Elementary Thoughts
So I watched the Elementary Pilot tonight...
...and I'm still undecided on whether it's for me or not. I'm making an effort to judge it based on it's own merits and not to constantly compare it to "Sherlock" so I think it's best if I break it down according to things I liked and didn't.
Things I liked:
- the banter and chemistry between Joan Watson and Sherlock Holmes. I thought the actors had a good rapport and the bits I enjoyed the most were the scenes just between them.
- that Sherlock seems mostly in character - arrogant, selfish, brilliant,
- the mystery was clever and not straight forward
- the originality of the twist on the idea. They clearly tried hard to make it a modern version that was different from both "Sherlock" and the RDJ movies and I think that they accomplished that in many ways.
- that his New York flat had an old feeling to it that was Londonesque
Things I didn't like:
- the feeling of the show, particularly the crime scene bits seemed far too much like a standard us tv procedural to me (and I'm really not a fan of procedurals) Edit: There were parts where I felt like I was watching CSI and not a Sherlock story. In fact there were very few moments that felt Sherlockian to me.
- there were some points where I felt Sherlock was out of character - for example he was more considerate than I expected in some instances. Stuff like saying please, or apologizing to Watson immediately about the car thing.
- the pacing. I felt like it moved too slowly and there were points where I was a bit bored.
- Gregson. I know he's not meant to be Lestrade but I found him flat and he really just kinda faded into the background
- the lack of Mrs. Hudson. I feel like it's not Sherlock Holmes without her. Also the lack of Mycroft, but presumably he'll enter in at some point?
- Edit: it was a bit more gory and graphic than I'd like. Too much blood for my tastes.
So basically, I didn't hate it, but it didn't wow me either. I will probably give it a few more episodes, but if it doesn't hook me by then I will probably pass it over. Lord knows I watch too many tv shows as it is, so I really don't need another. Still I'm willing to give it a chance. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.
...and I'm still undecided on whether it's for me or not. I'm making an effort to judge it based on it's own merits and not to constantly compare it to "Sherlock" so I think it's best if I break it down according to things I liked and didn't.
Things I liked:
- the banter and chemistry between Joan Watson and Sherlock Holmes. I thought the actors had a good rapport and the bits I enjoyed the most were the scenes just between them.
- that Sherlock seems mostly in character - arrogant, selfish, brilliant,
- the mystery was clever and not straight forward
- the originality of the twist on the idea. They clearly tried hard to make it a modern version that was different from both "Sherlock" and the RDJ movies and I think that they accomplished that in many ways.
- that his New York flat had an old feeling to it that was Londonesque
Things I didn't like:
- the feeling of the show, particularly the crime scene bits seemed far too much like a standard us tv procedural to me (and I'm really not a fan of procedurals) Edit: There were parts where I felt like I was watching CSI and not a Sherlock story. In fact there were very few moments that felt Sherlockian to me.
- there were some points where I felt Sherlock was out of character - for example he was more considerate than I expected in some instances. Stuff like saying please, or apologizing to Watson immediately about the car thing.
- the pacing. I felt like it moved too slowly and there were points where I was a bit bored.
- Gregson. I know he's not meant to be Lestrade but I found him flat and he really just kinda faded into the background
- the lack of Mrs. Hudson. I feel like it's not Sherlock Holmes without her. Also the lack of Mycroft, but presumably he'll enter in at some point?
- Edit: it was a bit more gory and graphic than I'd like. Too much blood for my tastes.
So basically, I didn't hate it, but it didn't wow me either. I will probably give it a few more episodes, but if it doesn't hook me by then I will probably pass it over. Lord knows I watch too many tv shows as it is, so I really don't need another. Still I'm willing to give it a chance. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.