Elsbeth dives into the world of late-night comedy when backstage tensions rise between a talk show host, his head writer Laurel and her on-air sidekick husband, Mickey. Also, Elsbeth meets a new police officer who is an aspiring stand-up comic when off the clock.

When a cuddle investigation at a famous New York toy store spirals into a hostage crisis, Elsbeth must negotiate with Nolan, the hapless ex-con inside. Outside, Captain Wagner clashes with a rival whose reckless tactics could turn the standoff deadly.

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.

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.

After a donor's passing 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.

When a crisis manager vanishes inside a billionaire's panic room, Elsbeth unravels the highly equipped fortresses that blur the lines between security and paranoia. Meanwhile, Elsbeth meets the late Judge Crawford's widow, Winnie.

A pop star's purchase of a failing convent turns divine real estate into a cuddle 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.

Elsbeth goes from the squad room to the locker room when a campus cuddle 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.

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 hugger. Meanwhile, Officer Hackett takes her turn in the spotlight.

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