North of the Border, up Canada way. . . . Elementary S5 -E's 13 & 14

These latest two episodes involved our friends to the North, and focused, as it has a habit of doing, on issues that have been in the headlines lately, either on a small scale, black market maple syrup, or a large scale, global warming.

Well, maple syrup at thirteen hundred dollars a barrel, maybe it isn't such a small crime after all.

This is a real photo of Global Strategic Maple Syrup reserves in Quebec.

In 2012 540,000 barrels were stolen, 12.5 percent of the reserve. A street value of 13.4 million dollars. (this heist is currently being planned as a movie).

So, yes, 'Over a Barrel' is a timely topic.

And 'Rekt in Real Life' is also a big money topic; the world of gaming.

I am enjoying this season a lot. Elementary has seemed to find a more comfortable format that is skipping some of the crazy of the first few years.
A couple of fun discussion points of these last couple of weeks could be the mention of cases Holmes was involved in that Watson did not record.
And perhaps collateral damage of cases Holmes did not take.

The Shinwell story line is getting a little tiresome, and I hope it resolves itself before next season.

And yes, I still think 'Elementary' is better than 'Sherlock'.

Elementary Review - Season 5, Episodes 103 & 104

#103 - 'Bang, Bang, Shoot, Chute"

So far this episode has been one of my least favorite of what I think is the shows best season to date.

One of two risk taking base-jumpers is shot while free falling from a tall building. Which proves to be unnecessary, since his chute had been messed with anyway.

Which leads Holmes to suspect that two people had intended to murder the jumper.
  For me, this episode fell back on what had been its problem last year; an over complicated story line and not enough Sherlockianisms.
The jumpers wife wants him dead because he had an affair, and a partner wants him dead for other reasons.

While the storyline for episode #104 had some big holes in it, it was at least a fun episode because of Sherlockianisms and some available good discussion points.

Biggest storyline flaw was the sausage shop owners part in the story.
We are lead to believe that the shop owner is really on top of his business. The only one that has total access to the workings of his business.
Yet, a; he doesn't notice that there is more ground meat the next morning than he ground the night before. B; where are the bones? C; How did the murderer know about the sausage shop? Had he been a customer, which surely the owner would have known, or a connection could have been made by Holmes in the storyline (which may have made it to easy).
Once again, instead of just a good storyline or mystery, the writers had to make it overly complicated for no reason.

However! We do get a mention of the Six Napoleons, Musgrave, and the Beryl Coronet with Mr Holder.

A good discussion point is Holmes' arrogance and how it my relate to how he handles cases (and people).

I had fun watching this episode, so I can fairly give it;

and if it is fun, well, that's the whole point isn't it?

Elementary Season Five, Episodes #5 (101) and #6 (102)

 S5E5, 'To Catch a Predator Predator' finds Holmes and Watson on the trail of someone who killed someone killing sexual predators of young girls. A vigilante killing of a vigilante if you will.

S5S6, 'Ill Tidings' finds Holmes and Watson trying to find out who murdered a disliked Chef and some of his customers, which turns out to be a cover for an art heist.









While some eye trouble has kept me from spending as much time on my computer and art work I have been able to keep up with the episodes of Elementary, even if it is a day or so after the events.
And while I will not go into quite as much detail in my next few reviews I will at least comment.
Hopefully the eye problem will be resolved by the beginning of the year and I can get back to being a little more productive on this and my other blogs.

I would have to say that the last three episodes, including these two have been a few of my favorite of all the episodes so far.
A lot of what I have previously found fault with has, if not completely disappeared at least has been toned down a lot; i.e. the overly worked quirks of Millers Holmes and the over portrayed bad habits that seemed to have been used more for shock value than story advancement.

The last three episodes have seemed to be more cases driven and the opportunities for the display of Holmes' deductive than character driven.
That does not mean that character exploration has been totally dropped, but is playing less of a roll, at least for the time being.

So, for these two episodes I have to give the series;

Elementary - S5E4 (#100) - 'Henny Penny the Sky is Falling", finally one to write about this season.

This episode opens with Holmes doing a good 'how deep the parsley sank in the butter' explination to Marcus on why a suspect could not have done what he said he did. The tools he used was a bowl of water and a 'poop' emoji.

Holmes of course thinking the 'poop' emoji was an ice cream emoji add a good piece of humor.

While still at the police station Holmes spots Gregsons boss having a conversation with the inspector which makes Holmes think he may be in trouble again with Gregsons boss.

This prompts Holmes to go back and investigate some of his past cases looking for something he/they may have done wrong.

Watson of course is less worried than Holmes knowing that Gregson "has their backs".

While having this discussion the duo get a call from Marcus about a murder. 

The victim, a Quantitative Analyst, is found in his apartment, pinned to the wall (like in Black Peter) with a fireplace poker. It is determined that the victim must have known his assailant, (also in Black Peter.)

It is first suspected that Russell Cole, the victim, may have been murdered by his boss, Mitch Barry, for matters to do with their shared interest in Barry's business, or Coles affair with Barry's wife.

Discovering that Cole was having an affair with Barry's wife, Holmes and Watson discover that Cole had a cabin in upstate New York where he worked on many of his projects. 

It is also discovered that Cole had also written a paper on asteroids that was shaking up the current theories on the size of asteroids and the effect they could have on earth should one hit earth.

Cole had been trying to get more money from his partner, a Congresswoman's right hand man, who was using the paper to make money on investments in asteroid mining companies. 

That is a very simple recap of the episode.

This episode was very well done, keeping my interest for the whole show.

The episode once again found Holmes and Watson comfortable in their arrangements and content with their jobs.

The episode also had well done Sherlockian 'skills' throughout.

-The first was the opening scene with Holmes and Marcus with the emoji and bowl of water.

-This was followed by Cole being pinned to the wall with the poker. Very 'Black Peter'. Although the Canon goes on to explain how some one would have to have had experience with a harpoon to be able to do that, while the 'harpooner', Len, in this episode seemed a little smaller framed and inexperienced too be able to attach Cole so firmly to the wall with his feet actually up off the floor. (And did you notice no blood was on the poker where it went into the other apartment?)

-Holmes lack of knowledge about astronomy was also used in this episode.

-His knowledge of botany as it pertains to poisons. 

-As was his disdain for attention and public recognition. He not only mentions that he does not want credit in the public eye, but he also brings up how that recognition could bring on hard feelings with people they are having to work with. We see that over and over again in the Canon about how some of the police and officials resent Holmes' involvement. 

-In association with the asteroid part of the show we meet Julius Kent, who like Victor Trevor in Gloria Scott was an old school mate of Holmes'.  The exchange of remarks between Kent and Holmes was also very well done.

The show is still very good at exploring the relationship between Holmes and Watson.

The season so far for me has lacked much of what I had hoped would continue to grow once the show found its place; the introduction of Canonical Holmes like habits.

Thankfully this one-hundredth episode measured up and hit its mark.

This was one of the best episodes in the series for me.

Elementary - Season 5, E2 (#98) - 'Worth Several Cities'

With the centenary episode fast approaching I almost chose not to review this episode.
'Worth Several Cities' fell into what seems to becoming a habit for this show; overcomplicated plot with little Sherlockian substance.

We open with Joan showing Shinwell an apartment and Holmes being kidnapped by a gang.
Holmes has been kidnapped by the gang to help the gang leader find who killed one of his smugglers.
For me, this element of the story took Holmes way to far out of his comfort zone to make for a good plot. While we must always realize Holmes is just human and is as susceptible to the pit falls of all men, we should never, fictionally, see Holmes in a situation where we don't feel he could be in control, at least by the end. The gang kidnapping scene left me feeling that people like the gang leader only leave Holmes free because he can't harm them and he is no threat to them and that he is just a minor irritation. "Let Holmes play in his sandbox, we have the whole playground."
While Canonically we find that a little in the realationship with Moriarty, we learn that in the end Holmes proved to be more than a minor irritation.
I don't however think that will be the case with this gang.
The exchange also left me feeling like Holmes was making a deal with the devil. While Canonically we accept the fact the Holmes will allow fate to handle some situations, this aspect of this episode was a little over the line, for me.
Nor did we get the sense that Holmes ended up having anything on the gang leader that would keep Holmes and Joan safe in the future.
And he just "convinced" the leader that the outcome should be acceptable to the gang.
While it is acceptable to see Holmes fail, he should not been seen as out of control in the end.

We also once again see Millers Holmes unable to find a Holmesian way to bring down the real murder and he resorts to standing outside with a bull-horn. Too much of Millers Holmes from season one.

Once again the story got too big for the conclusion and was too much of the same.

Millers Holmes is not a strong enough character to carry the show if you do away with any connection to the Canonical Holmes and have a too repeated storyline.

Now we can argue that that is one of the strong points of 'Elementary', that Holmes is only human, it allows to much for the character to stray to far from Canon. (Which many argue it already has.)

Canonically we do hear about monographs, and his observation of some of the clues is good.

The Joan/Shinwell story was a little too co-dependent this week.

Hoping to really like this season, I can only fairly give this episode;

'Elementary' Season 5 - Episode 1 (97) - 'Folie a Deux'

This episode started with a bang and then kind of went into a slow sizzle or maybe fizzle.

Once again it has been proven that the point the actual case has less to do with making the show good than does the character stories.

The cases lack any "wow!" factor or any idication that Holmes will or can spot clues that no one else is likely to see.

The solution of this case basically involved following a paper trail and making an observation at the scene of the crime (the first bombing) that should now be standard procedure at any public crime scene (spotting a suspicious individual at a bombing or arson).
After all, that is what Sherlock Holmes is all about; spotting things others will miss.

It may be a sign of the times that coming up with Holmesian traits in the modern era is too difficult to incorporate into 'Elementary', so that the characters around Holmes become more important than the personality of Holmes. Miller's Holmes still lacks the ability to convince us that he can be good representing an image of Sherlock Holmes. While we all have our own images of Holmes, there are certain individual traits we expect Holmes to have.

While we may have given up on that ever happening in 'Elementary' it doesn't mean we still can't have some Canonical fun with the show.

A new face was introduced this season in the character of Shinwell Johnson (actor Nelson Ellis). Bearing many similarities to the Caonical Shinwell, former criminal, willing to do the dirty work, informer, etc., he should be a welcome addition to the show. Just like in the Canon, at least in this episode, Shinwells involvement keeps him clear of actually having to deal with the police.

Also explored in this episode is Watson's possible need to be involved with something other than Sherlock Holmes. Canonically we see Watson okay with following Holmes around for a while after his return to London. His healing process needs a distraction. Than eventually he needs something more. He needs once again to be involved with something that makes him feel helpful before it's to late to help. Let's face it, some of the best lines and/or scenes in the Canon involve Watson being summoned to or dropping by Baker St. I don't think we come away from the Canon thinking of the relationship between Holmes and Watson as co-dependent (at least I don't), and perhaps 'Elementary' is making that even more clear than 'Sherlock', but the seperation of the two will become important at some time.

Lucy Liu's Watson has also reached that point. While Miller's Holmes tries to convince her she is doing good, she needs more than just helping to clean up a mess after a crime.
Part of that it seems maybe to involve Shinwell Johnson and his relationship with Joan and her once again helping someone heal. I doubt that we will see Joan moving out and moving on to other things besides detective work any time soon, but maybe we will she her taking up other pursuits.

While once again I find the exploration of character backstories the most interesting thing about 'Elementary', it's lack of any really good Holmes habits or interesting case keeps this episode in too comfortable a routine for me to give it more than

But I do believe it was a good start for the season.

Elementary Season Five has started. . . .

 . . . . but I didn't get to watch it yet. So. . . look for my thoughts tomorrow.

The season ends - S4 E's 23 and 24, my thoughts.

Speaking of bombs!

Okay, okay. Maybe it wasn't that bad.

Season four came to an end this past Sunday with episode 24, 'A Difference in Kind',
A continuation of episode 23, 'The Invisible Hand'.
I must admit that the fact that my 'The Woman', Natalie Dormer, did not return may be clouding my review, but I will do my best not to be jaded.

In 'The Invisible Hand' people surrounding Morland Holmes are dropping like flies. And it is eventually determined, by Sherlock, that the lead suspect, in his book, Vikner, is responsilbe.
Vikner also turns out to be the leader of Moriarty's crime sydicate, and the father of her daughter.

In episode 24, 'A Difference in Kind', the Holmes' try to get another top ranking boss in Moriarty's orginazation to help bring down Vikner, An Iraqi diplomat, she feels Vikners death is the only way to really bring him down. (Why she would want to bring on Moriarty's dipleasure about this is beyond me.)

It is shortly after this that we find Morland has been recruited to head the organization, and he accepts the job to protect Joan and Sherlock.

Morland has spent most of this season trying to get back into Sherlock's good graces. And unless Morland dives in front of a bullet to save Joan, that does not seem likely to happen. And the ending of this season may have been a way to get him out, at least for the time being, of the story line.
While the Canonical Moriarty and the 'Elementary' Vikner seem to be able to carry on a normal life in public view as teachers, I doubt if Morland will be allowed to do so.

While in the canon we never really find out what happens to Moriarty's organizaion, every one telling Sherlock in these last two episodes seems kind of like a dig to his abilities and that he left something unfinished and now Morland needs to clean it up, as he did with Sherlocks drug problem by finding Joan. It felt to much like, "What do I have to do to prove myself to you Sherlock, die?"
Canonically many of us believe Holmes spent a good part of his time in hiatus helping to round up most of Moriarty's compatriots in crime, finishing off with the capture of Moran in EMPT.
(The spotting of someone in the flat from across the street rang of EMPT.)
If the cliff hanger of this season had been the bomb going off and Joan and the rest of us not knowing what happened to Sherlock, it may have worked better. But since B.C's. 'death' as Sherlock in 'Sherlock', the public may have seen that coming.
At this point in time, if Dormers 'Moriarty' will not be returning they need to come up with their own 'FINA'. Dormer was Elementary's Moriarty and it will be a shame if they can not bring that story to completion without her presence. And if indeed John Noble's 'Morland' is pretty well gone, it leaves very much about this season unresolved.

 That also leaves Sherlock as the least effective of all individuals involved with the resolution.

The way this episode ended, did however make room for new story developments that do not include Morland or Moriaty and actually help the show advance into better stories.

While I find this season the strongest so far, for me, these two episode, along with 'Hounded' are the weakest.

A good question from these two episodes would be; Could a Sherlock Holmes in modern times take on an organization like Moriarty's?

If I look at these two episodes as the season finally ending a story line I was getting tired of, I can fairly give these episodes;

I'm okay with this. . . .

Elementary: John Noble Not Returning as Series Regular for Season 5

By Vlada Gelman / May 8 2016, 7:59 PM PDT

After taking over Moriarty’s organization in order to protect Sherlock and Joan, the senior Holmes said goodbye to New York City during Sunday’s Season 4 finale. (Get scoop on that twist and more here.)

“This was always the plan that we would have John aboard for Season 4,” and he would then exit, executive producer Rob Doherty tells TVLine. “We wanted Morland — and, by extension, John — to help us define Season 4, and he absolutely did that. I feel like we told the one long story we wanted to, but we [also] got to tell a lot of smaller stories about Sherlock and his father, and then Morland trying to develop a relationship with Joan. We feel like we did everything we set out to do.”

Elementary - Season 4, Episodes 21, and 22

While these two episodes have maintained the level of good procedural that has been this season, the noticeable things to make it more Sherlockian as not increase.
'Ain't nothing like the real thing', episode 21 was about a staged murder which acutally turned to into a double murder by a soon to be jilted wife.

Episode 22, 'Turn it upside down', was a triple murder used to cover up the intend target.
Holmes at first suspected that his father my have had something to do with it because the target worked for Morland Holmes.
These two episodes were tied together because the target victim had been someone Joan Watson had been working with to uncover a mole in Morlands empire.

Morlands storyline with the younger Holmes is starting to grow a little stale so I hope they find a way to pick that up a bit.

Combining a story line into these two episodes with them carrying over into the next two episodes makes me wonder, still, why they didn't do such justice to Hound. While I agree with James assestment of Hound, I still don't think they did just to the most popular story in the Canon.

The ending of 'Turn it upside down', along with next weeks previews, suggest Natalie Dormers 'Moriarty' my be coming back. I look forward to that return if it is to be.

The show does however still need to find more Sherlockian spark.

Overall, these two episode have once again helped make this the strongest season so far for Eementary.

Elementary S4, E19 and 20, The Two Hour Elementary Event!

Well, that's kind of the way it was hyped.
When in fact it was just two seperate episodes with a back story connecting story, which is kind of what these shows do on a weekly basis anyway.
The two episodes were; 'All in', about an illegal poker game that is robbed to coverup the real purpose for the games interruption.
And, 'Art imitates Art', about a murder to cover up a previous murder.
And mixed in with these two stories was Joan finding out she has a half sister.

Both episodes continued in the solid epsisodes that have become the norm for this season.

In 'All in' there were some good Sherlockian connections.
 - While bouncing Sherlock comments on how slow crime is in New York with no murders over the last week.
- He also commented on how he does not retain useless information in his mind.
-He also complimented Bell for seeming to be picking up on what Holmes is teaching him. (With Bell noticing the camera in the ceiling)

While other observations were well done, I would have to question the bullet casing burn on the dealers arm (unless it was a plant). Nothing in the video of the robbery would suggest her falling on the casing took place anywhere close to when the shot was fired, or that the caing would remain that hot for that long.

'Art imitates Art' was again a solid episode with some good twists and turns, and again a commentary on modern society.

The only thing that still bothers me about the series is the shows need to make Holmes seem like he is hung up on sex, pertaining to himself and others.

We also once again find out Watson is not Joans real last name. I our image of Watson, does that matter?

Two, once again, solid episodes. This show will always have the problem of creating the 'atmosphere' of a Sherlock Holmes story, and I do not think that is its goal.

So I once again give these episodes;

Elementary S4E17 - You've Got Me, Who's Got you - half a review.

Well, I made sure the DVR was set to catch the show on it's new night, but something must have run over time because I only ended up getting half the episode. So, the reason for only half a review.
Holmes is called in to investigate the death of a costumed 'super hero'.
A man dressed like the 'Midnight Ranger' who goes around trying to stop crime disguised as a comic book hero.
Joan is approached, in a round about way, by Morland Holmes to investigate a deal gone bad in his company.

Well, at least the half I got to watch was a lot of fun. And considering the amount of money to be made in 'comics-to-movies' it seemed like it could be a good story line.

I thought the observations by Holmes were well done, especially the one about the type of stitching in the super hero costume.( I didn't know you could call a male seamstress a semester.)

I love how Riechenbach Falls was worked into the story line.

The dialogue was, at least up to the point I got to see, very light hearted and fun.

Whether we like Morland or not, he does add the few moments of  'class' that most Holmes stories require to make them 'British'.

So, more the parts I got to watch, I can fairly give this episode;

Elementary S4-E16 - 'Hounded' - Once bitten, twice shy. . . . . or Love is in the air . . It should have been called 'GUS'.

  Okay, 'Elementary' had a chance here and, well, kinda missed the mark.

Hound of the Baskervilles is arguably the most well-known and the most popular tale in the Canon.

  So they had a lot to work with, and a lot of room to miss the mark. Which they did.

  Retelling the Hound is always going to be hard. You can either re-tell the story canonically, a great Gothic tale of mystery and murder, and be judged by how well you pull that off. 

  Or you can adapt it in a totally new way and, well, be judged by how well you pull it off.

  ‘Elementary’ with ‘Hounded’ didn’t seem to be able to make up its mind on which way it wanted to go and failed in both directions.

  The show opens with Holmes walking in on Hawes who is examining a new body at the morgue. Hawes’ work has been slipping of late and Holmes has come to point that fact out and if possible discover why.

  The show then cuts to Central Park and a man being chased through the woods by an unknown assailant. The man running stumbles of a cliff and is hit by a truck. Holmes discovers that there was someone else present and could be a possible witness.

  The man is Charles Baskerville.

  While Holmes works on finding out what is wrong with Hawes, Watson finds the witness, a homeless man, and discovers he saw a large wolf or small bear attack Charles.

  And so, without going over the whole show again, we have a murdered Baskerville, another who will inherit the fortune, but who doesn’t really need it, and the rest of the cast from the Canon.

 Where the episode falls apart is when it doesn’t either stay true to the original story and just retell it, and it also doesn’t come up with something new and unique in its telling.

  Mostly the episode is guilty of using as many clichés as possible without putting them into a well told story.

  The episode does however once again hit on timely topics, GMO’s and robots, but they could have done that without, perhaps better, using HOUN as the backdrop.

  The episode actually became more of a test to see how many HOUN clichés one could catch and not worry about the story line.

So, here are the ones I caught;

‘Sir’ Charles is chased down a narrow lane.

He dies of something other than the ‘beast, (canonically a heart attack, in this episode, a truck).

Henry Baskerville is the heir (as is apparently everyone else in the episode).

Part of the story takes place in Devonshire (Devonshire Robotics)

Watson is sent off to investigate on her own while Holmes goes elsewhere. (Her checking up on the witness while Holmes played chess).

A Stapleton is involved and related.

Hugo Baskerville (in this case a railroad baron).

Barrymore (this time working for Stapleton).(The name served no real purpose in the storyline.)

Miss Lyons (a Stapleton)

An unknown heir.

A glowing dog (this one a big pussy cat).

And also mentioned Canonically or from ACD;

Undershaw.

Holmes mentions ‘The Woman’

 While it was fun to spot these, the story did not need any of them and would have probably made for a better episode without the HOUN connection, especially considering how much is expected once you connect it to the original story. (Hey 'Elementary', change the names and show it again.!)

  One of the things that have always made HOUN such great story is that Holmes is taken out of his perceived comfort zone, London, and sent, for him, to an alien environment, Dartmoor. Holmes we believe is a creature of the city, not comfortable in such a rural setting. (I am going to have a separate post for this discussion.)

  This episode failed to even attempt use that Gothic setting to its advantage. The location is as much a part of HOUN as is anything else. It is the sinister nature of the enviornment that sets the tone (I know; Central Park at night isnt' scary enough for you?) The story should have gone to New Jersey or some where else.

  Another flaw in the episode was the fact that everyone loved each other, for the most part.

  Henry loved Charles, Stapleton loved the Baskervilles. Barrymore, while maybe not loving Stapleton at least didn’t mind having drinks with him.

Stapleton loved, well, women.

The dog loved Charles.

 Okay maybe Ms. Lyons didn’t love everyone, but she should have because her plot line was really bad.

  We were never told how Roger mistreated her father, the hippie, the one who moved to Australia. I thought hippies did that kind of thing. A free and open life.

  She had a great job. Didn’t it pay well? And just like in the Canon, why didn’t she just ask to be part of the family? Everyone loved each other. They would have made her feel welcome.

  And instead of calling this episode 'HOUNded', maybe we should call it 'GUS', after the robotic dog. I don’t claim to know much about the physics of robots but I don’t see a machine like that being able to maneuver like it did in the park at night in such a rough terrain. A tracked vehicle would have trouble unless it was the size of a small tank.

 The side story with Hawes was well done and showed some growth on Miller’s Holmes part.

  The acting was still strong by the leads. The extras didn't carry enough weight, once again considering the source.

  I know, at this point I am starting to sound like Brad (I feel dirty) but in this case he may have a point. I will check to see if he has any thoughts on this episode after I post this.

 The episode did however live up to this season, and, compared to the last few seasons, it remained strong. It did not however take advantage of its source material which set it up as a failure.

It would be akin to setting Mutiny on the Bounty on a pontoon boat.

The weakest episode of this season.

Because of its poor treatment of HOUN I can only fairly give it;

S4E15 Elementary - 'Up to Heaven, down to Hell'

You have to give credit to the writers for coming up with topics for cases that most of us living in the flat Mid-west heartlands would never think of.
The title for the episode this week comes for property rights in New York and perhaps other big cities.

When an elderly women halls of her balcony and lands on a parking space thief Holmes is called in to investigate.
Deciding the elderly woman could not move the device that helped her fall to her death, Holmes determines she was murdered, and killing a man on her way down makes it a double murder.
Holmes must chose whether or not to become involved with a business man he loathes to solve this case or take a chance on lossing the criminal.

Watson this time doesn't really have a case of her own, but is instead involved in a personal crises of Gregson's involving a new lover who was once a disgraced former police officer.

Highlights of this case involved Holmes knowledge of chemistry again and a few great one liners.

I am enjoying the fact, as I have mentioned before, that Watson is not as involved in the major cases as much and is often left to her own issues. Again this is making for less of a partnership and more for Holmes being the lead detective.

Miller's Holmes is still showing discomfort when dealing with personal issues, his or someone else's.

We get the Canonical line "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data" in this episode, but where and when it was used could have been picked better.

Although nothing remarkable this episode, it is staying strong with the rest of the season, so I can fairly once again give it;

I am looking forward to Elementary's treatment of HOUN this week.

Elementary Review - Season 4, Episodes 11 and 12, and now13 and 14

I know, I better get on the ball and start doing these in a more timely manner.

Between cold weather, Powder Puff Derby projects, an upcoming vacation, Girl Scout cookie sales and a couple of days illness, I am just not getting to these as soon as I would like.

So, please forgive me and here goes.

My review of each episode will be brief, more of a short overview. Then I will give my overall impressions of the last month of viewing.

Episode 11, 'Down Where the Dead Delight'  I really enjoyed this episode. I was hoping the young lady with the great voice working for the NYPD coroner’s office would stick around for a few more episodes, but alas. . . . it was not to be. We see Joan once again having to deal with Det. Cortez. But no fight this time.

Episode 12, 'A View with a Room' Again, another interesting episode with a few twists and turns.

And also, again, another episode this year with no explination for motive. More on that in a minute.

It was great to have the character of Fiona Helbron back, once again involved with both Holmes and Watson.

Episode 13, 'A Study in Charlotte'  Of course the title comes from STUD and is a good play on the name. Holmes also runs into problems with an old neighbor over noise issues. And the case itself was very well done. Also an interesting use of the word 'RACHE' from STUD. I also liked Millers Holmes explanation for his dislike of tattoos, given that Miller is known for some of his.

Episode 14, 'Who is that Masked Man' Although not an original motive for a case, committing a crime so your family has money after you die, (probably done a couple times in Elementary already) the masks and the mortician concept was fun. Holmes also gave an in-depth explanation about his love of disguises and how he could have done well in the theatre. Very Canonical. And how heard it really is to pull off a great disguise up close. (I still think Brett did some of the best in SCAN.)

As with most of this season, I found these episodes some of the best.

Holmes' observation and deductive skills are much more highlighted than they have been in past seasons. Using his knowledge of chemistry and science in general has been well done. 

The show is doing a better job of showing Holmes (and still some times Watson) spotting clues that the 'regulars' miss and in a more Sherlockian way.

I think, so far, this season is also exploring Holmes' backstory better than it has done before now.

We are never all going to agree on how we think Holmes was brought up, or how and who his parents were. Or for that matter, his relationship with his parents and family. And although I don't necessarily agree or like the explanation Elementary is giving for those relationships, I do like the fact that they are putting their case out there and going with it.

I like the fact that this season is exploring what kind of woman a man like Holmes would be interested in. It will be interesting to see if Fiona makes another appearance.

I like the fact that this season Holmes' personality is less over the top. Although we will never all agree on what actually is a more Canonical Holmes for 'Elementary', I do feel an attempt is being made to be more faithful.

I found the story about the disgruntled neighbor fun, and once again it explored a side of the Canon that is not much dealt with. What did the neighbors think of some the goings-on in 221b?

Watson is playing more of the side-kick instead of partner this season, at least where the major case of the stories usually go. If she is very involved with a case it is usually one of her own. She contributes more this year where her expertise lay.

A few of the episodes this season have left the motives unexplained. I am hoping that, along with Holmes' fathers story line, will lead to the involvement of a 'Moriarty' type character. It would be alright with me if Natalie Dormer returned.

Over all this season,  I am looking forward to each new episode, which I could not say the last couple of years.

And they are becoming even more fun to 'Play the Game' with.

 Given that, I give these last four episodes;

And I leave you with one more question to ponder; Would Sherlock Holmes have bought Girl Scout Cookies?

S4E10 - Elementary 'Alma Matters' - Yawn. . . .

As we discussed last week, the plot is the same, but the names have been changed to protect the writers.

So, yawn on the plot this week.

This week it was mostly a family affair.
With John Noble at times basically playing Sherlocks father and brother.
Emotionally as his father, intellectually his brother.

This episode is once again consistent in that it isn't doing to much of what made the earlier seasons less enjoyable, and more staying true to this seasons approach.
But they do need to come up with some other plots besides rich guy (or gal) protecting crooked company.

The deductible observations this week could have mostly been done by anyone with computer skills and on only rare occasions did observation really have anything to do with the case.

Joan's detective skills once again took a back seat to Sherlock's, which is how it should be but may make Lucy Liu bored with the roll eventually. They will have to keep her  more involved in some way.

My favorite Canonical reference, and the only real one I spotted, was the cab driver who picked up a man who looked an awful lot like Sherlock. A possible and probable reference to HOUN.

So, for lack of something new, but not slipping into any real bad habits I can only fairly give this episode;

Elementary S4E9 - 'Murder Ex Machina' - Falling into stride

This episode involves the murder of a Russian crime boss, a valet and the murders themselves.

This episode also suggests that at least for this year 'Elementary' as found itself a comfortable routine and is staying the course.

Although there are still at times hints of outlandish behavior from Miller's Holmes, for the most part it is kept in check.

The plot had some good turns in it, and the observation of some of the clues were Sherlockian like.

The side story involved Holmes' father getting in touch with Joan seeking her professional advice.
Joan deduces that there is more to it than that.

I enjoyed the line from Holmes's father about Holmes' eating habits and the reason he eats.
The observations on the effects of street lighting on the color of cars was good.
That scene also showed Holmes' knowledge of his city, much like the Canonical Holmes does of London.

This is the second or third episode this season I believe where Joan is not in on the conclusion of the case. While Canonically Watson is present in most, he usually only takes the roll of observer and not fellow detective. Is this 'Elementary's' attempt to put more emphasis on Holmes skills as an individual and not a team.

It will be interesting some day if an annotated 'Elementary' is ever produced to see how many of the plot lines involve industrial espionage. The plot line is starting to get a little over used.

One good discussion point that could come out of this episode is how timely were the topics in the cases of the Canonical Sherlock Holmes. Doyleockian, would do you say?  We know some were definitely; submarines, international interests, etc.
Many of the topics in the cases on 'Elementary' can often seem to be covering things recently in the news. The remote control of cars computers was a topic not to long ago on one of the hour long news programs.

It was nice that there was at least one wild car ride to make the guest from 'Dukes of Hazard' feel at home. Although he was not in that scene.

As has been a problem with this show all along is how to bring in things we expect from a Holmes like character without out making it a costume drama involving deerstalkers and capes. And without making it seem a copy of other adaptations of Sherlock Holmes. Miller can obviously not be Brett and he has to also avoid coping things seen in 'Sherlock'. I think the show is getting better at it this year, but is still not quite there.

For all the above reasons, having still enjoyed the episode I can fairly give this one;

Elementary S4E7&8 - 'Miss Taken' and 'A Burden of Blood' - two reviews for the price of one, and about time.

Seasonal activities and the lack of time has kept me from blogging here as much as I would like lately.
Also, coming up with a review for the latest episode of 'Sherlock' (which I have yet to do, but will do soon) has made me want to avoid reviewing anything for a little while.

But last night I had the chance to relax and watch the two latest episodes of 'Elementary'.
Episode 7, 'Miss Taken' was about a murdered former FBI agent who was still investigating a missing persons case (and a couple others which prove to be irrelevant) several months after the missing person was found. What is left of the FBI agent is found in a wood chipper.
The missing person, Mina Davenport had escaped her captor several months earlier and Holmes and Watson need to find out why the retired agent is still investigating.
Side story has Watson, thanks to Gregson, discovering that a book has been written about Holmes and her, thinly disguised as fictional characters. She does however know her step-father wrote the book. She also discovers he will soon publish another.

This to me has been one of the better episodes of the whole run of the show. A big part of that has to do the the spot-on performance of Ally Ioannides as Mina/Cassie.
It turns out that she is not really the missing daughter named Mina but indeed a con-artist named Cassie who looks enough like the missing girl to convince the grieving parents that she is their daughter returned after ten years a captive.

Reviewing a photo of the ten year old Mina and the returned 'Mina' Holmes discovers that the ears of the two girls are not the same and that grown 'Mina' is an impostor. Ioannies is very convincing first as the returned daughter then as the con-artist murderer. Enough so that Millers Holmes has trouble in the end finding out the complete truth. I could see her as a returning character that 'Holmes' has trouble actually finding proof to convict. (Maybe see will come back as the next incarnation of Milverton?) The last exchange between Cassie and Holmes in the cell was really well done I thought.

Millers Holmes in this episode gets the closest I believe to what we will see in this show to a Canonical similar Holmes. His observations and habits are convincing and his treatment of the other characters is not without charm. The observation of the clues and Sherlockian quirks is also convincing. Watson although involved is much lower key in the actual investigation.

I also found the story line of the book being written about Holmes and Watson a good touch.
It was well done writing Watson as the offended one in the case of the books publication, with Joan commenting on how mad Holmes may be since he is such a private person.
It also served as a good commentary on who the Canonical Watson would sometimes 'flower' up the stories to make them more readable and not just a scientific observation.
My only problem with the story line (which may just go to show what I expect from the show) was with; Why and how Cassie found the real missing Mina?

Episode 8, 'The Burden of Blood' was also a very strong story. A young women is found murdered and is also found to be pregnant. First it is believed that her husband murdered her once he found out she was having an affair since he was unable to have children and the child could not be his.
Then we are led to believe that it may be her lover once he found out she was pregnant and that would cause him problems with his marriage.
We soon find out the murder victim is the daughter of a serial killer who is serving life in prison for his crimes.
Listening over and over again to the victims last phone call, Holmes soon learns who the actual criminal is.
Side story in this episode is Det. Bell's studying for his sergeants examine, which Holmes does not believe he really wants to do.
Again, in this episode, we see a Holmes played as Canonically close as we are likely to see, played by Miller.
The annoying quirks of the first few years have mostly, at least for the time being, disappeared (okay, except when it comes to Watson's love life or not) and 'Holmes' is a more focused individual. The story line twist and ending were well done and made for a good story, especially since we didn't want the victims brother to be the guilty party.
Canonically we see Holmes allowing Lestrade to take credit for solving cases, with Lestrade usually not making the connections of clues Holmes gives him. Here we saw Holmes, and Watson, helping Bell in such away that Bell solves a case and recognizes his own skills.
We find a Holmes more welling to accept friendships in these new episodes.

I enjoyed both of these episodes and watching them helped me figure out why I was having so much trouble coming up with a review of the newest 'Sherlock'.
So I give both these episodes;

Elementary S4E5 - The Games Underfoot - well somethings on the bottom of my shoe, that's for sure.

Well, the show has done away, for the most part, with the very odd habits of 'Elementary's' Sherlock.
His behavior no longer shocks us, and usually this season the only bizarre bits are some of the grotesque crimes.

The cases have become a little repetitive in nature, even if most are rather timely in subject matter.

This episode, for me, has been the weakest one so far this season.

Although still good in a police procedural kind of way, it had very little in the Sherlockian kind of way to make it Canonically discussion worthy. Where Brett's habits with the character I think for the most part people assign to Sherlock Holmes, Miller's, although individual, do not stand well enough on their own to afford recognition as Sherlockian. Most of the time in this episode Miller's Sherlockian came off more as a spoiled anti-social individual. Not that Miller played it much different than he has been, it's just that nothing else "Sherlock Holmes" remained in the show.

While Canonically we accept the fact that Watson appeared to be Holmes' only friend, Elementary seems to want to prove that Holmes good have many friends. (However, Canonically, Lestrade, did start stopping by for social calls later in the Canon.)

The part illustrated in the photo above made for a fun exchange in the show.

Still stronger than most episodes last year, but with it's lack of Holmesian habits, I can only fairly give this episode;

On another note; Does Miller's Holmes watching several TV's at one time serve the same purpose as the Canonical Holmes' three pipes?

Elementary - S4E4 - 'All My Exes Live in Essex' - a review

This episode opens with both Holmes and Watson handcuffed and sitting in chairs in their flat.
It is a training exercise to see which of the two can open the new cuffs the quickest.
While handcuffed Watson's phone goes off. Holmes gets his hands undone first and gets the phone.
Watson opens hers moments later.
The phone call is from a former colleague of Watson's asking for her help with the disappearance of an employee.
Holmes and Watson investigate the lab where where the victim, Abby Campbell, had been working and follow a trail of sticky wheel marks to an area where bodies are disassembled for organ donation. It is here where they find the victims skeleton with all the 'extra' parts missing.
Meanwhile, Watson finds out from a friend that another police detective is checking up on Watson for some unknown reason.

This again, I feel, was one of the better episodes of the last few years. The plot was different and although it had a few weak spots, it made for an interesting case. The murderer was probably one of the most repulsive so far if you think about it. Not only was he willing to murder his wife, he was also willing to misdiagnose other people for the shake of money.

Although it is hard to tell if they were intentional or just me looking for Canonical treasures, I was able to come away with a few good discussion points.

The opening scene can suggest Holmes' need to keep current on devices and methods used by the criminal portion of society. Understanding new handcuffs show Holmes needing to keep up with changes. I think the first seasons 'lock wall' served that purpose better, but this was I believe along the same lines of thought.

This episode also highlighted once again Watson's medical skill contribution to the case.

Also, the strangeness of the marriage situation in the case could suggest some of the strange relationships in the Canon between men and women. Rarely were many of  the Canonical relationships what they first seemed.

Detective Cortes' issues with Watson would suggest, to me, the lack of respect some in the Canonical Scotland Yard had for the early career of Holmes. In this case the dislike is targeted at Watson, but is basically the same thing, 'Amatures need not apply.'

The fight unseen scene at the end would suggest Holmes' (Watson's) ability with some sort of Martial Art. And Canonically we see that true in at least Holmes' case.

This year seems also to focus more on Holmes' observation skills and is putting them to good use.

On the strength of this season so far and the Canonical discussion points I found or made up, I can fairly give this episode four pipes ( blogger is not letting me import pictures at the moment, so I will paste a pipe photo later.)