Elementary: Render, and Then Seize Her (5x03)

Surprise, surprise, I found the subplot more compelling than the main story.

Cons:

I think my problem with the case of the week is that it tried to incorporate too many elements, and thus ended up having a weird amount of red herrings. Like, the nudist colony? What did that have to do with anything? I won't go over the whole plot, but suffice it to say it involved a kidnapping that ended up being staged by the abductee herself, highly valuable CGI technology, altered surveillance footage, old mob families and their long-past dramas, and more. A lot of interesting stuff, but maybe a bit too cluttered.

Pros:

There were a couple of good things about this case, though. First of all, when the "kidnapped" woman tells her story, she says she was kidnapped by a couple of Pakistani men. Sherlock calls this made up story a "racist tale of woe" and a "bigoted fantasia." Ah, Sherlock. Your wordplay is a wondrous thing to behold.

Also, Joan got to take the lead here, as Sherlock was busy over in subplot land. Her strangely intimate knowledge of mob families and their pasts ends up helping them advance the case. Joan happened to identify two people in the background of a video, and Sherlock is completely astounded at her weirdly detailed knowledge. That was a great moment.

The case also had a cool twist in that it involved CGI, and thus the surveillance footage that the police were depending on ended up being unreliable. That was a really cool concept, and I wish we could have done even more with it.

The subplot was about Gregson, which thrilled me to no end. I'm always complaining about the lack of a well-developed supporting cast on this show. Basically, Paige (Gregson's girlfriend) goes to Sherlock to ask for help. She believes that her doctor might be involved in some shady practices. Sherlock audits the place, and discovers that while the doctor is innocent, some of his office workers are not. While poking around in the office files, Sherlock learns that Paige is in dire financial trouble. He tries to talk to her about it, wondering if she is going to ask Gregson for the money. Paige is deeply offended. Sherlock then goes to tell Gregson what's going on, but he already knows about the money trouble. Sherlock suggests they get married so that Paige can be on Gregson's insurance, but it turns out that Paige has an unfavorable view of marriage. Sherlock goes to talk to Paige, and helps to change her mind. In the end, Sherlock offers Gregson a selection of rings so he can propose to Paige, and we see the two of them talking in his office.

I loved this. Sherlock helping out Gregson was so sweet. I loved how exasperated Gregson was with Sherlock for butting in to his private life, but in the end, Sherlock was doing it not just because it would help Paige out with her medical insurance, but because Gregson said it was what he wanted.

Of course, both Gregson and Joan can't help but point out the irony of Sherlock being a champion for marriage. The best line of the episode was when Sherlock says that while marriage might not be for him, it doesn't mean it's always a bad thing. People have discovered that there are health benefits for "men who reside in a state of sexless antagonism with a life partner." Joan's response: "Oh, then you will live to be a hundred." Oh snap! Also, awww. Joan called herself and Sherlock life partners!

I guess that's where I'll stop. In all, a substandard case of the week was saved by a superb subplot! I can't wait to get back to Shinwell. And hey, where's Fiona? All this talk of romance and marriage makes me wonder if Sherlock is still with her. I hope so!

7.5/10