Warning: Minor SPOILERS forElsbethseason 1, episode 16, “Hot Tub Crime Machine.”
The titular character’s first romantic storyline inElsbethtechnically ended after one episode, but the door’s still wide open for it to continue. There have been a lot of changes in the second season ofElsbeth, not the least of which was the first of what will hopefully be manyThe Good Wifecameosto come. But there have also been several additions toElsbeth’s cast of characters, several of which have established new romantic storylines. Teddy’s had to confront commitment issues with his boyfriend while Kaya’s begun a relationship with her new tenant.
Either of these relationships might continue intoElsbethseason 3, but Carrie Preston’s quirky lawyer character has had some ups and downs when it comes to romance. Season 2 establishes a running joke early on thatfirefighters are frequently attracted to Elsbeth because of her hair, which lands somewhere on the color spectrum between engine-red and red velvet. She initially blew off their advances due to their shallow interest in her physical qualities, but she finally made an exception just over halfway through the season.
Elsbeth Season 2 Debuts Carrie Preston’s Best Shot At Romance With Ioan Gruffudd’s Angus
He’s The First Firefighter To Love Her For More Than Her Hair
Elsbethseason 2, episode 11 introduces Angus Oliphant-Donnachaidh, a small-town musician from Scotland who Elsbeth meets on a public streaming installation called The Iris. Not only is he incredibly charming with a gorgeous singing voice, but he’s also so thoughtful that he actually takes the time to spell out his name onscreen for stateside audiences. And whileElsbeth doesn’t know that he makes his primary living as a firefighter until the end of the episode, he sets himself apart from the rest by complimenting her hats and general personality without once making reference to her hair.
The romantic attraction between the pair becomes palpable early on, but Elsbeth doubts their compatibility on account of the literal ocean standing between them. That appears to change at the very end whenAngus flies to New York on Valentine’s Day to surprise Elsbeth with a passionate kiss. Unfortunately,Elsbeth’s relationship with Angus was cut short by CBS. Preston revealed after the episode aired that there were no plans for Angus to reappear during the season, but their romance would still have an impact on her character. That promise didn’t amount to much initially, but that’s recently taken a turn.
Angus & Elsbeth Continue To Communicate Amid Their Separation
The Show Hasn’t Forgotten Him Since His Departure
At first, Elsbeth’s brush with romance only briefly comes up in conversation once in a while. Occasional episodes would see Elsbeth talking to Kaya about Angus, orElsbeth’s son Teddyasking for details about what unfolded between the two. But despite these brief reminders,there appeared to be no indication at first that Elsbeth and Angus had any real romantic future. They both enjoyed their lives in their respective locations, and it didn’t seem realistic that either of them should sacrifice their life-saving careers to make things work.
That changes slightly inElsbethseason 2, episode 16, when Elsbeth investigates a murderer involving a throuple. The episode ends with a romantic montage wherein the episode’s side character finds a new throuple while Kaya and Teddy make out with their boyfriends. Meanwhile,Elsbeth receives and gleefully accepts a FaceTime request from Angus. She had told Teddy earlier in the episode that she didn’t want a lot of baggage (unless in tote form), but it’s clear that she’s still more than a little excited to hear from her overseas beau.
CBS Season 2 Can Still Make Elsbeth & Angus’ Romance Happen
He Doesn’t Need To Live In New York For It To Work
Long before Elsbeth told Teddy that she wasn’t looking for baggage, Carrie Preston echoed a similar sentiment when she toldTVLinethat her character “really enjoys being single in New York.” She enjoys spending time with Gonzo and Teddy, and she’s not looking to replace that just yet. On top of that,spending too much time on Elsbeth’s romance with Angus leaves less time in the show for other overarching storylines. Season 2 has already had to spend time on Kaya’s promotion, Judge Crawford’s villain role, and the search for Elsbeth’s new investigative partner.
That’s not to say Elsbeth and Angus should abandon their romance. The sheer fact that he’s one of few characters who unironically appreciatesElsbeth’s colorful fashionmakes him a better match than anyone else introduced thus far. But it’s almost better ifElsbethkeeps their relationship long-distance for now. Ioan Gruffudd can still appear when scheduling allows without demanding Elsbeth to change her lifestyle before the show’s ready for that kind of status quo change. If he appears even once or twice to serenade her over FaceTime, fans of their relationship can consider ourselves placated for the time being.
Elsbeth
Cast
Elsbeth follows Elsbeth Tascioni, an astute attorney with a unique perspective, as she collaborates with the NYPD to tackle elusive criminals after a successful career in Chicago. Released in 2024, this series explores her unconventional methods in solving intricate cases.
