Elementary: Or is it?
"New Holmes. New Watson. New York"
New Crime Drama?
It's worth it.
(Spoiler Free)
Kudos to the ballsy people who dared put forth this show after the grand success of BBC's Sherlock. I loved Sherlock. I'm dying for Season 3. I thought this new Sherlock show, Elementary, was blasphemy. Blasphemy to the BBC Sherlock and blasphemy to the original Sherlock Holmes stories.
BBC's Sherlock is a a modern take on Sherlock Holmes; it is purely a modernization and true to the the essence of Holmes down to the core. I presumed Elementary was going to be a pathetic watered down excuse to make another cookie-cutter crime drama. It's in New York and Watson is an AMERICAN WOMAN. Neither british nor male. Typical Americans! Taking everything and Americanizing it because we can't seem to embrace anything non-american.
Wrong.
Boy was I wrong. I honestly only capitulated into watching a few episodes out of sheer boredom. I'm also a big Lucy Liu fan and once kinda crushed on Jonny Lee Miller. So, I thought why the heck not? Then I'd really have my ammunition for shooting it down! Pretentious little hag I was.
Firstly, it's not even remotely trying to be a ripoff of BBC's Sherlock, so let's just get that elephant out of the room now. A modern setting is probably the only thing the two shows have in common. As amazing as Sherlock is, who wants two versions of the same show? No one. Elementary is it's own tale.
What's one of the greatest traditions in fandom? There are many, but fan-ficition is definitely up there. When fans love a show and characters so much that they keep the story going because they can't get enough, it's a great compliment to a show, movie, book, or characters. Fans will even do gender swaps for the fun of it in stories and in cosplay. What does that have to do with Elementary? Everything.
I think the concept of fan-fiction sums up the changes to Sherlock Holmes here. The respect for the characters and the story is still there, but it's definitely a form of fan-fiction. "Let's have ALL the Sherlock things!!!" Dr. John Watson is now Dr. Joan Watson; a woman and an American. Sherlock finds himself in New York rather than London. He's still British and he's still Sherlock Holmes. In my opinion, Elementary is an extension of fandom for the original Sherlock. What's wrong with that?
Watson and Holmes
It's not just another crime drama with a Sherlock hat. What I mean is, it's not just another new crime per week drama with an occasional delve into character stories. This is first and foremost about the two main characters, Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson. They haven't even made them your typical love interest will-they-won't-they thing. The development of the two characters is the foundation at all times. Yes, there are crimes to solve each week. However, we also see growth and transformation for their relationship and as individuals each and every week. There is an ongoing story beyond the weekly crimes. That is what makes this show so compelling. I had to watch it each week. Even re-watch episodes. I couldn't wait until the next one, because I had to have more of these two people. Not love, not angst, not sexual tension. Just two characters that I was interested to learn more about and watch. Simple as that.
Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes
If the portrayal of Sherlock Holmes was dull, this show would be a dud. Dead in the water regardless of any other redeeming attributes. That's a no brainer. Needless to say then, Miller's portrayal of Holmes is intriguing. He's adopted his own version of conveying all the traditional attributes of Sherlock quite successfully. With genius comes... being different. And that is exactly what Miller does without coming across as a caricature or overacting. It's subtle enough that what you see is totally interesting while totally believable.
Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson
We all know what to expect from Sherlock Holmes. We know his story. But what can we expect from a female Watson from New York? What's her story? What's she going to be like? That right there is the winning detail in the show. This major change creates an unknown. What's a female living in the same house as Holmes going to be like? Why would she find herself there with him? Not only that, but what's Sherlock going to be like with a woman? There's so much there to explore and Elementary delivers. I was originally so annoyed that they made Watson a woman. God I love her so much now. This would have been so boring if everything was the same. We've seen it already!! Not only that, but there are so many ways Watson could have then been cliched in being portrayed as a woman. The writing for this character and Lucy Lui's delivery make Joan Watson incredible as an understated and self-possesed woman. This entire show is worth watching just for Joan Watson.
The season finale aired recently and the verdict is officially in. The show is worth it. I want to say so much about the finale! To avoid spoiling it (as I want new watchers to get into this show), all I'm going to say is "Watch this show!". Sure, not every one likes crime dramas. However, if you are going to watch one, make sure Elementary is on your list! Season 1 delivered and it's been renewed for Season 2.
Summer, the accursed desert wasteland of TV, is coming. In the absence of your current favorites, take the time to get into Elementary!
Till We Meet Again,
Heather
The Incredible Dork
The season finale aired recently and the verdict is officially in. The show is worth it. I want to say so much about the finale! To avoid spoiling it (as I want new watchers to get into this show), all I'm going to say is "Watch this show!". Sure, not every one likes crime dramas. However, if you are going to watch one, make sure Elementary is on your list! Season 1 delivered and it's been renewed for Season 2.
Summer, the accursed desert wasteland of TV, is coming. In the absence of your current favorites, take the time to get into Elementary!
Till We Meet Again,
Heather
The Incredible Dork
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