Created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the character of Sherlock Holmes has become truly a cult. This fictional English detective is the most famous in the world, although he never existed. Of course, such fame could not pass by the creators of the series. How many times the film itself was filmed and freely interpreted the history of Holmes and Dr. Watson - not to count. There are about three hundred of them all over the world - from short films to serial soap operas. One of the most interesting modern adaptations, according to reviews, is the series "Elementary", which was released in 2012.
Therefore, if you do not know what to do with yourself in the evening or on the weekend, then feel free to start watching - six seasons have already come out, and this is more than a hundred episodes.
History of creation
The output of the Elementary series was preceded by two more adaptations of the known history to the modern twist, and the same CBS channel shot them, which releases Elementary. In 2012, against the backdrop of the success of Sherlock from the BBC channel with Cumberbatch, the American channel CBS turned to its creators with the proposal to adapt the series to the audience of the United States. But he was refused and went the other way - he shot his own version, which turned out to be even better in some way, according to reviews on the Elementary series. Rob Doherty, who was the executive producer and screenwriter of the acclaimed Medium, was entrusted with developing the original line.
Note that the British threatened the American serialists with courts if the plots of their adaptations were at least somewhat remotely similar. But Doherty went so far as to draw a parallel between them became completely impossible.
Ratings
Like any series, “Elementary” over the years, popularity indicators began to fall. If the first season was watched on average by each series of 12.65 million viewers, then the sixth season, which ends in September 2018, is watched by no more than nine million people. In any case, these are very successful indicators, so it is possible that the series will be extended to the eighth year, because it has already been officially announced that the seventh season will start in the spring of 2019. Moreover, the critics' reviews of the Elemenatno series are consistently more positive than neutral or negative. Even falling ratings are not able to influence the closure of the series due to its popularity in the world. In Russia, for example, at Kinopoisk, the project has a rating of 7.5, which is a very significant indicator.
Plot plot
English detective Sherlock Holmes is forced to leave the UK and consultant at Scotland Yard because of his addiction to drugs. To embark on a dangerous path forced him to die lover. In New York, he undergoes treatment at a rehabilitation clinic and returns to the police again. But in the West, those who have successfully completed rehabilitation are always given the “sponsor” - a person who helps the former drug addict to adapt to life without dope and supports in difficult situations. Such a man for Holmes was Dr. Joan Watson, a once successful surgeon who lost his license due to the death of a patient on the operating table. They were even lodged together at the behest of Sherlock’s father.
As a result, the detective offers her to investigate murders and crimes together - the fun begins. Joan becomes his partner, and together they unravel the intricacies of criminal designs.
Actors of the series "Elementary"
The role of Sherlock Holmes is played by actor Johnny Lee Miller. He is known for participating in the films "Hackers" and "On the needle." His partner, Joan Watson, is actress Lucy Liu, who is featured in the iconic Charlie's Angels and Kill Bill. The decision to make Dr. Watson a woman occurred to screenwriter Rob Doherty. He decided in this way to show that a man and a woman can work perfectly together and even live, but without any romantic background. By the way, as both actors admitted, before filming in Elementary, they never read Conan Doyle's works about the great detective.
References to the classic work
Despite the fact that the interpretation of the work of the English writer is very free, it is full of references to the original work. First of all, in the details. So, Holmes is engaged in beekeeping, plays the violin and considers the human brain an attic, where the fool drags trash, and a reasonable person - only the necessary information.
In addition, the outline of the narrative also echoes the original, so fans of the printed version will find many references to the classic plot. Differences, of course, more. Dr. Watson, who became a student of Sherlock, soon becomes an independent hero and develops no worse than the main person of history.
Plot development
The reviews for season 1 of the Elementary series were very good. Critics and viewers took the upgrade of the classic plot and all directorial decisions favorably. Over the course of seasons, the relationship of the main characters does not become romantic, as many expect. In this regard, the creators of "Elementary" at one time put a bullet, although intrigue is still present. If in the beginning Holmes and Watson were dogged, then later they become real partners and even a little friends. True, a lot of trials will fall on their lot. Sherlock, for example, will fall apart more than once and sit down on psychotropic drugs again. And Joan will become such a capable student that he will soon open his own private detective agency and go on a solo voyage. Holmes will again fly to England, but will be forced to return to Brooklyn and regain the location of his partner, who during his absence will be promoted to chief police consultant.
Sex change reaction
Of course, Sherlock Holmes fans initially reacted coolly to the idea that Dr. Watson was a woman. However, the directorial move paid off: the fact that the main characters were never put into one bed, and Watson became a completely independent unit in the film adaptation, only added conversations and expanded the audience.
True, not without criticism. A considerable percentage of viewers and critics, according to reviews on the Elementary series, agree that Watson is stupid enough, impulsive and inconsistent.
What other series filmed about a talented detective?
TV series similar to the series "Elementary", by reviews
Those who fell in love with “Elementary” unwittingly compare it with the British “Sherlock”. True, the similarity is very distant, but still the heroes are the same, so there are the same elements.
The character and behavior of Holmes in "Elementary" is also equated with the hero of the series "House MD". He uses drugs, behaves eccentrically and does not know how to file himself in society. He doesn’t get along well with people, loves solitude for thought, and, in general, behaves like an autist - a person with Asperger syndrome. True, he has to understand not crimes, but illnesses, but both of them regularly make mistakes, put forward unprecedented assumptions, but still manage to get to the bottom of the truth.
Another project that is put on a par with Elementary is the Mentalist. The protagonist is a brilliant psychologist-practitioner and manipulator, who in the past presented himself as a clairvoyant. He helps the police investigate the killings, using his skills, every time he seeks to prove that magic exists, and finds completely logical explanations for everything. In the past, he lost his beloved wife and daughter. They were killed by the maniac, whom he now longs to send to jail.
In any case, if you like detective stories and heard positive reviews on the Elementary series, then be sure to watch it. Moreover, soon the number of episodes will exceed one and a half hundred.