Elementary Review

Elementary Review

Let’s get this out of the way. Elementary is not, and never will be, Sherlock. But in saying that, it’s good enough to hold my attention until the latter returns to our screens. In the series opener the viewers see the crime occur within the first few minutes.  However as much as the case is interesting and entertaining, it is the characters that really set this show apart.

In this modernisation of one of the most famous crime solvers, Sherlock, played by Jonny Lee Miller, is a former Scotland Yard consultant who now lives in New York City after going to rehab   for his previous drug-related problems in England. He is forced by his father to have a live -in companion to keep him on the straight and narrow, which sets up the basis for Dr. Joan Watson (Lucy Liu) to become Sherlock’s helper friend and confidant. To fill in his free time, Sherlock becomes a consultant for the New York City Police Department with the help of former colleague Thomas Gregson (Aidan Quinn).

Miller plays Holmes exceptionally well and with such passion that it is hard not to be captivated by his monologues. When Holmes and Watson first meet, his abilities to deduce are first shown when things fall out of her handbag and we, thanks to Holmes’ ability to deduce, start to realise that there is more to Watson than just being a live -in companion. Joan is a former surgeon who lost a patient on the table and therefore finds her new passion for crime solving by joining Sherlock as he goes about catching the killer. Liu seems to be taking a back seat in the pilot to allow Miller to shine. But fear not; she more than makes sure she won’t be forgotten as she more than plays her part to compliment the brilliance of a complex character. It’s a good thing too as the dynamic between the two is the essence of the show.

Elementary premieres 8:30pm, Sunday February 3 on TEN

3 stars

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *