Elementary

2012 • CBS

4.7

1.97K reviews

TV-14

Rating

Eligible

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Season 1 episodes (23)

1 Pilot

9/27/12

Detective Sherlock Holmes, along with his sober companion, Dr. Joan Watson, uses his uncanny ability to read people and analyze crimes to assist the NYPD on some of their more difficult cases.

2 While You Were Sleeping

10/4/12

Sherlock uses his powers of deduction to consult on the murder of a young man who is shot upon entering his apartment. Meanwhile, Watson has dinner with her ex-boyfriend, Ty Morstan. Jon Michael Hill joins the cast.

3 Child Predator

10/18/12

Sherlock and Watson consult on a child abduction case involving a serial killer who is nicknamed "The Balloon Man," because he leaves a signature batch of balloons at each of his crime scenes.

4 Rat Race

10/25/12

Even though he despises bankers, Holmes agrees to consult on a case involving the death of a Wall Street executive who appears to have overdosed on heroin. Meanwhile, with Holmes' encouragement, Watson tries to re-enter the dating scene. Craig Bierko guest stars as Jim Fowkes.

5 Lesser Evils

11/1/12

Sherlock tries to determine who has been killing weak and terminal patients at a hospital, making it look like they died of natural causes. Meanwhile, Sherlock learns more about Joan's decision to walk away from her surgical career. Anika Noni Rose guest stars as Dr. Carrie Dwyer.

6 Flight Risk

11/8/12

Sherlock tries to prove that one of people whose body was found in the wreckage of a small plane crash was actually killed before the plane went down. Meanwhile, Watson tries to convince Sherlock to meet with his elusive father.

7 One Way To Get Off

11/15/12

Sherlock assists with a double homicide that has the same M.O. as a series of murders that took place 13 years ago. Meanwhile, after being frozen out by Sherlock, Watson visits his old rehab center in order to learn more about the mysterious man in her care. Callie Thorne guest stars.

8 The Long Fuse

11/29/12

While investigating an explosion that kills two people, Sherlock discovers a crime that's been lying dormant for years. Meanwhile, Watson encourages Sherlock to finally pick a sponsor. Lisa Edelstein guest stars as Heather and Ato Essandoh guest stars as Alfredo.

9 You Do It To Yourself

12/6/12

Sherlock uses his trademark deductive reasoning skills to find the killer of a college professor. Meanwhile, Watson gets a call from a former lover who needs her help.

10 The Leviathan

12/13/12

Sherlock is called in to investigate when a supposedly uncrackable bank vault called "The Leviathan" is breached. Meanwhile, Joan is pleasantly surprised when Sherlock meets her family and defends her choice to become a sober companion.

11 Dirty Laundry

1/3/12

Sherlock and Joan investigate the murder of the general manager of a high-end Manhattan hotel whose body is found inside an industrial laundry machine. Meanwhile, since Joan's time with Sherlock is almost up, he offers her an apprenticeship.

12 M.

1/10/13

Sherlock is reunited with "M." a British criminal who appears to have followed Sherlock to New York. Meanwhile, Joan has reservations about leaving Sherlock and taking on a new client.

13 The Red Team

1/31/13

While on suspension from the NYPD, Sherlock investigates a suspicious hit-and-run accident involving a conspiracy theorist. Meanwhile, Watson tries to broker peace between Sherlock and Gregson.

14 The Deductionist

2/3/13

Sherlock pursues Martin Ennis, an unpredictable criminal, before he strikes again. During the investigation, Sherlock is forced to work alongside Kathryn Drummond, the FBI profiler who literally wrote the book on Ennis. Meanwhile, Watson faces eviction from her apartment. Terry Kinney and Kari Matchett guest star.

15 A Giant Gun, Filled with Drugs

2/7/13

Sherlock tries to find out who kidnapped the adult daughter of his ex-drug dealer, Rhys. Watson worries about Sherlock's sobriety when Rhys suggests Sherlock was a better detective when he was using drugs. John Hannah guest stars as Rhys, Sherlock's friend and former drug dealer.

16 Details

2/14/13

Sherlock investigates what he believes will be an open-and-shut case after Detective Bell is attacked. However, the case takes an unexpected turn when the suspected assailant is found dead. Meanwhile, Sherlock encourages Joan to learn self-defense.

17 Possibility Two

2/21/13

Sherlock investigates a case involving a wealthy philanthropist who believes his incurable illness was given to him on purpose. Meanwhile, Sherlock tries to teach Joan his deductive skills by sending her to a suspicious dry cleaning establishment.

18 Deja Vu All Over Again

3/14/13

Joan takes her first solo case: the disappearance of a woman who left her husband a tearful break-up video that mentioned a murder on a subway platform. Meanwhile, Sherlock is intrigued by the subway murder and decides to investigate.

19 Snow Angels

4/4/13

Sherlock and Joan try to prevent a robbery from one of the largest cash vaults in the country during the middle of a Nor'easter. Meanwhile, Sherlock tries to help a transgender woman who is recovering from her latest break-up.

20 Dead Man's Switch

4/25/13

Sherlock and Joan hunt for the accomplice of a murdered blackmailer who targeted families of rape victims. Meanwhile, Sherlock resists celebrating his first year of sobriety.

21 A Landmark Story

5/2/13

Sherlock resumes his hunt for Moriarty when Sebastian Moran reveals that a man who was thought to be dead from a heart attack was actually on the list of intended victims from Moriarty. Vinnie Jones guest stars as Sinister M.F. and Murray Abraham guest stars as The Actuary, a devious hitman.

22 Risk Management

5/9/13

Sherlock agrees to take a case from a man claiming to be Moriarty, hoping it will bring him closer to finding his nemesis. Meanwhile, Gregson encourages Joan to give up the dangerous line of work she has chosen and go back to being a sober companion. Natalie Dormer guest stars as Irene Adler.

23 The Woman / Heroine

5/16/13

As Sherlock reels at the reappearance of his former lover, Irene Adler, a series of flashbacks unravel the tumultuous events that led to his downfall into addiction. Meanwhile, he and Joan once again find themselves in the crosshairs of the enigmatic Moriarty.

About this show

Elementary follows eccentric Sherlock as he escapes to Manhattan where his wealthy father forces him to live with his worst nightmare, a sober companion, Dr. Watson. A successful surgeon until she lost a patient and her license three years ago, Watson views her current job as another opportunity to help people, as well as paying a penance. However, the restless Sherlock is nothing like her previous clients. He informs her that none of her expertise as an addiction specialist applies to him and he's devised his own post-rehab regimen - resuming his work as a police consultant in New York City. Watson has no choice but to accompany her irascible new charge on his jobs. But Sherlock finds her medical background helpful, and Watson realizes she has a knack for playing investigator. Sherlock's police contact, Capt. Tobias "Toby" Gregson, knows from previous experience working with Scotland Yard that Sherlock is brilliant at closing cases, and welcomes him as part of the team. With the mischievous Sherlock Holmes now running free in New York solving crime, it's simple deduction that he's going to need someone to keep him grounded, and it's elementary that it's a job for Watson.

Ratings and reviews

4.7

1.97K reviews

Vick Fisher

November 4, 2017

I was skeptical when I first heard about the show, after having seen all seasons of the excellent BBC version with Freeman and Cumberbatch. But, this show is different enough that it really holds its own, with much of the credit going to the strong performances of Johnny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu The first and second seasons are excellent. The others are good, but turn into more of a routine cop show. A lot depends on if you like the way Holmes is portrayed. His odd mannerisms, poor manners, and frank references to sex here and there may turn off some viewers. The first and second seasons present a lot of interesting cases and original and clever deductions, but what lifts the show well above the run of the mill procedural is the developing relationship between Holmes and Watson. and the changes in these characters themselves. The detective and captain characters inspire confidence and are a pleasure to watch as well.

46 people found this review helpful

Jennifer Sarver

May 21, 2017

The more edgy, American version of the Sherlock Holmes series. Setting the series in New York gives the show a grittier feel and allows for modern themes to play out in a more natural way than it being set in London. Watson as a woman was a genius move, and Lucy Liu plays the role with poise and strength. It is wonderful that the chemistry between Sherlock and Joan has remained purely platonic as a love story would ruin the camaraderie and connection the characters have and the notion that a man and woman can be close without being romantically involved. Portraying Sherlock as an addict brings a much needed insight into Sherlock's weaknesses, and makes him more relatable than the somewhat eccentric Sherlock of the BBC series. Captain Gregson and Lieutenant Bell command their supporting roles and are treated as a complement to Sherlock's investigations rather than dunces. There are definitely some far fetched moments in the show, but because Johnny Lee Miller's acting is so good, you sort of take it in stride. Overall, this show is one enjoyable ride that will leave you wanting more.

28 people found this review helpful

Shi Yu Lin (Violet Rachel Lin)

September 16, 2016

Compared to BBC Sherlock, this show is totally poor. Not to mention about some actors, the transcript is fine at first, but later to where I watch last time, it becomes non-sense. I can understand some cases, but for the rest, it's so unclear why the murderer killed victims. So, I stopped watching. My opinion, Criminal Minds is better in the term of crime movie and BBC Sherlock is better in Sherlock Holmes movie.

4 people found this review helpful

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