CrimeDramaComedyCBS

The Worst Episodes of Elsbeth

Every episode of Elsbeth ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Elsbeth!

Worst episode
S2E16 Hot Tub Crime Machine
6.6731 votes
Best episode
S2E11 Tiny Town
8.61,055 votes
Top season
Season 1
7.7avg
Binge time
1d 13h
53 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons4

All1234

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 16 - Hot Tub Crime Machine
    6.6/10(731 votes)

    S2:E16

    After a man’s suspicious death in a hot tub, Elsbeth consults his wife, Freya (Mary-Louise Parker), a decluttering guru whose less-is-more philosophy and controlling personality appear at odds with her “throuple” relationship.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writers:Erica Larson, Jonelle Lightbourne

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 5 - Poetic Justice
    7.1/10(464 votes)

    S3:E5

    After a donor's death shakes New York’s nonprofit arts scene, Elsbeth questions the motives of the victim's friend, Gary, the founder of a prominent poetry journal. Also, Elsbeth runs into Marissa, who is following in Eli's footsteps and working as the campaign manager for a mayoral candidate.

    Director:Robin Givens
    Writer:Leah Nanako Winkler

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 2 - The Wrong Stuff
    7.2/10(786 votes)

    S2:E2

    When a billionaire dies in an accident during a space training simulation, Elsbeth suspects a fellow magnate and wannabe astronaut named Neal is responsible. Elsbeth's day is turned upside down when she is reunited with a former colleague.

    Director:Aisha Tyler
    Writer:Erica Shelton Kodish

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 3 - Devil's Night
    7.2/10(757 votes)

    S2:E3

    When a former child star turned party girl Mac wakes up on Halloween after a wild night on the town with no recollection of her whereabouts and afraid she may have committed murder, Elsbeth and the team retrace her steps to find the truth. Meanwhile, Captain Wagner must address low morale at the precinct.

    Director:Robin Givens
    Writer:Bryan Goluboff

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 12 - All's Hair
    7.2/10(417 votes)

    S3:E12

    When a celebrity wigmaker is murdered, Elsbeth must comb through a tangled mess of suspects – and some drag brunch mayhem – to clip a killer.

    Director:Mary Lou Belli
    Writer:Erica Shelton Kodish

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 1 - Yes, and...
    7.3/10(663 votes)

    S3:E1

    Elsbeth dives into the world of late-night comedy when backstage tensions rise between a talk show host, his head writer, and her on-air sidekick husband.

    Director:Joe Menendez
    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Elsbeth

    READ
  7. Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 17 - Four Body Problem
    7.3/10(602 votes)

    S2:E17

    Elsbeth and Kaya reluctantly join forces with an annoying and chatty young police officer in order to solve a funeral director’s death and find that they make an unexpectedly good team.

    Director:Bille Woodruff
    Writers:Erica Shelton Kodish, Sarah Beckett

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Elsbeth Season 4 Episode 3 - Consciously Unsistered
    7.1/10(124 votes)

    S4:E3

    When a former pop star is murdered, Elsbeth probes the bitter sibling rivalry between the victim and her lifestyle mogul sister. Meanwhile, Elsbeth's mother Lydia comes to visit.

    Director:Joe Menendez
    Writer:Leah Nanako Winkler

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 7 - And Then There Were Nuns
    7.3/10(457 votes)

    S3:E7

    A pop star's purchase of a failing convent turns divine real estate into a murder scene as Elsbeth takes on the Mother of all nuns. Meanwhile, Teddy digs into Alec Bloom's past for a feature he is working on.

    Director:Peter Sollett
    Writer:Matthew K. Begbie

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 10 - A Hard Nut to Crack
    7.3/10(399 votes)

    S3:E10

    When an avant-garde choreographer's "Nutcracker" rehearsal turns deadly, Elsbeth leaps into the cutthroat world of New York ballet.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writer:Anju Andre-Bergmann

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 14 - Deadutante
    7.3/10(358 votes)

    S3:E14

    After a powerful patriarch is stabbed with a sword at New York's most exclusive debutante ball, Elsbeth must engage in hand in glove combat with the imperious ball director.

    Director:Peter Sollett
    Writer:Erica Larson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 15 - Otherwise Enraged
    7.3/10(351 votes)

    S3:E15

    When a serial bride is found bludgeoned in her apartment, Elsbeth investigates the victim's best friend, a particularly experienced, and bitter bridesmaid.

    Director:Lionel Coleman
    Writer:Leah Nanako Winkler

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Elsbeth Season 1 Episode 5 - Ball Girl
    7.4/10(925 votes)

    S1:E5

    When the world's top tennis champion drops dead on the court, Elsbeth and Kaya hone in on a rising tennis star and his competitive father and coach. Meanwhile, Captain Wagner begins to suspect Elsbeth's reason for being in New York goes beyond the consent decree.

    Director:Rob Hardy
    Writer:Eric Randall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 15 - I See... Murder
    7.4/10(663 votes)

    S2:E15

    Elsbeth matches wits with a professional psychic (Tracey Ullman) after the stepson of one of her wealthy clients is found murdered in Central Park. Meanwhile, Kaya’s dreams of becoming a detective may come true.

    Director:Rob Hardy
    Writers:Sarah Beckett, Wade Dooley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 3 - Good Grief
    7.4/10(509 votes)

    S3:E3

    When "grief influencer" Raquel Drabowski's presumed-dead husband makes a miraculous return, their reunion takes a fatal plunge. Meanwhile, Elsbeth's surprise reunion with an old friend could expose a dangerous undercover operation.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writer:Bryan Goluboff

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 4 - Ick, a Bod
    7.4/10(494 votes)

    S3:E4

    Elsbeth must separate trick from treat in Sleepy Hollow when a rivalry reaches a ghoulish climax on Halloween night after a suburban housewife butts heads with a new neighbor. Meanwhile, Captain Wagner makes a frightening discovery about his daughter.

    Director:Lionel Coleman
    Writer:Erica Larson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 8 - Basket Case
    7.4/10(451 votes)

    S3:E8

    Elsbeth goes from the squad room to the locker room when a campus murder rocks the world of college basketball after an athletic director winds up dead following a heated confrontation with his basketball coach's 22-year-old girlfriend.

    Director:Mary Lou Belli
    Writer:Eric Randall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 9 - Glamazons
    7.4/10(434 votes)

    S3:E9

    A fallen '90s supermodel returns to New York for a reunion and revenge, leading Elsbeth to sort through old grudges and lies to catch a killer. Meanwhile, Officer Hackett takes her turn in the spotlight.

    Director:Rob Hardy
    Writer:Bryan Goluboff

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 11 - Ol' Man Liver
    7.4/10(393 votes)

    S3:E11

    Elsbeth battles a wealthy biohacker who will do anything to stay young, including an extreme diet, vigorous exercise, and murder.

    Director:Scott Ellis
    Writers:Eric Randall, Matthew K. Begbie

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 18 - Murder From Scratch
    7.4/10(352 votes)

    S3:E18

    When an ambitious filmmaker dies in a suspicious cleaning accident, Elsbeth focuses on the subject of her final documentary: a "trad wife" whose from-scratch lifestyle included a deadly ingredient.

    Director:Pamela Adlon
    Writers:Erica Shelton Kodish, Jonelle Lightbourne

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Elsbeth Season 4 Episode 1 - Crazy in Love
    7.4/10(224 votes)

    S4:E1

    Elsbeth crosses paths with renowned marriage counselor Serena Collyer, whose cool demeanor hides a murderous and messy passion. Also, Teddy sets a wedding date.

    Director:Nancy Hower
    Writer:Sarah Beckett

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Elsbeth Season 4 Episode 2 - Death of a Playwright
    7.4/10(191 votes)

    S4:E2

    When a young playwright's suspicious death rocks the world of New York theater, Elsbeth finds several suspects waiting in the wings. Meanwhile, Captain Wagner faces pressure from the new mayor and the police commissioner over the city's increased murder rate and budgets.

    Director:Scott Ellis
    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 5 - Elsbeth Flips the Bird
    7.5/10(762 votes)

    S2:E5

    Elsbeth investigates the death of a devious kitchen staffer after he causes havoc in New York's hottest restaurant and enrages one of America's most revered chefs.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writer:Sarah Beckett

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 6 - Gold, Frankincense, and Murder
    7.5/10(711 votes)

    S2:E6

    Celebrity Christmas curators Dirk and DeeDee Dashers go from tinsel to tragedy after Dirk is killed in a freak accident and Elsbeth begins to suspect his wife is behind the death. Meanwhile, Elsbeth gets a holiday surprise courtesy of Wagner and Kaya.

    Director:Rachel Raimist
    Writer:Erica Larson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 14 - Scenes From an Italian Restaurant
    7.5/10(703 votes)

    S2:E14

    When Elsbeth takes a tour of famous New York crime scenes she is left with nagging questions about a legendary Mafia slaying in Little Italy, and about the owner of the family restaurant where it happened, Pupetta Del Ponte. Also, Judge Crawford's grudge against Elsbeth causes a roadblock in the investigation

    Director:Robin Givens
    Writer:Bryan Goluboff

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Hot Tub Crime Machine" is the worst rated episode of Elsbeth. It scored 6.6/10 from 731 votes. Directed by James Whitmore Jr. and written by Erica Larson, Jonelle Lightbourne, it aired on April 3, 2025. This episode scored 0.5 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Poetic Justice".

Keep going

Browse Elsbeth by season

If you like Elsbeth