Elementary 2.06

[selenak]

In which the theme of the hour is partnerships.



It's been a while since we've had an episode in which Gregson was a key character. I appreciate that the episode didn't go for the obvious cop's-family-in-danger tale (i.e. he gets to save his wife from lethal danger, problems magically solved), and that in fact the danger turned out to be a misunderstanding, though I'm still not sure whether Gregson's marriage as an example of a long term partnership in trouble, but potentially savable, to be contrasted with the Holmes & Watson relationship as a young partnership, also working through current troubles, really worked for me, not least because we've never seen or heard from Gregson's wife before, and the problems between them are the standard married cop's type. However, the Gregson and Holmes scenes triggered by all this were wonderful, showcasing Holmes' enormous respect and affection for the man, and in a way that's true to neither of them being the let's-talk-about-our-feelings type.

The Holmes and Watson scenes were golden. With, again, both the problem - Holmes inadvertendly ruining a chance to learn for Watson because he solves a case she was asked to - and the solution - proving professional respect and personal trust by handing her the cases he himself could never solve - being perfectly in character. This show always has its biggest awwwwwww moments in a quiet, understated way, and Holmes explaining to Watson what is in the box he gave her was one such, taking its place in the best-of-Holmes & Watson scenes along such hits as him sitting next to her when she's waiting for the addict ex who won't come.

Case of the week: avarage, the twist that it wasn't really about Gregson or Gregson's wife but smuggling of illegal antiquities aside. Also, it had a perfect nod to Doyle canon via the importance of the fact the dog didn't bark. :) On the downside, if I never hear the term "feminazi" (along with "grammar nazi", "anything nazi") again it'll be too soon, but I've already written that rant.

Comments

[king_touchy]

I appreciate that the episode didn't go for the obvious cop's-family-in-danger tale (i.e. he gets to save his wife from lethal danger)

Me, too; I like best how Greg's wife (I'm bad with names) was no wilting flower, too. She got to her handgun and left quite a nice grouping of shots in the door, and then she could describe the invader's gun, specifically, and the man himself, volunteering that she'd remember his voice. All this even as she was shaken up, as one tends to be when threatened by violence in one's own home, and still she used those skills probably learned as a cop's wife. Interesting how Greg came around from jealousy to respect, mostly by himself, but then all the way once Holmes pointed out a few of his keen observations. The show remains respectful of women. Astonishing. (And sad that this has to be considered astonishing, the exception rather than the rule of female characters on TV).

[selenak]

True. It shouldn't be extraordinary, but it still is. :(

[jesuswasbatman]

I hope the use of "feminazi" was to signal a character as unpleasant.

[cadenzamuse]

It wasn't. :( It was used by Sherlock in complaining about a female dog (owned by a female character who was part of this week's case) who tended to be aggressive towards men.