Recently, I’ve discovered an old television series called “Elementary”. It was an American take on the famous British detective, Sherlock Holmes, that ran from 2012 to 2019. The premise was that Sherlock had come to Manhattan after breaking out of a drug rehab in the UK. Dr. Watson, who is played by an Asian woman (trust me, she’s an interesting and likable character) is a retired surgeon who gets hired by Sherlock’s father to be his sober companion and make sure he doesn’t relapse.
While I was skeptical of the premise at first, I soon fell in love with the show, and now believe it to be a better adaptation of Sir Doyle’s original idea for the BBC’s character “Sherlock”. See, in the BBC version, Sherlock is constantly a bellend who almost never takes responsibility for his wrongdoings. “Elementary’s” Sherlock is a nicer and more apologetic.
Sure, Doyle’s original Sherlock is also known for being rude and a practical jokester sometimes, but BBC’s version makes him an outright sociopath. Sometimes you wonder why BBC’s Watson is still friends with Sherlock. So while yes, “Elementary’s” Sherlock is sometimes mean to Joan and plays pranks on her, he has just as many moments where he encourages his apprentice and even apologies when he goes too far, something BBC’s Sherlock would never do.
Another thing I like about “Elementary” is that Sherlock isn’t some omniscient demigod that always knows everything about anything. In the pilot episode, he literally tells Joan that not everything can be found out just by looking at a person for a few seconds. Just like how Doyle’s Sherlock sometimes needed Watson’s help with a case, the show makes sure that there are plenty of moments where Joan throws her weight around and shoves the case before Sherlock himself can.
Overall, “Elementary” is one of the best adaptations of Sherlock I’ve ever seen and recommend anyone reading this to watch it. Even if you’re not a fan of the mystery genre, I have faith you will find something about this show to love.