my dear watson
It was interesting to have two versions of Watson and Holmes on telly this week. I have definitely fallen for Elementary since last BBC Sherlock was around, so i was interested to see how i felt about seeing them side by side. Now I have been a Holmesian since I read the books as a teenager, so have consumed many many versions of these characters.
If you've watched both show, you'll know they are vastly different in style, plus of course Sherlock has 3 episodes/season cf ELementary's over 30 so far.
BBC Sherlock is quite broad, with almost a graphic novel feel to it, and thats not just because of the text on screen convention thats used (which i wish they would really commit to and deploy more often). Its not a subtle show - and thats not a criticism. This allows it to get away with some great meta, and humour, and carries it along without worrying too much about the case of the week (and Moffats plotting issues - see Dr Who for reference). Its a bit of a roller coaster ride that has you clapping your hands gleefully.
While the character in the show - primarily Homles and Watson but also Mycroft - are delicious and brilliantly portrayed, there's not a lot of character development (although Homes was much more connected to people in this lastest episode.
In contrast, Elementary is a procedural, with an investment in the character arcs of the main characters. The procedural part means there is case of the week dominates each episode. I must say for a procedural it has done well in generally making these interesting, and its nice that they aren't always about murder. The explorations of the characters is the serialised part has been the most satisfying - from Watsons journey from surgeon to sober companion to detective, and Holmes struggles with addiction, and his various personality issues. Most satisfying for me is the twist int hat while Holmes is still arrogant and narcissistic, and prone to dismiss other people, these aren't lauded or excused because of his genius - he see how the hinder not only his work, but also impact on other people.
Probably the biggest difference comes in terms of representation. BBC Sherlock is very white and male. Its attitude to sexuality is pretty much a slightly evolved version fo the Äre you being served?" school of humour. It makes me wish they'd actually made Holmes and Watson each gay (although not necessarily in a relationship with each other).
Elementary has a diverse cast and is subverting the trope in having leads who are a man and a woman who are both heterosexual and both sexually active and also not attracted to each other. That is so rare to see. I love Holmes nonchalance about paying for sex. I love how they explored the various reactions to Joan and Mycroft having sex - it was so adult and again avoided how such a "triangle" would normally play out.
I am certainly much more emotionally engaged with Elementary, but Sherlock is a hoot and i look forward to the next two episodes. And many more interpretations of the world of Sherlock Holmes.
If you've watched both show, you'll know they are vastly different in style, plus of course Sherlock has 3 episodes/season cf ELementary's over 30 so far.
BBC Sherlock is quite broad, with almost a graphic novel feel to it, and thats not just because of the text on screen convention thats used (which i wish they would really commit to and deploy more often). Its not a subtle show - and thats not a criticism. This allows it to get away with some great meta, and humour, and carries it along without worrying too much about the case of the week (and Moffats plotting issues - see Dr Who for reference). Its a bit of a roller coaster ride that has you clapping your hands gleefully.
While the character in the show - primarily Homles and Watson but also Mycroft - are delicious and brilliantly portrayed, there's not a lot of character development (although Homes was much more connected to people in this lastest episode.
In contrast, Elementary is a procedural, with an investment in the character arcs of the main characters. The procedural part means there is case of the week dominates each episode. I must say for a procedural it has done well in generally making these interesting, and its nice that they aren't always about murder. The explorations of the characters is the serialised part has been the most satisfying - from Watsons journey from surgeon to sober companion to detective, and Holmes struggles with addiction, and his various personality issues. Most satisfying for me is the twist int hat while Holmes is still arrogant and narcissistic, and prone to dismiss other people, these aren't lauded or excused because of his genius - he see how the hinder not only his work, but also impact on other people.
Probably the biggest difference comes in terms of representation. BBC Sherlock is very white and male. Its attitude to sexuality is pretty much a slightly evolved version fo the Äre you being served?" school of humour. It makes me wish they'd actually made Holmes and Watson each gay (although not necessarily in a relationship with each other).
Elementary has a diverse cast and is subverting the trope in having leads who are a man and a woman who are both heterosexual and both sexually active and also not attracted to each other. That is so rare to see. I love Holmes nonchalance about paying for sex. I love how they explored the various reactions to Joan and Mycroft having sex - it was so adult and again avoided how such a "triangle" would normally play out.
I am certainly much more emotionally engaged with Elementary, but Sherlock is a hoot and i look forward to the next two episodes. And many more interpretations of the world of Sherlock Holmes.