Elementary

Fair warning: Some of this is going to be about Elementary, but most of it is going to be about Sherlock Holmes.

My early impression of the show was that it was predictable. Not a positive critique, I know. But it wasn't boring. The story was fun and moved along with good pace. Eventually I realized I had been sucked into the plot without even noticing. My official opinion: Binge it!

Now I'm going to address an issue that confused people at the very beginning of the show. Why did CBS decide to start a modern day Sherlock Holmes show, featuring a main character actually named Sherlock Holmes, when BBC was doing the same thing? (See Sherlock)

First of all, CBS and BBC are separate entities and are allowed to do what they want. Yikes! Back off!

Second, they really are different shows. While the BBC/Moffat/Gatiss took their show in a direction which replayed the original stories in a modern light, Elementary simply recast the character of Sherlock Holmes in New York City, and let the stories follow.

I want to clarify that when I say "simply" I don't mean to imply that they undertook an easier path than Sherlock. The story lines do incorporate some other classic characters, but they have their own, unique plot lines that have a lot to live up to with the plethora of Sherlock Holmes remakes and re-imaginings that are out there already. And I do believe that they stand their ground.

And that's no mean feat.

A Study in Scarlet was first published by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, and he continued publishing stories until 1927. Just so you don't have to do the math, that's 40 years. That's four novels and so many short stories that I didn't want to count them. (I'm sure someone else has and has published a tweet or something.)

Since then people have been writing stories with singular individuals who are the only one of their kind. They have enormous mental faculties and a disdain for emotions. Hopefully this doesn't blow your mind, but Spock (yes, that Spock) was patterned after Sherlock Holmes.

I've already listed several modern shows that use this character type, (see The Mentalist), and I would entertain suggestions that Batman himself isn't too far from it.

My final point about Elementary: they've managed to make three full seasons and are in the middle of a fourth. That's more than 70 episodes, whereas Sherlock has only managed 10 so far.

Yeah, I know, apples and oranges. Leave me alone.

Sherlock

If anything ever took me by surprise, it was Sherlock. I expected to enjoy it, sure. I grew up on the original stories. But it's hard to take a story that everyone already knows, and present it in such a way that it's totally enthralling. Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, with their mutual love of the original Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and sundry other stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, have done just that.

The three seasons comprise only three episodes each. In case you think that's not much, each episode is about 90 minutes long, twice the length of the average American TV show. And the time just flies. If by some horrific oversight you haven't watched the show yet (and let's be honest, if you're reading this you probably haven't) count yourself lucky that you don't have to wait two years for season three. You will be frantically looking for the next episode when you get to the end.

The story telling follows a distinct thread throughout the series. It's subtle enough that it surprises you when you realize it, but it feels like nothing else could have happened. It's just right.

I would be amiss if I failed to mention the star cast. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were your average British actors before Sherlock. I was one of the few people I know who knew their names back then. But after season two their fame skyrocketed. Between blockbuster Star Trek Into Darkness and The Hobbit, and various other films, there's hardly a person on earth who doesn't know their names (even if they can't spell them).

Despite their rising fame, they have both expressed a commitment to the show, demonstrating one more reason it's good--everyone is invested in it.

Of all the numerous shows I've watched, I don't think I've ever seen one where the writers and producers were so in touch with their fans. This is particularly evident in the beginning of season three, and believe me, if you start at all, you will get there. There's just one tiny detail...something about selling your soul to the fandom.

In all seriousness, I'm almost okay with the giant gaps between seasons. The level of commitment and investment of everyone involved is such that they take their time, don't rush the story or production, and as a result turn out an excellent TV show.

Now, if only they would hurry up and finish the next season.

Babbington Crankypants and some guy.