TV Review: Elementary - Pilot Episode

 Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu as Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson in CBS Elementary

The pilot starts with a struggle inside a house between a red-headed woman and an unknown assailant and the scene closes with the assumed murder.

As is usually the case with other adaptations and the Canon itself, we first meet Watson. In this instance, it is Joan Watson, played remarkably well by Lucy Liu. She has been hired to be the sober companion to Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) by the latter’s father.

Sherlock is a recovering drug addict and escapes from the rehabilitation facility he was admitted to, right on the day of his release. He attributes his action to sheer boredom.

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Captain Tobias Gregson (Aidan Quinn) calls in Sherlock to solve the aforementioned murder. Detective Javier Abreu (Manny Perez) is not very keen on getting outside assistance.

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The rest of the episode goes along predictable lines: Holmes and Watson get to know each other and the murder case is resolved as well.

This adaptation in addition to being set in the modern times has a female Watson. What’s more, Sherlock’s father is around and is playing an active role in Sherlock’s life. To the best of my knowledge, this is a new in the annals of Sherlock Holmes adaptations.

Jonny Lee Miller makes an OK Sherlock Holmes. This version of Sherlock worked as a consulting detective in London, before moving to NY. Miller's Sherlock does not have any idiosyncrasies or quirks that can make his portrayal unique or stand out from the crowd.

Lucy Liu as Joan Watson

Lucy Liu gives the better performance (in my humble opinion) as Joan Watson, the everyman we can relate to. Her interactions with Miller’s Holmes are very typical of the ones we have read in A Study in Scarlet. Liu successfully sells the concept of a female Watson and deserves credit. The casting of Liu raised a lot of eyebrows and I can say with confidence that Liu makes a great Watson.

Aidan Quinn as Captain Tobias Gregson

Aidan Quinn makes a likeable Tobias Gregson. He respects Holmes for his skills. I still miss Lestrade. The Official Police Force is never the same without our little sallow, rat-faced Inspector!

The direction by Michael Cuesta is competent. The music and cinematography are adequate.

Canonical References

1. In the story His Last Bow, Sherlock mentions he is writing a book on Bee Keeping entitled “Practical Handbook of Bee Culture, with some Observations upon the Segregation of the Queen”. Miller’s Sherlock quotes the exact name of the book and also maintains a bee hive on his terrace! This is easily the best Canonical reference and I am curious as to how they are going to top this one in the upcoming episodes.
2. In The Adventure of the Red Circle and The Adventure of the Red-Headed League, Sherlock Holmes displays his enjoyment of music. In Elementary, Sherlock’s father informs Joan Watson about his son’s love for music!
3. In The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton, Holmes breaks into a house to secure some documents. In a superb twist, Miller’s Sherlock breaks out of a facility.

I liked the modern updates to Sherlock’s methods – using Google and Facebook. Nice touches and very Sherlockian in nature.

The episode moved at a good pace and the acting is commendable. The solving of the case involves teamwork from Holmes and Watson.

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