Sherlock Holmes discussion
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Elementary
message 51:
by
Robin
(new)
Mar 02, 2013 03:32PM
Wait. Are you saying that the reason you won't watch it is because Watson is a woman? I'm sorry, but that's a little dumb. It's definitely different, but I think it's kind of absurd to blow the entire show off without even giving one episode a chance just because Watson is female.
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Oh no, that's not at all what I meant to convey. Sorry, that actually does sound bad now. I was just saying that I've tried watching it, I didn't really like it, and that after seeing everything with John Watson being John Watson, not Joan Watson, that it was a little weird. I just happened to mention that. I'm just not used to seeing a female Watson so it's just odd. And I'm not trying to completely hate the show, I just think that I'd have to watch more of it to like it. I don't feel like I'm saying this right. It may just have been what I saw of that specific episode. So I'm not blowing the show off because of that. I just don't like that idea. Sorry about this.
I suppose that with Watson handling the case on her own, it's a bit like the Hound of the Baskervilles. I agree with Sinda, it's really annoying how Watson is a woman. I think they're just trying to add a bit of sex to it.
I still haven't seen last week's episode, but plan to today.I'm not sure they made Watson a woman only for "a bit of sex". I think part of it was to get noticed and be different. Just look. There's so many Holmes shows/films out there. They probably knew they could not be as good as BBC, so they took a route that would get them noticed.
Just to add my 2c worth—I have always thought that Lucy Liu was cast as Watson to add some 'star' power to an otherwise relatively unknown lineup of actors. Add to that, that she is an outstanding actress, and her presence is understood. A female Watson was jarring at first, but, when it comes down to it, it is the role the character plays, not the gender (or ethnicity, etc) that is important. So, will the next iteration of Sherlock Holmes storytelling star a women as Sherlock?!
That's what I thought, they just made Watson a woman so they could call it their own.
I feel like this is a topic that is very similar to "Will the next Doctor of Doctor Who be a GIRL?!" There are the people who are so biased who do not want change that would freak out over that. Then I think there are the people who will give it a shot.As for whether or not it'll happen, I'm not sure. It'd be a big risk for the producers. The show might go down the drain from the amount of viewers who would refuse to watch it.
The success of a change of this magnitude depends on how well the change is executed. A female Dr W, might just reinvigorate the series (again, again, and again), which is needed from time to time ( :) ). A female Dr (or even a non police box Tardis), might be just what the Dr ordered, if created in a timely fashion ( :) ). A female Sherlock? Umm. It would be a shock, but one I could deal with.
I think it could be good, as well...Just it'd take some explaining-a GOOD explanation. We'll just have to wait an see. (I'd love to see BBC find some more amazing woman writers. I think it's only been three episodes ever written by a woman-the same woman. I guess as long as the show is good.)
I agree, if it was well presented. As a woman myself I'm very open to the idea.
Now that I am managing to wrap my ageing brain around the idea of a female Sherlock or/and Dr W, I like the idea. But (to begin a sentence with 'but'), it would need to be an outstanding actress, with outstanding scripts. It would need to lift and redefine the series, while staying true to the past.
Anyone care to keep the metaphorical, 'Elementary' ball rolling? Ok, let me kick off.
Just watched 1x18, where Watson takes on her first detective case, with Holmes's backing. Overal, while I thought the acting in this episode was above average, the story was not. The 'mystery', was anything but -spoiler- the missing wife was murdered by the husband. This startling conclusion was reached by so simple a chain of deduction that it was possible that the police could have solved the case—on a good day.
I was particularly annoyed by Watson's 'friends'. Watson had terminated her medical career, then began a new career helping addicts kick their addiction (a 'good' career), and apparently making a few dollars doing so. Because of this her friends complained (I am tempted to write 'bitch', but I won't), and finally stage an intervention because she is now doing some detecting. I mean, chill. I thought friends were the support in one's life.
'Elementary' is bogged down in murders, lacks complex, truly outré cases, and is absent the display of abstract logic that made Doyle's Sherlock so appealing. I am sure that most of you reading this can infer that I am not a happy 'Elementary' fan.
I haven't watched it yet, so I currently possess no opinion.
Me too, I really want to watch it though.Isn't it on Wednesdays at 8:30? I saw an ad for it yesterday
Yes, the next one looks quite good.
Just watched 3-14's episode...I was terribly bored. I watch for Sherlock. Not a mediocre case solved by Watson. I found myself suring the Internet while watching because it just was so boring.
It's solved by Watson? That's an insult to all Sherlockians. I'm going to try and watch the next episode and see what it's like.
Mod
The series is ok It's certainly not the best adaptation. But it's different. Then again, I'm only watching it to see how they integrate the characters. Let's just say Mrs Hudson was certainly interesting.
The more I continue to follow this show the less it holds my interest. I have some sort of television ADD that prevents me from sitting still through television episodes unless I find them incredibly interesting, thoughtful, exciting, etc. And this just. It's going downhill in terms of my interest.
Mod
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Okay, I watched half the episode. Then I got frustrated and rewatched all the Sherlocks instead. Curse you, television ADD.
I liked Merlin...although it had the worst finale episode ever. Ruined my Christmas ;)
Mod
Mel wrote: "I like his golden eyes. They're so frickin cool. ^_^ But the show just wasn't my cup of tea. :/"
ahh yes his eyes were the best feature!
ahh yes his eyes were the best feature!
Ladies, ladies, lets try and keep the conversation on topic! "eyes", indeed.
Mod
Ian wrote: "Ladies, ladies, lets try and keep the conversation on topic! "eyes", indeed."
hehe apologies...us ladies just can't help ourselves sometimes.
hehe apologies...us ladies just can't help ourselves sometimes.
Lol, especially when it comes to nice eyes......
Sinda wrote: "Oh no, that's not at all what I meant to convey. Sorry, that actually does sound bad now. I was just saying that I've tried watching it, I didn't really like it, and that after seeing everything wi..."Even if it does 'sound bad' . Your'e entitled to your opinion.
So annoying that Watson is a woman, it is a ridiculous plot line and I wouldn't watch it. But that's just me.
Episode 21 is a marked improvement. Here the 'murder of the week' places Holmes, via Sebastian Moran and a serial killer, on the path to Moriarty. The story was clever. There was serious mystery and intrigue. One observation, after viewing twenty one episodes I venture to suggest that Lucy Lui would have been a better Holmes than Miller. She is a great actress, who could have developed and carried forward the Holmes character. She is wasted as Watson.
One more thing, I finally noticed Liu's shoes. They looked like medieval torture devices. How can women walk in those things?
I've been terribly busy lately and really haven't had the motivation to watch any more. Knowing that you enjoyed 21, I may look into it.As for shoes, you get used to the things.
I'm thinking Ian is just excited about Moriarty's reemergence because 21 wasn't anything special either. In fact, it was bad.
I am easily excited. Clearly, a difference of opinion. I would be interested in the thoughts of others on this episode.
jic anyone is interested, I thought the double episode conclusion to season one of 'Elementary' was kick ass.
My dad LOVED IT, and keeps telling me to watch all...what is it-three hours-worth of the finale. Haha
A man of good taste. The double ep is an hour and a half, but to see it all in perspective you would need to watch the previous two eps. So, yep, 3 hours, give or take!
My dad is quite a humorous man. He loves the BBC Sherlock and we tend to adventure into new Sherlocks as a team. I had stopped watching Elementary but he stuck with it, apparently very pleased he did.
I've only watched the first episode. i felt like yuck! because he was nothing like sherlock Holmes, and Joan Watson???????????? How can it be a woman. and.....it's kind of ....... just wrong! it's really really far from actual Sherlock Holmes and ... just too far away. i hate it.
yes, i think that's what "i hate it" means. ha ha
I don't think there was NEARLY enough punctuation in that first message... ;)I agree that it is very far off, but sometimes change can be good. Though I believe in this particular case change is merely mediocre.
oh, ok, sorry. yes, change can be good but i didn't like it in this one. but i guess everyone's got their own opinions. :)
I found that elementary has a certain charm to it and definitely came off to a slow start but has really been improving. It isn't great but I wouldn't go as far as to call it bad. it is the kind of show you put on and can multitask with, while on you can devote your attention to homework of crafts without losing track of the story.I enjoy fem. Watson ad also like how they haven't forced a romantic relationship between her and sherlock.
I still haven't seen an episode of this show! But I plan too. I just don't want to waste my time watching something that isn't good. Based on the discussion that I read (I tried to skip over the bits that seemed spoilery lol) it seems like a decent enough show, but one you can get by on watching episodes here and there, and not necessarily in a straight shot. So in other words how I tend to treat any version of CSI or Law and Order lol. I do have a tendency to like crime shows, even the less than popular ones, so I think I'll enjoy it. Have I got the right impression or am I missing something?Also I'd love to see an interpretation with Sherlock as a woman. I think that'd be neat. But as long as it's done right. I'm actually slightly disappointed they didn't go with that approach in Elementary. I mean if they went with Watson as a woman, why not go a step further?
It's interesting that Lucy Liu is portraying the John Watson character, in that "loo" is what they call the john in Old Blighty.
Any thoughts on season two? The actors seem to be handling their characters somewhat better. The stories, about the same—murder of the week, but it was interesting to see more of Sherlock's background in the form of his brother, the chef (haha). What was intriguing was Sherlock and Moriarty. I was surprised at my surprise that they remain in contact. This liaison with the arch criminal could lead to an interesting story arc. What will happen when and if Sherlock's clients are involved with M?
THIS SHOW IS LAME!! Sherlock Holmes is brittish...
I like the show and it's nice to have it on all year. I also like Jonny Lee Miller better as Sherlock, but I'd still say the actual show Sherlock is better. I'm all for creativity though, and it's kind of nice that they took it in a different direction. To me, the most disappointing thing is that it's a "murder of the week" show, as someone said. It would be nice to see him or even Cumberbatch for that matter do some of lesser-crimes or not-even-crimes. Blue Carbuncle, Man with the Twisted Lip, and the Yellow Face come to mind, although Yellow Face wouldn't be pc for one set in the present.
