S4·E10 The Pursuit of Happiness

Episode recap

The episode opens with the discovery of a homicide in a Manhattan apartment. The victim is a wealthy, emotionally distant man whose body is found after a night of heavy drinking. Detectives are called to the scene and quickly learn that the deceased was married to a woman who arrived in the United States from Russia under a marriage‑based green‑card arrangement. The marriage, which was intended to secure the woman’s permanent residency, has become the focus of the investigation when it emerges that the husband had recently begun threatening divorce. The timing of the divorce threat is critical, because the wife would lose her immigration status only weeks after the alleged murder.

Detectives pursue the bride as a person of interest, examining the financial and emotional dynamics of the marriage. They interview neighbors, review phone records, and consider the possibility that the prospect of losing her green card provided a motive for homicide. The investigation reveals that the husband’s cold demeanor and his intent to end the marriage created a high‑stakes situation for the bride, who stood to become an undocumented immigrant if the divorce were finalized before her residency was secured.

The case moves to the district attorney’s office, where prosecutors evaluate the evidence gathered by the detectives. They assess whether the circumstantial facts—such as the bride’s immigration status, the husband’s recent threats, and any forensic findings—are sufficient to meet the burden of proof required for a criminal trial. The district attorney’s team prepares to present a narrative that links the bride’s potential loss of legal residency to a motive for murder, while also addressing any defenses related to self‑defense or lack of intent.

In court, the prosecution outlines the timeline of the marriage