Elementary 1.05 and other things

[selenak]

As per usual, eh on the case, hooray for Holmes-Watson interaction and developing relationship. It was great to see Joan in her medical territory and get the previous hints confirmed that her current job is her own choice, as opposed to being caused by a permanent sanction; she was only suspended for a few months, and it's the combination of the loss of confidence and need to atone that drove her not to return. That, and she is good at being a sober companion. But as I said on various occasions, relationships a story wants me to be invested in should tell me why both parties get something out of it, so I'm very happy indeed this episode shows much as Joan helps Sherlock (as a sober companion, dealing with his addiction, as someone to solve his cases with), Sherlock also helps Joan; his admiration for her medical skills and confidence in them seem to indicate to me Joan's arc for the first season will see her back at being a surgeon once her tenure as Sherlock's sober companion ends. At which point they'll have become a team that stays together (in the crime solving and friendship way) by choice. Two damaged people helping each other heal is a favourite trope of mine if it's done in an engaging way.


In other news: refreshing memories of the Yuletide fandom means constantly going "damm, *insert name of creator of fannish source* really was the best at this stuff" constantly. Also, I think I might have an idea.


Unreleated: Welcome to Wolfram & Hart: The Semi-Complete Guide To Evil is hysterical if you're an Angel fan (and enjoyed the corporate satire elements in the show, such as the Holland Manners memorial video in s2 or the W & H training video in s5). Choice quote: We want your stay at Wolfram & Hart to be the best—and last—job you’ll ever have. You can make that happen by complying with all rules and regulations, submitting without question to our every whim and making generous contributions to the charity of our choice (generally, drug dealers or houses of ill repute, but we’re also open to investigating new, needy beneficiaries).

Work hard. Play hard. We believe in a healthy work-life balance, especially since the work-afterlife balance will be so much more difficult. We promote excellence, so please, be excellent or be prepared to explain to Senior Partners.

And remember, in the words of Dr. E.L. Kersten, founder and COO of Despair, Inc. (www.despair.com): “You can do anything you set your mind to when you have vision, determination and an endless supply of expendable labor.”

Now get to work being evil. We’re watching you.

Comments

[lonelywalker]

Joan's arc for the first season will see her back at being a surgeon once her tenure as Sherlock's sober companion ends

I'd agree, except you wouldn't think being a surgeon would leave too much time for crime-fighting. The Watson in the original books seemed to have the most low-maintenance (or just not very successful) practice ever.

[selenak]

You have a point, but she has to earn her living somehow. Especially since we've yet to spot a paying client for Holmes!

[lonelywalker]

I thought Holmes' mysterious father was paying her? And Holmes got paid by the Wall Street guys from last week.

[selenak]

Yes, Holmes' father is paying her now. But presumably not forever; they named a definite period (three months, I think?) in the pilot, after which she's no longer his sober companion and thus, I guess, won't be paid by Dad anymore.

Good point about the Wall Street guys, though!

[lonelywalker]

I thought it was 6 weeks, actually, meaning next episode might be crunch time. Perhaps they'll work out a way to have her be his sober companion full time. Or Holmes could just pay her to be a real assistant. I'd love her to work as a doctor again, it just doesn't seem very feasible to do both, unless all their cases were suddenly hospital-based.

[lilacsigil]

I'm wondering if Joan will go back to a medical job of some kind but not a surgeon. A patient advocate, or a diagnostic job, or an ethics board.

[monanotlisa]

My thought too: hospital may not be the place to return to, but another medical job that combines her newfound skills of (and interest in!) deduction...

[monanotlisa]

I never thought I'd be looking forward to this show so much: generally, the plots are not particularly twisty, but I enjoy their dynamics so much.

HOLMES: Caucasians. They're a kind of bee.
WATSON: *bone-dry* Of course they are.

Aware show is aware!

[selenak]

Definitely my comfort food tv right now, with the most enjoyable m & f friendship dynamic at its center that I've seen in a long time!