The one hundred twenty-sixth TV show: #921 Elementary

I've discussed Sherlock before, and Elementary is the other side of the coin. Another adaptation of the character, Elementary mostly avoids adapting the original work (in part because it is difficult in a weekly show with 22 episodes per season), instead transplanting the Sherlock Holmes character to New York, helping the police there. It evaluates his character in a modern setting - as a recovering alcoholic, he isn't as good a person, and it's Jonny Lee Miller's charismatic but slightly off approach that really seals the deal, keeping him likeable but off putting enough. What helps is Lucy Liu playing Joan Watson, the gender swapped doctor who really is our window into the world. Over the series we see her grow into someone as competent as Sherlock, but more human. Even then there's a balance on how much she starts to copy Sherlock.

In other words, rather than just focusing on the crimes, there's a lot more focus on our protagonist, as well as the supporting cast in the NYPD. It's a good watch and for the most part entertaining, a lot of this kept light while exploring certain situations quite deeply. It's an adaptation that works amazingly well, with legs that outpace the original.