Elementary: The Invisible Hand (4x23)

Okay, so to be honest I was really distracted when watching this episode, and a lot of the finer plot details escape me as I now try to recount it. This was a good-ish episode, but a bit of a letdown after the last two weeks. Let's hope the finale next week can pick up the slack. Also, I actually mean it this time when I say I'm going to be brief.

Cons:

The plot, as I mentioned, is a little hard for me to pin down because I suck and I wasn't paying much attention. But the basic fact is that Morland is not being targeted by Moriarty herself. She passed on her organization to a sinister Russian dude named Joshua Vikner, who has a henchman named Krasnov kill some of Morland's workers and set off a bomb blowing up his work building. Morland escapes, and Joan and Sherlock continue to investigate and try to pin down the reasons Morland is being targeted. Is all of this coming from Moriarty in some twisted way? As the episode ends, Joan and Sherlock enter the Brownstone to find a bomb waiting for them inside.

So... honestly. Why do the cliffhanger thing with the big "it's Moriarty" statement at the end of last week's episode if you're not going to follow through with Ms. Natalie Dormer? From the promotional materials, it doesn't look like she'll be turning up in the finale next week either, unless they're keeping it seriously under wraps. In comparison to Moriarty herself, any villain that they bring out to challenge our heroes is going to feel second-rate. Joshua Vikner was a pretty generically sinister figure. The most interesting things about him, really, were the things that connect him with Moriarty. Apparently this is the guy who fathered Jamie Moriarty's child. I wanted to know more about that, but instead we got a lot of creepy mustache-twirling and sinister one-liners.

Is it just me, or has Bell been an entire non-entity this season? At least Gregson gets to be gruffly concerned and upset that Joan and Sherlock are in such a dangerous spot. Bell barely gets any attention at all. It's an ongoing problem, but I've got to log that complaint here.

Pros:

For all that Moriarty's absence is disappointing, her presence is still looming over this episode in a big way. Particularly disturbing is Sherlock's decision to pour over his correspondence with Moriarty, and his requesting of one of her paintings so he can identify Moriarty's style in the painting in the background of a picture that helps them with the case. The picture he receives? The giant one of Joan Watson. I loved that, because it reminds us that Moriarty's fascination is not just for Sherlock. It's for Joan as well, in a very big way.

Further emphasizing this is the fact that Joshua Vikner lets Sherlock and Joan know that they are both safe from Moriarty's organization. She has insisted that they both remain off-limits. Vikner understands Jamie's fascination with Sherlock, but is confused as to why the courtesy has been extended to Joan. Whatever role Joan plays in next week's finale, I'm sure it's going to prove her worth as Sherlock's equal, even if the baddies don't understand it yet.

Joan and Sherlock's bond has always been one of the best things this show has to offer, and here we see that their dedication to one another never wavers. I loved the part where Joan asks Sherlock why they aren't telling Gregson what they suspect, and Sherlock insists that they tell nobody the full truth, for security. Joan asks Sherlock if he trusts anybody, and Sherlock says, quite simply "I trust you." I love that.

Morland and Sherlock also had a number of good moments. Morland essentially blames Sherlock for Sabine's death - they both realize that Moriarty's network was involved in the assassination attempt on Morland now, even if they're still sorting out the specifics. If Sherlock had kept after Moriarty's network and put it down for good, Sabine would still be alive. It's brutal, but Morland does have a point, in a sick way. Sherlock's personal relationship with Irene/Moriarty clouded his judgment. He didn't eradicate her organization like maybe he could have if he'd thought to. Still, Morland is out of line, and Joan knows that even if Sherlock can't see it. What's going to happen with Morland next week? Are we going to wrap up the daddy issues this season, or will he be returning next season? Either way, I can't wait!

There were a surprising number of humorous moments in this episode. When Sherlock talks about Moriarty's organization, Joan responds with skepticism about the formality of such an organization. "Moriarty wasn't the vice president of 'inhuman resources.'" That made me laugh. Also, Sherlock declares that Krasnov needs to be put on suicide watch and that they need to take his shoelaces and belt. The man clearly wasn't suicidal - Sherlock just wanted to take a look at the corroded metal on his belt buckle, which ended up proving his involvement in the bombing. When asked why he took the shoelaces as well, Sherlock says it's because "it makes it harder for him to walk. Because why not." Oh, Sherlock. You are vindictive in the strangest of ways.

I'm so excited about next week. Will Sherlock dismantle the bomb, or will they make a run for it? The promo looks awesome, as Morland basically chastises Sherlock for keeping Joan around and putting her in danger. I can taste the forthcoming angst! That being said, this episode wasn't everything I hoped it would be. I hope next week can make up for it!

7/10