Elementary, a reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes stories, places the famous detective (Johnny Lee Miller) in modern-day New York City. He works as a consultant for the NYPD with Dr. Joan Watson, played by Lucy Liu. The show adapts his classic deductive reasoning to contemporary crimes, and introduces the benefits of new technology to Holmes’ detecting toolbox. If you’re into clever mysteries and characters who develop over time, Elementary is a great watch.
Johnny Lee Miller is the best element in this production, portraying Holmes’ brilliance with vulnerability, emotional depth, and unexpected but delightful humor. Over the series, Holmes evolves from a genius struggling alone with his addiction recovery into an empathetic and self-aware friend, thanks in large part to the evolving relationship with Watson and, later, other found family characters.
It has been argued that this is the best Sherlock Holmes adaptation so far, so it would be a satisfying choice for any Holmes fan. It’s also a great choice for anyone who enjoys police procedurals, complex mysteries, or quirky genius characters.
