Sherlock seems to new obsession. A brutal murder, a female Watson, high rises, modern day New York and a lean, charismatic and slightly charming Billy Lee Miller and we have the American version of the highly popular BBC Sherlock. Elementary they have decided to call it. And while it seems to have all the right ingredients, Elementary just doesn't feel right on many levels. By simply changing a single letter, John has now transformed to Joan Watson being played by Lucy Lui (dear lord!). Billy seems to be doing a fine job as Sherlock. I do not know if it's the director or if it is just him but it is quite clear that he is trying too hard. Comparisons might not seem fair but Benedict was far more natural. Both Billy and Benedict have in fact not long ago, shared a stage in Danny Boyle's Frankenstein. Who could predict they would eventually spawn off a pair of Sherlock Holmeses.
Dr. Joan Watson is quick, witty, and dry. A disgraced surgeon, who is now an addiction recovery companion, is appointed by Sherlock's exceedingly well to do father to help and prevent Sherlock from relapsing. That's right; Sherlock is introduced as a drug addict, struggling to find his way out of addiction. When asked he mentions that he used to be a consultant for the Scotland Yard before he went down the path of self-destruction. The Sherlock we are familiar with has always been eccentric but in most situations seems in control. The Elementary Sherlock appears to be more of a junior Sherlock who is in comparison to the original or even the BBC Sherlock, is a lot less mature and in many ways unnecessarily erratic. Like I said earlier Billy is somehow attempting to mimic Benedict and this is clear in many scenes. The rapid speech, the sudden fits of rage, the blowing up of cars, this Sherlock is more of a loose cannon than a composed intelligent master sleuth. Of course I do not blame poor Billy for any of this; he is desperately trying to make it all work. Irrespective of the so called chemistry between Joan and Holmes (which for the moment has thankfully not evolved into something romantic) and the super eccentric partially insane Sherlock himself, the show fails in the area that matters the most the cases.
One of the things that differentiated BBC's Sherlock from all the other police procedurals was the writing. Dr. Watson's history and how he comes to meet Sherlock was just so interesting. 221 baker street, Holmes Senior, Moriarty, Adler etc. everything was so well integrated with the brilliant story line. It was all given a modern touch so effortlessly. In one word, it was impeccable. But the cases on Elementary, are simply too elementary. They remind me more of Hardy boys and Nancy drew than Sherlock. The actors in the show are talented, the set up too is well thought of, but story is not working in any way. They do not act as reminders for existing cases and seem too silly to require Sherlock's attention. Like the first episode that has a psychiatrist who plans to murder his wife and does so through a patient of his. This patient is having fantasies about murdering a certain woman, so the doctor feeds this fantasy by compelling his wife to alter her looks and exposing her to him. Eventually he kills her. Well I still don't understand how but that's pretty much what happens.
Sherlock has potential and can develop into an interesting show but for the moment it in desperate need of decent writers. I hope and pray that a romantic angle between the new Joan and Sherlock is not added to the show. It would be both absurd and bizarre. Billy needs to tone down his acting a little bit and Lucy Lui needs to act a little more; she is just too stiff and indifferent at times. The ingredients are rich but the recipe is lacking flavor for now, let's hope that the writers pay some attention and stir things up a little bit.
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Elementary
Thursday 10:00 PM on CBS Premiered Sep 27, 2012 In Season
Previously Aired Episode
Show Summary
EDIT
Elementary is a CBS television series based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes detective stories with contemporary twists. It stars Jonny Lee Miller as Holmes and Lucy Liu as Watson.
 Jonny Lee Miller |
Sherlock Holmes |
 Lucy Liu |
Dr. Joan Watson |
 Jon Michael Hill |
Detective Marcus Bell |
 Aidan Quinn |
Captain Tobias Gregson |
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Elementary "The Rat Race" Review: Sexy Sherlock! (A Halloween-Themed Look at a Seriously Flawed Episode)
By Lily Sparks, 3 days ago
However, even though it's made a lot of mistakes, I still continue to enjoy Elementary. read more
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Elementary "While You Were Sleeping" Review: Studio Notes on Sherlock
By Lily Sparks, Oct 05, 2012
We guess what CBS told the producers of the new procedural to enhance/get rid of in the all-important second episode. read more
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CBS Orders Full Seasons of Vegas and Elementary
By Tim Surette, Oct 23, 2012
Dennis Quaid as an old-time sheriff and Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes will stick around at least through the spring. read more
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Elementary "Child Predator" Review: Good Episode, But We Could Have Done Without the Kid Murder
By Lily Sparks, Oct 19, 2012
Aside from the regrettable content of the mystery, the way it was handled and the dynamic between Watson and Sherlock showed real growth and promise. read more
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The Rat Race
S 1 : Ep 4
Aired 10/25/12
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Child Predator
S 1 : Ep 3
Aired 10/18/12
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While You Were Sleeping
S 1 : Ep 2
Aired 10/4/12
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Pilot
S 1 : Ep 1
Aired 9/27/12
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Lucy Liu in Elementary from "Flight Risk"
© 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. -
Jonny Lee Miller and Aidan Quinn in Elem...
© 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. -
Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in Element...
© 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. -
Lucy Liu in Elementary from "Flight Risk"
© 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc.
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Wow
22 hours ago22Reply
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So, what do you guys think?
2 days ago2Reply
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Episode Discussion: Rat Race 1x04
10/25/122Reply
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Show & Cast News
10/23/122Reply
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few changes
10/16/125Reply
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Sherlock's Secret
10/25/12 (02:30)
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Dating Life
10/25/12 (01:59)
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Not Typical
10/25/12 (02:07)
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Watson Denies A Kiss
10/25/12 (01:13)
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