Imbalanced? How?
I managed a dozen press events
and still made time for this relationship.
Shouldn't I get, a little reciprocity?
Could you set the book down when you talk?
It's like there are two of you.
This calendar, it's-it's packed with Axel and Taylor time.
16 blocks, including tonight.
For this relationship to work, it needs equal apportionment.
You're always invited, Freya, you just never want to join us.
For a microbial soak? No, thank you.
It's a hot tub, babe, not a petri dish.
Well, I guess I'm doomed,
to be an outsider in my own relationship.
Hey.
We love you.
And we appreciate everything you do for us.
Really? You do? Like what?
Like the calendar.
Yeah. The calendar is vital.
And you're right.
We'll make more time for the three of us together.
What about tomorrow?
But just us.
Deal.
You can pick what we do.
Cool. So, what's next on this agenda?
A gift from Axel and me
to celebrate you joining our life.
The last six months have been
the best in our marriage.
Thanks.
I don't think I have anything to put in here.
Your gummies, maybe.
Of course, you know you have to give
something up for this.
No, come on, we can make an exception.
She's already given up plenty.
And gained two partners.
Excess is for the masses. You know that.
Plus, this will help you maintain your 44 items.
Sweet.
Meeting over? I want to go finish my squats reps.
It's leg day. Mwah.
Maybe we should call it a night.
Pass me a towel.
You've been naughty.
What is this?
This is your real anniversary present.
It's beautiful.
But I don't have anything to give up for it.
Well, it'll just be our little secret.
Sometimes, baby, more is more.
It's so nice to have our night out.
Axel would hate this hotel.
But it's perfect for us.
Totally.
Why don't we go to a karaoke bar or something?
Wouldn't that be fun?
I have a better idea.
What about
where we just stare into each other's eyes
for eight minutes?
How about this for a relationship-building exercise?
- You have to come in. - The water is perfect.
One second.
Come on.
Axel?
Where is he?
Of course, he wouldn't clean up after himself.
Something's wrong.
He wouldn't leave his phone.
Hello.
Excuse me. Yeah.
Is detective Kaya blanke on this case?
Hate to disappoint, but no.
Of course.
I don't know why I thought that we'd be on the same cases
now that she's made detective.
Authentic New York black & white cookie?
Not much of a sweet tooth.
More for me.
So, what happened here?
Hot tub drowning. Axel frostad, 52.
Personal trainer.
How horrifying. Heart attack?
Worse. It appears a clogged drain caused another drain
to overcompensate.
The force sucked in his ponytail
and held him under long enough for him to drown.
Yikes. Any witnesses?
No.
The family was at a hotel.
What a terrible way to go.
Terrible, but not unusual.
Suction entrapment accounts for dozens
of injuries and deaths every year.
Not much else for us to do here. I'm gonna wrap this up.
Maybe skip your Elsbeth-y thing this time.
Hi.
All of your colleagues are wearing their shoe coverings.
Kindly follow their lead.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I can't believe he's gone.
It's been quite a shock.
Who are you?
I'm Elsbeth tascioni.
I'm with the police.
Police carrying baked goods?
Unorthodox.
They're not standard issue,
but they make great conversation starters.
Would you care for one?
Thanks, no. Are those your crumbs
on my floor? Freya, please.
"Freya"?
Wow, that's a beautiful name.
Freya frostad.
Axel was my husband.
I'm Taylor. The three of us were together.
No.
Are you sure? This looks, pretty unique.
One, two, three, four tote bags?
Why are you carrying around so much?
Are you worried you're not enough?
People usually say I'm too much.
I'll get you a copy of my book.
It can help with all the excess.
I recognize you now.
You were on my favorite morning show this week.
You help people... Declutter.
Mutt... may... "much more for more," or something?
"Less is more," and it is.
Thank you. I, I enjoy my excess.
People acquire unnecessary stuff
but they're not.
We're certain that's none of ours.
Now, if you'll excuse us, we'd like to grieve in private.
Just let go.
Start with one... Tote bag, just one.
Are you happy now that you've made the family upset?
There's something odd about that woman.
Yeah, she's odd.
Hey, hey.
Perfect timing.
I've only got a minute or two. Okay,
I am decluttering.
Which one of these bags speaks to you the least?
"Less is more with 44:
"The Freya frostad method of letting go
for a life of quality, not quantity."
That is a long title for a minimalist.
Yeah. Ooh.
Is that your new case? Let's brainstorm.
Actually, I... I almost forgot.
Brain food.
I got these from the cutest little bakery on 73rd.
I can't get enough of them.
Thanks, but I've been cutting down on sugar lately.
I didn't realize.
No, it's no sweat.
I should get back to it. We'll talk later?
Definitely. I'm just so sad
that we're not working on the same cases anymore.
Yeah.
But I kind of like the challenge.
Right.
Yeah.
Progress, I see.
I pulled Axel frostad's medical records.
Due diligence.
Wow, that's a lot of records
for a personal trainer.
In the last six months, Axel frostad
has been to the urgent care over half a dozen times.
Repeated g.I. Distress, hair-dryer electrocution.
Multiple slip-and-falls. One of them
was on a frozen yoga mat.
Is that a thing?
I'm sure it isn't.
Either Axel frostad
is the unluckiest man in New York or...
Somebody's been trying to kill him.
Thank you for walking Gonzo.
This case I'm on has me all...
Yeah, it looks like it.
And I'm happy to help.
Roy's job gave him equipment
to record his white whale podcast at home.
Ooh, that's great for Roy. Yeah, sure,
except he lives in a studio, and I ruined a take by sneezing.
Are you okay? Do you have a temperature?
No. Mom.
No, I'm fine, I'm just more annoyed
than anything.
Roy said that I'm fine and can stay
as long as I make no human sounds.
No. Are you and Roy...
So, what's this new case you're on?
It's a throuple maybe murder.
Well, that expands the usual suspect pool.
And it's got me thinking.
First of all, why would you kill someone
instead of just breaking up with them?
Maybe because breakup conversations are the worst?
And second,
can you get everything you need in a relationship
from just one person?
You must have thought dad was enough to marry him.
Of course, but we married young.
And then we grew and we changed, a lot.
A lot, a lot.
Our politics, our hobbies, our...
Hats, but then we got you, and it was all well worth it.
It was worth your dumpster-fire divorce?
Yes. Every second.
I don't know, maybe you can't expect everything
from just one person.
I mean, like you said, people change.
And I-I haven't really experimented
with dating more than...
So, I heard.
I'm happy for you.
Well, thank you.
Me, too.
It's nice to have a "thing."
Especially one that doesn't have a lot of baggage.
Love you. Mwah.
Bye, Gonzo.
You're a good girl. Gonzo.
So, captain, froth was present
in the upper and lower airways.
Also, findings of pleural effusion
and lung overinflation.
So, Axel frostad drowned? Yes.
He also had fresh, broken skin
on the knuckles of both hands.
Our victim got into a fight with someone, then.
Got his hair stuck in a drain and drowned.
One hell of a fight.
There was no blood at the crime scene.
It was weirdly immaculate.
And as far as we know, he was alone.
So who did he fight with?
Or what?
Perfect. I'll send out an apb for a "what."
Better yet, go back to the scene.
Maybe we missed something.
Good idea. But I don't think Freya
will be very happy with me.
Why? Are you gonna accuse her of murder?
No, not yet. Because I haven't let go
of even one item from my totes yet.
Captain, we have something we need your eyes on asap.
Sorry to interrupt.
Never apologize.
Asap?
That sounds important. Is there anything I can...
Detective blanke can handle this on her own.
Ms. Tascioni, close the door on the way out.
That she can. And of course.
Time is of the essence, my friend.
Okay.
We could start
with frozen hot chocolate at serendipity.
And she says she hates merry-go-rounds,
but people just say that until they're on them.
Is this about the case?
The case? Case of the birthdays.
It's Kaya's birthday. What? When?
The seventh.
The seventh?
I had no idea.
My god.
And I have such a backlog of cases.
This-this-this cannot be my first boyfriend fail.
It won't be, boyfriend.
Sorry, that sounded weird.
I'm just so excited we can finally say it.
My note cards and I have this handled.
You and your dead bodies can rest easy.
Sorry, that sounded weird, too.
Yeah... thank you, Elsbeth.
You know, Kaya's lucky to have a friend like you.
Stop it. I'm the lucky one.
I guess I am, too.
Ooh, boy, it's dark in there.
That's a top-of-the-line tub top with a watertight seal.
You could develop film in there.
Don't say that. She'll try it.
What are you looking for, anyway?
Mr. Frostad had bloody knuckles.
There was no indication of a struggle outside the hot tub,
so we're trying to see if something happened inside.
Maybe he was trying to fight his way out.
You can't punch your way out.
Our tops could survive a nuclear blast.
That's a selling point.
Anything? Let's see.
Any update?
No.
Just rubbing their dirty feet all over our hot tub.
You'll be the first to know the minute I find out anything.
About that...
When you tell me, I may be somewhere else.
Freya, I can't be here anymore.
If it's too much to be where Axel passed,
then let's-let's check into a hotel.
No, I saw
the new calendar with all of the shared time for just us,
and my palms started to sweat.
That's not a dynamic I'm interested in.
It's a lot to get used to. And we've just...
We've just suffered a devastating loss.
And that loss makes us a couple, not a throuple.
I don't do couples.
I'm sorry. We both deserve what we need and want
from a relationship, and "us" just isn't for me.
Like you say, I think it's time to let go.
No.
What?
No, no.
I-I just, I-I agree with you.
It's too...
It's too much pressure with just the two of us.
Let's bring in a third.
The sooner, the better.
I'm putting it at the top of our to-do list.
Really?
We've had to let go of so much.
I can't lose you, too.
I won't, I won't lose you, too.
- So I was right. - Axel was alive.
I was right, too.
Told you you can't punch through our quality tops.
So we found your "what."
But what does that give us besides
for an even less pleasant drowning than we thought?
Well, Axel wouldn't close the cover on himself.
Generally, he couldn't have,
but technically... What do you mean by "generally"?
The frostads have
an upgraded motion control feature.
If no movement is detected in the hot tub for 30 minutes,
the cover closes automatically.
So, if Axel was moving,
the motion detection shouldn't have kicked in.
Correct.
And what did you mean by "technically"?
Technically, you can override
the motion detection and close the cover via the app
like I did when you got in.
But Axel's phone wasn't near him.
And what if the Wi-Fi goes out?
Then you can just press the physical switch,
which should be...
Found it.
I can't count how many
electric code violations that is.
The proximity to water alone.
This was clearly a user error.
But which user?
Because Axel... Couldn't have reached the switch.
Regardless, the switch placement
voids our warranty
and tub tops's liability in the matter.
Where else could it go?
You had the switch installed down here?
Of course I did.
Anywhere else would be an eyesore.
Pure anarchy.
People need to use things as intended.
I need to grieve my husband in peace.
We understand.
Taylor was particularly upset.
We're equally upset.
Right, but you can appreciate that my job
is to make sure the police do a quality investigation.
And mine is to make sure tub tops's good name
doesn't get smeared in the press.
Why didn't you unclog the drain after we sent text alerts?
I delete all my texts.
After reading, they so quickly become digital clutter.
Unbelievable.
Smart. Convenient.
So, if there's nothing else...
There is, unfortunately.
Axel was alive and fighting to get out of the hot tub
after the cover closed.
You're saying Axel could have survived?
I don't understand.
None of us do, frankly.
The motion detection
should have prevented the cover from closing,
so it must have malfunctioned.
Again, please refrain
from accusing our product of malfunctioning.
It's in perfect working order.
Someone must have hit the switch.
Who? No one else was here at the time of death.
You're the police. You figure out who.
Well, that's who.
Yeah. I must have... I must have activated
the sopa that night out of... Habit.
Axel was always out of the hot tub by 9:00.
My god.
How could I make such a tragic mistake?
Yes. How could you have?
Sopa sweep cleaner enterprises will not take
the public heat because our sopa cleaned too well.
And tub tops will not be blamed for manufacturing
too good a cover. The cover wasn't faulty.
And the sopa sweep cleaner is clean,
both technically and physically.
It was empty before we arrived.
One man's emptying is another man's tampering.
Murder is better for a brand than an accident.
Sorry to disappoint.
How long would it take for this much hair to accumulate?
Five months. Several months.
And it was only in one drain.
Maybe we should run some tests on it,
User error or user... something else.
Like something intentional.
Test the hair.
Gross, but plausible.
Tub tops will cover the cost of testing.
Cover the cost?
Well, that's a great deal
fine. We'll test the hair.
Before it gets swept away. Satisfied?
Yes.
I'll show you out.
Sorry. But not sorry.
You could've stopped at the first sorry.
I know accidents are never accidents
in Elsbeth's brightly dystopian world.
But there is something fishy
about all of Axel's hospital visits.
And I found Freya and Taylor's updated profile.
Exactly. She "let go" of Axel.
Tub tops and sopa sweeps and throuples?
No judgment,
but I can't get my head around any of it.
Well, "sopa" means "sweep" in Swedish,
so, technically, it's "sweep sweep."
What's confusing about throuples?
Throuple the trouble, if you ask me.
Or pleasure.
But for our purposes,
differences in dyads can cause conflict.
"Dyad"?
It's the relationship between two people.
A triad can be made up of... three dyads.
Freya showed us her calendar.
Axel and Taylor spent a lot of nights alone in the hot tub.
Nre can cause a lot of jealousy.
New relationship energy.
W-What language are you all talking?
Polyamory jargon. I've been reading.
And I've been living.
Well, I don't need to do either.
I get all I need from my one love, Claudia.
Maybe people would actually be happy
if they focused on one person and less jargon.
But no judgment, though, right, captain?
Was it something I said? Yes.
Thank you for bringing back the sopa.
Of course.
We got all 11 of your messages asking for it back.
Well, it is my favorite of my 44 things.
That's... telling.
So, where did I... It's in here, somewhere.
I can't take it.
We are decluttering your totes.
Right now.
I tried your method,
but then I didn't have any boxes.
So I went to buy them,
but then I didn't know what size, so...
And what does my method say
about excuses and procrastination?
Don't.
Exactly.
So where's Taylor?
She's taking her time.
I'd rather we not bother her.
You really love her, don't you?
Well, she brought life to our home.
To me.
And, without her, my life
would be... Empty?
Let's take everything out of your totes.
That's easy.
It's less than I thought.
You know, I, I put things in,
but I never really know what I'm gonna pull out.
It's a mystery.
And I do love a mystery.
Mystery is one word to describe it.
It's just... Having all of my things with me,
it helps me think.
Decluttering our things helps declutter our minds.
Then we can focus.
I hope so.
Because Axel's accident, as simple as it seems,
confounds me... Uhp, bup, bup.
Mrs. Tascioni, ready?
Deep breath.
Okay, I don't need it.
Makoto.
You must think I'm so weird.
Please.
Last year, I cleaned out a
$20 million west village carriage house
with 146 gold-gilded deviled egg plates.
People hold on to the things they value,
but the value isn't in the thing.
It's in the memory attached.
I guess I just like having my things on me, you know?
My bags don't feel heavy to me.
Whoa, whoa, whoa,
that's my son's first mother's day card.
Well, the value isn't in the thing.
Sometimes it is.
But he spelled "mother" wrong.
It's easy for you to let things go.
You know, your method,
it must've helped in your throuple relationship.
I mean, some say that's complicated.
Does having one partner make it any less complicated?
Was your... Son from a successful relationship?
We divorced.
He didn't meet an untimely end.
Lucky you.
And him.
Your relationship with Taylor must feel less...
Cluttered with Axel gone, no?
"Less is more" and everything?
I think that's... That's enough work.
And I'll dispose of all these things
so you won't be tempted to reclaim them.
And I hope you'll find it's a little bit easier to let go.
Thank you.
I'm sure you do.
Why won't Gonzo go already?
She has public bathroom shyness.
Did Gonzo tell you that? Your mom did.
And we have to say "good potty" when she does go.
This is moving way too fast.
No. Our relationship.
I mean, first it's movie nights,
and now it's bathroom habits?
I mean, I barely got to know you before my mom got involved,
and now we're all in the same city,
walking her dog?
Barely. We were together for six months
before you even told her.
And I'm close to your mom because I love you.
Yeah, but aren't we too young for all this?
I mean, I haven't really explored yet.
And I get hit on a lot in D.C.
A lot.
Rightly so.
No, I'm serious.
Are we just supposed to give all that up for...
Us? Yes.
There's always going to be "that,"
but what "that" won't have is me.
I've been waiting for you to be ready to talk about this.
I want to commit.
Or we can end things.
No pressure, but also pressure.
But what if things change?
Of course things will change.
We can change with them.
But if something better comes along
for either of us, we can say, "good for you.
You have my blessing."
That would be very big of us.
But I don't think I'm gonna have to say that
because you're not gonna find a cuter podcast producer
with a studio apartment in Brooklyn.
Teddy.
You have to decide by the end of this visit
if you want "that" or this.
So it was Axel's hair in the clogged drain.
Glad we didn't pay for those results.
But only Axel's hair.
That's weird.
Taylor and Axel used the hot tub together all the time.
Well, there's... There's more.
I love when there's more.
All of Axel's medical problems
and he had bad luck with arsenic?
I was thinking Freya someone.
Taylor was the hot tub user
and was with Axel at all of his medical visits,
which all happened since she joined
the longstanding relationship.
She wanted successful Freya all to herself.
The all of it is why it was Freya.
She is relentless and persistent in her methods.
Let's start with... Taylor.
Bring her in.
But keep it discreet.
We don't want Freya knowing.
She is good at throwing things away.
Hang back for a second, Edwards.
I need to apologize for my insensitivity earlier.
Sir?
When we talked about relationships.
It's no big... No.
As my family keeps reminding me, we listen,
and we don't judge.
And not understanding something isn't an excuse.
Not understanding is when I should listen more
and talk less.
Thank you, captain.
Is that it? Do you have anything more to say?
Yeah, n-no.
Okay.
Okay. I've compiled a list of all my ideas
for Kaya's birthday. I call it...
"Project sprinkle."
Sprinkle?
You know she's cutting back on sugar, right?
A setback, not a roadblock.
There's always charcuterie.
Fondue.
You know, I've actually, come up
with a few ideas myself. Ooh.
So... Hey.
What's going on in here?
Just... I was just showing
Cameron some of my real estate.
I mean, not that I'm,
moving to the west village,
but, you know those...
Tricky interest rates. Interest rates.
You two.
You're being weird.
See you at home later?
She used to say that to me.
That was close.
Okay, so, should I run these ideas...
You know what? You two.
Whatever you come up with will be perfect.
Really.
Okay.
Axel and I were in love. Why would I want him dead?
Why is it that every time Axel had one of these "accidents,"
you were conveniently right there?
Freya never wanted to go with him.
Hospital germs freaked her out. And yet,
these accidents only started happening
after the frostads welcomed you into their home.
What you're implying is bull.
Is it? From the outside,
you don't exactly scream "frostad material."
Think whatever you want.
What we had worked for us. Taylor,
did you ever see Mr. and Mrs. Frostad fight?
Like any couple.
Sometimes our weekly meetings would get heated,
but they would always settle down before it was over.
So Mrs. Frostad had a temper?
Freya could be really intense, but she cared.
She taught me the value not of "things,"
but of the things we do for each other.
Axel would train us at the gym.
I'd lead us through meditations.
And Freya would make us soothing beverages.
Each cup made special just for us.
And Axel would drink every single one of those cups,
no matter what they tasted like.
I tried his, once. It was bitter.
But sugar is excess, and we loved each other.
The tea was bitter how?
I don't know, just... not good.
Wait...
All of his stomach problems, you don't think...?
We're exploring every possibility.
We pulled both yours and Freya's bank records.
We noticed a recurring charge
labeled "self" under Freya's account.
We're waiting for the bank to explain it.
Do you know what "self" could be?
Maybe like self... care?
She was into that kind of thing.
Like I said, teas, tonics, tinctures...
Exactly the same amount every month?
Was it a membership? Freya kept a very detailed
family calendar.
I would know if there was something called "self."
We don't always know everything about the people we love.
Freya's not a killer.
She's a lot of things, but she's not.
Until this is solved, you should be very careful.
I'd advise you not to mention this conversation.
You may be involved with a murderer.
So far,
you seem like a great match for us, Brock,
so, now that we've gotten to know you.
He's no longer with us.
He drowned in our hot tub and nobody knows how.
I just... I just remembered, I...
I-I think I left my refrigerator door open.
Rain check?
Of course.
Let me walk you out.
What was that?
I thought a third was what you wanted.
I was just being honest.
It's the foundation of any relationship, right?
Was a terrible accident.
It's natural to feel unsettled, or
blame yourself.
Why would I blame myself?
Let's not dwell on the past.
Why would I blame myself, Freya?
Leaving extraneous jewelry around?
It was bound to cause some trouble.
You must be tired.
Why don't I make you a drink?
And then you can take a nap.
I'm gonna... Go for a walk.
N
Don't go.
Taylor!
Okay.
This is for you.
And... This is for Roy.
Over to Roy's right now.
If it's partly because you love him.
Well, would you rather I didn't? No.
I just... after what you said about dad,
I thought, god, I really don't want to make the wrong choice.
No, no, no, I don't accept that.
Life is full of wrong choices, Teddy.
What matters is that they're yours.
I don't know what I want.
Okay.
Do you think of Roy as quantity or quality?
You know what? Never mind.
My gosh.
I've been reading too much of that book.
Clearly.
Teddy... I support you, but this isn't about me,
or dad, or anyone else.
This is about you becoming an adult
and acting like it.
Now, here.
Okay, mom... I love you,
but I really can't take all this stuff.
Is it too much?
Any more and I'd have to rent a self-storage unit.
"Self..."
Storage.
That would be funny. What would?
Right, 'cause why would a de-clutterer need...
Okay, I'm sure you'll explain later.
Were you expecting someone else?
I just thought you'd be happy to see my...
Quantity.
You came all this way to show me?
Yeah.
My son didn't want any of it,
and it's just too enticing to keep.
Will you dispose of it for me?
My expectations were low.
Very low.
But job well done, Ms. Tascioni.
You were right.
Decluttering decluttered my mind.
And thus, the case.
Let me know when you want to...
Tackle your wardrobe.
Bet that's more than 44 items.
You followed me?
I let go of Axel's drowning, but I realized
I wasn't ready to let go of this.
And all the other cases.
What other cases?
Thank you...
For collecting all the evidence we need
in your self-storage.
Because in the end, it is all about
your self, isn't it?
Your needs, your wants, your secret hoarding.
How dare you use that filthy word with me.
How else would I describe someone with, oop.
146. No.
147 gold-gilded deviled egg plates.
Why would anyone remember that number
unless they were the one least able to let go?
You can't charge me with theft.
All of these items were discarded by my clients.
You're right, Freya.
We did discard our things, but.
I sure am glad to have mine back.
I realized, there's a lot of quality to my quantity.
Found it.
And thank you for telling me
about all your other clients.
Especially the owners of the west village carriage house
worth $20 million.
I found the listing.
It turns out that house was owned
by the same family, for generations.
A family that originally made its fortune
in the extermination and pest control business.
Making it a house that would have old flypaper
from the 1800s.
Poor Axel.
Why poor Axel?!
He didn't drown in flypaper.
No. Like I said, we let go of that.
It's not the quality of Axel's drowning case,
If only you'd been able
to just let go of Axel.
And Taylor.
I bet you'll be under 44 items in jail, though.
You're wrong.
I don't need anything.
And I still have Taylor.
Ooh.
Hi.
Captioning sponsored by CBS and Toyota.
Captioned by media access group at wgbh access.Wgbh.Org