The sharp-witted legal drama Elsbeth returns with another twist-filled installment in Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 5, “Poetic Justice,” airing Thursday, Nov. 6 (10:00–11:00 PM, ET/PT) on CBS and streaming the next day on Paramount+.
When the death of a major arts donor shakes New York’s prestigious nonprofit poetry scene, Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) is drawn into a world of creative rivalries, buried secrets, and intellectual deceit. The case leads her to question the motives of Gary (William Jackson Harper), the charming yet enigmatic founder of a renowned poetry journal whose past ties to the victim suggest something far darker than artistic passion.
Meanwhile, Elsbeth experiences a personal twist when she reunites with Marissa Gold (Sarah Steele), a fan-favorite from The Good Wife and The Good Fight. Now following in her father Eli’s political footsteps, Marissa serves as a campaign manager for a rising New York mayoral candidate — and her reappearance sets the stage for one of the most intriguing crossovers yet in the Elsbeth universe.
A Case That Blurs the Line Between Art and Deception
In “Poetic Justice,” Elsbeth must unravel how words, money, and influence intertwine in New York’s elite literary circles. Beneath the polished veneer of Manhattan’s art world lies a culture of envy and ego, where success comes at a steep cost.
As Elsbeth and Captain C.W. Wagner (Wendell Pierce) dig deeper into the case, they uncover hidden motives and poetic clues that expose a network of deception stretching far beyond the gallery walls. Each line of verse becomes a breadcrumb in a deadly game of ambition, betrayal, and revenge.
Written by Leah Nanako Winkler and directed by Robin Givens, the episode balances crime-solving with introspective character beats, highlighting Elsbeth’s empathy and unique perspective on justice. With her intuitive brilliance and moral compass, she continues to redefine what it means to solve a case — not just through evidence, but through insight into human nature.
About the Series
Based on the beloved character introduced in The Good Wife and The Good Fight, Elsbeth stars Emmy Award winner Carrie Preston as the eccentric attorney Elsbeth Tascioni, who works alongside the NYPD’s 11th Precinct to crack New York’s most sophisticated cases.
Now in its third season, the CBS Original series expands its storytelling scope with new faces, deeper mysteries, and socially charged cases that explore the intersection of power, privilege, and perception.
With Wendell Pierce returning as Captain C.W. Wagner, the show continues to balance sharp humor with emotional resonance — and this episode’s poetic murder mystery promises to be one of the season’s most captivating.
Episode Credits
Written by: Leah Nanako Winkler
Directed by: Robin Givens
Starring: Carrie Preston, Wendell Pierce, William Jackson Harper, Sarah Steele
Produced by: CBS Studios
