Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) is being questioned by Cassandra Walker (Elizabeth Marvel) for the life threatening injury to Detective Marcus Bell (Jon Michael Hill).
The episode goes back and forth between present and the past events that have led to the current predicament faced by Holmes and Joan Watson (Lucy Liu).
Captain Tom Gregson (Aidan Quinn) was delivering a lecture when Silas Cole (Zachary Booth), a schizophrenic young man walks in claiming that he is a Knight who has killed his Queen.
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The episode goes back and forth between present and the past events that have led to the current predicament faced by Holmes and Joan Watson (Lucy Liu).
Captain Tom Gregson (Aidan Quinn) was delivering a lecture when Silas Cole (Zachary Booth), a schizophrenic young man walks in claiming that he is a Knight who has killed his Queen.
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Sherlock Holmes talks down Silas and he is apprehended by the NYPD. Sherlock, Joan and Bell soon discover the corpse of Silas' “Queen”, Rada Hollingsworth in her apartment.
Meanwhile, in the present, Dr. Gretchen Primler (Angel Desai) informs Joan that Detective Bell is on his way to recovery. Sherlock and Joan continue their investigation and interrogate Dr. Phineaus Hobbs (Jordan Lage) about Rada Hollingsworth.
James Dylan (Danny Mastrogiorgio) is the suspect in Rada's death. When Joan takes the stand, Sherlock himself questions her about their methods.
I recommend the viewers to check out the episode to find out the resolution to the mystery.
Canonical References
1. The judge asking Elementary Holmes to spare the flourishes and Joan talking about coloring the lines - Holmes often chides Dr John Watson for embellishing his accounts of their exploits - From The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier: "....since I have often had occasion to point out to him how superficial are his own accounts and to accuse him of pandering to popular taste instead of confining himself rigidly to facts and figures.”
2. Elementary Sherlock observing that Cassandra Walker keeps a bust on Ben Judas on her day planner - This reminded me of the plot of The Adventure of the Six Napoleons
3. Miller's Sherlock Holmes showing sound knowledge of the law - Dr John Watson mentions in A Study in Scarlet that Sherlock Holmes “has a good practical knowledge of British law.”
4.Captain Gregson scolding Miller's Sherlock for being so brazen in showing his contempt for the proceedings since he thinks they are beneath him - Dr Watson states about Sherlock Holmes in The Adventure of the Empty House: “Three years had certainly not smoothed the asperities of his temper or his impatience with a less active intelligence than his own.”
5. Miller's Holmes remarking to Cassandra Walker: “Nothing on earth would make me reveal a secret of such nature” - Sherlock Holmes comments about Dr John Watson in The Adventure of the Creeping Man: “Dr. Watson is the very soul of discretion”
6. Elementary Holmes explains about the use of potassium chloride as a poisoning agent - Dr John Watson lists Sherlock Holmes' knowledge in A Study in Scarlet: “Well up in belladonna, opium, and poisons generally.” and “Chemistry.—Profound.”
7. Miller's Sherlock commenting on how he and Joan provide free services to the state of NY - Sherlock Holmes often takes up cases for the intellectual challenge, without any monetary considerations
8. Elementary Sherlock Holmes lecturing to Joan Watson about the the world not being in black and white, but in shades of grey - Nice reference to Dr John Watson being the moral compass in Arthur Conan Doyle's stories
9. Elementary Sherlock practicing singlestick left handed on a dummy and also correcting Detective Bell's incorrect description of the craft - Dr John Watson states that Sherlock Holmes “is an expert singlestick player, boxer, and swordsman” in A Study in Scarlet
1. The judge asking Elementary Holmes to spare the flourishes and Joan talking about coloring the lines - Holmes often chides Dr John Watson for embellishing his accounts of their exploits - From The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier: "....since I have often had occasion to point out to him how superficial are his own accounts and to accuse him of pandering to popular taste instead of confining himself rigidly to facts and figures.”
2. Elementary Sherlock observing that Cassandra Walker keeps a bust on Ben Judas on her day planner - This reminded me of the plot of The Adventure of the Six Napoleons
3. Miller's Sherlock Holmes showing sound knowledge of the law - Dr John Watson mentions in A Study in Scarlet that Sherlock Holmes “has a good practical knowledge of British law.”
4.Captain Gregson scolding Miller's Sherlock for being so brazen in showing his contempt for the proceedings since he thinks they are beneath him - Dr Watson states about Sherlock Holmes in The Adventure of the Empty House: “Three years had certainly not smoothed the asperities of his temper or his impatience with a less active intelligence than his own.”
5. Miller's Holmes remarking to Cassandra Walker: “Nothing on earth would make me reveal a secret of such nature” - Sherlock Holmes comments about Dr John Watson in The Adventure of the Creeping Man: “Dr. Watson is the very soul of discretion”
6. Elementary Holmes explains about the use of potassium chloride as a poisoning agent - Dr John Watson lists Sherlock Holmes' knowledge in A Study in Scarlet: “Well up in belladonna, opium, and poisons generally.” and “Chemistry.—Profound.”
7. Miller's Sherlock commenting on how he and Joan provide free services to the state of NY - Sherlock Holmes often takes up cases for the intellectual challenge, without any monetary considerations
8. Elementary Sherlock Holmes lecturing to Joan Watson about the the world not being in black and white, but in shades of grey - Nice reference to Dr John Watson being the moral compass in Arthur Conan Doyle's stories
9. Elementary Sherlock practicing singlestick left handed on a dummy and also correcting Detective Bell's incorrect description of the craft - Dr John Watson states that Sherlock Holmes “is an expert singlestick player, boxer, and swordsman” in A Study in Scarlet
Guest star Frankie Faison as Judge Brewster O'Hare, has a spark in his eyes throughout and seems to be relishing every minute of his performance.
Elizabeth Marvel is adequate as Cassandra Walker. Clyde, the turtle makes a comeback for a very brief cameo.
Jonny Lee Miller continues to show the characteristic dry humor of the Canonical Holmes. Miller's Sherlock also makes Yorkshire pudding, a nod to his British origins.
Jonny Lee Miller continues to show the characteristic dry humor of the Canonical Holmes. Miller's Sherlock also makes Yorkshire pudding, a nod to his British origins.
Lucy Liu seems half-hearted in her performance.
The mystery component is OK. The episode impresses much more as an exploration of the methods and characteristic traits of Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson and how a modern society would perceive them.
This is what Elementary has been claiming to be doing all along: a character driven drama focused on Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson.
After 33 attempts (episodes), they finally got it right.
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Did you find the ending to this episode as corny as I did? Man obviously lies to gain employment, willingly breaks parole, gets caught over both, decides to try and kill someone over it, and everyone is disgusted with Holmes? It isnt like he blackmailed or framed him to get what he wanted, guy just ended up getting caught in his own lies and then showed exactly why he should have been in prison. Holmes was a bit harsh with him when they spoke during the incident, but it's not like being apologetic would've caused him to not do what he premeditated. Just a bit cheesy imo.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the ending. The final scenes were cliched, no doubt.
DeleteBut atleast, they got the rest of the episode done correctly. And that to me is a big win :)
B2B.
You are correct in that they could have found a better story line for Bell to get shoot, and it good have been just as easily been handle in the primary case. But I still believe the case was just an underlying story to get to the main point.
DeleteBut then again, if he was going back to prison, why was he not under arrest. Bail I guess.
Well said, John.
DeleteB2B.
Tremors was a great episode title too! It could refer to so many things. Here are a couple. 1. Bell's arm. 2. The rumbles of pending separations between Holmes/Watson & NYPD; Holmes/Watson, Holmes/Bell.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle for stopping by.
DeleteAgree with your comment. This was one of the best episodes and was very well conceived and executed.
B2B.
The sub plot was wake, but the main premise was good.
DeleteThanks John for stopping by. I too liked the main plot - good commentary on the Canon per se.
DeleteB2B.
I am huge fan of elementary , and I think this episode marks the peak of jlm's portrayal of Sherlock ( aside from the scene when he sees Irene ). the whole episode which is agreeably the best so far shows how miller is by far the best rendition of Sherlock holmes, he is just brilliant :) kudos to him and the whole crew
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about JLM giving arguably his best performance as Sherlock in this episode.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
B2B.
What was wrong with the other episodes?
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
DeletePlease forgive me for replying to your question with another one: Have you read the original stories by Arthur Conan Doyle?
B2B.
I can't believe Det. Bell is pissed at Sherlock- he should be pissed at himself- Once Bell saw that bad guy show up at the end- Bell should have taken action first- He has worked with Sherlock long enough to know how Sherlock operates and how he processes events- This is the only show (other than Big Bang) that I watch on a regular basis-
ReplyDeleteI know it's only TV- but I expected more of Bell-
Thanks Old Blue for sharing your thoughts.
DeleteYes, Bell could have foreseen the turn of events and taken the necessary precautions.
B2B.
my favourite thing about JLM's holmes is how he speaks it just makes me so happy that they brought that into this series but disappointed they didn't in sherlock. everytime i read the novels i just picture miller especially with his look (his hair and big forehead reminds me of conan doyles holmes) hope i made you see things differently on millers holmes, have your opinons on the show but give miller the credit of being one of the best holmes when he puts so much time into his performance and look(i love how he buttons up his shirts makes it appear as though he can wear a bowtie like the original holmes) please REPLY
ReplyDeleteI do not consider Miller's Holmes to be a good representation of Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic detective. That, of course, is my personal opinion and I certainly do not expect anyone else to agree with me.
DeleteI agree with your thoughts about each of us having a right to our own perspective about anything. As the saying goes: "To each his own".
Thanks for stopping by.
B2B.
Anyone who is familiar with Jonny Lee Miller would know that he's passionate about two things, running and theatre. They both need a tremendous amount of discipline, hard work and focus. This is why he is a superb Sherlock, truly what Conan Doyle would have expected from an actor to portray his Sherlock. What I love bout Elementary is the brilliant way in which Jonny Lee Miller goes into his monologues or his body language and his diction, all products of. Well trained Shakesperean actor. So, the plot is really secondary in Elementary, precisely because the other actors are very good too . The show revolves revolves mostly around its good dialogues, good acting and very subtle interaction between the lead actors. It's an entertaining show as well as having a socio-political integrity, which is more than I can say for the BBC Sherlock.
ReplyDeleteI personally do not like JLM's acting/body language/voice. The biggest obstacle I have to accepting JLM's version as a likeable Sherlock is his diction, with his body language a close second.
DeleteI like Benedict's diction as Sherlock. I also like his body language and his passion for the source material. Of course, he is a trained stage actor as well.
As the saying goes: “Beauty is in the beauty of the beholder”.
I respect your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by.
B2B.
Can anyone tell me who is the woman who plays the “queen” ‘Rada Hollingsworth’? In this particular episode. It’s not on the IMDb page. And am at a loss for how else to find it.
ReplyDeleteI could not find the name of the actress either.
DeleteI suggest asking the CBS writers (@ELEMENTARYStaff) on Twitter. Plus, there is another handle (@Elementary_CBS) you can try as well. Hope you get your answer from them!
B2B.