So many ppl have said that what the Elementary version of Holmes gets right is that perfect ratio of low asshole energy to high bitchy energy, and while I hear that and totally agree I think what they Really got right is that Holmes is totally and certifiably an absolute fucking freak. He’s a complete weirdo. He loves kinky sex. He has all his bizarre little hobbies. He gets deep joy from these things. And he is not at all ashamed of any of this, he’s actually quite proud of it all and willing to share it with anyone, out of a true love for his passions. He doesn’t feel confined by convention or expectations at all, he just wants to be vibing with his weird little projects and solve some weird little crimes and That Is How Sherlock Holmes Should Be.
and! And he actually fucking cares about people and wants to help! Not just as an outlet or way to show off his intellect! He may frequently be annoyed by these emotions but Elementary Sherlock wants to do good more than any other Sherlock and he is. hands down. Best Sherlock.
So if at times I seem overprotective of the system that we’ve built, if I worry that the resentments of others might disrupt it, I have good reason.
#what elementary did with it’s 100th episode was a testament to the kind of show is #to the kind of show #the kind of holmes adaptation - it has tried to be from the start #what they chose to do with their milestone episode is the epitome of all the ways it stands in stark contrast to any other adaptation #any other show not just any other sherlock adaptation but any other crime procedural would have pulled out the big guns #and dealt their lead/s a huge case and packed it full of guest stars or notable minor characters #for sherlock stories specifically no one could begrudge you for assuming moriarty would play a key role #but that has never been what drives elementary #the 100th episode offered all it’s emotional significance to what has always been the core of the show #that sherlock is better because of the people he surrounds himself with #that there is no true reward in playing the lone genius cut off from society/humanity #and his partnership with joan is the finest exemplar of that #yes the bit with marcus in the opening was nice #and gregson’s little speech at the end pulled at my heart strings #both because of it narrative significance and the subtext of it being written for the cast and crew’s dedication to the show bts #but it always comes back to this #one holmes #one watson #the single fact that elementary is fundamentally about sherlock valuing human connections and interpersonal relationships #over solving the puzzle #will forever set it apart from any other sherlock adaptation #and that might be a criticism for some #but it will forever be one of the key reasons that i cherish and adore it
Watson and I feel that, in order to do our best work, the chemistry needs to be right.
#see THIS is what makes Sherlock in Elementary so unique#a lot of versions of Sherlock#or pretty much Any modern crime drama would have the brilliant detective calling the other detectives ‘idiots’#or ‘amateurs’ or basically insulting their intelligence and ability as detectives#here Sherlock is both acknowledging their skill as detectives and crediting that to their Captain’s leadership#while also acknowledging that he can’t work with them because THEY don’t like him#all the while he is accepting as fair because he’s self-aware to know he’s not easy to work with#there are ways to depict an anti-social genius without being a huge asshole to everyone#and this is it
Lucy Liu as Joan Watson in ELEMENTARY (2012—2019)
1.16
elementary
You can measure her success in careers restored. In my case, criminals caught and in lives saved.
“She rebuilds lives from the ground up.”
HE’S TALKING ABOUT HIMSELF AS THE PRIMARY CASE STUDY, OBVI.
Also. Her reaction. Shy. Embarrassed. Awkward. Humbled. Pleased.
Because even though she’s enjoying her new path and finding such success in it, she still feels somewhat… ashamed… sad… dejected after walking away from something she trained years for in the most heartbreaking way possible (i.e., losing a patient who was a father and creating a widow and a fatherless child—we saw just how guilty she felt as she revealed her lingering connection to the kid all these years later).
So HERE is some RANDO defending her and uplifting her to the people (person) who is the external voice of the internal critic that shouts every doubt and insecurity she has.
(Because sure, she knows her mom loves her, but she also know her mom’s love is filled with concern and questions and hesitations and requires explanation and proof of concept, etc. as is sometimes the case with parents of high achieving children.)
Anyway. This is the first time that someone has put into words what exactly it is she’s doing, why she’s doing it, and that she’s excellent at it.
He’s her best friend and her fiercest advocate and they love each other (platonic) and I love them (obsessive).
She’s just as unstable, but not as obvious, because she’s trying to distract her own problems with his problems. (Lucy Liu on Joan Watson)
Joan: I don’t like to open up, people already know to much about me.
her family, her friends, the police, Everyone, Moriarty: we know exactly three things about you
Sherlock: Ah, see, I know five things about her, because I’m her best friend and I read her mail
joan watson + suits