Post by: AshKetchum on Jul 30, 2012 at 08:49 AM
CBS will be unveiling its own remake of the Sherlock Holmes stories set in the modern era with Elementary, which will premiere this Fall. Elementary sees Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) traveling to New York City to check in a rehab center and ends up living in Brooklyn with roommate Joan Watson (Lucy Liu).
It's obvious that this series is harping on the popularity of the BBC's Sherlock, with a female Watson instead. Sue Vertue of Hartswood Films, which produces Sherlock, mentioned, "We have to assume that CBS' modernised Sherlock Holmes doesn't resemble ours in any way, as that would be extremely worrying; we will be looking at their finished pilot very closely for any infringement of our rights."
Post by: ravencreed on Sep 08, 2012 at 02:42 AM
Post by: firewired on Oct 01, 2012 at 08:43 AM
With a blurb like that on the promo banners, it was hard to take this Sherlock Holmes remake seriously. Throw in the New York angle and I imagined a CSI + Copper mash-up. Every time a series crosses over from the UK, the results are generally dire. Also, I'm also a big fan of Benedict Cumberbatch's ongoing series in the UK so my expectations were fairly low.
I was pleasantly surprised. Jonny Lee Miller isn't trying to be like Cumberbatch's Sherlock. He's quirky, brash and hyperactive. The energy feels different. The same holds true for the female version of Watson, played by Lucy Liu, which changes the chemistry of the relationship. She doesn't feel like a sidekick. I've seen comments criticizing Liu's performance, but I think this Watson is meant to be distant and guarded.
So how was the premiere? Not as clever as its British counterpart. Moffat thinks they changed too much, but that's expected. As a procedural, it was entertaining enough. I'm hoping it gets better after the first couple of episodes.
Post by: Mr. Hankey on Oct 01, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Maybe it was due to going in with low expectations, but I really enjoyed the show, and have added it to my already heavy TV watch list.
If I have one beef with the pilot, it's that Watson was the one who discovered the clue that ultimately solved the mystery. It felt untrue to the Sherlock Holmes mythology, and felt like it was a feminist/PC/star-power motivated plot development.
Post by: Dan on Oct 01, 2012 at 01:01 PM
The problem is it's no different than any show with a "genius" crimefighter and his sidekick. House M.D. had better presentation. So does Perception. I don't mind their relationship, the actors were alright in their roles, so I blame the director.
It was pretty standard fare and I could probably point out a handful of current shows that are the same if I had the time.
Post by: firewired on Oct 01, 2012 at 01:30 PM
Of all the derivative Sherlock shows, I still prefer The Mentalist with Patrick Jane. I really couldn't get into Perception. Came across as a bad version of Monk.
Post by: dobler on Oct 01, 2012 at 03:01 PM
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com//review/elementary-review-jonny-lee-miller-lucy-liu-371289
Post by: indie boi on Oct 01, 2012 at 04:00 PM
Moffat did say that with all the liberties taken, it's not the kind of Sherlock Holmes he was trying to make. Hankey, you're right. The Watson character came across as being too much of an equal.
Of all the derivative Sherlock shows, I still prefer The Mentalist with Patrick Jane. I really couldn't get into Perception. Came across as a bad version of Monk.
Agree about Perception -- it was a House/Monk clone. Not really engaging.
Agree with Dobler as well about Elementary. It didn't offer anything new. I'll watch the second and third episodes to see if it improves or I begin to like it.
Post by: Clondalkin on Oct 01, 2012 at 04:25 PM
Post by: Dan on Oct 01, 2012 at 04:33 PM
Moffat did say that with all the liberties taken, it's not the kind of Sherlock Holmes he was trying to make. Hankey, you're right. The Watson character came across as being too much of an equal.
Of all the derivative Sherlock shows, I still prefer The Mentalist with Patrick Jane. I really couldn't get into Perception. Came across as a bad version of Monk.
You're right! I watched up to the second ep. To be honest, I tuned in just for Rachel Leigh Cook. But no matter how hot I think she is I just couldn't invest any more time with it.
Post by: indie boi on Oct 01, 2012 at 06:35 PM
Agree about Perception -- it was a House/Monk clone. Not really engaging.
Agree with Dobler as well about Elementary. It didn't offer anything new. I'll watch the second and third episodes to see if it improves or I begin to like it.
Oops, I meant Dan not Dobler. :)
Post by: Mr. Hankey on Oct 01, 2012 at 06:46 PM
I just read during the weekend that this new series is one of those in trouble of being cancelled.
I'm surprised by that, and am wondering where you read this, since all I saw this weekend were articles on how pleased CBS was with the very good ratings of the Elementary pilot:
http://www.examiner.com/article/elementary-and-revolution-among-ratings-winners-new-tv-season
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57522656/thursday-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-elementary-premiere-with-solid-numbers/
http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/28/last-resort-debuts-to-disappointing-ratings-elementary-starts-strong
Maybe it was a site ran by BBC Sherlock-devotee naysayers?
Agree about Perception -- it was a House/Monk clone. Not really engaging.
Forced my way through that pilot, and quickly decided that for me, it wasn't worth giving a second episode try.
Post by: anya618 on Dec 19, 2018 at 05:39 AM
Post by: Columbia on Dec 19, 2018 at 06:32 AM
CBS Cancels Elementary Ahead of its Season 7 Premiere (https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/1019797-cbs-cancels-elementary)Damn.. I like this show very much..
Sent from my Nokia 5110