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Agreed. What gives Elementary a bit of an edge is just that it's on more. There have been only 9 episodes of Sherlock over the past 4-5 years, vs. probably 50 of Elementary (at this point in the season) in half that time.
"Elementary" got the upper-hand for me with last season's three-part cliffhanger. The actions, inter-actions, and dire consequences of two brothers in love with the same woman were fantastic. The Season 2 finale in particular was heartbreaking.
It still would be a draw for me if not for the way "Sherlock" turned Sherlock into a James Bond-type superhero, and also for the way Season 3 wasn't mysterious or suspenseful, but comic.
Neither. They are two completely different shows, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
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There's room on the DVR for both.
Agree. Very different approaches, and it's not a zero-sum game.
Sherlock is a BBC production, very different stylistic leanings, and only makes 3 episodes every year or two. The writing is superb, with that dry British wit. As it should be, it came from Mark Gatiss & Steven Moffat, the Doctor Who people. And it doesn't hurt having Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, two of the best actors around.
Elementary is a standard CBS older-demo-skewing procedural. And has to output 23 episodes a year. I think Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu are a great pair. They have good chemistry, and JLM brings just enough Brit with him to keep us grounded in the Sherlock tome.
They are two different animals, and I like them both. Grades: Sherlock A-, Elementary A-/B+.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NewNorthMainer
I should make this a poll, but polls are too easy.
Agree. Very different approaches, and it's not a zero-sum game.
Sherlock is a BBC production, very different stylistic leanings, and only makes 3 episodes every year or two. The writing is superb, with that dry British wit. As it should be, it came from Mark Gatiss & Steven Moffat, the Doctor Who people. And it doesn't hurt having Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, two of the best actors around.
Elementary is a standard CBS older-demo-skewing procedural. And has to output 23 episodes a year. I think Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu are a great pair. They have good chemistry, and JLM brings just enough Brit with him to keep us grounded in the Sherlock tome.
They are two different animals, and I like them both. Grades: Sherlock A-, Elementary A-/B+.
Very well thought-out and written. I agree with your assessment on both shows.
I don't think Jonny Lee Miller gets enough props on his excellent portrayal of an OCD over-the-top Sherlock, his mannerisms and quirks constantly amuse me. Lucy Liu was an unexpected "like" for me. Though I think the previous seasons were better than the current one.
And Cumberbatch - a perfect successor to the iconic Jeremy Brett. The only problem for me with Sherlock is that every time I see Martin Freeman's Watson I con only think of him as the porn guy in Love Actually.
I don't think Jonny Lee Miller gets enough props on his excellent portrayal of an OCD over-the-top Sherlock, his mannerisms and quirks constantly amuse me.
His OCD got seriously sad at the end of Season Two, with his obsession with Joan. Is the obsession just more of his controlling personality? I don't think so. This past week's episode suggested otherwise.
I don't mind Elementary and go through phases where I'll watch it. The difference to me is like the difference between a decent but relatively uninspired home cooked meal and going out to a very nice restaurant for a special meal. Nothing wrong with either, at the end you are no longer hungry but one is something to savor and I find myself paying closer attention to detail.
Oh. And Benedict Cumberbatch. Yes please.
Last edited by maciesmom; 11-22-2014 at 02:22 PM..
His OCD got seriously sad at the end of Season Two, with his obsession with Joan. Is the obsession just more of his controlling personality? I don't think so. This past week's episode suggested otherwise.
One of the benefits of having the longer season. The writers are able to tackle some pretty serious stuff head-on (drug addiction, OCD, emotional dependency, rape...) and do so in a non-sensational manner, something I really appreciate.
I've found myself really moved on several occasions, including during the episode noted above.
Both are reasonably good shows. I enjoy Sherlock as entertainment; but the writers lost me in terms of really loving the show when they turned Irene Adler into a dominatrix prostitute who eventually needed to be saved by Sherlock. Martin Freeman is an outstanding Watson, though; and I'm wondering what they'll do with him and Mary next season.
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