So far, I've seen Elsbeth's first nine episodes, and this one is the best. Linda Lavin is always great at self-justified intransigence (I'm thinking of her guest spots on "The Good Wife" and "Mom") and is fun to watch. She is the keystone of this episode. But Jane Krakowski owns "unbalanced menace" like no other comedic TV actor I've seen. As proof, see any of the following: her creepy SVU episode, her needy actress on 30 Rock, her antagonist to Gloria on Modern Family, and even her crazy socialite in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. In this episode, she is in top form. So watchable, and tons of fun, because you get Elsbeth, too. Bonus: Elsbeth's relationship with the avuncular yet observant Officer Kaya Blanke is developing nicely into a balanced partnership.
Review of A Classic New York Character
