Elementary: Ill Tidings (5x06)

The character work in this episode was exquisite, as is often the case with this show. The actual plot was adequate, but nothing special. That also tends to be the situation with Elementary. I hope this show survives beyond this year. There are so many other things on TV right now that I would prefer to see cancelled. We'll have to hold out hope for higher ratings going forward.

Cons:

The main case was one of those where the twist comes so far out of left field that instead of feeling shocking, it just feels ridiculous. Somebody is murdering people using snake venom, and at first you think it's got something to do with cyber security. Then, it turns out to be an art heist of the New York Stock Exchange. This feels more like a setup for Leverage than for Elementary, and I've got to say, it doesn't work to the show's favor.

There was one moment that could have been really intense, but instead it went nowhere. The team has been hunting down this venomous snake, and they find it - in the apartment of one of the bad guys. It's free from its cage, and it's right behind Joan's foot. We cut to commercial, and when we come back, Joan and Sherlock are back at the Brownstone, and the snake is safely contained. Is it too much to ask for just a little drama? Was Sherlock scared for Joan's safety? How did they get everybody out of that situation safely? That's the kind of thing I'd like to see play out on screen.

Pros:

Joan and Sherlock have one of the most beautiful and subtle of all TV relationships. Unfortunately, this episode seems to bring about the demise of another relationship - that between Fiona and Sherlock. I can hardly believe I'm putting this news in the "pros" section, but the dissolution of their relationship was done just right. Basically, the two of them are going along and everything seems to be fine. But when Bell talks to Sherlock about relationships, and how you typically talk about work with your partner, Sherlock starts to feel uneasy. When he brings it up to Joan, she has some advice in the form of a Shakespeare quote: "Give to a gracious message a host of tongues, but let ill tidings tell themselves when they be felt." Basically, if things are bad, go ahead and rip off the band-aid. Don't be cruel, but don't sugar-coat.

Fiona and Sherlock get along well, they are attracted to each other, and they have each overcome obstacles to be in this relationship. But when you compare Sherlock's relationship with Fiona to his relationship with Watson, it's clear that what he feels for Fiona isn't deep enough to last. I think my favorite moment is when Joan offers Sherlock the Shakespeare quote. They had been talking about Fiona earlier, but Sherlock didn't say anything about necessarily wanting to break up with her. Joan could tell, however, that that was what he was getting at. Later, as Sherlock waits to have a video chat with Fiona, he repeats the quote to himself, steeling himself for a difficult conversation. Joan's advice clearly means something to him.

There's also a brief subplot where Bell accidentally perjures himself on the stand based on notes Sherlock had written during an earlier case. Sherlock comes along with Bell to clear things up, and discovers that Bell has a crush on the DA handling the case for the state. Sherlock wonders why Bell cares what the girl thinks of his work ethic, and Bell explains that his job is a big part of who he is, so he obviously wants his crush to think he's competent. It's this conversation that gets Sherlock thinking about his own relationship with Fiona.

I love the focus on Bell, of course. Beyond that, I love the fact that this all seems reasonable. Bell made a mistake, but instead of it spelling the near-end of his career or something silly like that, he clears things up immediately, and everybody goes on with their lives. Also, I hope we get to see Bell and this woman again! I'd be down for that!

Oh, one more thing - Clyde got to go on an adventure as he let the venomous snake borrow his habitat! What a pal. I love that little guy.

That's what I've got. I'm worried about the future for this show, as it seems that its ratings are down. I myself am still enjoying it a lot!

8/10