Friday, October 5, 2012

TV Review: Elementary Episode # 2 - "While You Were Sleeping"


Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu as Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson in Elementary Episode # 2
Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu as Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson

A young man is murdered as he enters his apartment. A neighbor observes a woman as she leaves the apartment. Gregson (as expected) “consults” Sherlock on the case. Sherlock is delighted as this gives him a much needed excuse to skip the drug addiction recovery sessions he is forced to endure thanks to Watson.

As Sherlock works on the case, he discovers the existence of fraternal twins and a large inheritance at stake. A separate subplot involved Joan Watson and her ex-boyfriend, Ty Morstan (Bill Heck). This subplot did not add to the show's appeal in any way and felt more like a tactic to attract the female audience.

The mystery itself is pretty decent. The “drama” enacted by Holmes near the climax though was plain elementary.

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This episode was a big comedown from the pilot episode. The acting by Jonny Lee Miller goes all haywire. He seems to be heavily influenced by the performances of both Robert Downey Jr and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Right now, Miller’s take on the legendary detective looks quite uninspired. After watching this episode, it is really hard not to think of this show as a blatant attempt to cash in on the current hot streak Sherlock Holmes is enjoying in popular culture.

Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes in Elementary Episode # 2 While You Were Sleeping
Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes

Lucy Liu on the other hand is still fine as Joan Watson. Unfortunately, she has nothing new to do in this episode. It is the same old getting to know Sherlock routine. This still might have worked, if only the Holmes-Watson interactions were any good let alone exceptional. Unfortunately, that is not the case here.

Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes in Elementary Episode # 2 While You Were Sleeping
Sherlock Holmes always liked locks

On to the trivia section. Here are the Canonical references:
1.   In the novel A Study in Scarlet, Holmes refers to the human mind as an attic that he fills only with relevant data. Miller’s Sherlock makes the same statement.
2.   Miller’s Sherlock identifies a particular brand of deodorant. This reminded me of a similar deduction made by Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles from the note of warning sent to Sir Henry Baskerville.
3.   Miller’s Sherlock comments to Watson about how easy it is to fake a certain medical condition. The faking of a medical condition is a major part of the story The Adventure of the Dying Detective.
4.   In the story The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton, Holmes displays his burgling kit, complete with keys, glass-cutter and a jimmy. This episode has a scene where Sherlock is playing with locks.
5.   Sherlock playing the violin is one of his trademark attributes from the Canon. The episode ends with Sherlock playing his violin.

Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu as Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson in Elementary Episode # 2 While You Were Sleeping
Watson reintroduces Holmes to his violin

For all these references to the original stories, the passable mystery and Liu’s efforts, the whole episode seems like a half-hearted effort. Uninspired – the one word sums up the episode in a nutshell.

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Image Source: CBS

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