Sherlock Holmes will have to keep his wits about him in the new season of Elementary
|||Sherlock Holmes’s daddy issues have shadowed him for the past three seasons of Elementary. Now, his wealthy father makes an appearance, writes Debashine Thangevelo
SHERLOCK Holmes has been adapted for the big and small screens for many years. It’s classic whodunit storytelling that continues to find a devoted audience.
Although the British version, with Benedict Cumberbatch playing the eponymous hero, and with Martin Freeman as Dr John Watson, remains a firm favourite, Robert Doherty decided to execute the story of Sherlock Holmes in today’s world.
In this way, it was more relatable.
Yes, jaws gaped in horror at such a blasphemous act.
Four seasons in, the misgivings have transformed into praise.
Doherty’s contemporary facelift is a hit along with his casting of Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr Joan Watson.
Again, he went against the grain with casting a female in the latter role.
However, the dynamics worked beautifully in their playground – New York. Lee Miller brought intensity, a sense of detachment and pure genius to his character, while Liu played his equal/protégé in a more nurturing and warm light.
Their distinct differences – personality- wise – complemented each other as they bonded over the seasons. In fact, their friendship, sans sexual tension, which would have muddled things, became a character in the storytelling.
The two have weathered a few storms so far: Dr Watson moving out and embarking on a romantic relationship that looked promising before he was killed; and Holmes taking on a new and promisingly talented sidekick, Kitty – a sort of emotional substitute for him, it seemed.
That time apart helped them realise a lot about themselves and their friendship and it wasn’t long before the crime-solving partnership resumed.
Season four picks up with Sherlock Holmes again dealing with the ramifications of his heroin use.
In a heartfelt chat with Captain Thomas Gregson, Holmes admitted: “I chose to use heroin. That was my choice. I’ve recovered before and I will do that again.”
Aside from it costing him his consultancy position with the New York City Police Department – although, I doubt it will be for very long – Holmes is also preparing himself for the possibility of some jail time after he assaulted Oscar.
Of course, no episode is complete without a case to be solved amid the personal trials and tribulations.
Unfortunately, the case involves an old nemesis, Jonathan Bloom, who claims to be innocent regarding the disappearance of two women in 2010.
His first response to Bloom is: “I have a no sadist policy!”
When Bloom decides to kill himself, he forces Holmes’s hand. Not that he harbours any remorse for his passing. He says to Watson: “A bad man let his brains out for some fresh air!”
Although she is no longer Holmes’s sober companion, Watson remains fiercely protective of him and this is most transparent in a scene when she threatens one of Morland Holmes’s (played by John Noble) employees to ensure that he doesn’t renege on his upcoming visit.
And when father and son eventually come face-to-face, it is a tsunami of barbed insults.
Holmes says: “My compliments to the virgins whose blood you bathe in.”
The tension is palpable and smacks of what is to come in the following episodes. More so when his father says: “You’ve made a mess, Sherlock. I’m here to fix it!”
In the meantime, the fate of Holmes and Watson and their consultancy service remains up in the air, with her suggesting a “commuting consultants” option.
As far as the cases go, Holmes sums it up best when he says: “Justice is like an orgasm, it can never come too late.”
Elementary is penned with the most witty lines and weirdly perplexing cases. But the best part of the show is watching our two favourite characters scrutinise the evidence before piecing together the clues that lead to the perpetrator/s of the crime.
Elementary 4, on M-Net, Tuesday, June 7 at 9.30pm.