Fans will see a lot less of Kaya Blanke in Elsbeth moving forward, but a seemingly much less likable character could establish an even stronger story arc in her wake. Elsbeth’s cast of characters has grown quite a bit since the series began, particularly when Kaya’s promotion led to Tascioni being paired with new officers and detectives throughout the second season. Although there haven’t been any such plans announced thus far, the roster could potentially continue growing even more significantly in Elsbeth season 3.
In fact, the series might rely on that growth after Kaya’s formal departure from Wagner’s precinct in the closing moments of the Elsbeth season 2 finale. Even after Lieutenant Connor promised Wagner they’d find Elsbeth a suitable replacement for Kaya, there have been no final rulings on the results of that search. For now, Elsbeth’s rotating partnerships could become an even more prominent feature in Kaya’s absence. However, one detective’s ongoing redemption could easily fast-track them to the top of the list.
Detective Rivers Went From Punchable To Surprisingly Huggable In Elsbeth Season 2
He Took Captain Wagner’s Criticisms To Heart
When he was first introduced as the original lead detective on the case that spurred Elsbeth’s Judge Crawford storyline, Detective Rivers seemed almost like he was being set up to become a secondary season 2 antagonist. He was crass, dismissive, and whiny in ways that gave off stereotypical spoiled rich kid energy. After Wagner thoroughly put him in his place, Rivers left his introductory episode on a sour note by speaking down to Kaya and belittling her recent promotion to detective.
However, at some unseen point before his next appearance, Rivers actually seems to begin learning his lesson. He starts wearing ties to work as commanded by Wagner, and he works alongside Kaya and Elsbeth with little in the way of complaints. Rivers even starts noticing and correcting his own character flaws without the need for instruction, stopping himself whenever he cuts somebody off or jumps to conclusions that don’t successfully further the Crawford investigation. There’s little verbal acknowledgment of these improvements, but that only serves to underscore Rivers’ sincerity as he strives to become a better detective.
Kaya Blanke Had Fewer Internal Roadblocks To Making Detective In Elsbeth Season 2
Her Personality Wasn’t Her Biggest Obstacle
Compared to Rivers, Kaya had to do relatively little in the way of personal self-improvement on her way to earning her golden shield. Like most characters, Kaya was initially somewhat skeptical of Elsbeth’s contributions to their work, but she was also the first to embrace Tascioni’s quirks and learn from her approach to investigations. After that, Kaya’s obstacles to making detective largely took the form of external roadblocks, such as Connor’s initial hesitation about Wagner’s plan to fast-track Blanke’s promotion.
By contrast, while Rivers is already a detective when his character is introduced, he has a lot further to go in terms of learning the lessons that Kaya and the series’ other rotating detective characters have learned since working with Tascioni. Besides his generally deplorable personality, Rivers’ biggest character flaw is his unwillingness to hear alternate theories after jumping to initial conclusions about a case. He’s already improved a lot on that front. That said, Carra Patterson’s Kaya Blanke leaving Elsbeth as a series regular provides an opportunity for Rivers’ growth to command more of a spotlight in Elsbeth season 3.
How Elsbeth Season 3 Can Make The Most Of Detective Rivers’ Character Potential
The Other Detectives Could Play A Role In His Growth
From the moment he began his journey toward personal evolution, Braeden De La Garza’s portrayal of Rivers highlights just how likable the character could truly become despite still retaining elements of his old self. With his childlike demeanor and disarmingly innocent smile, Rivers has the potential to become one of the most charming characters in Elsbeth. He’s certainly not as charming as Elsbeth’s romantic interest Angus, but his initially insufferable immaturity becomes lovably whimsical when it’s clear that he’s at least making an effort to do his best and learn from his colleagues.
Rivers could certainly continue this growth with help from Wagner and Tascioni alone, but the series still needs room for other established detectives such as Buzz, Donnelly, and Samantha. Since Elsbeth season 3 would have to explain Rivers’ continued presence at Wagner’s precinct now that Kershaw’s closed the Mertens case, the easiest would be to keep him there specifically to continue learning from Elsbeth and her rotating array of more seasoned investigators. Much as they all had varying responses to first meeting Tascioni, their introductions to Rivers could prove highly entertaining while also unlocking unique facets of his true potential.
