PILOT REVIEW: Elementary

ELEMENTARY

Starring: Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu, and Aidan Quinn

Based on the Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Created by Robert Doherty
Written by Robert Doherty, Directed by Michael Cuesta

Elementary is an updated retelling of the famous Sherlock Holmes stories. In this interpretation, Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) is a recovering drug addict formerly from Scotland Yard now living in New York City and working on cases there. His sober companion is Dr. Joan Watson (Lucy Liu), yes Joan not John. In a small ensemble, the only other main character in the show is NYPD Captain Tobias Gregson (Aidan Quinn).

THE GOOD: I liked a lot about Elementary. I don't mind that it's little more than a "case of the week" show. After all, Sherlock Holmes basically invented that style. I am also a big fan of the new setting and approach to the show - having Sherlock as a recovering drug addict and Watson as a female with a broken past of her own - adds dimension to these characters. Jonny Lee Miller is absolutely fantastic in the lead role. He is energetic and dynamic. I love that both his character and Watson have real struggles they have dealt with. There aren't your stereotypical leads in a procedurals, these are characters that have been through a lot. I have heard them say they aren't going to play up a romance between Holmes and Watson and I hope they don't. That's a cheap way out when you cast a woman as Watson.

THE BAD: While the character development was good, I feel like they could have picked a more intriguing case for the first week. There was nothing about this murder that sucked me in or kept me guessing. Considering what a detective Holmes is, he needs some better and more interesting cases. If the case of the week continues to be a weak part of this show, it might be in trouble because they seem intent on developing the characters. That's a good thing but not at the sacrifice of a good story. Maybe the show still needs to figure out the balance which can be common for early episodes of a drama.

BOTTOM LINE: Despite taking its premise from stories that are very old, this is a fresh and new feeling to Sherlock. The show has a lot of potential in the two leads, it just needs to make sure that it can capture the average viewer with a good case to solve. It's Sherlock Holmes of all people, he needs good cases with a lot of depth and twists and turns.