Original subtitles

["Overture" from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker playing]

DONOVAN: For nearly a century,

Midtown Ballet has done the same production of The Nutcracker.

It's been a rite of passage

for generations of young ballet dancers.

It's pretty.

It's sweet.

It's tired.

It's time for a change.

That's why I bring you Drosselmeyer's Revenge,

a modern pop-goth ballet about the terror

of a young girl reaching puberty.

If you read E.T.A. Hoffmann's original Nutcracker story,

you'll see that this is the true theme of the piece.

As I'm sure you know,

or you've read in the Times,

I prefer a stripped-down production,

which is why...

...this will be the only set.

Well, not this, but 30 feet tall.

My team...

calls it the Contraption.

Equipped with AI sensors, the mouth opens and closes

with the motion of the dancers as they leap through it

to the Land of Acid.

Motion sensors? Like the doors at CVS?

If that comparison helps you understand.

[people coughing]

How safe is that?

It's very safe.

And I always demonstrate for my dancers

before they do anything risky.

Great,

because we have the children to think about.

Lucky for us, there are no children

in Drosselmeyer's Revenge.

And no nuts. I'm allergic.

Uh, no children?

Like, what about Clara?

That role is split between prepubescent Clara

and teenaged Marie, both played by dancers in their 40s.

And another thing.

There will be blood.

Lots of blood.

ELISE: This could be

very exciting for us.

No Sugar Plum Fairies?

No magical Christmas tree?

The audience will revolt.

Donovan Chase is big with young adults.

We've always struggled to draw that crowd.

So get them after the holidays.

Christmas is for The Nutcracker, not some puberty ballet.

OLIVIA: It's true.

Our Nutcracker ticket sales fund the company for the entire year.

Donovan Chase's Orphan Girl! Just recouped on Broadway

in record time. He must be doing something right.

That moment in Orphan Girl! Where a camera follows

the orphans out on the street? It's genius.

-Yeah, there's no children in that cast either. -No.

ELISE: Harris, let's not play games.

We all know you just want to preserve the role

of Clara for your daughter.

It's not about that... Elise.

PAUL: Time to vote.

All in favor of approving Donovan Chase's ballet?

-Yep. -Yes.

-Aye. -Absolutely.

Sorry Noelle won't get to play Clara this year.

It's not about Noelle playing Clara.

I was supposed to play Clara.

Noelle has played every child part

in The Nutcracker since she was six.

She's paid her dues.

This was supposed to be her year. It's not fair.

Well, at least she'll have more time during the holidays.

-I don't want more time. -Honey,

it's not the end of the world.

Rich, she's allowed to be upset.

Noelle, take a second and breathe.

[Jill and Noelle inhale]

[exhaling]

And tell us the worst that can happen

if you don't dance Clara this year.

[fingers snap]

If I don't dance Clara this year,

I never will.

What about next year?

I'll be too old.

There's an age cutoff.

NOELLE: And freaking

Samantha will do it,

and she'll take all my parts,

and I'll never dance again,

and my life will be over!

Do you have something to say, Rich?

You put this dream in her head.

You figure out how to make her happy.

This is a slow yawn.

I need it to snap.

If it were manually controlled,

it'd be safe to move at that speed.

Don't use that word with me.

Safety is the enemy of art.

The Contraption must move organically

with the dancers. Go to the computer.

Figure out how to speed it up.

We need it to cue the blood.

We got to go easy on the blood.

It makes the floor slippery.

The blood is the point.

Go.

-Lizzie. -Yes.

Bring me my trail mix.

Mm-hmm.

And no nuts!

If I die, it's because that idiot poisoned me.

-Come here. Did you build this? -This is going to be a disaster.

We have everything in storage.

Mark my words, next year we'll be back

to our "tired" old production.

Well, next year will be too late for Noelle.

Unless there's some catastrophe,

this is our Nutcracker this season.

I want to see it.

No. No. This is all wrong.

Kevin!

-I want the blood... -I have to go teach a class.

DONOVAN: Not to the side. Down.

Can you nod?

At me, please?

Thank you.

Keith, we need to talk.

Harris, I know. I'm sorry.

I had had a Negroni.

I won't do it again.

You need to stop texting me. Rich is getting upset.

I know. I know.

DONOVAN: Back up. Back up. Everyone back.

-How's your mom? -Fine.

She ever ask about me?

What? No.

That was over a decade ago.

-You need to let it go. -Right.

I just wanted to let you know I was upset

about Noelle not getting Clara.

-Is she all right? -What's the holdup, Kevin?

It's Keith.

I don't allow observers in the workshop

before demonstration day.

I think it's the safety mechanism

that's slowing the jaw down. Turn it off.

Uh, Mr. Chase, I'm sorry, but, no,

-absolutely not. -DONOVAN: Excuse me?

I could try changing the angle

on the sensors, so it shuts just as the dancers clear the teeth?

Fine. Do that.

This is our fourth test, guys. Why does it feel like our first?

Why does no one speak to me when I speak to them?

No one will nod, no one will shake their head.

[Donovan continues indistinctly]

PHYSICAL THERAPIST: This should help with the pain.

I hope so, with the holidays coming up.

[both chuckle]

I'll be back soon.

Take your time.

[door closes]

DONOVAN: She is experiencing growth.

She is experiencing blossom.

But with that blossom comes horror.

With that blossom comes fear, vulnerability.

We've come from battle.

Clara is weary.

Drosselmeyer's creature revives her,

brings her to the giant nutcracker head.

He draws her to it. This is a seduction, people.

This is our pas de deux.

This is coming of age in its horror and its beauty.

In its simplicity. He pulls her in.

The creature does his tour en I'air

for the final count of eight.

And then Clara will do her jeté, jeté through the mouth.

As the mouth closes, she goes in a girl.

She comes out a woman.

This is a transformation.

It's a transmogrification.

As the mouth closes, she opens. Watch.

On me. Clara does her jeté, jeté.

Through the mouth. Watch.

Bring them in with you.

Bring the audience into the mouth.

You shake them about.

Jeté, jeté into the mouth.

Puberty happens in here.

-[woman screams] -[groans]

Ooh. Sorry for the delay.

We're running behind.

Not a problem.

-Feeling better? -Yeah.

[siren wails]

[camera shutter clicks]

There's blood all the way over here.

It's everywhere, but it's stage blood.

Most of it, anyway.

Oh. Oh. It's been a while since I've seen The Nutcracker.

I don't remember blood.

Oh, it's a Donovan Chase production.

Yeah, he directed that show Orphan Girl!

On Broadway, just a few blocks from here.

Oh, I read about that one.

That's the one with the camera on the street,

and the audience sees the performers

on a screen in the theater.

Yeah, that part of the show is called "The Orphan Walk."

-It's all over the Internet. -Mm, so theatrical.

-Or is it cinematic? -Donovan Chase...

he loves technology.

And violence.

Uh, I can see that.

So I suppose what's listed here

as the Contraption

is that thing.

-Was it known to glitch? -No.

It was working fine an hour ago.

Donovan and I smoothed out the kinks over the past few days.

How does it, you know?

[makes whooshing sound]

The Contraption is computer-operated.

-Who are you? -Oh.

I'm Elsbeth Tascioni.

I'm an observer with the police.

You look so sad.

-This shouldn't have happened. -DONNELLY: This is Keith.

He's the Midtown Ballet technical director.

Donovan wanted the jaws to open and shut

just as the dancers jumped through.

Well, that seems unnecessary and dangerous.

It was a symbol... of... puberty.

Oh, and I thought mine was horrific.

So, how does it know

when a dancer's gonna, you know, jump?

There are sensors.

Oh. Like a garage door?

Uh, sort of.

I'll show you.

Wait.

These sensors are facing the wrong way.

Oh, my God. The safety's off.

Someone has moved everything around.

Could Donovan Chase have done any of this

without your knowledge?

No way. He didn't have the security code for the computer.

I made sure of that.

Who did have the security code?

Noelle, I have good news.

♪

Attention, everyone, I have an important holiday announcement.

[toy horn honks]

[toy siren wails]

-[laughter] -It's that time of year again,

when we get to help brighten holidays for children in need.

But this year the NYPD toy drive

is gonna look a bit different.

And here to elaborate is mayoral candidate Alec Bloom.

Alec?

Thank you, Captain.

I'm proud to announce

that I am partnering with my opponents in the race

to help boost the NYPD toy drive.

We've each selected a police precinct to represent,

and the one that collects the most toys wins.

Now, since I'm particularly fond

of the fine folks at Precinct 11,

I'll be representing you.

My opponents and I may be battling it out at the polls,

but I believe the holidays are a time to come together.

So, together, let's show the children

of this wonderful city how much we care.

I hope we win.

I'm really not good with failure.

Oh, I hope so, too.

Marissa, I suppose this was your idea.

Hardly. I think it's a mistake.

Why should Alec partner with his opponents?

-What's the upside? -More toys for needy kids?

Exactly, thanks to Alec, except he doesn't get all the credit.

Doing good and good politics are not always the same.

-Are they ever? -I need coffee.

You'll need a dollar.

I think what you're doing is wonderful.

What can I say? I love children and I love Christmas.

Oh, gosh, me, too.

Well, every other year when my son Teddy spends it with me.

You remember Teddy? He's, um...

-somewhere. -Yeah. How could I forget?

That article he wrote about me was great for us.

He seems like a terrific kid.

Oh, he is.

He helped me bring a whole wagonful

of presents for the toy drive.

-Now I just have to wrap 'em. -Oh.

Actually, we're not supposed to wrap the donations.

It's a security issue.

In case someone sends something naughty.

-Oh. [laughs] -Not that there's

-anything naughty in here. -I-I-I don't think so.

She brought that thing on the subway?

Yeah, it was a whole ordeal. Worse than a stroller.

Uh, hey, c-can I ask you something in confidence?

Sure.

What's wrong?

So, I think I might have messed up in my article.

You know, the one about Subway Pete, the MTA worker

who fed Alec Bloom when he was unhoused?

Well, the guy I found has dementia.

I think I might have profiled the wrong man.

Mistakes happen.

You can always publish a correction.

Yeah, but what's weird is, Alec acted

like he knew exactly who he was, like they were old friends.

Maybe Alec just misremembered

and played it up for the cameras.

Sure, but I mean, I can't find the real Subway Pete.

I've made over a hundred calls.

What are you saying?

I think Alec might have made it up.

Hmm. That would be a shame.

But he is a politician.

Yeah. Something's not sitting right.

I tried looking into his background,

but I keep hitting walls, so, um,

can you help me? I mean, you have access

to pretty much every database there is.

Why is it so important to you?

Well, you've seen the way my mother looks at him.

If there is something off,

I think she'd better know sooner rather than later.

All right, I'll see what I can do.

Excuse me.

What were you and Teddy scheming about?

It better not be about a present for me, because

I told him I don't need anything.

Well, in that case, don't worry.

All right, Detective, what do you have?

From the looks of it, a homicide disguised as an accident.

Our victim was a big shot

choreographer and director named Donovan Chase.

He was working on a modern Nutcracker ballet

when he got crushed in this thing called the Contraption.

What kind of contraption?

This kind but giant.

It's supposed to be a nutcracker head,

but I think it's a Christmas nightmare.

And you believe it's a murder because...?

The safety mechanism had been disengaged,

and somebody had tampered with the sensors

that control the mouth.

Yeah. And these dancers were supposed

to jump through the mouth, which represents puberty.

But Donovan Chase jumped in first to demonstrate.

And then... [makes whooshing sound]

And then... [makes popping sounds]

-You're kidding me. -No.

Brace yourself.

The first suspect is Keith Dreyer.

He was the ballet company's technical director.

His prints were the only one

that were found on the control board.

And his PIN code was used to move the sensors.

But Keith's demeanor was hard to gauge at the scene.

He was sort of...

-Devastated. -Oh.

Anyone else on your radar? Uh, what was going on

in Donovan's personal life?

He didn't have one.

His life was his work, and lately

he was working on this ballet.

[groans] What kind of production is this?

The Nutcracker is supposed to be a comforting

-holiday experience. -ELSBETH: I agree.

But Donovan Chase's production was dark and avant-garde.

And without children, which just makes me sad,

'cause the dancing children... they're my favorite part.

There must be a lot of unhappy little ballerinas this year.

Actually, you make a good point.

If dance moms are anything like sports moms,

there must be a lot of unhappy parents.

OLIVIA: Oh, yes,

-there were many complaints. -[piano plays classical music]

Which was understandable.

Parents spend a great deal of money

to send their children here.

As director of the company's school,

I know how much The Nutcracker means to them.

DONNELLY: Why is that?

A traditional production of The Nutcracker can have

as many as a hundred children in the cast.

And all of my students

who went on to be principals

danced The Nutcracker as children first.

Do you teach adults?

Because this place... it's so stunning.

All the... [hums]

...makes me really regret quitting dance when I was seven.

I was too self-conscious about my knobby knees.

Yes, I do teach adults.

So how long has the company been putting on

the traditional Nutcracker?

Since before I danced Clara as a girl.

-Aw. -Some good news, though.

With Donovan's production on hold indefinitely,

the board has decided to take the traditional

Nutcracker sets out of storage and put it on for the holidays.

That is good news.

Forgive my ignorance, but why would the board bother

hiring Donovan to revamp the ballet in the first place?

It seems like his version was a little edgy for a holiday show.

They were trying to bring in new audiences.

But I agree. Donovan's Nutcracker would have been

a grotesque departure from tradition.

Not that the classic Nutcracker is without flaws.

We only phased out the more racist costumes

in the last decade.

And was there anybody else on the board

that shared your opinion of Donovan's work?

Maybe, but the only one who spoke up was Harris Monroe.

And where can we find him?

-[piano playing] -HARRIS: Sure, I admit it.

I didn't like Donovan's take.

But I was outvoted.

Still, what happened to him was just awful.

This is the battle scene.

The Mouse King is coming. Why are you smiling?

Noelle's dancing is perfection,

but her, uh... her acting needs work.

I think your daughter's a beautiful dancer.

-Hmm. -And her name means Christmas

in French. How wonderful.

It's a different spelling, so not really.

DONNELLY: Were you aware of any conflict between Donovan

and the company technical director Keith?

Some of the workshop crew said

that they overheard them arguing.

I'm not really involved in the day-to-day.

Well, where were you on Wednesday, say, 3:30?

Where was I?

[laughing]: Uh, I was at,

uh, Noelle's school

for a parent volunteer holiday party until 2:15.

And then I rushed to physical therapy for a 3:00 appointment.

I'm a dancer myself. I used to be.

But these days my focus is Noelle.

But at my peak I danced all the big parts...

the Cavalier, even the Nutcracker Prince as a teenager.

Wow. That's impressive.

-[laughs] -Oh, wait. I see it now.

Wow. You stand up so straight.

[both laugh]

Ah, just, uh, one more thing.

Considering your history,

Donovan's rejection

of the traditional Nutcracker...

it must have felt so...

personal.

Oh, no, I... Like I said, I'm not a dancer anymore.

No, but your daughter is.

Has she danced any of the big parts yet?

What about the role of Clara?

No, she's never danced Clara.

Not yet, but she has a chance again.

By the looks of it, a very good chance.

Well, she's certainly very talented,

but in a cutthroat world like ballet, there are no guarantees.

Oh, gosh, I bet.

[both chuckle]

Well, it's a good thing she has you to... help her. Wow.

Talk about a motive.

Harris could have killed Donovan

to sabotage his staging

so that Noelle could dance the part of Clara.

Normally I'd say it's a stretch,

but I know some hockey moms

who would absolutely consider homicide

to get their kid on the team.

It can't hurt to run Harris's alibi.

I'm on it.

Oh, um, do you want to get lunch in Times Square first?

I know a really fun place.

If you say it's your birthday, they let you stand on the table.

I don't go to Times Square unless I'm looking at a body.

I want to go talk to Keith again.

There's something about those weepy ones.

They're very hard to read.

Hmm. All right, I'll see you at the precinct.

-I bet everyone here dances on Broadway. -Ooh.

You can just feel the artistic heartbeat of the city.

Oh. I agree. It's so glamorous.

Oh, hey. I know you. Rob the Choreographer.

He taught me the Hot Honey Rag.

Hey, Red. You working another case?

I'm here for a groin injury. Don't ask how it happened.

I won't.

Uh, so, is it always this busy in here?

Because we've been waiting forever

just to speak to somebody.

This? No, this is quiet. But it's worth the wait.

It's the only place that charges on a sliding scale.

Oh, I get it. I hear the arts are under attack.

-Mm. -[gasps] Look, the patients

-sign headshots. -ELSBETH: Ooh.

-Oh, I think he's dead now. -Wait. That's Harris.

"Thanks for getting me back on the stage."

Huh.

-You guys talking about Harris Monroe? -[gasps]

I know him. I haven't seen him here in ages.

Because he recovered from his injuries?

Figured it was because he doesn't dance anymore.

He doesn't have to. He married into money.

I wish I could do that, but I need love.

I hear you.

If Harris doesn't dance anymore,

then how did he reinjure himself?

And if he has money, why would he come here?

No offense.

DONNELLY: We might be looking at a joint effort.

Turns out our man Keith used to go out

with Harris back in the day,

a detail that Harris failed to mention yesterday.

Really? Those two? I don't see it.

And get this. Keith told me

that Harris paid a visit to The Nutcracker workshop

two days before the murder.

Harris didn't mention that, either.

-How's his alibi looking? -Oh. Shaky.

The physical therapist's office could only confirm

that Harris checked out of his appointment at 4:15.

There's no record of when he came in.

And that clinic is notorious for running behind,

so Harris could have gone to the workshop,

tampered with the sensors, and then turned up late to PT.

Time of death was 3:35.

So, if he slipped out right before Donovan died,

do you really think that no one noticed

he was that late for his appointment?

Yes. That place is a zoo. Literally.

They have an entire wing dedicated to The Lion King.

Oh.

[doorbell rings]

RICH: Look, I don't care

if the staff doesn't want to be back in the office.

A mandate is a mandate.

Tell them to put on some real pants

and get their butts to work.

Okay. Yeah. Bye.

[scoffs] These people.

They won't follow rules.

Sorry, but why aren't you in the office?

Because I'm the boss.

And I can't focus in that environment.

-I'm Rich. -I can tell. -Hi.

I hear you're looking for my husband.

Harris is out with our daughter.

What do you need him for?

We have some follow-up questions

regarding the death of Donovan Chase.

ELSBETH: Mm. I also

wanted to bring Harris a little get-well-soon gift.

-They're sugarplums. -Get well from what?

His injury.

He was at, uh,

physical therapy the day that Donovan was killed?

Right, right.

Okay. Right. Thank you.

I didn't realize sugarplums were a thing.

Probably because they're not from this century.

So, is Harris at Nutcracker rehearsal?

Did your daughter land a role yet?

To be honest, I'm not really up to date.

Ballet is their thing.

Uh-huh. I understand.

Well, Noelle must have been so disappointed

when Donovan's kid-free production was announced.

A little disappointment is good for a child.

-God knows she needs it. -Daddy! Daddy!

I got the part. I'm going to be Clara.

Ah! Oh!

Congratulations.

We confirmed that you were at physical therapy

-at the time of Donovan's death. -Great.

I don't think Rich knew you were injured.

Sorry if we let that slip.

Oh. Um, you're right.

I didn't want to tell him that I hurt myself

ice-skating at Rockefeller Center.

-'Tis the season. -[laughing]: Oh. 'Tis indeed.

I love ice-skating in Rockefeller Center.

[laughs] -You keep that a secret from your husband?

No, I keep it a secret from Noelle,

which is why I didn't want Rich to accidentally tell her.

We don't allow her to ice-skate.

We can't risk her getting hurt and missing dance.

-Ah. -DONNELLY: Is there anyone who can

confirm that that's how you sustained your injury?

No, I was alone.

Oh, but I do have a receipt.

You went ice-skating alone?

Isn't that a little odd?

-No. -No.

[chuckles] It's actually quite relaxing.

-Yeah. -Yeah. [laughs]

I mean, the view, the decorations,

all those people looking down on you.

You're never truly alone in New York City.

Someone's always watching.

Well, if you don't have any more questions...

Uh...

Oh.

-Bye. -Bye-bye.

-Thank you. -Uh-huh.

Oh, by the way, Keith Dreyer mentioned

that you visited the workshop, but you told us

that you're not involved in the day-to-day stuff.

Oh, I just stopped by one day, just out of curiosity.

Was it to visit Keith?

Why would I visit Keith?

'Cause he told us that you used to date.

-[laughs] -[Elsbeth chuckles]

That was a long time ago.

I dated a lot of people before Rich.

It felt like Keith still had a thing for you.

Keith is a lonely guy.

I feel awful for him.

I mean, talk about wrong place, wrong time.

People are blaming him for what happened to Donovan.

But I don't think he's capable of making that kind of mistake.

Uh, intentional or not.

Boy, Keith is lucky to have you in his corner.

[laughs] Thanks for the sugarplums.

[groans]

Your back acting up?

Yes.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you about ice-skating.

It's just,

sometimes I just need to be alone.

I understand.

So, you want to tell me

why the police are coming to our door?

Don't be upset, but...

Keith has been texting again.

[scoffs] Are you kidding?

That guy needs to get a life.

I know. It feels like he's getting more obsessive.

-Let me see what he wrote. -No, it's better if you don't see it.

But in the days leading up

to Donovan getting killed on Wednesday, it just...

it felt like he was going to do something bad.

Well, why didn't you tell the detective or that other woman?

Well, because I didn't want to get Keith in trouble. [sighs]

Just, honey, whatever you do,

just promise me that you won't tell the police.

So, of course, I came to you immediately.

Harris wanted you to send these texts to us?

Harris doesn't know I'm here.

I pulled the messages from our cloud drive.

For some reason, Harris is still protective of Keith.

Out of pity, I suppose.

-Hmm. -Listen to this.

"Someone's gonna get killed.

Donovan better watch out."

That's very incriminating.

Well, Keith was worried about safety.

There's one where Keith says he's heartbroken

he won't see Harris anymore, with Noelle not getting Clara.

It's pretty clear he blamed Donovan for that.

DONNELLY: It's looking

like Keith is our guy.

Donovan made his life hell, and I think

Keith felt like he needed to protect the company.

He had been the technical director for decades.

And I think that...

that he sabotaged the Contraption 'cause he was still

in love with Harris

and he wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.

Then why not kill Harris's husband?

It's not like murder is a logical solution

to someone's problems.

It's deranged, but the texts are damning.

You're not buying this?

The Nutcracker isn't about romance. It's about

a little girl named Clara, or Marie,

if you're going with the original story

by E.T.A. Hoffmann.

-Elsbeth. -Right. Right.

Harris was all about Clara.

He wanted so badly for his daughter

to star in this year's production.

And he had access to the control board.

We know he went to the workshop at least once.

He'd have to tamper with those sensors

within minutes of Donovan's death or else

risk harming someone else.

-He has an alibi? -ELSBETH: He had the appearance

of an alibi, but if he moved fast enough,

he could have committed that murder

and then run the four blocks to his PT appointment.

It's tight, but it's not impossible.

Have you tested this out?

Ooh. I'd love to.

Ooh, I love the theater, don't you?

I got tickets to Operation Mincemeat.

Oh, I hear it's amazing.

Yeah, I didn't get to see it, though.

They were a gift for Teddy and Roy's one-year anniversary.

You know, I didn't want to be the third wheel.

Okay. So that was some long four blocks

from Donovan's workshop,

but we made it here in less than ten minutes.

-Yeah. PT office is right here. -Right. So, imagine

it took Harris less than five minutes

to get to the second floor,

making that a total of 15 minutes late

to his 3:00 p.m. appointment.

Yeah, which explains why he signed out at 4:15

for an hour-long session.

-Yes. Wait. What's that? -♪ This ain't where our story ends ♪

-[gasps] -♪ Today is the day... ♪

"The Orphan Walk." Oh, that's so rad.

-That's so cool. -♪ We're done with them ♪

♪ We're running wild, we're free again... ♪

Oh, that's right. The theater's right there,

and it's a matinee day.

Wait. Matinees are on Wednesdays.

The murder was on a Wednesday.

Matinees are at 2:00 p.m., which means...

♪ But this ain't where our story ends. ♪ -[gasps]

ELSBETH: We got it.

Orphan Girl! Does their on-camera segment

halfway through their intermission-less show,

from 2:57 to 3:05 p.m. on matinee days.

Officer Hackett got the recording from last Wednesday.

They keep it on a hard drive for liability.

The camera passes right in front of the entrance

to the physical therapy building.

If Harris is telling the truth,

this video will show him going into his PT appointment.

But he won't be because he lied.

♪ This ain't where our story ends ♪

♪ Today is the day new life begins ♪

-♪ We're done with cages... ♪ -There.

-ELSBETH: What? -3:00.

Right on the dot.

And he didn't leave the building until 4:15.

Which means...

Your man has an alibi.

Wow. Elsbeth,

you're actually wrong.

[sighs]

Nice, Lily.

Shoulders back, Mia.

["Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker playing]

Rory, very good.

Elsbeth.

Good progress.

Bourrée. Bourrée. Bourrée.

Run, run, run, run, run.

Everyone follow.

And bourrée, bourrée, bourrée,

bourrée, leap.

Follow. Run, run, run.

-Oh. -[Olivia speaks indistinctly]

I'll be right back.

Whew!

I thought I might see you here.

Elsbeth.

Good for you for giving ballet a try,

even though you're clearly not made for it.

What's, what's going on with your knees?

I guess you could say

I've had ballet on my mind.

Do you ever get fixated on something

and you just can't let it go?

Anyway, I have good news.

Uh, we found video footage of the street

that your physical therapist's office is on.

It's, uh, from Donovan Chase's Broadway show Orphan Girl!

And guess who we saw in the background.

You.

The camera caught you going into your appointment.

3:00 p.m. on the nose, just like you said.

So... [tongue clicks]

...you're in the clear.

Well, that makes sense. [chuckles]

Although I guess that means we won't be seeing you

around anymore.

But I do hope you come see Noelle in The Nutcracker.

Oh, I wouldn't miss it.

Wow, that is such a beautiful costume.

This is the perfect Clara.

How did you get it made so fast?

Oh, we ordered it last summer.

-I can't believe I finally get to wear it. -HARRIS: Mm-hmm.

You ordered Noelle's costume before she was cast?

That's...

oddly confident.

-[laughs softly] -And how strange that you didn't

cancel the costume when Donovan's kid-free production

was announced.

Well, it was custom-made in Milan.

It's not like they do refunds.

Right, of course not. Not Milan.

-[laughs] -Well...

...I guess you got everything everything you hoped for.

Except for Donovan

dying in the giant nutcracker head.

♪

Is she okay?

No.

What is this?

Poker chips are not for children.

Officer Hackett.

Find whoever donated these and give 'em back, please.

Yes, sir.

What are we looking at here?

Oh, it's, uh, footage from Donovan Chase's

Broadway show Orphan Girl!

It's pretty cool. Wait, have you seen it yet?

No. And I don't plan to.

I find it egregious to charge 400 bucks

and then make me watch a video

of the street outside the theater.

-Call me old-fashioned. -I don't know, Captain.

Have you heard the soundtrack? It's great.

It's called an original cast recording.

Even I know that.

But keep up the good work.

[laughs] -♪ Today is the day new life begins... ♪

That's weird.

That guy in the back... he keeps looking up.

Ooh, that is weird.

I wonder what he's looking at.

Think we should find out?

TEDDY [over phone]: Captain Wagner?

Hi, Teddy.

You found something on Alec Bloom?

I'm afraid so.

ELSBETH: Oh, excuse me. Are you the performer

that we saw in last Wednesday's "Orphan Walk"?

You were here for that? You want my autograph?

-Oh. Yes, please. -Uh...

No, we are on police business.

But we did see your performance. You were very good.

Um, can you tell me what you are looking at here?

Oh, geez.

It's dumb.

I'm a swing, and last Wednesday

was my first time performing that track,

so I recorded myself.

Please don't tell the producers.

I don't want to get fired.

Oh, no, we won't. But what's a swing?

I thought you loved Broadway.

I do, but I don't want to know how the sausage is made.

A swing is a member of the ensemble

who can perform a bunch of roles.

We get called when someone is out,

usually at the last minute.

There's a stomach bug going around,

so I had a really good week.

[laughs]: Oh, I see.

So, um, how did you record yourself?

Uh, I put my phone in the window of the dressing rooms

on the balcony.

How long does your video run?

Uh, at least 45 minutes.

I didn't get a break until nearly the end of the show.

Why?

Hello?

-Elsbeth? -[door closes]

You said 6:30, it's 6:30.

I don't have all night.

Ta-da!

[groans, sighs]

What is wrong with you? That dress is bad enough.

You said you wanted to ask me one more question

before you closed your case, so go ahead.

Ask your silly question.

Actually, it's less of a question

and more of a statement.

Tell me if I'm right.

You did come to this workshop the day of the murder,

and I'm guessing that you hid in this deeply disturbing

Mother Ginger dress to avoid being seen.

Then you went to the control board and you typed in

your old friend Keith's PIN code,

which you saw two days earlier when you came to see him.

And then you disengaged the safety

and you turned the sensors around.

No one even noticed

because they were all at the Contraption

for Donovan's dance demonstration

at 3:30. See?

You then raced back to your PT appointment,

where no one even realized you were gone.

That is a really cute picture

of you in the waiting room, by the way.

This is insane. You checked my alibi.

You have a video of me going into

the physical therapy building at 3:00, remember?

True. But that's not the only video we found.

Officer Hackett.

Luckily for us, a very enthusiastic swing

in Donovan Chase's Broadway show took a video of himself

doing "The Orphan Walk" that day.

And guess what this video shows.

You, Harris, sneaking out of the PT building

and rushing to this very workshop.

And here you are, going back to PT

after tampering with the sensors.

You can't prove that.

The only thing this proves is that I left my PT appointment,

which I have every right to do.

Wrong. We can prove that you were here.

Because the workshop was covered in blood,

which you carried back to your PT office.

This is insane. I wasn't here when Donovan died.

Oh, correction: stage blood,

which is a proprietary blend

and which we found on the windowsill

of the PT's exam room.

You left it there when you slipped back in

mid-appointment.

This place was covered in the stuff.

I can't believe it.

Why me?

Why did you fixate on me?

Because you were so fixated

on your daughter's ballet career.

I guess you could say

your dancing is perfection, but your acting needs work.

Hands behind your back, please.

Wait.

I have one request.

["Waltz of the Snowflakes" from The Nutcracker playing]

Okay, we can go now.

[applause]

[sighs] It's a beautiful ballet.

But it is kind of old-fashioned.

I'm thrilled to announce that with a total of 875,

Precinct 11 collected the most toys.

-[applause] -Yay!

Of course we did.

ALEC: I-I'd like to thank you all,

especially Captain Wagner,

for allowing me to participate.

And me. I brought a ton.

-[laughter] -ALEC: Yes, thank you, Marissa.

Okay, enough yapping. Pop the champagne.

-[laughter] -Elsbeth.

This is for you.

-What's this? -Well, you're always giving gifts.

-I wanted to get you one. -Aw.

Orphan Girl! tickets?

-Ah! -[laughs]

You must have paid a fortune for these.

Oh, well, they were cheaper

'cause they're for New Year's Eve,

when Times Square is nuts, but...

it'll be over before that, and...

I've enjoyed working with you this year.

Oh.

Mm, I've enjoyed working with you, too.

Uh, but I can't accept these.

-The consent decree. -Oh.

But if I pay you back for one ticket,

would you happen to sit next to me?

Absolutely.

-[both laugh] -Yay.

All right, well, shall we toast to closing the case?

Uh, you go ahead. [chuckles]

Congratulations on a very successful toy drive.

-It was a group effort. -Yeah.

-Too bad there's no mistletoe. -[laughs]

Yeah, Captain Wagner wouldn't let me hang it.

-HR. -[chuckles]

What are you doing New Year's Eve?

I'm... I'm busy, actually.

-Oh. -But I'm wide open in January.

No plans.

Let's make a date, then.

WAGNER: Elsbeth. [clears throat]

I need to speak with you.

This gives me no joy to say,

but it might be best that

you not get too close to Alec Bloom.

He may not be fully honest about his past.

What do you mean?

I did some digging into his childhood

and his story about being unhoused.

Alec's parents lived in the same apartment for over 16 years,

until he was well out of high school.

I confirmed it with the building's super.

There's nothing to indicate a lapse in housing.

Well, maybe there's some reason.

Well, could be.

But you should talk to Teddy about Pete Hannigan.

The man from Teddy's article?

Is that what you and Teddy were...?

I'm just telling you to be careful.

Merry Christmas, Elsbeth.

[laughs softly]

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Happy holidays.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org

♪ This ain't where our story ends ♪

♪ Today is the day new life begins ♪

♪ Break every rule, refuse to bend ♪

♪ This life is ours, we won't pretend ♪

♪ We write our fate and we'll defend ♪

♪ 'Cause this ain't where our story ends ♪

♪ No, this ain't where our story ends. ♪