“This is clean beyond me, Mr. Holmes. We saw you when we returned from Tunbridge Wells last night, and you were in general agreement with our results. What has happened since then to give you a completely new idea of the case?”
– The Valley Of Fear, 1914
Sherlock Holmes is a tough man to kill.
When Arthur Conan Doyle sent Sherlock Holmes over the Reichenbach Falls in 1893, there was public uproar from devoted readers. “Keep Holmes Alive” clubs popped up across England, and apocryphal stories abound of crowds in mourning armbands chasing Doyle’s carriage, or the furious woman with an umbrella who assaulted the author in the street. Ten years later (after a prequel that only whetted the masses’ appetite), Doyle gave in and published “The Adventure Of The Empty House,” complete with explanations about how the clever detective had outsmarted death itself, so that the Sherlock Holmes stories could continue after all.
Unrelated: Elementary is back!
Elementary has had its ups and downs—a stellar first season it never quite matched again, arcs of varying efficacy and emotional impact, a tendency to prioritize cool case particulars over character depth—but overall, it was a fairly steady ship to sail, gently deconstructing some tenets of the Holmes canon from within the familiar framework of the weekly procedural.
And despite a renewal from CBS two episodes into the sixth season, things must have felt uncertain for the show itself, as things took an autumnal turn into questions of legacy and endings. The finale (originally meant to cap the 13-episode season) felt like the series’ farewell; events pushed our detectives out of New York, and it all ended with a nod to the original canon—Holmes and Watson wandering off into the London bustle, from the threshold of old 221-B.
But this Holmes is as hard to kill as any other, and with “The Further Adventures,” our two consulting detectives are back on the case. Well, two cases. Well, three cases. Well, three cases and Lucrezia Borgia’s poison ring.
At this point, you know the overall shape of what you’re getting. Joan and Sherlock will solve a crime that’s more than meets the eye and often dances around any dark underbellies (those deliberately-vague “zealots” responsible for many of those 200 other acid attacks conveniently have nothing to do with the case at hand). They’ll be joined by a familiar face (Kitty, now the level-headed liaison between a pair of disasters). Obviously, all is not quite well in London; obviously, sooner rather than later, something beckons them home.
But if you’re here, it’s probably not for the overall shape. The best moments of this show are still the small things. Tamsin Greig (as a world-weary DCI) and Saffron Burrows (a genteelly vengeful tabloid maven) are clearly having fun, and are both the useful sort that Joan and Sherlock might have reason to call on again. In the absence of our heroes, Marcus and Gregson have been forced to talk to each other–Marcus’ transfer to the Marshals has been conveniently postponed, which gives Jon Michael Hill and Aidan Quinn the chance for a decently chewy scene of Marcus dropping the bomb that he knows who really killed Michael Rowan.
And, of course, there’s Joan and Sherlock, who have a nicely bitter fight as their months of determined case-solving in London give way to some much less cozy truths: Sherlock might be happy to be home, but Joan sure isn’t, and each of them is harboring plenty of blame.
There are quibbles, of course. Of course Joan is prickly about having thrown in her lot with Sherlock (throughout the years we’ve gotten hints she struggles with issues of connection and obligation almost as much as Sherlock does), but her resentment at being so far from family and “all my friends” would hold more water if we had seen those family and friends enough to think of them as recurring characters. Otherwise, honestly, skip it and keep her truth closer to home. There was a time she was going it alone and the partnership was slow to rebuild; keeping secrets again would be enough of a sign that there’s trouble.
But as always, the center—Joan and Sherlock’s relationship—holds. They have the intimacy of long acquaintance (Joan knows something is wrong as soon as Sherlock starts being nice), and Lucy Liu and Jonny Lee Miller are always great together. It brings a welcome immediacy to this fight. Joan snapping “Then what the hell is this?” is one of the most honest moments of anger we’ve ever seen from her, but in a way that suggests intimacy as much as frustration. (The two of them always struggle to be honest about their fears, even in the middle of a fight; the fact that she cut the shit so early is practically progress.) Sherlock closing the episode with a touching apology is a more familiar rhythm than Joan getting to be angry, but Joan’s anger gives this one more weight; Sherlock offers nothing but the truth and the awkward shrug of a man who’s avoiding thinking about the worst-case future.
Hanging over this reconciliation is the unresolved question of how much pressure there really is on Joan to stay, especially on top of Sherlock throwing himself on his sword to save her from getting framed for murder. It’s neatly positioned to create an obligation that Joan can’t get out from under without a fight. (She’s certainly quick to wonder if Sherlock is planning to “hold it over my head for the rest of my life,” which takes him more aback than it probably should.)
But here, in another familiar rhythm, Elementary offers more plot; with the literal call from New York (where Gregson lies unconscious in a hospital room), the question of obligation sounds like it will soon shift back with them to other shores, where another case is waiting, just like always, for the detecting only the two of them can do.
Stray observations
- “If only you hadn’t committed a completely unrelated crime just one day later.” If I had a nickel for every time I heard that one.
- I’m so glad Kitty talked about Joan’s hair as a cry for help; this is a very out-of-character change for Joan and I appreciate they made it a plot point. Better a plot point than the I Thought My Contract Was Up wig.
- The “Abbey Grange” case that Sherlock references in passing feels like a story that Elementary should do more with than just a mention; here’s hoping.
- I like the shot in the interrogation room that’s an infinite hall of mirrors of our two heroes and DCI Jones, who I’m going to miss. Maybe she can fly over and arm-wrestle Gregson over which one of them is more long-suffering.
- Ah yes, sending an obvious stool pigeon into a building and loudly discussing the outcome 50 feet from the door: Sherlock Holmes, the best detective on either side of the Atlantic!
- “[My father] used to host orgies here for his decrepit friends. Like Eyes Wide Shut but with more ear hair.” Saffron Burrows enjoyed that one.
- If the show plans to continue the premiere tradition of seeding one or two seemingly-innocuous statements that come to inform the season’s designated emotional arc, let it be this: “Watson doesn’t run to anything. Let alone me.”
31 Comments
since this is in ‘uncategorized’ instead of the usual tag for the show am I to guess we might not be getting weekly reviews?
Damn. I got excited for a minute there.C’mon, AV Club, it’s the final season and it’s a summer show! Give us the reviews back!
I was so happy to see Ophelia Lovibond as Kitty in this episode, but don’t have my hopes up for how much more of her we will see this season. I liked how she told Sherlock that she wanted Joan to stay in London too, but that might not be what was best for her, which seemed to apply to us, too. I love this show & Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu are my favorite Holmes & Watson, individually and together
I’m SO glad Kitty is back.
And I’m guessing Gregson dies, Holmes and Watson come back to solve his murder and then Bell goes back to London with them. Either that or they find a way to stay in New York. I can’t see them leaving the cast split for long.
Bell will stay and take over as captain, tyvm. Watson stays in NY, Sherlock in London and they’ll consult with occasional visits. The end.
I am surprised this episode worked as well as it did with the cast being split between the two locations, I would imagine the rest of the season will be in New York (or mostly so) though, I agree, that doesn’t seem practical.
Actually, I’m thinking (hoping?) the season is mostly going to be in London.
Gregson dies, Bell goes off to join the Marshalls (and does a guest 3 episode arc in London later in the season – perhaps related to Gregson’s death) and the DCI is the new “Gregson+Bell” foil for Holmes and Watson.
It would be weird for Bell to not join the marshals after all the set-up they have done for that but I question if he can really leave the precinct now that there is Gregson’s shooting to investigate
I hope Gregson dies, because there is no way Sherlock can work with him after what happened. Even forgetting the fact that Gregson allowed Joan to be framed for murder and blamed Sherlock for being the reason a serial killer murdered his daughter’s friend, Gregson is now a corrupt cop who covered up a murder. His sole function is to perform as Sherlock’s legal leash, making him do things by the book. Sherlock may understand why Gregson did what he did, and he absolutely would have done it himself, but he can’t respect a hypocrite.The only problem I have with Gregson dying is that is always the tv shortcut- good person does bad thing for logical reason, dies before they have to face consequences. I knew they would end up back in NY, but I’m disappointed it happens after only 1 episode in London. I’d prefer the rest of the season to be in London away from Gregson and Bell. Bell is still great, and I loved that he figured the whole thing out and called Gregson on it, but it took some twisty nonsense to keep him in NY instead of moving on in his career with the marshals. The only person in NY I want to see is the coroner, and maybe Antoine.
My theory is Gregson dies but stays alive long enough to clear Sherlock’s name, Bell gets offered captaincy of the 11th Precinct and takes it, and Bell brings Holmes and Watson back as consultants.I wish they’d keep the show in London personally, I liked the DCI and I am a huge fan of Kitty. But it seems like they’re not willing to drop the NYC setting.
This episode wasn’t the most exciting hour of Elementary that I’ve ever seen, but the show’s writers and producers definitely deserve credit for both making sure that all the characters that the audience really wants an update on appear (Kitty, Gregson, and Bell, or course, but also Clyde). Also, Saffron Burrows and the DCI are much more fun than characters who really only have to fulfill generic functions need to be. On top of those perks, the writers seem to have answered all of the important and immediate questions that were left hanging from last season (How are Holmes and Watson doing in London? What’s happening with Gregson after he let Sherlock take the fall for Hannah? Is Bell a marshall yet?) while setting up a Holmes/Watson conflict and a probable return to New York for an it wasn’t supposed to be happen season. Color me impressed.Also, shout out to Elementary’s producers. I’m impressed that they managed to wrangle Ophelia Lovibond, Aidan Quinn and Jon Michael Hill (Are they still under contract for the season?), and three awesome British actors into a wait, are we still making this show season premiere.
I’m also just glad Kitty got better after touching that Infinity Stone.
Yeah that was scary
Darn. Didn’t watch. Have been ‘regular viewer’ from start. Haven’t seen every episode though –> Ha! Advertisers didn’t reach me!! (shakes angry raised fist @ American Capitalist/Consumer Econ Environ Model System!! They’re Stealing. My Soul! 😉 Wish I had more beer.
It really was a quiet, quiet return. I don’t recall seeing an ad at all.
There were some CBS all access promos online, and I think a few mentions in the daytime hours shows.
Looks like it’ll be another fun season!
Yes, I hope we’re back to weekly reviews from Genevieve this season.(!) Yes, Archi, ME Hawes will be back. While I think that last night’s episode did well with New York-dressed-as-London, it will be nice for the cinematography to capture actual location shooting, than having a foreground tree trunk blocking too-much-New-Yawk in an otherwise London street scene. Destructive Rec, I agree that the writers of this episode Doherty and Jasonthe important and immediate questions that were left hanging from last season” and the “I’m so glad Kitty talked about Joan’s hair as a cry for help; this is a
very out-of-character change for Joan and I appreciate they made it a
plot point. Better a plot point than the I Thought My Contract Was Up
wig” point. Unlike the non-mention of Gregson/Quinn’s hair dyeing a few seasons ago (that would have been perfect for Sherlock’s unwanted nosy deductions on Gregson’s personal life). The very many Canon references did not feel forced to me and DCI Athenley Jones (from Doyle’s Sign of Four) felt very much like a lived in character from the opening scenes. I was also satisfied with the mystery[s] of the week. I liked Beppo’s (from the “Six Napoleons”, but in this case the “Six Kitschy Royal Family and Baby Busts”) smile at Clyde’s spacious terrarium (he must be a pet person) as one of the turtle’s two appearances—although from the season six finale, I would have thought Clyde was at 221A. So, not a great episode but very good for what it had to do as a season opener. PS, Gregson won’t die. Elementary is all about family and as grumpy Papa Bear, Gregson needs to be redeemed from fallen idol to faulty, but accepted, kin.
I hope Kitty being in the first episode is a sign that we’re going to see all of the still-alive major recurring characters reappear. Natalie Dormer is long overdue to return and John Noble is always welcome.
Natalie Dormer is likely out of their price range at this point, but she’s always a welcome addition.
Natalie doesn’t seem to have done much since Thrones. Looks like mostly genre stuff, not “serious” cinema. https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1754059/filmotype/actress?ref_=m_nmfm_1
I would also like to see Betty Gilpin as Fiona again, though that might be too much to ask for
Forgot about her. If they can figure out an organic way to bring her back, then for sure.But while we’re at it, Rich Sommer’s Harlan Emple and Ato Essandoh’s Alfredo Llamosa should be easy to fit in assuming the show is returning to NYC for most of the season as it seems.
The resolution of the main case—(spoiler) the doctor did it to cover up malpractice—was remarkable for its stupidity. A doctor throws acid at a woman’s face because he performed a rhinoplasty instead of an eyelid tuck and didn’t want to face a lawsuit, so instead he maims her face…how is that an improvement on his situation? Wow, that about the worst the show has come up with.On the other hand, the interview with Saffron Burrow’s character was everything I love about this show. It had wit, heart, intelligence, and just enough bite to elevate it beyond the rest of the CBS crime shows. More of this, and less of the crude plotting, and I’ll be able to savor this last season.
A doctor throws acid at a woman’s face because he performed a
rhinoplasty instead of an eyelid tuck and didn’t want to face a lawsuit,
so instead he maims her face…how is that an improvement on his
situation?
I assume he thought that if he’d gotten away with it, no one would have known he’d messed up in the first place. But what if the model had survived and told people what he did to her? Was he expecting her to die or commit suicide (which she did), or did he just not think things through? Yeah, this guy wasn’t the smartest villain that Holmes and Watson have ever faced, although the sheer nastiness and pettiness of his crime is remarkable.However, the case came off as filler between the scenes that really mattered—the setup for this final season, with our heroes’ new status quo barely established before it’s horrifically upended. It’s great that Elementary is back, although it’s also sad that we’re losing it, especially while less deserving shows go on forever and ever. I too hope that Genevieve will be able to do weekly reviews, especially since it looks like Gregson’s shooting will lead to a story arc underlying the entire season.
Tamsin Greig is one of my favourite actresses, but largely a comedic actress so I didn’t feel her animosity towards Watson was especially annoying. More irritating were all the other ‘cor blimey guvnor!’ Londoners and British number plates slapped on American cars. I agree, Joan’s missing of her ‘friends and family’ might have been more meaningful if we had seen her real connections with friends – we did get a bit of her family.I would have thought Miller and Lui are both ready to move on after all this time so quite surprising this season even happened.
I’m glad Clyde is back, but he needs more screen time.
The “Abbey Grange” case that Sherlock references in passing feels like a story that Elementary should do more with than just a mention; here’s hoping.
Re referencing ACD stories, this one is based on The Six Napoleons which IIRC was made into a Basil Rathbone/SH movie.
This show is fantastic and I’m glad it’s back for one more season. Let’s GO!
By the way, currently this review does not seem to be grouped with the other Elementary reviews on the site. Cheers.
The most recent airing, week of June 9th, is their worst episode ever. It was an hour of main characters telling us a convoluted, boring story for which we witnessed virtually nothing. And I know Lucy Liu is no Oscar winner, but Jesus, she visibly struggles to remember her lines and recite them, let alone “act” them. The quality of work between between her and every other actor (even the guest parts) is palbable. And they’ve trumped up a complete bail on London with a ludicrous plot line that we couldn’t even understand upon rewinding it. It was a good show but it’s left with half-wit writers and disintersted production until it is mercifully over.