Elementary: The Past Is Parent (4x01)

This episode didn’t really feel like a season opener, but it was a solid installment nonetheless. I’m thrilled to have this show back on the air after such a long wait, and I’m excited to see how these new developments play out.

Cons:

Like I said, this didn’t feel like a premiere. It wasn’t… epic enough. It was a fallout episode from last year’s finale, honestly. And while that’s fine in many respects, it was a little off-putting to start the season so slowly.

Also, Bell didn’t have enough screen time. I’m a broken record, I know. Gregson got his scene with Sherlock, and Bell had a brief moment with Joan, but I always want more of these two, Bell in particular. Hopefully we’ll get more of them this season.

Pros:

The case itself. This wasn’t the epic season-opener material I might have expected, but the case was interesting, focusing on a terrible drug dealer who was accused of murdering his wife. He tells Sherlock he was innocent of that crime, while he was guilty of all the others. Then, he kills himself right in front of Sherlock, depending on him to exonerate him for the murder of his wife. Sherlock and Joan discover a connection between his wife and another woman who went missing around the same time, and the pieces start falling into place. Apparently these women’s families were killed by mob members south of the border. A few twists and turns lead them astray, but eventually Sherlock and Joan find the guilty party at a restaurant.

My favorite part of this case was when Joan put the final piece on the puzzle. She realizes that the man they’re looking for is the man from the restaurant because his handle, “el gato,” means “the cat” in Spanish, and the name of the restaurant translates to “Nine Lives.” It’s the kind of logic that sometimes goes over peoples’ heads, and it was nice to see Joan connect the pieces instead of Sherlock.

Of course, meanwhile, we’re waiting to hear if Sherlock is going to prison for his attack on Oscar. He contemplates what his life will be like behind bars, while Joan continually reassures him that this won’t happen. Turns out she’s right – Sherlock isn’t being charged. But, because of his actions, he and Joan have both been sacked from the NYPD. Gregson and Bell don’t like it, but they’re no longer allowed to use them as consultants, due to the recent scandal. Working as consultants has been a big part of Sherlock and Joan’s lives for the past several years. I’m excited to see this show taking a chance at making a big change – where will things go from here? How will the procedural nature of the show maintain itself without the NYPD as a framing device?

Sherlock and Joan’s relationship got a good amount of focus, which of course I always appreciate. The sweetest thing was that Sherlock, while upset at losing his own job with the NYPD, was infinitely more upset to have lost Joan her opportunity. He tries to convince Gregson that Joan is too valuable, and even has the idea that if they catch the murderer of these two women and Joan takes all the credit, the NYPD might consider taking her back. Sherlock claims that his motives for finding the murderer are therefore “selfish,” because he’s doing it for Joan. It’s one of the subtleties I love so much about this show – Sherlock is so connected to Joan that anything he does for her is something he’s doing for himself, in a way.

And then there’s Joan’s response to this generous idea. She says that she accepted a job working at the NYPD not because she wanted to work with the police, but because she wanted to work with Sherlock. Whatever happens next, they’re in it together. Sherlock is of course absurdly grateful for this loyalty, but doesn’t know how to express it. I love this dynamic.

The other sweet moment between them was when Sherlock talked about how if he went to prison, he didn’t want Joan to visit him, since he didn’t want her to see him like that. Joan is in denial, staunchly refusing to even contemplate the possibility. When it turns out Sherlock isn’t being charged, Joan is so happy she actually gives Sherlock a hug, which is hilarious in its way, but also so adorable.

And I’ve saved the biggest for last – Mr. Holmes has arrived! All episode, Joan is continually annoyed when Sherlock’s father says he’s going to show up and then fails to do so. She eventually tracks down one of his assistants and says that Sherlock’s father can come to see him, or he can stay away – but he can’t threaten to show up and then not do so.  Joan’s annoyance is totally justified. We’re already getting the idea that the elder Holmes does things his own way, and doesn’t care how it affects those around him.

In the final scene, he appears. John Noble of course does an excellent job in the one brief scene he’s in, as he and Johnny Lee Miller have a tense conversation as estranged father and son. It’s clear that Sherlock’s father finds his son a disappointment. Or not even that – an inconvenience. He tells him, quite patronizingly, that he’s here to clean up the mess Sherlock has made. This scene was really amazing for the way that it made me think briefly about both sides. Of course I feel defensive on Sherlock’s behalf, but at the same time I imagine that he’s not an easy person to raise and look after. All the Holmes boys are a lot to handle on their own – combined, I can’t even imagine.

That’s all I’ve got. On its own merits, this episode had a lot to offer. But I will admit that I was expecting something a bit more intense for a series premiere.

7.5/10