The
relationship between viewer and show is a complicated one and like
any other real world relationship. Following the initial thrill of
meeting the characters and the excitement of a new show comes the
true test of its staying power. After a few weeks you start
discovering if there is enough there to keep you interested long term
and whether it is sustainable after that first buzz.
Excuse the
crude metaphor, but this is how Elementary
is making me feel this far into its run. Despite the thoroughly
enjoyable opening few episodes and having first encountered Jonny Lee
Miller’s manic, entertaining version of Sherlock Holmes, the show
is struggling to maintain the momentum it built at the beginning.
Detective
shows are notorious difficult to write as they can quite quickly fall
into the trap of becoming too formulaic. This is the problem that
Elementary
is fighting desperately hard to combat.
This week’s
case sees Holmes and the NYPD on the hunt for a killer who shot a
university professor in the eyes. There are campus based conspiracies
and a visit to Chinatown. All the while, Holmes is struggling with a
fever and Watson is dealing with a character from her past.
The
ingredients are promising and there is an intriguing start but the
episode fizzles out towards the climax. The investigation in
Chinatown is a highlight and is rich in potential. It presents the
opportunity to explore a different side of New York that had been
left un-tapped up to this point. However, no sooner does Holmes
arrive in Chinatown than he leaves and concludes that part of the
investigation. It is a shame, as it becomes a wasted opportunity to
offer a case with a greater culture clash than what we have seen so
far this season. The chance to see Holmes let loose in a different
environment would have been interesting.
The subplot
with Watson having to deal with an ex-boyfriend who has been arrested
is not wholly necessary and seems designed merely to give Lucy Liu
something to do. However, it does pull off one feat in bringing
Holmes and Watson slightly closer together as friends with Holmes
offering his assistance and Watson using some of his methods of
reasoning. It also allows the characters to share a tender moment at
the episode’s end. There are also a few signs of the two becoming
more of a team, mainly during the explanation scene. Hopefully, this
is something that the writers will look to further develop.
What is
missing is more development of Holmes himself. After a few glimmers
of his past life the trail has gone cold. This is something the
writers would be wise not to neglect for much longer.
These
are the first signs of strain in our relationship, but like Watson
the loyal companion, I will stand by the show. For now…
Review by Jonathan Gray
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