Lately I've been doing something I rarely do: watching a whole season of television show episodes back to back - or almost back to back. Four shows at a time on each Netflix DVD.
The series? ELEMENTARY starring Johnny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Watson. Yeah, I know, it sounds dreadful. My first instinct was to shudder with horror and swear I would never watch the show.
But guess what? I was wrong.
After several friends recommended the thing, I thought I'd take a look.
And I was hooked.
This time it's Holmes living in modern day New York city and his Watson is a woman (a non-practicing doctor) hired by Holmes's father as a kind of therapy companion to watch over his formerly drug-addled son as part of a recovery program. Sounds like nonsense, but I suppose there are people who do this sort of thing in real life though I'd never heard of it before.
As time passes, Watson will stay on with Holmes as his detecting partner - but as usual I'm getting ahead of myself.
Regardless, the main thing is the relationship and on-air chemistry between Holmes and Watson as it develops. Holmes, let's face it, is an extraordinarily annoying man who can't help being the smartest person in the room at any given time. As he tells Watson, "I'm smarter than everyone I meet..." Yes, it's true. Allowances must be made. At least that's his take - think of the wearisome frustration of always being in the presence of minds less...well, just less than your own.
Watson may have another view, although she is remarkably patient with her stubborn charge as she comes to realize what an extraordinary man he is and what extraordinary work he does as 'consultant' to the NYPD.
What can I say?
I love the show.
So far.
I actually like this better than the British modern-day SHERLOCK starring Cumberbatch and Freeman, though I like that one well enough - especially the Reichenbach Falls episode. And I'm looking forward to their Season 3.
Okay, okay, I'll watch it, too. I've tried and couldn't get into it but I will try again since praise from fans of the original detective counts a lot.
ReplyDeleteKathy, you have to forget the original otherwise it's almost impossible to concentrate on this one. Treat this as if the characters were newly conceived. It's the only way. But once you do, you'll be rewarded. It's not great drama, but it's a sure as heck entertaining series even if the violence can get a little over the top. (I just close my eyes.)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like the show, I'm actually watching tonight's episode as I'm typing this.
ReplyDeleteYes, despite myself, I like it. :)
DeleteBetter than SHERLOCK? Not sure about that Yvette ... but clearly this is much better than people first said it was going to be! I shall take your word for it and rent me some DVDs - thanks chum!
ReplyDeleteI like watching this in bunches. Hope you do to. It's just that the other SHERLOCK is hard for me to follow sometimes and I don't find the relationship that warm.
DeleteYvette, I don't think I've heard of ELEMENTARY but it sounds very interesting and I wouldn't mind a change from the Holmes-Watson that we've been used to.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you'll be able to find it in time, Prashant. I hope you like it if you do. :)
DeleteKatie-Bar-The-Door and I watched all of Elementary on demand a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Now it's one of the few shows we watch in real time each week. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'd watch it too, MM, if I still had cable. But with Netflix and whatnot, it's all good. :)
DeleteI was so unhappy about this show when I first heard about it, but I LOVE IT!!! Not better than Sherlock, but they're totally different beasts. Sherlock attempts to take the actual stories and adapt them, and while Elementary kind of does, I don't feel the connection as much. But I still totally enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel the connection either, Picky, and that's just as well. That's probably why it works for me. :)
DeleteI have Netflix instant streaming, but not the disks -- I would never have dreamed this would be something I'd like. However, your tastes and mine so often coincide, I'll have to watch for this one. By the way, you have put so much wonderful stuff on FB lately! Just had to get that in...
ReplyDeleteThanks Becky, you're a peach. :) I hope you'll like this show as much as I do. It will eventually show up on streaming somewhere. :) Try the CBS (I think it's CBS) website. You should be able to watch episodes online.
DeleteI wasn't sure I liked this series when it first aired, but, based on your post, I went to OnDemand last night and watched two of the newer episodes and am now hooked. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh, excellent, Joan. I'm glad to be a good influence. It's a 'hooking' kind of show. :)
DeleteP.S. What's OnDemand? Everyone mentions it, but...
DeleteI love this show. It is by far my favorite representation of Holmes and Watson. I don't even care that there are original characters on whom they are based. I just love the characters, the acting, the stories. It is a perfect show for both me and my husband.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the Elementary Fan Club, Nan. I love it too. Hopefully there will be many more episodes to come.
DeleteI am surprised to see so many people who like this show and glad you have convinced several people to try it. I thought there would be more naysayers. Not because I don't like it. I do. We watched it from the beginning. I think I prefer the BBC Sherlock but they are really so different ... I enjoy both.
ReplyDeleteI was kind of surprised too, Tracy. I was surprised that I liked it and I was surprised that I wasn't alone in my liking. :)
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