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Elsbeth from the series Elsbeth, premiering on CBC TV, is perhaps most famous for her unconventional techniques and her own personality. But of all that she does, nothing draws as much notice as appearing with several bags. She wears tote bags slung over her shoulders on almost all her appearances, the contents from utilitarian to confounding.
This offbeat character quirk has been a fan favorite controversy. Why does Elsbeth have so many bags? The answer is one of practicality, psychology, and storytelling necessity, all confirmed in interviews with Carrie Preston, the show's creators, and key episodes.
A practical decision
Elsbeth's actress, Carrie Preston, stated that the character doesn't wear a typical briefcase. A briefcase represents planning and order, of which Elsbeth is not particularly interested. Elsbeth uses her tote bags, from which she can fit anything she would need during the day.
Preston explained that the bags are stuffed with items that she feels might help her get the job done, whether in court, investigating, or questioning a suspect. According to Deadline, she said,
"She has bags in her brain, she has Rolodexes in her brain. She’s picking out little things that she put there 20 years ago, and she’s like ‘I can use that here."
She added,
"The bags are [filled with] whatever she thinks she might need that day to help her with her work, I find it fascinating how many people are interested in what is in the bags. But are you interested in what is in her brain too?”
This is why Elsbeth is always ready, although what is actually in the bags is not precisely what can be anticipated of an investigator or a lawyer.
What's in the bags
Some of the actual contents of what Elsbeth keeps in the bags have been revealed on the show, especially during Season 2, Episode 16, titled Hot Tub Crime Machine. In this episode, Elsbeth agrees to a decluttering session with Freya Frostad, a minimalist.
When the bags are opened, what's inside them is a rubber duck, toys, and dog accessories for her dog Gonzo, a Hoberman Sphere, a lost dog poster, a bubble blaster, books, notebooks, and personal items like a Mother's Day card and a coconut that was first introduced in an earlier episode.
As per TV Insider, Elsbeth explains in the episode that "having all my things with me, it helps me think." What this indicates is that the objects are meaningful; they are significant to her, perhaps as an instrument, as a memory cue, or as a source of comfort.
Psychological and character significance
Preston has compared Elsbeth to having "bags in her brain" and "Rolodexes in her brain." These are similes, suggesting the bags are the way Elsbeth's brain works: full of much to select from concerning ideas, memories, and sources to draw upon at will. The bags are a physical representation of her thinking, knotted but effective.
To her, it is not a drudgery but rather a thought process and method of functioning. Having her equipment within reach wherever she is provides her with the privilege of being able to stay on the lookout and ready for anything.
When Elsbeth is bagless
There are also moments when Elsbeth is not carrying bags at all. Preston has noted that this occurs when she already knows who the perpetrator is and is just about to accuse them. In such moments, the absence of the bags is a visual hint for the audience: she no longer needs the external objects in order to dominate her mind because she has reached insight.
The deployment of presence and absence constructs rich narrative depth. They are not some offbeat aside; they shift according to Elsbeth's mood and degree of inquiry.
Narrative and visual function
From a production standpoint, the bags enhance Elsbeth's look. They differentiate her from standard representations of lawyers or detectives and signal that she is unique and special in some way. The choice highlights her uniqueness and the fact that she is unlike other individuals who do what she does.
The authors also use the bags as a tool for narrating. They provide room for humor, character development, and even for plot, such as in the cleaning. Essentially, the bags are an engaging storytelling tool that can reveal a lot about Elsbeth without necessarily consuming much dialogue.
Why does Elsbeth carry so many bags
Finally, the reasons for Elsbeth's carrying of so many bags are due to several intersecting variables:
Utility – They act as a replacement briefcase, with her jamming into them whatever she might require in the course of her hectic day.
Important contents – The bags are filled with things that are meaningful, spontaneous, or stimulating.
Psychological purpose – They indicate what is going on in her mind and act as a source of comfort during times of crisis.
Storytelling sign – When bags go missing from her, it usually signals that she has reached a decision-making point.
Character identification – The bags storywise and visually distinguish Elsbeth from other characters in legal and detective dramas.
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Finally, Elsbeth's bags are not just accessories; they are a part of her pattern of thinking, doing, and engaging in the world. They represent her signature way and signify her unique character trajectory.
Also read: Elsbeth Season 2 Episode 18 recap: End of the road for Judge Milton
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