know?
Mm. My bags don't feel heavy to me.
Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa,
that's my son's first Mother's Day card.
Well, the value isn't in the thing.
Sometimes it is.
But he spelled "mother" wrong.
It's easy for you to let things go.
You know, your method,
it must've helped
in your throuple relationship.
I mean, some say that's complicated.
Does having one partner
make it any less complicated?
Was your
son from a successful relationship?
We divorced.
He didn't meet an untimely end.
Lucky you.
And him.
Your relationship with Taylor
must feel less
cluttered
with Axel gone, no?
"Less is more" and everything?
I think that's
That's enough work.
And I'll dispose of all these things
so you won't be tempted to reclaim them.
And I hope you'll find it's
a little bit easier to let go.
Thank you.
I'm sure you do.
TEDDY: Why won't Gonzo go already?
She has public bathroom shyness.
- Did Gonzo tell you that?
- Your mom did.
And we have to say "good potty"
when she does go.
This is moving way too fast.
No. Our relationship.
I mean, first it's movie nights,
and now it's bathroom habits?
I mean, I barely got to know you
before my mom got involved,
and now we're all in the same city,
walking her dog?
Barely. We were together for six months
before you even told her.
And I'm close to your mom
because I love you.
Yeah, but aren't we too young
for all this?
I mean, I haven't really explored yet.
And I get hit on a lot in D.C.
A lot.
Rightly so.
No, I'm serious.
Are we just supposed
to give all that up for
Us? Yes.
There's always going to be "that,"
but what "that" won't have is me.
I've been waiting for you
to be ready to talk about this.
I want to commit.
Or we can end things.
No pressure, but also pressure.
But what if things change?
Of course things will change.
We can change with them.
But if something better comes along
for either of us,
we can say, "Good for you.
You have my blessing."
That would be very big of us.
But I don't think
I'm gonna have to say that
because you're not gonna find
a cuter podcast producer
with a studio apartment in Brooklyn.
(CHUCKLES)
Teddy.
You have to decide
by the end of this visit
if you want "that" or this.
(SIGHS)
So it was Axel's hair
in the clogged drain.
Glad we didn't pay for those results.
But only Axel's hair.
That's weird.
Taylor and Axel used the hot tub
together all the time.
Well, there's, um there's more.
Oh, I love when there's more.
So it's Axel's hair, but,
uh, much older and different
from the hair we collected
from his body.
And the drain hair
shows traces of arsenic.
All of Axel's medical problems
and he had bad luck with arsenic?
No way. A certain someone
tried to poison him.
I agree. Taylor.
I was thinking Freya someone.
Taylor was the hot tub user
and was with Axel at all
of his medical visits,
which all happened since she joined
the longstanding relationship.
She wanted successful
Freya all to herself.
ELSBETH: The all of it is why
it was Freya.
She is relentless and persistent
in her methods.
WAGNER: Let's start with
Taylor.
Bring her in.
But keep it discreet.
We don't want Freya knowing.
She is good at throwing things away.
Hang back for a second, Edwards.
I need to apologize
for my insensitivity earlier.
Sir?
When we talked about relationships.
Oh. It's no big
No.
As my family keeps reminding me,
we listen,
and we don't judge.
And not understanding something
isn't an excuse.
Not understanding is when
I should listen more
and talk less.
Thank you, Captain.
Is that it? Do you have
anything more to say?
Yeah, uh, n-no.
Okay.
(DOOR CLOSES)
Okay. I've compiled a list
of all my ideas
for Kaya's birthday. I call it
"Project Sprinkle."
Sprinkle?
You know she's
cutting back on sugar, right?
- A setback, not a roadblock.
- (LAUGHTER)
There's always charcuterie.
Oh. Fondue.
You know, I've actually, um, come up
- with a few ideas myself.
- Ooh.
- (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- So
Hey.
What's going on in here?
Um, just, uh I was just showing
Cameron some of my real estate.
I mean, not that I'm, uh,
moving to the West Village,
but, um, you know those
tricky interest rates. Interest rates.
You two.
You're being weird.
See you at home later?
(CHUCKLES)
She used to say that to me.
CAMERON: (SIGHS) That was close.
Okay, so, um, should I
run these ideas
You know what? You two.
Whatever you come up with
will be perfect.
Really.
Okay.
Axel and I were in love.
Why would I want him dead?
Why is it that every time Axel
had one of these "accidents,"
you were conveniently right there?
Freya never wanted to go with him.
- Hospital germs freaked her out.
- And yet,
these accidents only started happening
after the Frostads welcomed
you into their home.
What you're implying is bull.
Is it? From the outside,
you don't exactly scream
"Frostad material."
Think whatever you want.
- What we had worked for us.
- Taylor,
did you ever see
Mr. and Mrs. Frostad fight?
Like any couple.
Sometimes our weekly meetings
would get heated,
but they would always
settle down before it was over.
So Mrs. Frostad had a temper?
Freya could be really intense,
but she cared.
She taught me the value not of "things,"
but of the things we do for each other.
Oh.
Axel would train us at the gym.
I'd lead us through meditations.
And Freya would make us
soothing beverages.
Each cup made special just for us.
And Axel would drink
every single one of those cups,
no matter what they tasted like.
I tried his, once. It was bitter.
But sugar is excess,
and we loved each other.
The tea was bitter how?
I don't know, just not good.
Wait
All of his stomach problems,
you don't think?
We're exploring every possibility.
We pulled both yours
and Freya's bank records.
We noticed a recurring charge
labeled "self" under Freya's account.
We're waiting for the bank
to explain it.
Do you know what "self" could be?
Um, maybe like self care?
She was into that kind of thing.
Like I said, teas, tonics, tinctures
Exactly the same amount every month?
- Was it a membership?
- Freya kept a very detailed
family calendar.
I would know if there was
something called "self."
We don't always know everything
about the people we love.
Freya's not a killer.
She's a lot of things, but she's not.
Until this is solved,
you should be very careful.
I'd advise you not to mention
this conversation.
You may be involved with a murderer.
FREYA: So far,
you seem like a great match
for us, Brock,
so, now that we've gotten to know you
a little bit better, is there anything
you'd like to ask us?
What happened to your last partner?
He's no longer with us.
He drowned in our hot tub
and nobody knows how.
(LAUGHS)
Um
I just I just remembered, I
I-I think I left
my refrigerator door open.
(CHUCKLES)
Rain check?
Of course.
Um
Let me walk you out.
What was that?
I thought a third was what you wanted.
I was just being honest.
It's the foundation
of any relationship, right?
Of course.
These are strange times,
and Axel's death
was a terrible accident.
It's natural to feel unsettled, or
blame yourself.
Why would I blame myself?
Let's not dwell on the past.
Why would I blame myself, Freya?
Leaving extraneous jewelry around?
It was bound to cause some trouble.
You must be tired.
Why don't I make you a drink?
And then you can take a nap.
I'm gonna
go for a walk.
Oh, n
Don't go.
Taylor!
ELSBETH: Okay.
This is for you.
(MUTTERS) And, um
this is for Roy.
Yeah, I don't think I'm gonna be
taking any more stuff
over to Roy's right now.
- You two had the talk, huh?
- He told you?
Mother's intuition.
Yeah, well, he gave me an ultimatum.
Commit or break up.
- Well, do you love him?
- Yes.
Oh.
Yeah. But
sometimes I wonder
if it's partly because you love him.
- Well, would you rather I didn't?
- No.
I just after what you said about Dad,
I thought, God, I really don't
want to make the wrong choice.
No, no, no, I don't accept that.
Life is full of wrong choices, Teddy.
What matters is that they're yours.
I don't know what I want.
Okay.
Do you think of Roy
as quantity or quality?
You know what? Never mind. Oh, my gosh.
I've been reading too much of that book.
Clearly.
Teddy
I support you,
but this isn't about me,
or Dad, or anyone else.
This is about you becoming an adult
and acting like it.
Now, here.
Okay, Mom
I love you,
but I really can't take all this stuff.
Oh. Is it too much?
Any more and I'd have to rent
a self-storage unit.
"Self"
Storage.
(LAUGHS)
- That would be funny.
- What would?
Right, 'cause why would a de-clutterer
need (LAUGHS)
Okay, I'm sure you'll explain later.
(LAUGHS)
(DOORBELL RINGS)
Oh.
Were you expecting someone else?
Um, I just thought you'd
be happy to see my
quantity.
(GRUNTS)
You came all this way to show me?
Yeah.
My son didn't want any of it,
and it's just too enticing to keep.
Will you dispose of it for me?
My expectations were low.
Very low.
But job well done, Ms. Tascioni.
You were right.
Decluttering decluttered my mind.
And thus, the case.
I'm ready to let go.
Glad I could help.
Let me know when you want to
tackle your wardrobe.
(DOOR RATTLES)
Bet that's more than 44 items.
You followed me?
I let go of Axel's drowning,
but I realized
I wasn't ready to let go of this.
And all the other cases.
What other cases?
(GASPS) Thank you
for collecting all the evidence we need
in your self-storage.
Because in the end, it is all about
your self, isn't it?
Your needs, your wants,
your secret hoarding.
How dare you use
that filthy word with me.
How else would I describe someone
with, um oop.
146. No.
147 gold-gilded deviled egg plates.
Why would anyone remember that number
unless they were the one
least able to let go?
You can't charge me with theft.
All of these items
were discarded by my clients.
You're right, Freya.
We did discard our things, but ah.
I sure am glad to have mine back.
I realized, there's a lot
of quality to my quantity.
Found it.
Oh. And thank you for telling me
about all your other clients.
Especially the owners of
the West Village carriage house
worth $20 million.
I found the listing.
It turns out that house was owned
by the same family, for generations.
A family that originally
made its fortune
in the extermination
and pest control business.
Making it a house
that would have old flypaper
from the 1800s.
Poor Axel.
Why poor Axel?!
He didn't drown in flypaper.
No. Like I said, we let go of that.
It's not the quality
of Axel's drowning case,
it's the quantity of all your
other attempts to murder him.
Including arsenic poisoning.
All one has to do is soak
the old flypaper in water
to extract the arsenic.
And wouldn't you know.
- ELSBETH: If only you'd been able
- (HANDCUFFS CLICK)
to just let go of Axel.
And Taylor.
I bet you'll be under
44 items in jail, though.
You're wrong.
I don't need anything.
And I still have Taylor.
Oh
I have a feeling she's gonna
find more quality.
("I GOT YOU BABE"
BY SONNY & CHER PLAYING)
They say we're young
and we don't know ♪
We won't find out till we grow ♪
Well, I don't know
if all that's true ♪
'Cause you got me ♪
And baby, I got you ♪
Babe ♪
I got you, babe ♪
I got you, babe ♪
I got you to hold my hand ♪
I got you to understand ♪
I got you to walk with me ♪
I got you to talk with me ♪
I got you to kiss good night ♪
I got you to hold me tight ♪
I got you, I won't let go ♪
I got you to love me so ♪
(LAPTOP RINGING)
Ooh.
I got you, babe. ♪
Hi.