Thoughts on the “Elementary” Pilot
I stand by my original suspicion that this show would be vastly improved by Lucy Liu playing Holmes instead of Watson.
[Kind of rambly/spoilery review]
There’s no point in comparing this to Sherlock; it’s like kicking a puppy, as Sherlock is so far blowing Elementary out of the water in every respect except the physical diversity of its characters. Very little about the first Elementary episode and Holmes and Watson’s relationship rang true or was fun or entertaining in any way, and while I know a little about them as characters, I don’t really care yet. It’s almost impossible to gauge the acting here given the script is so bad, which makes me feel sorry for Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu. This is just a pilot, though. Maybe the rest of the show will improve.
As for the pilot: I actually found the case rather hard to follow with all the plastic surgery and things, but not in a fun “I don’t really care about the cases, I just love the characters” kind of way. It’s possible this was a symptom of my boredom. Part of this was Holmes’s voice; he tends to speak rapidly while also being soft, meaning that I instantly lost about half of what he was saying with his deductions. But while I can usually just gloss over plot points I don’t understand because I’m busy being charmed by the Holmes-Watson relationship, that wasn’t really an option here.
Holmes: very much like a little kid with that light in his eyes. A little kid who uses drugs and kinky sex and adrenaline rushes to cover up the fact that he is sad and lonely. Rather slovenly in his habits; lives in his rich dad’s apartment with honey actively dripping from the ceiling (due to the bees on the roof, a cute touch). Also predicts bad TV dialogue for no apparent reason.
Watson: has a job she hates-like, needs to set two alarms in the morning hates. (Definitely not ex-military, then!) Enjoyed her old job as a surgeon, though, before she killed a dude while operating. It’s unclear why she’s taken on this job she so clearly hates (at least at first) or how/why Holmes’ father got in touch with her to hire her to babysit his son. Aside from the job thing, she seems to have her life fairly well in order. Unlike Holmes, she takes pretty good care of herself.
Speaking of fathers-I didn’t understand why Watson’s father’s affair could be discovered by Googling her name-does that mean her father is a famous person? It’s conceivable to me that the incident of a surgeon who killed her patient on an operating table could be found by Googling, but that surgeon’s father’s affair? Or maybe I’m missing something.
I think a major issue is that I really hate Holmes’ apartment. Similar to the pilot itself, it seemed charmless, boring, hollow, cold, and vaguely creepy. I hope they will eventually move if the bees are not averse to it. I didn’t see a 221B anywhere, but again, maybe I’m just missing it.
No, it wasn’t all bad. The actors work with what they’re given. And I appreciate the humorous moments (the classic Watson facepalm! Holmes complaining that opera singers aren’t on key!) My favorite part was when Holmes stormed off after blowing up while interviewing a past victim and then after a while, Watson calmly strolled out and gave him the information he could have had before had he just been a little more calm and patient. But I also rather liked Watson enjoying baseball and wearing a baseball cap while watching. :)
I suppose the seeds of a good relationship are there, even if I’m not sensing much chemistry (romantic or otherwise) between the leads at the moment. I think Holmes will come to see how much he needs Watson, and Watson will find that Holmes makes her job much more fun than she had previously anticipated and brings meaning back to her life. But I think right now my main issue is that I’m basically agreeing with what Holmes says here: at least right now, he doesn’t actually need her. And she sure as hell doesn’t need him. So why are they together?
Honestly, if the main characters’ names were anything other than Holmes and Watson, I would have stopped watching after the first few minutes. Because it’s technically a Sherlock Holmes adaptation, though, I feel compelled to watch the whole season, regardless of how bored the pilot made me. So I guess CBS knew what they were doing in that respect.
I really wanted to like this show, so I hope the writing improves.
P.S. I suggest reading Ivyblossom’s review here, as she beautifully sums up everything I’m trying to say.
Back to my Sherlock Holmes Adaptations Masterlist: ( Taxi!)
[Kind of rambly/spoilery review]
There’s no point in comparing this to Sherlock; it’s like kicking a puppy, as Sherlock is so far blowing Elementary out of the water in every respect except the physical diversity of its characters. Very little about the first Elementary episode and Holmes and Watson’s relationship rang true or was fun or entertaining in any way, and while I know a little about them as characters, I don’t really care yet. It’s almost impossible to gauge the acting here given the script is so bad, which makes me feel sorry for Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu. This is just a pilot, though. Maybe the rest of the show will improve.
As for the pilot: I actually found the case rather hard to follow with all the plastic surgery and things, but not in a fun “I don’t really care about the cases, I just love the characters” kind of way. It’s possible this was a symptom of my boredom. Part of this was Holmes’s voice; he tends to speak rapidly while also being soft, meaning that I instantly lost about half of what he was saying with his deductions. But while I can usually just gloss over plot points I don’t understand because I’m busy being charmed by the Holmes-Watson relationship, that wasn’t really an option here.
Holmes: very much like a little kid with that light in his eyes. A little kid who uses drugs and kinky sex and adrenaline rushes to cover up the fact that he is sad and lonely. Rather slovenly in his habits; lives in his rich dad’s apartment with honey actively dripping from the ceiling (due to the bees on the roof, a cute touch). Also predicts bad TV dialogue for no apparent reason.
Watson: has a job she hates-like, needs to set two alarms in the morning hates. (Definitely not ex-military, then!) Enjoyed her old job as a surgeon, though, before she killed a dude while operating. It’s unclear why she’s taken on this job she so clearly hates (at least at first) or how/why Holmes’ father got in touch with her to hire her to babysit his son. Aside from the job thing, she seems to have her life fairly well in order. Unlike Holmes, she takes pretty good care of herself.
Speaking of fathers-I didn’t understand why Watson’s father’s affair could be discovered by Googling her name-does that mean her father is a famous person? It’s conceivable to me that the incident of a surgeon who killed her patient on an operating table could be found by Googling, but that surgeon’s father’s affair? Or maybe I’m missing something.
I think a major issue is that I really hate Holmes’ apartment. Similar to the pilot itself, it seemed charmless, boring, hollow, cold, and vaguely creepy. I hope they will eventually move if the bees are not averse to it. I didn’t see a 221B anywhere, but again, maybe I’m just missing it.
No, it wasn’t all bad. The actors work with what they’re given. And I appreciate the humorous moments (the classic Watson facepalm! Holmes complaining that opera singers aren’t on key!) My favorite part was when Holmes stormed off after blowing up while interviewing a past victim and then after a while, Watson calmly strolled out and gave him the information he could have had before had he just been a little more calm and patient. But I also rather liked Watson enjoying baseball and wearing a baseball cap while watching. :)
I suppose the seeds of a good relationship are there, even if I’m not sensing much chemistry (romantic or otherwise) between the leads at the moment. I think Holmes will come to see how much he needs Watson, and Watson will find that Holmes makes her job much more fun than she had previously anticipated and brings meaning back to her life. But I think right now my main issue is that I’m basically agreeing with what Holmes says here: at least right now, he doesn’t actually need her. And she sure as hell doesn’t need him. So why are they together?
Honestly, if the main characters’ names were anything other than Holmes and Watson, I would have stopped watching after the first few minutes. Because it’s technically a Sherlock Holmes adaptation, though, I feel compelled to watch the whole season, regardless of how bored the pilot made me. So I guess CBS knew what they were doing in that respect.
I really wanted to like this show, so I hope the writing improves.
P.S. I suggest reading Ivyblossom’s review here, as she beautifully sums up everything I’m trying to say.
Back to my Sherlock Holmes Adaptations Masterlist: ( Taxi!)