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paradigm_shiftIt’s hard to believe that Elementary has been airing for seven years, and that the adventures on the television screen are finally over. The show has certainly has its ups and downs, and certainly had a rocky reception at its inception, thanks in part to the slew of other Holmes-canon shows and media airing at the time, but overall it has been something I’ve always looked forward to, even when I’ve been too brain-fogged to really follow.
The show also holds the unique position of longest running show I’ve successfully followed from beginning to end, barring a couple of episodes in Season Five? (Fourth year undergrad was a bad time.)
Please know that this is cobbled together from written and typed notes, and there may be times when things aren’t exactly cohesive? And that a lengthy period of time has past, so what started as a liveblog — punctuation smashes, one worded exclamations and repetitive sentences and all — has certain had time to bubble into a review/reflection of the episode and the series itself.
Anyway, here it is: the last live blog reaction/review combo post for Elementary, ever. The rest is all rewatches, and maybe finally starting off in the ACD canon of the books, and Jeremy Brett’s brilliant portrayal.
I only started these in the show’s final season, but it has definitely made following along more fun – so here we go:
When we left off last (last1) week, Odin had been brought down (hah), or at least arrested, thanks to a plan by Sherlock that left other thinking he was dead.
So while Sherlock is off in Italy, Joan, Gregson and Marcus are left to wrap up the case concerning Reichenbach and his kill program. We immediately open on the sentencing of Odin – guess he couldn’t fight off all the evidence against him after all… after THREE years!
Anyway, the DA’s office played it smart, leaving Sherlock’s ‘death’ out, because yeah, it was getting very personal after those last few episodes.
Joan did publish her manuscript after all! Maybe she rewrote it too. Who knows. I just never realized she kept the manuscript.
Post filming, Marcus calls and says “He’s back”.
Who is this he? Can’t be Sherlock. Him waltzing into the station after that segment would just be silly, so who is this person?
Aw, kid! Arthur! He’s super adorable. And that’s even before knowing he’s Joan’s adopted son.
Super cute, him asking to play.
Captain Marcus Bell. Okay, him missing his shot at the Marshalls sucked, but he’s in a familiar room, in a chair he may, or may not have wanted. (Gregson retired being the assumption)
And Joan’s still working, and juggling multiple cases it seems. To the point where she needs an assistant to keep on top of all the other things, wow. Her network is pretty different, and with Arthur, certain things need to be set aside, because heck yeah, spending time with the kid.
And the Brownstone has really changed in Sherlock’s absence, look at how livable it seems? More bright and colorful, certainly more child friendly. (Unanswered: Does Ms. Hudson still help keep the place tidy?) It feels brighter too, with the lighter paint, and the way furniture is arranged.
Oh, a visitor.
And quotey quotey quote! I did think that he was introducing himself, and if that wouldn’t have been super pretentious, even more so than it sort of is already. Please. No more Dante.
Moriarty’s attorney has things to hand out. Because Joan inherits Sherlock’s everything, now that he’s officially ‘dead’. The name drop from her PA would not have helped her mood.
TBH, Moriarty being dead wasn’t a big a deal for me. I knew she would show up in some way or form, I was just more interested in how that would tied in with Odin. (And it didn’t)
I would have so much fun breaking that gravestone – knowing what I know now – I wonder how the signal is sent? Some kind of distress beacon is triggered? Maybe a circuit breaks and sets off an alarm on a phone or something.
Cartharsis
Anyway, it’s a call for Sherlock to come back – under the assumption that Joan would be in some sort of trouble.
She sleeps with her door open now, for Arthur, I would bet.
Anyway, I have call back to 1x01 written, because the whole meeting in the room full of TVs bit. Though this time, haha…
“Who’s trying to kill you?”
How far we’ve come since that ‘Do you believe in love at first sight line.”
Anyway, love how him helping out was an unspoken given.
It’s a ruse.
It’s Moriaty.
An exchange which contains volumes.
And of course Sherlock’s all “That’s not how you use a distress beacon!” Joan’s all “It’s Moriarty! She’s important, in multiple ways to you.” Enough to drag you out of hiding.
And now the reveal. Good thing Sherlock knew how many bullets were blanks in that gun! And I was partially right – I just wasn’t sure about the blanks and hadn’t mentioned it, because Joan switched the bullet casings. If he knew how many blanks were in the gun, he could act appropriately and jump into a survivable situation, while making it seem much worse for Odin.
We also learn that Rose is much more than she seems, and was hired both for protection reasons (for Arthur), and to help keep him company/take care of him when Joan’s off doing something that leaves her unable to accompany him. He’s a busy kid too.
So the package the Lawyer (Adair was his name? I think? I can’t read what I wrote,) is there, and Sherlock just digs into it like a kid at Christmas. It might be a trick, but by the gods, he intends to enjoy it.
Anyway, Sherlock was busy, and Joan is pissed at him falling out of touch, despite their prior plans.
THAt’S NEW TO ME TOO! Why, when Secret exit? And it’s in the living room/fireplace den place? Since Sherlock basically disappeared very, very quickly.
Oh, lawyer guy is dead. Executed.
Anyway, Sherlock is sure Moriarty wasn’t dead, though Joan was on the fence. This sort of says otherwise.
So they’re keeping the connections down low, and Marcus is to assume it’s another shooting
I like that apology. Though those ‘adventures’ are canon nods, at least from the producer notes. I wouldn’t know. I’m not that familiar with the entirety of Holmesian canon. So Sherlock cut off communications because Arthur came into the picture, and he didn’t want to put him or Joan in danger.
Understandable, doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. Or that others can’t be angry over it.
PERFECTION. Revenge, heck yeah. This is the kind of shit really great friends do to each other sometimes. Also it was one way to take out the frustration and anger re: Sherlock’s disappearance after his ‘death’
I do wonder how long it took before Joan caught on – contact was already infrequent, if not somewhat sporadic towards the end. She must have been worried for a good long while.
The catch up period is cute, btw.
Uh, about that…. Neither Gregson or Marcus is in the dark about the dead plan. Because of course Joan told them eventually. And Marcus already suspected something was up – it would certainly have driven the course their investigation too.
Also, Marcus punching Sherlock for Joan. Because he was there to see what it was like when he totally ‘disappeared’
(On paper, all I have is Punch!!)
So much life has gone by, and nope, none of them are letting the ‘dead and gone’ thing go. Mostly the gone.
And of course, after we get to know that Marcus has married and has a son… “not off fighting super crime in Europe.”
Which means everyone can be on the same page now! Lawyer friend was part of Moriarty’s inner circle, and was moving huge amounts of money around.
Gambling debts. Serious problem, and not one to be looked at lightly.
Involved with the mob, or rather, the card room the guy they’re talking to, and is mob run.
Oh, that’s a sneaky way to cheat. I would never have thought that could be a thing – which is why I probably won’t be a criminal every. Those were nice cards too, I would not mind a deck.
All that effort to get Adair to get in touch with Joan. And that seems like it isn’t necessary if he was working for Moriarty, since he was already part of Moriarty’s inner circle
A night at the Opera. That dress is startlingly different at least on some level for me wrt Joan’s wardrobe. But it fits. Much more simple, yet still elegant, and event appropriate. With little accessories or adornment. Fits her new lifestyle. And the fact that they probably didn’t have much time to get ready for this.
Oh, Ellory! I haven’t thought about her in ages.
Sherlock hasn’t been as off the radar as he wanted to be. Moriarty’s network knows. And he’s been useful for them too. Though they have no clue who would be responsible for the lure.
The game goes on… both her and Sherlock refers to that in a way.
Is the submarine a reference?
BLUE SCREEN, like when Odin locked them out of their tech. It’s a different shade of blue though. Darker. He’s in JAIL
And McNally appears. Like a phantom. BOO
I really thought McNally would’ve gone down with Reichenbach’s ship. But he got promoted? To foreign affairs? (Man, some people have the easiest consequences)
Uh oh. Uh oh. Uh oh.
This was all a job pitch
I would be looking for the catch too, lets be real. With their history? And the fact that the NSA is a spy agency?
“You’ve been a ghost for the last few years, I asking you to do that for the rest of your life.”
Like continue on? Or drop off everyone’s radar again? Anyway, he’ll think about it. (Give it 3 seconds)
So the NSA has part of the NY mafia in their pocket if they managed to rig a poker game to snare one of Moriarty’s inner circle.
Joan, what do you know? Why does it matter than Sherlock sounds happy that you’re not telling him? It’s bad?
That greeting to Arthur is so solemn. And very Sherlock.
Sherlock’s so convinced he would know if Moriarty’s dead, but can’t stand that she would know the same?
I’m pretty sure you’re going to live forever – this is META, and for me a reference to the love many have towards ACD canon and its many, many offshoots. That broke the forth wall a bit
And now, for Gregson.
And back in time for dinner with Joan, nice, nice, nice!
I don’t like golf. I just don’t.
Gregson hugs! I think this rounds up the main four. All of them have hugged Sherlock at least once this season. Sherlock also seems to be getting better at hugs.
Sherlock doesn’t want to jeopardize Joan, or put her son in a situation where he has to come across bad things. Awwww.
And I adore how the show hasn’t just let the addiction issue drop. (Okay, it’s not always at its best, but it comes back around to it, and how it’s a process)
It’s a big talk. And now we know what’s up with Joan.
They don’t want to get in the way of each other’s happiness. They’re both crying.
/you were going to let me leave without telling me?
You say this like I’m not going to make it through this – we’re going to see each other again.
I’m staying.
He initiates that hug omg
/Excuse me, I got to go fall down some stairs now. (Don’t worry, I’ve got a mattress)
1 year later. And funeral. And the lack of names. What a cheap shot for them to manipulate our emotions like that? Juxtaposing those two scenes back to back is not good for my blood pressure.
RUDE/ It’s a huge, mean, shock.
Guess what – throwback to the beginning with the background music! Zoe Keating’s strings are back. And we hear the melody used in the opening sequence.
WATSON, they scared me, and I hate that.
(Did you know that’s a wig? It looks awesome)
He’s going to dig up her grave. After spending $500 on the flowers.
Seriously, this episode was all about the little moments. Do I maybe want the resolution to be onscreen? Sure, the rushed handwaving of some issues kinda sucks, like Reichenbach’s final sentencing, but I get why it’s necessary. There’s so little time to try to tie up several plot lines a lot must have gone from ‘Show’ to ‘Tell’.
At the heart, this show has always been about the relationship between Sherlock and Joan, and oh my god, does it deliver. I am very much emotionally ricocheting all over the place, though I am satisfied with this conclusion.
Their stories will go on, though for us, they end here.
One thing though, at least there wasn’t a guest star to become the villain of the week.
I know that Elementary faced a lot of challenges over its run, especially with its initial reception among the fandom. The comparisons to BBC’s Sherlock, the original canon, other adaptations of the works, how some of the narrative choices, (definitely not one way, we sniped back) and lack of return of certain characters was extremely frustrating.
But it still really stands out to me on a personal note – because hey, they did it. They had two people of opposite genders be stars onscreen get into a heavily platonic relationship without ever once slipping into the romantic, allowing for that much broader definition of love, and I really do want to see more of that kind of friendship and devotion. Also Johnny Miller, and Lucy Liu? Phenomenal actors who carried the hats of Holmes and Watson into the twenty-first century. A big thanks to them, and the other members or the cast, and crew for giving me seven years of entertainment through their dedication and hard work.
And to end it – some apocryphal facts from post show interviews: re: Moriarty? For the showrunner, she’s definitely not dead, out there and pulling her strings in the intricate game she plays. Whether you choose to follow that route or now, there’s a story out there, and I wonder how the fandom will tell it?
1. Well, that was a pleasant dream, no? It was last, last week when this was first typed out.
The show also holds the unique position of longest running show I’ve successfully followed from beginning to end, barring a couple of episodes in Season Five? (Fourth year undergrad was a bad time.)
Please know that this is cobbled together from written and typed notes, and there may be times when things aren’t exactly cohesive? And that a lengthy period of time has past, so what started as a liveblog — punctuation smashes, one worded exclamations and repetitive sentences and all — has certain had time to bubble into a review/reflection of the episode and the series itself.
Anyway, here it is: the last live blog reaction/review combo post for Elementary, ever. The rest is all rewatches, and maybe finally starting off in the ACD canon of the books, and Jeremy Brett’s brilliant portrayal.
I only started these in the show’s final season, but it has definitely made following along more fun – so here we go:
7x13 Their Last Bow
When we left off last (last1) week, Odin had been brought down (hah), or at least arrested, thanks to a plan by Sherlock that left other thinking he was dead.
So while Sherlock is off in Italy, Joan, Gregson and Marcus are left to wrap up the case concerning Reichenbach and his kill program. We immediately open on the sentencing of Odin – guess he couldn’t fight off all the evidence against him after all… after THREE years!
Anyway, the DA’s office played it smart, leaving Sherlock’s ‘death’ out, because yeah, it was getting very personal after those last few episodes.
Joan did publish her manuscript after all! Maybe she rewrote it too. Who knows. I just never realized she kept the manuscript.
Post filming, Marcus calls and says “He’s back”.
Who is this he? Can’t be Sherlock. Him waltzing into the station after that segment would just be silly, so who is this person?
Aw, kid! Arthur! He’s super adorable. And that’s even before knowing he’s Joan’s adopted son.
Super cute, him asking to play.
Captain Marcus Bell. Okay, him missing his shot at the Marshalls sucked, but he’s in a familiar room, in a chair he may, or may not have wanted. (Gregson retired being the assumption)
And Joan’s still working, and juggling multiple cases it seems. To the point where she needs an assistant to keep on top of all the other things, wow. Her network is pretty different, and with Arthur, certain things need to be set aside, because heck yeah, spending time with the kid.
And the Brownstone has really changed in Sherlock’s absence, look at how livable it seems? More bright and colorful, certainly more child friendly. (Unanswered: Does Ms. Hudson still help keep the place tidy?) It feels brighter too, with the lighter paint, and the way furniture is arranged.
Oh, a visitor.
And quotey quotey quote! I did think that he was introducing himself, and if that wouldn’t have been super pretentious, even more so than it sort of is already. Please. No more Dante.
Moriarty’s attorney has things to hand out. Because Joan inherits Sherlock’s everything, now that he’s officially ‘dead’. The name drop from her PA would not have helped her mood.
TBH, Moriarty being dead wasn’t a big a deal for me. I knew she would show up in some way or form, I was just more interested in how that would tied in with Odin. (And it didn’t)
I would have so much fun breaking that gravestone – knowing what I know now – I wonder how the signal is sent? Some kind of distress beacon is triggered? Maybe a circuit breaks and sets off an alarm on a phone or something.
Cartharsis
Anyway, it’s a call for Sherlock to come back – under the assumption that Joan would be in some sort of trouble.
She sleeps with her door open now, for Arthur, I would bet.
Anyway, I have call back to 1x01 written, because the whole meeting in the room full of TVs bit. Though this time, haha…
“Who’s trying to kill you?”
How far we’ve come since that ‘Do you believe in love at first sight line.”
Anyway, love how him helping out was an unspoken given.
It’s Moriaty.
An exchange which contains volumes.
And of course Sherlock’s all “That’s not how you use a distress beacon!” Joan’s all “It’s Moriarty! She’s important, in multiple ways to you.” Enough to drag you out of hiding.
And now the reveal. Good thing Sherlock knew how many bullets were blanks in that gun! And I was partially right – I just wasn’t sure about the blanks and hadn’t mentioned it, because Joan switched the bullet casings. If he knew how many blanks were in the gun, he could act appropriately and jump into a survivable situation, while making it seem much worse for Odin.
We also learn that Rose is much more than she seems, and was hired both for protection reasons (for Arthur), and to help keep him company/take care of him when Joan’s off doing something that leaves her unable to accompany him. He’s a busy kid too.
So the package the Lawyer (Adair was his name? I think? I can’t read what I wrote,) is there, and Sherlock just digs into it like a kid at Christmas. It might be a trick, but by the gods, he intends to enjoy it.
Anyway, Sherlock was busy, and Joan is pissed at him falling out of touch, despite their prior plans.
THAt’S NEW TO ME TOO! Why, when Secret exit? And it’s in the living room/fireplace den place? Since Sherlock basically disappeared very, very quickly.
Oh, lawyer guy is dead. Executed.
Anyway, Sherlock is sure Moriarty wasn’t dead, though Joan was on the fence. This sort of says otherwise.
So they’re keeping the connections down low, and Marcus is to assume it’s another shooting
I like that apology. Though those ‘adventures’ are canon nods, at least from the producer notes. I wouldn’t know. I’m not that familiar with the entirety of Holmesian canon. So Sherlock cut off communications because Arthur came into the picture, and he didn’t want to put him or Joan in danger.
Understandable, doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. Or that others can’t be angry over it.
PERFECTION. Revenge, heck yeah. This is the kind of shit really great friends do to each other sometimes. Also it was one way to take out the frustration and anger re: Sherlock’s disappearance after his ‘death’
I do wonder how long it took before Joan caught on – contact was already infrequent, if not somewhat sporadic towards the end. She must have been worried for a good long while.
The catch up period is cute, btw.
Uh, about that…. Neither Gregson or Marcus is in the dark about the dead plan. Because of course Joan told them eventually. And Marcus already suspected something was up – it would certainly have driven the course their investigation too.
Also, Marcus punching Sherlock for Joan. Because he was there to see what it was like when he totally ‘disappeared’
(On paper, all I have is Punch!!)
So much life has gone by, and nope, none of them are letting the ‘dead and gone’ thing go. Mostly the gone.
Funny how much [you don’t ] know when you let your friends think you’re dead.
And of course, after we get to know that Marcus has married and has a son… “not off fighting super crime in Europe.”
Which means everyone can be on the same page now! Lawyer friend was part of Moriarty’s inner circle, and was moving huge amounts of money around.
Gambling debts. Serious problem, and not one to be looked at lightly.
Involved with the mob, or rather, the card room the guy they’re talking to, and is mob run.
Oh, that’s a sneaky way to cheat. I would never have thought that could be a thing – which is why I probably won’t be a criminal every. Those were nice cards too, I would not mind a deck.
All that effort to get Adair to get in touch with Joan. And that seems like it isn’t necessary if he was working for Moriarty, since he was already part of Moriarty’s inner circle
A night at the Opera. That dress is startlingly different at least on some level for me wrt Joan’s wardrobe. But it fits. Much more simple, yet still elegant, and event appropriate. With little accessories or adornment. Fits her new lifestyle. And the fact that they probably didn’t have much time to get ready for this.
Oh, Ellory! I haven’t thought about her in ages.
Sherlock hasn’t been as off the radar as he wanted to be. Moriarty’s network knows. And he’s been useful for them too. Though they have no clue who would be responsible for the lure.
The game goes on… both her and Sherlock refers to that in a way.
Is the submarine a reference?
BLUE SCREEN, like when Odin locked them out of their tech. It’s a different shade of blue though. Darker. He’s in JAIL
And McNally appears. Like a phantom. BOO
I really thought McNally would’ve gone down with Reichenbach’s ship. But he got promoted? To foreign affairs? (Man, some people have the easiest consequences)
Uh oh. Uh oh. Uh oh.
This was all a job pitch
I would be looking for the catch too, lets be real. With their history? And the fact that the NSA is a spy agency?
Like continue on? Or drop off everyone’s radar again? Anyway, he’ll think about it. (Give it 3 seconds)
So the NSA has part of the NY mafia in their pocket if they managed to rig a poker game to snare one of Moriarty’s inner circle.
Joan, what do you know? Why does it matter than Sherlock sounds happy that you’re not telling him? It’s bad?
That greeting to Arthur is so solemn. And very Sherlock.
Sherlock’s so convinced he would know if Moriarty’s dead, but can’t stand that she would know the same?
Sherlock: I could pit the NSA against Moriraty’s organization!
Joan: /rolls eyes
I’m pretty sure you’re going to live forever – this is META, and for me a reference to the love many have towards ACD canon and its many, many offshoots. That broke the forth wall a bit
Joan: I’m not helping you fake your death again.
And now, for Gregson.
And back in time for dinner with Joan, nice, nice, nice!
I don’t like golf. I just don’t.
Gregson hugs! I think this rounds up the main four. All of them have hugged Sherlock at least once this season. Sherlock also seems to be getting better at hugs.
Sherlock doesn’t want to jeopardize Joan, or put her son in a situation where he has to come across bad things. Awwww.
And I adore how the show hasn’t just let the addiction issue drop. (Okay, it’s not always at its best, but it comes back around to it, and how it’s a process)
It’s a big talk. And now we know what’s up with Joan.
They don’t want to get in the way of each other’s happiness. They’re both crying.
/you were going to let me leave without telling me?
You say this like I’m not going to make it through this – we’re going to see each other again.
I’m staying.
He initiates that hug omg
/Excuse me, I got to go fall down some stairs now. (Don’t worry, I’ve got a mattress)
1 year later. And funeral. And the lack of names. What a cheap shot for them to manipulate our emotions like that? Juxtaposing those two scenes back to back is not good for my blood pressure.
RUDE/ It’s a huge, mean, shock.
Guess what – throwback to the beginning with the background music! Zoe Keating’s strings are back. And we hear the melody used in the opening sequence.
WATSON, they scared me, and I hate that.
(Did you know that’s a wig? It looks awesome)
He’s going to dig up her grave. After spending $500 on the flowers.
Seriously, this episode was all about the little moments. Do I maybe want the resolution to be onscreen? Sure, the rushed handwaving of some issues kinda sucks, like Reichenbach’s final sentencing, but I get why it’s necessary. There’s so little time to try to tie up several plot lines a lot must have gone from ‘Show’ to ‘Tell’.
At the heart, this show has always been about the relationship between Sherlock and Joan, and oh my god, does it deliver. I am very much emotionally ricocheting all over the place, though I am satisfied with this conclusion.
Their stories will go on, though for us, they end here.
One thing though, at least there wasn’t a guest star to become the villain of the week.
I know that Elementary faced a lot of challenges over its run, especially with its initial reception among the fandom. The comparisons to BBC’s Sherlock, the original canon, other adaptations of the works, how some of the narrative choices, (definitely not one way, we sniped back) and lack of return of certain characters was extremely frustrating.
But it still really stands out to me on a personal note – because hey, they did it. They had two people of opposite genders be stars onscreen get into a heavily platonic relationship without ever once slipping into the romantic, allowing for that much broader definition of love, and I really do want to see more of that kind of friendship and devotion. Also Johnny Miller, and Lucy Liu? Phenomenal actors who carried the hats of Holmes and Watson into the twenty-first century. A big thanks to them, and the other members or the cast, and crew for giving me seven years of entertainment through their dedication and hard work.
And to end it – some apocryphal facts from post show interviews: re: Moriarty? For the showrunner, she’s definitely not dead, out there and pulling her strings in the intricate game she plays. Whether you choose to follow that route or now, there’s a story out there, and I wonder how the fandom will tell it?
1. Well, that was a pleasant dream, no? It was last, last week when this was first typed out.
