I've been a fan of Sherlock Holmes from books to movies
since I was a kid. The books may be what drew some fans in but for me it was
growing up with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce and Holmes and Watson, solving
crimes by using brains instead of brawn. The recent films starring Robert
Downey Jr. are a favorite now as is SHERLOCK on BBC starring Benedict
Cumberbatch. Add to that a new updated version of Holmes in the CBS series
ELEMENTARY, the first season of which was just released on DVD.
Johnny Lee Miller stars as the famous sleuth in current
times New York. Having recently moved from England his wealthy father has set
out to help him by hiring a full time sobriety partner to aid Holmes with his
drug addiction problem (fans of the books will recall Holmes dabbled in cocaine
use). It seems that a problematic case led to Holmes downfall but he insists
he's cured and not in need of help. His sobriety partner, Dr. Joan Watson (Lucy
Liu), isn't interested in his opinion since she was hired by his father.
Watson brings along baggage of her own. Her career as a
surgeon was cut short by problems she had that led to a mistake. It doesn't
take long for Holmes to ferret this out. Knowing that an attempt to dismiss her
would be futile he instead takes her along with him whenever the New York
police department calls on him to assist in a case.
When in London Holmes made a friend of New York detective
Capt. Toby Grayson (Aidan Quinn). Realizing what a help he could be in certain
cases, Grayson calls on Holmes when the unusual case pops up. Fortunately for
the series that happens at least once a week.
The cases the duo work on range from wealthy Wall Street
denizens to mercy killings in hospitals to plane crash victims. Each time while
the rest of the New York police department thinks there is no foul play
involved Holmes proves them wrong. As the series plays out we also come find
out about why Holmes began using drugs and who pushed him in that direction. It
was his infamous arch enemy, Moriarty.
What makes this series work is the interplay between the two
lead characters. Miller's take on Holmes is a quick thinker who sees the world
completely different from everyone else. Nearly everything within eye sight is
a clue and the fact that others can't recognize this is something that often
infuriates him.
Watson on the other hand is more interested in keeping
Holmes sober, the job she was hired for. Throughout season one the opportunity
for him to fall off the wagon comes on rare occasions and eventually even
Watson realizes that he part in helping him is better served as a companion
when it comes to his cases. Watson becomes someone to bounce ideas off of and
eventually someone that Holmes decides would be better served as an apprentice
of sorts. It's a choice that Watson eventually faces before the season ends.
Placed in the hands of lesser actors this series would fall
flat on its face. But both Miller and Liu bring something fresh to an age old
story that works incredibly well. Miller's frenetic movements and habits as
Holmes give him an edge that replaces the physical aspects of most detectives
seen on TV these days. Liu's interest in helping Holmes through his problems
while sorting out her own demons is played without bringing into the role a
romance that would seem out of place with these two. While they have a respect
for each other and what they can both do turning this into MOONLIGHTING or
CASTLE would ruin it. It's better that they play off of one another than fall
in love.
The series has been renewed for a second season and thank
goodness for that. It makes watching TV worthwhile when it's on. Until that
season starts, and for those who made the mistake of missing it, the first
season on DVD is one worth adding to your collection. While being a Sherlock
Holmes fan helps your enjoyment of the series isn't dependant on that. Instead
just sit back and try to solve each case with Watson before the end of each
show.
Click here to order.
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