Elementary 5.01
Oct. 4th, 2016 08:03 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakPreviously, on Elementary: loved the first season, had mixed feelings about the second one, loved the third season, had mixed feelings about the fourth one, am hoping for the reverse of the Star Trek even numbered movies curse and thus a good fifth season.
As season openers go, this was a low key but good one; no cliffhanger situation from the previous season to resolve for our heroes. Instead, it mixed the case of the week with good character stuff for Joan and the Holmes-Watson partnership, and introduced what looks like a new recurring character.
I like that the writers have found something to explore about Joan which I hadn't thought of but which in hindsight seems obvious; the element that her previous careers as surgeon and sober companion have in common, but her career as a detective is lacking, fulfilling as the later is to her otherwise. It also showcases both what remains consistent and what as evolved in Sherlock and their relationship. He picks up up an element of frustration/dissatisfaction in her, and s2 Sherlock would have let this drive him into a ful-fledged panic at the idea of her possibly leaving him for another job, would have made it all about his issues; several years later, he does poke and prod until she talks about what's bothering her, but he doesn't make it about himself or his issues, and instead comes up with a solution tailored to what Joan needs. This is why I love Elementary' version of the Holmes & Watson partnership so much; it's such a mutual thing of being there for each other, and following them for years, the way they've made each other better has been a pleasure to watch (occasional mixed feelings about mishandled storylines and plots notwithstanding).
Shinwell (spelling?), the new character, ties in the case of the week not because he's actually involved, though he's briefly used as a red herring, but because he's a reply to what otherwise is an obvious issue - two ex cons as the evil doers of the week making for a "eh, criminals never change, why bother letting them out" message. I'm reminded a bit of how the show introduced Kitty, deliberately making her look a bit suspicious for the first few episodes, along with making it clear she's troubled. Shinwell could become Joan's Kitty; someone she can mentor who in turn helps her, and who provides a new perspective on her relationship with Sherlock. That he's not just an ex-con but a former drug dealer makes for an obvious challenge/ interesting dynamic set up there.
In conclusion: bring on the new season, I'm cautiously optimistic.
As season openers go, this was a low key but good one; no cliffhanger situation from the previous season to resolve for our heroes. Instead, it mixed the case of the week with good character stuff for Joan and the Holmes-Watson partnership, and introduced what looks like a new recurring character.
I like that the writers have found something to explore about Joan which I hadn't thought of but which in hindsight seems obvious; the element that her previous careers as surgeon and sober companion have in common, but her career as a detective is lacking, fulfilling as the later is to her otherwise. It also showcases both what remains consistent and what as evolved in Sherlock and their relationship. He picks up up an element of frustration/dissatisfaction in her, and s2 Sherlock would have let this drive him into a ful-fledged panic at the idea of her possibly leaving him for another job, would have made it all about his issues; several years later, he does poke and prod until she talks about what's bothering her, but he doesn't make it about himself or his issues, and instead comes up with a solution tailored to what Joan needs. This is why I love Elementary' version of the Holmes & Watson partnership so much; it's such a mutual thing of being there for each other, and following them for years, the way they've made each other better has been a pleasure to watch (occasional mixed feelings about mishandled storylines and plots notwithstanding).
Shinwell (spelling?), the new character, ties in the case of the week not because he's actually involved, though he's briefly used as a red herring, but because he's a reply to what otherwise is an obvious issue - two ex cons as the evil doers of the week making for a "eh, criminals never change, why bother letting them out" message. I'm reminded a bit of how the show introduced Kitty, deliberately making her look a bit suspicious for the first few episodes, along with making it clear she's troubled. Shinwell could become Joan's Kitty; someone she can mentor who in turn helps her, and who provides a new perspective on her relationship with Sherlock. That he's not just an ex-con but a former drug dealer makes for an obvious challenge/ interesting dynamic set up there.
In conclusion: bring on the new season, I'm cautiously optimistic.
