Elementary: The One Percent Solution (2x16)

Lestrade is back for an encore performance, and I enjoyed his character just as much this time around as I did the last. While there were some bits here and there that I didn't love about the episode, over all I think it was a real winner. The plot!

A bomb goes off in a restaurant where an important meeting it taking place. The private security guy in charge of the company is... Gareth Lestrade. Sherlock is not happy to see him, because the last time they worked a case together he took all the credit for Sherlock's work. The case itself involves Lestrade's boss, and at one point Lestrade himself comes close to being implicated as a suspect. Joan even steals his phone to take a look at his personal information and see what he's been up to. Also suspected is a serial bomber.

Eventually, we learn that Lestrade's boss had nothing to do with the bombing - the reason for all of his suspicious activity (and the suspicious activity of Lestrade, as his employee) is quite different. Apparently, Lestrade's boss continually offers money and certain prizes to people in exchange for sex. Essentially, he views everyone as a potential prostitute, and he has the resources to make a lot of lavish promises. Lestrade was embarrassed to be involved in such a slimy scheme, since he often made the offers to these potential sex buddies of his boss. Lestrade's shame is what prevented him from telling Sherlock straight away.

The team finds the serial bomber, dead in his own warehouse due to some toxic gases. Obviously this eliminates him from the pool of suspects, since he had been dead before the bomb even went off in the restaurant. Eventually, the truth comes out: one of the people at the table, who actually got injured in the blast from the bomb, was responsible. She was vying for an elevated position in her company, and more money, of course. It turns out, this girl got her job in the first place by sleeping with Lestrade's boss in exchange for the job. Sherlock and Joan are the ones to figure it out, and Lestrade is sure to give them all of the credit. Even though he's going to lose his job again by standing up to his boss, he demand that his boss step forward and help them put away the killer.

In a minor subplot, Sherlock has confiscated two roosters who had been used in cock fights. He attempts to condition them out of their violent ways, and in the end he manages to do so, releasing them from their crates and watching as the two roosters do not lunge at each other, but rather peacefully forage for food on the ground. Joan is pleased that Sherlock's plan is a success, but she then realizes - Sherlock is going to keep the chickens!

Alright, let's start with some cons. I think I've discovered something about myself recently: I don't really like procedural cop shows. I know. Weird, right? Considering that I watch this one, and Castle, and The Mentalist. But I've always been a character-driven person, and the actual week to week crimes never grab my attention. Occasionally, a good one will grab hold of me. This week was not one of those. It was fine, there were a few twists and turns, but I didn't really care about this CEO and his problems. I didn't really care about the murderer, when she was finally revealed. Maybe I should lay off the cop dramas in future.

As I'll mention when I get to the good parts of the episode, I really did like the cock fighting subplot. It was funny. But... it was so out of nowhere, and had virtually no connection to the main story. It seemed almost like someone wrote it in to fill up extra space or something. I just feel like the same subplot could be transported to any other episode and it wouldn't change anything. Maybe it's nitpicking, but I feel like these things should tie into the main story, even if just in a small way.

But now onto the good stuff!

Lestrade. Or, more specifically, the tumultuous relationship between Sherlock and Lestrade. Sherlock clearly worries about this man, and has a personal vested interest in him, even if he doesn't want to admit it. And their history is complicated. Lestrade wants to prove himself Sherlock's equal, but his methods in doing so only make him despicable to Sherlock. In the end, he decides to be humble, and in this action actually gains back some of Sherlock's respect. It's a fascinating relationship dynamic.

I love the fact that Lestrade tried to recruit Joan, but she didn't even think about it. In fact, she used the offer to her advantage by getting Lestrade's phone. At one point, Lestrade's assistant tries to make her stay out in the hallway during a meeting, but Joan just barges into the room anyway. Sherlock and Joan are both confident in their relationship as partners. Joan is very much not Sherlock's assistant. I love that.

There was this moment where Lestrade, talking to his boss, refers to Sherlock and Joan as a unit, and says that they aren't the kind of people to accept bribes, etc. I don't know what it was about this moment, but it was one of the first times that I really locked in to the intense bond between Joan and Sherlock. Their working relationship and their personal one are both just so refreshingly strong. I adore it.

The rooster subplot. While it was perhaps out of place in this particular episode, on its own merit, it was really funny. I just love how exasperated yet indulgent Joan is about all of Sherlock's shenanigans. And now they have Romulus and Remus the roosters, along with Clyde the turtle! And Sherlock's bees! What an eclectic bunch of animals, especially for New York City.

So, there you have it. I felt that this was a very strong episode of Elementary. It teased out some interesting parts of Sherlock's character in terms of his relationship with Lestrade, and it continued to enforce Joan's awesomeness and her strong bond and partnership with Sherlock.

8.5/10