Elementary: Just a Regular Irregular Review

I have a couple of questions. First and foremost, are elaborate “math games” with big monied prizes a real thing? If they are, can someone teach me math and also possibly invite to participate in one of these games?

In non-math related queries, what about this: When are we going to get to a flashback episode of Kitty and Sherlock in London? It better be soon, because I am running out of creative excuses for why Kitty continues to be on show at all this season. This might read as cruel, especially in light of all the mother-hen-ing Joan has shown Sherlock’s newest pupil, but if anything, I’d argue that it’s the opposite. The show has gifted us with the mystery and damaged Kitty Winters and now has her politely off in one corner, going to group therapy sessions and managing the lame crimes (house flipping…really?) of the B storylines. She deserves better. Frankly, we all do.

This week’s episode crime of Elementary was a fun one (said the sociopath as she described with the glee the discovery of a rotund man’s corpse in foot locker), but if anything, the riotously rich math murder played second fiddle to the episode’s main goal: Reminding us that Sherlock isn’t people. It was an interesting choice, and one that made a lot of sense. We’ve spent the first two episodes of the season watching Sherlock being deeply empathic (he always is, to a degree) but more than that involved in the lives of the people around him — that’s not like him, and with this week’s episode the show set out to remind us that Sherlock has a psychological discomfort in the bonds of a friendship.

When guest star Rich Somers (and his adorable nude tummy) expressed hurt that Sherlock didn’t value their friendship enough to go without the skills of another math genius when he absconded for England without saying goodbye, the show made sure to spend a lot of time with Sherlock’s “but why?” attitude. What distinguishes Elementary from other Sherlock shows is that it doesn’t place the great detective somewhere on the autism spectrum. CBS’s Sherlock Holmes is deeply damaged, that’s the root of his affected disconnection with people around him. In order to maintain any relationships at all, there must be the guise of work (see: Joan, Kitty) an element that he can control and view with subjectivity.  

I’m not saying that this is an effective strategy for Sherlock. I mean, there’s a reason the dude fled to London. This week’s episode made it clear that the biggest enemy Sherlock will continue to face is himself. While that’s not exactly something revelatory, with Joan and Kitty growing ever closer, it will make Sherlock’s attempts to distance himself that much more tricky. 

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