Elementary 2012

After watching Sherlock I had low expectations for this show. Tho I must say, I have been pleasantly surprised.

Recommend it, awesome

Everyone seems to want to compare Elementary to Sherlock. Why? They are two entirely different takes in a stream of disparate tv and movie takes that have been going on since Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce hit the screen in 1939. (Lord knows I've had an ongoing argument with my cousins about Jeremy Brett since 1984.) Bollocks! All of it. The fact is, Elementary has become a gem of its own distinct value. A wonderful example of the magic that happens when chemistry bubbles up between two actors/characters and is not limited to them but continues on to a cast that has since, on their own merit, earned their viewer's sincere appreciation for something rather rare: Stories with characters for whom we truly feel something. Well done Elementary. I hate to see the series end.

Best Sherlock Holmes series ever.

This show is one of my favourites - and so much better than the terrible uk show which is too full of its own self importance (writers and actors both think they're better than they are) - it's so refreshing to see a woman (Lucy Liu!!) as the main character (and such an important one at that) at the center of an iconic story. The reimaginings of the characters are a wonderful change, and I enjoy seeing the twists the show puts on the classic stories. It's so fun seeing the interactions between all the characters, and how they've changed over the seasons. I'm always recommending this show to my friends!

To me, this one probably the most likeable Sherlock Holmes. He is difficult, but still has an actual personality. I love Lucy Liu as Watson, it's a nice view of the classic story.
It keeps the quality through the seasons, so I'm always looking forward to new episodes.

im no sherlock holmes expert. ive watched bbc sherlock and fell in love. i was hesitant to start this because i thought i was going to be so disappointed. my kid love procedurals so we tried it. cumberbatch can suck it. i LOVE johnny lee miller's interpretation. having lucy liu as watson is a stroke of genius also. i watched this during the second and third season hiatus of sherlock and when i went to s03 of sherlock i found myself wanting elementary. i am not a procedural fan. i am not a fan of week-to-week story telling. i find most of it boring and uninteresting. too many years of hbo-esque dramas have ruined what little i did enjoy them. (mythology eps of x-files, amiright?). this show is not perfect by any means but i really enjoy it.

Well written, well acted, great stories, filled with intelligent people, doesn't have an agenda, and is everything modern TV is not. Magnificent show.

It is an absolute shame that Natalie Dormer isn't in more of the show. She was absolutely wonderful.

Never seen Sherlock, have no interest in ever seeing it. I adore this show, and wouldn't compare it to anything else! It's such an interesting take on the characters, and the acting is fantastic. Lucy Liu is who I want to be when I grow up, TBH. I do wish Moriarty had been around more, but I understand for plot reasons that wouldn't really work. If you like Sherlock Holmes, mysteries being solved, good character development, and interesting characters, you'll love this show.

I really love this show. I miss it. it's one of my favorites. very unique yet familiar. I love the modern twist to a great classic. I also love how they used the old characters names and stories but in completely different ways. Wonderful treat. will be watching it again. Lucy Liu was brilliant as usual she is always stylish but in this show her style deserves a special mention

I really want to like this show. I cannot, unfortunately. Sherlock Holmes is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time but this show doesn't do him justice. The narrative is fine; I think for a show that releases so many episodes, it is consistently good (when compared to serialized shows, but then I never liked them).
But my main gripe is with the adaptations of the characters. One of the core features of good Sherlock Holmes stories is that the dynamic between the two main characters: Holmes and Watson. However, in this show, it is close to being non-existent. I simply cannot buy them even tolerating each other. BBC Sherlock and Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes managed to make them work. The books did. So can this show.

And don't even get me started on how they handled Moriarty. I thought the dynamic between the duo was bad.

I am not going to rate it with a score since I haven't been able to watch the whole thing. But if for some reason I do (I keep hearing it gets better), then maybe yes.

7 Seasons but still re-invented itself. Initially a concept base don the Sherlock Homes novels but instead became about his relationships and challenges in he is personal life. Watson became an ever increasing part of his life, initially conflict then as a partner. Gender was never an issue and stereotypes were overlooked. As clever as procedural as you will likely see with excellent supporting cast.

I for one will miss it, never must see watching but a great filler. Where we now are surrounded by must see event programmes, sometimes this easygoing, well written and fabulously acted week by week viewing was great escapism. A fitting end to a fine series.

On the surface, Elementary shows potential. It is, however, unfortunately just another procedural crime drama that banks off the name Sherlock Holmes to draw an audience. They added a fresh twist of turning John Watson into Lucy Liu as one part of its modernization, but I rather think that deters from the shows instead of adding, though I mean no disrespect against Liu's talent. I'd stick with BBC's Sherlock if you are looking for a modern day telling of Sherlock Holmes. Elementary feels more like just another crime drama, with a covering drug addict as your police consultant, with little true Holmes roots.

Was Elementary ever the best show on TV? No. Is it still a good show? Also yes. I often found the cases and larger arches to be lackluster, but the relationships and character archs to be steller, and those are more important for me. Joan and Sherlock's relationship is the highlight of the show and the core behind the emotional beats that made Elementary stand out. I adored this pair; they're the sole reason I continued watching through the latter seasons. Joan, herself, is definitely the stand-out of the show to me. Her growth as a character and detective could not be understated, and it was a joy to witness. All in all, if you like relationship and character studies, Elementary delivers!

Lack of chemistry/spark between the main central characters does hurt the show. Sherlock and Watson are not compatible, romantic wise or platonic wise(Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu are like strangers acting as acquaintances). Series is an average watch with interesting twists per episode. But the characters are shallow and unrelatable. You can binge watch the show, but don't expect much.

Elementary has its moments and has a fairly good balance of comedy, drama and interesting moments.
Holmes and Watson take their time to become bonded but they do.

There are some glaring errors at times in the writing. One example is on a case they determined the shooting (that we saw) was fired from 'a semi automatic MP5'.
But the firearm was full auto. There are others but I won't add them here.

Overall it's an enjoyable watch. It is a show that I looked forward to weekly and recently I've been enjoying the second revisit to the show. There are good story lines and quite the cast to put some extra oomph in the series. There's also an interesting long story arc that eventually presents themselves.

Overall a good watch if you're into Whodunits dramadies.

Love this series, watch it over and over again.

I like this show. I hope they get an approval for the new season if they haven't got one already.

After watching the Pilot, I couldn't watch anymore. This is no where near Sherlock Holmes. I know there trying to create balance by casting Dr. Watson as a female instead of a male, but it's not working. I'm surprised they're able to make it through another season without being canceled.

While i do enjoy watching this show, i admit it is no match for Sherlock. While Sherlock follows the material from the books and brings it all in the modern day with gripping plots and great acting, Elementary shows no real link to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's work besides the occasional name drop of Baker Street etc and really doesnt have much to help tell it apart from the mountains of police based shows that flood the US tv like CSI.

As I said at the start, I do enjoy watching the Elementary and Jonny Lee Miller has an interesting take on the role of Sherlock Holmes (though not as gripping as Benedict Cumberbatch) but unfortuntely Lucy Liu doesn't really work for me as Joan Watson which, again, BBC's Sherlock nails with Martin Freeman in the role.

If you are looking for a easy police drama to fall into, definitely watch Elementary.
If you are looking for a suspenseful detective drama, Sherlock wins.

I had to get through the first half of the first season, after that I couldn't stop. For me a new twist on the Sherlock Holmes story and the female Watson really makes it different. The relationships between the character are great to see.

I liked it in the beginning... But now I feel bored when I watch it...

I quote some of the topic already wrote here ...this show hv a lot of potential but, in the end, it turned to be another crime/drama show like many other with the main character named sherlock holmes. disappointed!!!

surprisingly entertaining.
though as far as i can tell it's really just a crime show with a british dude called sherlock as the main character, not much connection to the original stories

Had a good at the pilot.. NASTY.. I mean.. the acting is really bad.. really. and the writing...was.. how to say this.. bad.. there is no other way of putting it.. it's bad..

Going to try and watch the second episode, so see it it keeps it low.. or if they pick it up.

you know what happens? If you see it as a rip-off from Sherlock (BBC), it's bad. If you see it as a regular case-solving american show, it's good. You just have to decide from which angle you rather look.

I just watched the trailer and I gonna say: I won't watch this.
1st: copied show from UK (as some already mentioned)
2nd: that never works out
3rd: "Miss Watson." Rly? Haha. The Trailer looks soooo bad xD

this show does that thing that all American detective shows do, where instead of figuring out the mystery with logic and investigation, they will instead just solve everything by epiphany. They will see a thing or hear a conversation and then suddenly "I know who did it!". House did it every episode, Castle does it all the time, now this show has done it every episode so far. Sherlock (books) was well known for experimentation and research in order to solve crimes, rather than just waiting long enough until something jogged his memory. It's sloppy writing and the show suffers immensely for it, because it is the focus of the drama.

Meh.. I think I am going to watch at least one more episode but didn't really like it.

And of course are people comparing it to Sherlock why shouldn't they?

I know i shouldn't compare it to Sherlock but gorram i can't fucking help it. It pales in comparison, and that's a bad thing because i can't concentrate on what's happening. Elementary seems like a retarded parasitical twin that should've been killed at birth but was nurtured by the deranged aunt. Everything about it is... average. There's no spark from Liu and Miller. It's just not there. You can't argue "Oh why can't we do an interpretation of Sherlock Holmes?" or something along those lines, when the fact is, the writing is what makes it. No one will ever match the quality of Sherlock without kidnapping Moffat et al and forcing them to write scripts in the dead of the night.

People who haven't seen Sherlock (most Americans surely) will probably like this show, but for those who have seen Sherlock and are eagerly anticipating the 3rd season, this show will bore you to dead. No, seriously. I'd rather watch Revolution (actually fuck no, i take that back).

Oh and before anyone makes a comment about the books, i've read them. Before watching Sherlock and before the 1st Sherlock Holmes movie with RDJ.

Watch Sherlock.

I may be in a minority here, but I'll take Elementary over Sherlock any day. Both are good, just Elementary's better.

So, basically, @joecan, people can't adapt a history? "Oh My God" because Dr. John Waston became Dr. Joan Watson? You surely want it to just teleport the characters to 2012 with 2012 technologies around them (not they using them in favour, as Sherlock does not in BBC's) and everything is antique scenery, antique crimes, antique menaces. It is not because it receives Sherlock Holmes name that he needs to live in 224-B Baker Street for the rest of his life or it need to be attached to London forever.

You tell that "this Sherlock looks like House" but you obviously never touched one of Sherlock Holmes books, right? House looks like Sherlock in his arrogance, perspicacity and drug activity. In the books he was openly a coke sniffer, although it wasn't knew at the time that coke was such a huge brain damage cause.

You're attached to the fact that Elementary is "sucking" the formula from BBC's Sherlock when Sherlock is actually the series who is sucking the real formula. The "attic theory" from Sherlock Holmes' A Study in Scarlet is basically never saw and Sherlock and his violin too.

As for the "meaningless side-plots that make 20+ episodes a season TV shows", it is the american way of doing series, my friend, there is no way that it is going to become anything different.

first of all, don't expect this show to be like our classic Sherlock or you'll be disappointed. this Sherlock has the observation powers but that's it, there's no comparison with him to the BBC/movie or even the book. this Sherlock has love interest, he feels sadness, he gets drug addicted, he fails sometimes, he also depends on his co workers to catch the criminals. basically it's another CSI/NCIS with bit of touch to the character. if you can remember these then you'll surely enjoy it. sometimes it may get boring but the lead character did well to the role. watch with an open mind or just avoid it completely.

Americans have to possess and "Americanize" everything, including now this degenerate "American" version of Sherlock Holmes, to maintain their self-deception that the continental U.S. is the whole world and they are "God's Chosen" that they are daily propaganda brainwashed to believe by global corporations. So stupid, weak minded, paranoidally insecure, pathetic, and quite scary.

Better than BBC's Sherlock.

The best show ever.

Love it, in my opinion one of the best new shows this season...

Lesser than the British, Benedict Cumberbatch–led series ‘Sherlock’, of which each episode was movie-worthy, of course, but this is a great reservoir for one's regular roster of viewing entertainment, and is quite surprisingly good for such a high-volume production.

Note: the episodes start getting progressively more complex starting somewhere around season 4–5.

A show that surpassed my expectations to be one of my favorite, probably best crime shows out there. John Lee Miller played Sherlock Holmes fantastically, and I wasn’t the biggest fan of Lucy Liu as Joan Watson but she was the perfect balance to Holmes character, turning her role as crucial humane part of this amazing crime drama. A lot of the characters and twists and plots of the original Sherlock Holmes storyline had a proper twist, making this show its own amazing story line. I genuinely can’t recommend this show enough, and so sad to see it end.

The ending though was this show was hurried towards the end, but also endearing since it gets the point that you weren’t expecting but pleasantly surprised. I don’t want to ruin it for anyone but overall the last season needed 10 more episodes to give it just but I loved the ending nonetheless. Not sure we will see a show like this with a great combination of characters.

Fair start to a new season but this ending though.

This might be my favorite second series episode, mainly for JLM's monologue at the meeting. It made me literally rewind and watch it again and again. The careful mannerisms, the craft delivering the lines. This might be the only scene in Elementary where we can grasp Sherlock as a human being, tangible, vulnerable and honest. And of course, his exposition was kept short, to just give us a glimpse, making us ask for more. I truly enjoy this show, but this episode's opening was so well conceived, that I still watch in once in a while.

After episode 2:
Not even that bad.
7-8/10.
Going to watch more of it.

Elementary isn't a bad show. It's problem lies in it's atrocious attempts at doing what BBC's Sherlock has done so well, updating Sherlock Holmes in a modern setting. But with the very Sherlock inspired House now off the air and the success of the BBC series awakening in interest in the character, why wouldn't an American network try and enter that space?

I think this show will find different reactions depending on where viewers are coming from. If you've seen & liked the BBC's Sherlock, this is going to be a disappointment. I think that arises from both the difference in quality and what type of TV show you like. However, if you haven't seen Sherlock or didn't like it, prefer network-y procedurals, or just want to fill the House-hole, you'll probably enjoy this.

For me, it's a decent filler until new Sherlock episodes air but that's about it. From the pilot I'm already seeing setups for meaningless side-plots that make 20+ episodes a season TV shows such a bore to watch nowadays. Creatively on almost every level its British counterpart. The leads are also a minor issue for me. I actually like the two actors, but I'm not buying that relationship yet. Time will tell, but with House gone and no new episodes of Sherlock airing in the near future, I'll probably be sticking around. 6/10.

@Imaimashii Why are these comparisons confusing you? It's not as if people are randomly picking two shows out of the air and comparing them. This isn't Care Bears vs. The Wire. We have two shows airing during the same relative time period (this year), rebooting the same character in a modern environment. How could you not compare them? Yes, one takes place in America the other is in England... One even has Watson played by a woman (OMG)... But essentially their difference have much more to do with creative quality than they do with any large differences in what the shows are.

Good luck topping BBC's Sherlock. Might watch it just to see what comes of it.

The show was on rerun since this summer, last episode aired in December. I stay behind on some episodes here and there because I was often in hospital for the past 4 months. But overall I can say I liked this show very much: Johnny Lee Miller is a great Sherlock and Lucy Liu is an amazing Watson. The very essence of what I like about the characters: Watson is highly intelligent and yet sensible and really care about Sherlock. Their chemistry on screen was perfect and the relationship is built progressively through each episode. I'll miss this two characters and their story. I will catch up with the missing episodes on Paramount+ next year.

I miss this show so freaking much, planning on rewatching it soon! Nostalgic, complex, funny, best Sherlock adaptation imo. Nothing beats Elementary's characters

This was one of the best shows ever! Highly recommend!

I wonder if the episodes are a bit long. We watched three episodes, different generations, and we all fall asleep at different points.

HORRIBLY imprinted by racist casting, but besides that this show is really great.
Has a lot of unexpected turns and twists, that and its abstract emotional side are really great together

they didnt put these two in the bed, nice, i was a bit spooked in the final episode they were gonna kiss or smth

I slept on this season... folks.. what am i missing?

Ain't no Sherlock, but it is entertaining when you're in a drought.

Different than classic Sherlock, but I like it very much. Recommended.

Great show full of surprises

the chemistry between lucy liu and jonny lee miller is on fleek from moment 1. im really not an episodic format lover and even less so of crime dramas but this show has me hooked. enough follow through of story lines to keep me interested but easy enough to pick up at any point. (although i do recommend starting from the beginning to any new viewer but its not essential). the twists on the characters, although gimmicky, are really fun. i like sherlock so visibly flawed. i like his partner being a more than capable female counterpart.

One of my bests shows

Had a rather weak second season after a great first one, with rather predictable storylines and with odd writing decisions regarding characters and their relationships. Next season is gonna be a hit or miss on whether this show can hold off any longer or not.

Great Show

Great Show

Just love this show!!
Johnny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu makes a great job portraying Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson, and the fresh idea with the show works perfectly! In my opinion it's exactly as good as it's closest rival "Sherlock". Some episodes as "dead clade walking", "no lack of void" and "the many mouths of andrew colville" didn't impress me but usually they are near perfect, as exempel "The diabolical kind", "Paint it black", "A landmark story", "Risk management", "The woman", "Heroine" and "Art in the blood". Aidan Quin (captain Thomas Gregson), Jon Michael Hill (Det. Marcus Bell) and Rhys Ivans (Mycroft Holmes) made a wonderfull job acting the side characters. The mixture of genuine humor, incredebly thrilling scenes and mindblowing solutions makes the show a must see everyone who got the possibility to see it. I really hope you check it out!!!

The best

Enjoyable , recommend it

Enjoyable , recommend it

I don't think it's right to compare this show to BBC's Sherlock. Even though both shows are about Sherlock Holmes they are VERY different and both are VERY good.

I hate Lucy Liu but her as Joan makes me love her. This is brilliant. It has the network-feel to it which I enjoy over the cable-feel. Plus the way everything is is just wonderful. I like this better than Sherlock BBC as Sherlock is just perfection whereas Elementary is not perfect, but that's the beauty of it. There's more character to JLM sherlock and he is more human, and less invincible which makes it easier to connect with him. And some of the twists they have... oh, man!

Awesome!

Love this show!

very good ... acting is excellent ... good stories

poor Sherlock

end of season

Love me some Sherlock Holmes!

Pure entertainment.

i really like this sherlock holmes, although here the relationship with watson is still to be developed. i guess it's the way the series was designed, it's a long term investment kind of show, and the way watson was presented ended up bringing some suspicion to a guy like sherlock. i don't see any problems here. it's a well known canon, so I guess it's fun to spot new ways to develop it.

I guess it's almost unfair to compair with bbc sherlock. they are two different kinds of show, but the two of them are respectful to the canon, which is the most important thing, I think.

I like this version of sherlock okay its an updated version and not in the old times but atleast it brings a new aspect. I wish for sherlock and watson to get together since watson is now female stead of male like other versions also that will probably never happen they might kill each other but perfect crime solving couple.

On a side note I never imagined watson as a female till now.

I love this

Well well ... I could be mistaken but it sure seems like this page was censored. Perhaps for the best because Sherlock (UK) fans are a bit extreme... since it's such a good show :p

I loved Sherlock but I like this show as well. It's not as grand or as thrilling or as clever as the UK version but it's definitely good fun. However if you want to explore Sherlock in a different way I'd suggest watching the UK version first.

have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised as this show has progressed

one more UK Show copied by the US. Elementary has the same Setting then Sherlock, but other cases.

Show is OK, but better watch Sherlock if you don't know it

Why the fuck people compare the two shows?! They are completely different. It's just like comparing the new Sherlock Holmes movies with the old ones. Both Sherlock and Elementary are great series.

Sherlock BBC >>>>>>>>> ELEMENTARY