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Big surprise, our suspect seems to have a girlfriend. In other news this morning, the sun rose in the east.

— Lt. Provenza

Season Premiere. The squad scrambles to garner a confession when the pregnant wife of a big-time film director is found murdered. Meanwhile, just as things seem to fall into place under Raydor’s leadership, new Deputy D.A. Emma Rios challenges Raydor’s intentions as Rusty’s guardian.

The Victims[]

  • Gretchen Elliot, the third wife of Martin Elliot. Stabbed to death and thrown in the pool and found by her husband, Martin, after he came home from work. During her autopsy, it was discovered she was three months pregnant.
  • Brittany Wells, the first wife of Martin Elliot. Had apparently committed suicide 15 years ago by slitting her wrists in the bathtub and was found by her husband, Martin, after he came home from work. Was pregnant when she died and had Valium in her system.

The Suspects[]

  • Martin Elliot, a successful movie director. Reportedly came home from work and found his wife dead in the pool. Martin told detectives that when he first came home he though that Gretchen was asleep but as he went upstairs, he saw her bleeding in the pool. Afterwards, he called 9-1-1 but did not try to help his wife in any way, though it wouldn't had made a difference, as she had been dead for a long time already.
  • Jennifer O'Brien, an actress in Martin Elliot's new movie. She is married to Daniel, another actor, but was still in an affair with Martin, though Jennifer claims it was because she wanted to remain in the movie and not be edited out of the final cut.
  • Daniel "Danny" O'Brien, husband of Jennifer and also an actor. Was briefly considered as a suspect based on the fact that he could have learned about the affair between Jennifer and Martin and therefore could be framing Martin for the murder.
  • Ashley Elliot, the second wife of Martin Elliot and the mother to their two boys. Martin left her six years ago when she was pregnant with their second child. Martin also reportedly cheated on her both times she was pregnant.

Evidence[]

  • Murder weapon, a kitchen knife, found on the bottom of the pool, later found to be from a set in the Elliots' kitchen.
  • Martin Elliot didn't tell the LAPD that Gretchen was pregnant.
  • Phone call to Gretchen Elliot from the lobby of the Hotel Perino.
  • Valium in the systems of both wives.
  • Security footage from the Hotel Perino.
  • Testimony from Jennifer O'Brien.

Plot[]

Starting the Investigation[]

The Major Crimes Division was called to the house of Martin Elliot, a successful movie director, after he found his wife dead in the pool. Lt. Provenza asked Det. Sykes if the home's alarm was turned off or did Mr. Elliot fake a break-in, obviously referencing his favorite line: It's always the husband. Sykes reported that there were no signs of forced entry and that there were motion sensors inside the house along with pressure sensors on the backyard walls, but none of that mattered as the alarm system was not turned on, just like Provenza guessed. Provenza also wondered how Martin's clothes were dry if he found his wife in the pool and Det. Sanchez told him that he hadn't actually tried to rescue her, just called 9-1-1. Provenza orders Buzz to film Martin's statement at the scene, fearing that he'd call for a lawyer and therefore they'd miss their chance.

There is also an apparent budget crisis at the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner as they can't get anyone out to the scene until 05:00 AM, but that's alright with Provenza as their victim isn't going anywhere.

Working the Case[]

At the morgue, Dr. Morales is finishing his autopsy with Capt. Raydor and Det. Sanchez in attendance. Unfortunately, because the body had been in a heated pool as well as being out in the night air until early that morning, he was only able to put the time of death between 07:00 PM and 11:00 PM. He also reveals that the victim was three months pregnant, meaning that they are technically dealing with a double homicide. Raydor confirmed with Sanchez that Mr. Elliot never told them that his wife was pregnant and wondered why he wouldn't say anything about the death of his child. Morales also confirmed that the kitchen knife was most likely the murder weapon and that Gretchen was attacked from behind as she was lying down. Their victim didn't have any defensive wounds though she could have been asleep when she attacked. Sanchez states that she could have also been drunk but Raydor finds that highly unlikely considering she was pregnant. She could have been drugged by her husband but without knowing what drugs were used, the toxicology screen would take some time.

DDA Emma Rios wondered why they were so fixated on the husband to which Sanchez noted that the killer had access to the house and the knife, which was found in the pool, matched the murder weapon and it was taken from the victim's kitchen. Unfortunately, there wasn't any biological evidence on the knife, considering it was found in a chlorinated pool.

Capt. Raydor had Lt. Tao make a fictional press release about the murder which was incomplete/faulty in some parts, including where Martin was during the murder, which she gave to him in order for him to "fix it" and inadvertedly fill in his alibi. Martin also told the detectives that while he is directing his schedule changes constantly and his assistant puts out updates to his calendar as well as to his agent, editor, wife, ex-wife, and mother. The detectives fooled Mr. Elliot into thinking that they believe he was the original target of the murder and that the LAPD's "Celebrity Threat Division" is working on that angle (a division Det. Sykes came up with on the spot), and that it's very important how they talk to the media about the investigation. When the interview was wrapping up, Mr. Elliot finally expressed some sadness over the situation, saying he lost some much from this another chance of being a good husband and a good father, and that everything was supposed to be different this time.

Later, the division was in Electronics observing Mr. Elliot as he was making phonecalls, including to his ex-wife, as he was trying to talk to his kids, and to his mistress. Mr. Elliot asked her to lie the police if they contact her and to tell them that he was with her that night. Based on that call, Lt. Tao leaves to request a warrant in order for them to find out who he was calling. Later, the warrant came through and the detectives found out that Mr. Elliot called himself, so to say, as the phone belonged to his own company. They also went through the victim's phone records and found out that she received a call from the Hotel Perino prior the her death. At the same time, Mr. Elliot was in the conference room, rescheduling actors and crew for his film and Lt. Tao noted that he seems to have a better relationship with his film than his wife.

When Mr. Elliot's ex-wife, Ashley, arrives at the squad room, Tao notes that she looks just like their victim and Sykes concludes that Mr. Elliot definitely has "a type." Raydor and Flynn tell Ashley that Mr. Elliot has been very concerned about his sons which surprised Ashley, as she sometimes thinks that she should re-introduce them to him as he doesn't see them often. She tells the detectives that he should see them every two weeks but he's never around, always directing or developing something. Raydor asks her if he did that a lot in their marriage as well and if he had a lot of "meetings" at night. Ashley asks if Martin was cheating on Gretchen as well, which the detectives confirm, and that she wasn't surprised by the news. Ashley told them that during their marriage, the both times she was pregnant Martin cheated on her, so of course he would cheat on Gretchen, too, as he's incapable of change. Ashley wasn't mad at Gretchen, though, as she got her ring the same way she did. Raydor therefore asked her if Martin was married when they met, which he was, but his first wife Brittany committed suicide. Ashley doesn't understand where the detectives are going with their questions, as Martin doesn't have to kill his wives because he has great divorce lawyers.

Based on this new info, the division re-examines the death of Martin's first wife, Brittany. She died 15 years ago, while pregnant, having slit her wrists while in the bath and having taken Valium. They conclude that if Dr. Morales finds Valium in Gretchen's body as well, it would create a pattern, implicating Martin as the killer. All they need to do is find the actress who is supposed to be Martin's alibi for the night of the murder, though Chief Taylor notes that if they ask Martin for her name, he would most likely invoke his rights and call for a lawyer. Raydor, though, has a plan which could prevent that, as it's all about presentation.

Closing the Case[]

In the conference room, the division presents their evidence to Martin and tell him that they suspect him of the murder. Martin tries to make a case for himself, stating that his computer logs indicate he was at work at the time but Lt. Tao notes that he could have done those things from home, after he killed his wife. Martin then gives the name of the actress he was supposedly with that night, Jennifer O'Brien, who will cooperate with the LAPD, he's sure of it. Flynn notes that she probably will, considering they have him on video asking her to lie to the police. Martin states that it was a private conversation and they recorded it without his consent, though Flynn notes that he is in a police station and therefore has no right to privacy. Bacause of this, Martin calls for his lawyer but the squad is able to persuade him out of it and they use their search warrant to swab under Martin's fingernails to look for blood. Martin then admits that he fabricated the alibi but only because he knows cops always concentrate on the husband.

Next morning, Provenza and Flynn bring in Martin's girlfriend Jennifer O'Brien, who is also married, to tell them where Martin really was the night of the murder. While she initially goes with the story Martin gave her, after they show her the video of Martin asking her to lie and they threaten to tell her husband, she admits that she was having an affair with Martin and was supposed to meet him at the Hotel Perino but he never arrived. They realize that Gretchen had a phone call from that hotel shortly before her death and it means that Jennifer was checking to see if she was home before going over to kill her.

Checking the hotel security footage, they find what appears to be Jennifer calling Gretchen from the phone in the lobby. They track her to the garage where they finally get a clear shot of her face but much to their surprise, the caller is actually Martin's second wife, Ashley. They bring Ashley in for questioning and DDA Rios offers her a deal of two counts of murder two, served consecutively with a lenght of 30 years each, if she confesses, rather than four. Putting the evidence before her: the footage of her in the hotel, the phone call to Gretchen, the fact that both wives had Valium in their system but had no prescriptions for it and the blood evidence in her car that the rest of the squad is supposedly checking for. When she delays, Flynn calls Raydor's phone, the signal that the time for the deal is up and she confesses: she knew Martin was having another affair because she still got his schedule and he had the same thing marked on his schedule, and at the same time, as he did when he had his affair with her, confirming that he was cheating on his wife once again.

Gretchen had told her that she was pregnant and Martin wanted to have a second chance at being a father, all the while ignoring Ashley and their two children. Feeling that Martin was replacing her children, she made sure Jennifer was at the hotel and that Martin would be there soon as well before going to the Elliot home and drugging Gretchen's drink with Valium. Once she was unconscious, Ashley stabbed her to death and dumped her in the pool, figuring Martin would get sent to prison for the murder and she'd have her revenge. However, while they ask about the murder of his first wife, Brittany, Ashley's lawyer tells them the deal was for two murders and counts them as Gretchen and her unborn baby. Ashley refuses to tell them why she murdered Brittany and says they will have to wonder about it as Martin never did. As a result of Ashley's arrest, Martin ends up getting full custody of his two kids, leaving Raydor and DDA Rios worried about them as Martin cares more about his next film than his kids.

Guest Cast[]

  • John Ales (Martin Elliott)
  • Laura Gordon (Ashley Elliott)
  • Spencer Garrett (Charles Hardin, defense attorney)
  • Kate French (Jennifer O'Brien)
  • Ryan Caldwell (Daniel "Danny" O'Brien)
  • Eric Tiede (Isaac, Hotel Perino receptionist)
  • Christopher Schauble (KTLA News Anchor)

Episode Notes[]

  • At the end of the episode, Provenza buys the Major Crimes Division a new state of the art printer. He also makes it clear that he will be charging everyone five cents per page. Following this episode, the printer is seen in frequent use with Provenza charging everyone anytime it's used. The printer and Provenza's money jar appear all the way through season 5's "Shockwave, Part 2" when the murder room is destroyed in a bombing. Provenza's money jar is one of the things to survive that blast. In “Sanctuary City, Part 2” its shown that the printer actually survived the blast as well and continues to see use in the repaired and upgraded murder room.
  • The killer agreed to a deal of two 30 year second-degree murder charges served consecutively. Second-degree murder is any intentional murder with malice aforethought, but is not premeditated or planned in advance.
  • While the "Celebrity Threat Division" mentioned by Det. Sykes was a creation of her imagination, the Threat Management Unit (TMU) of the Detective Support Division is responsible for "investigating selected cases wherein an individual demonstrates an abnormal fixation and generates a long-term pattern of harassment, threats, stalking, or unsolicited acts of visitation or communication in an annoying or threatening manner." Though in this episode, the movie director had not received any threats beforehand, the TMU is known to consult and assist in investigations of isolated incidents involving prominent persons.

Trivia[]

  • John Ales, who portrayed Martin Elliott in this episode, went on to portray another similar character, Andrew Holland, in Season 3 of Amazon's Bosch. In Bosch, Andrew Holland was also a big-time movie director who was accused of murder.
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