Elementary v Sherlock

[vxr8mate]

As a fan of both the Us and Brit shows just wondered which you guys thought was best.

I know they are not exactly the same, but the US version probably just swings it for me at the moment (Johnny Lee Miller plays an excellent part and Lucy Liu's legs....).

Over to you.

[kowalski655]

Nowt wrong with Martin Freeman's legs

I like both, different sides of the same coin, Elementary at least does more than 3 episodes a decade! But both versions of Moriarty(camp or female) suck

[RicksAlfas]

Elementary for me.
More entertaining, less smug.

[viggyp]

I enjoy both thoroughly but there's something about Elementary that just about grabs it for me. It's a good, differing take on Holmes.

[clonmult]

viggyp said:

I enjoy both thoroughly but there's something about Elementary that just about grabs it for me. It's a good, differing take on Holmes.

Likewise.

I didn't expect anything from Elementary; just thought it would be a lame yank attempt at doing a classic show. Couldn't have been more wrong, probably one of the best shows on TV at the moment.

[viggyp]

clonmult said:

viggyp said:

I enjoy both thoroughly but there's something about Elementary that just about grabs it for me. It's a good, differing take on Holmes.

Likewise.

I didn't expect anything from Elementary; just thought it would be a lame yank attempt at doing a classic show. Couldn't have been more wrong, probably one of the best shows on TV at the moment.

Spot on. Exactly what myself and a work colleague said before it was shown. Saying that, I need to watch the last six episodes. I've been lazy or occupied.

[RicksAlfas]

viggyp said:

I enjoy both thoroughly but there's something about Elementary that just about grabs it for me. It's a good, differing take on Holmes.

I can't describe it very well but somehow the Holmes in Elementary, despite being a socially awkward, arrogant fruitcake can also be vulnerable, humble and funny. In turn you warm to him and root for him.

When I watch Cumberbatch I just hope someone will knock his block off.

[JRH1]

Sherlock is brilliant. But I really, really enjoy Elementary; I find the leads much more compelling, and I like having a big chunk of episodes to watch rather than a measly 9.

[anonymous-user]

Elementary for me too. Holmes is great and Lucy Liu is erm great too.

[ikarl]

Sherlock is brilliant.

Elementary is dumbed down and much easier to watch (work out whodunnit).

I like them both.

[viggyp]

RicksAlfas said:

viggyp said:

I enjoy both thoroughly but there's something about Elementary that just about grabs it for me. It's a good, differing take on Holmes.

I can't describe it very well but somehow the Holmes in Elementary, despite being a socially awkward, arrogant fruitcake can also be vulnerable, humble and funny. In turn you warm to him and root for him.

When I watch Cumberbatch I just hope someone will knock his block off.

Agreed. First time I saw Sherlock, BCs character annoyed me whereas you felt for Sherlock in Elementary. NY is my fave city so I think I need to catch up on Elementary

[Derek Smith]

Resurrection.

I've had some treatment which has left me a little brain dead, especially in the late afternoon and evening. To take up the time I've been watching Elementary. I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Sherlock is much more him than in many TV/film depictions. Watson, on the other hand, is a bit different, but I think it adds to the programme's enjoyment.

The only question, at least the one that sticks out on every episode, is how big is Watson's wardrobe? I know the brownstone is big, but she needs a whole floor, maybe more, for her range of dresses.

[boyse7en]

Enjoy it Derek. The good news is that there isn't the usual decline in quality as you get towards the last series.

Me and my daughter just finished watching the lot. Have now moved on to The Mentalist, which is similar but not as good.

[monthefish]

Just watched the first episode of Sherlock (yes, I know I'm very late to the party )
Quite enjoyed it, and the reading of subtle clues.

So I started watching the second episode and there was basically none of the 'reading of clues/people' which seemed to be the programme's USP/raison d'être....

So, for those that have watched more: does it continue like that?

[biggbn]

Had never even heard of 'Elementary', sounds interesting, will give it a watch

[deckster]

monthefish said:

Just watched the first episode of Sherlock (yes, I know I'm very late to the party )
Quite enjoyed it, and the reading of subtle clues.

So I started watching the second episode and there was basically none of the 'reading of clues/people' which seemed to be the programme's USP/raison d'être....

So, for those that have watched more: does it continue like that?

Sherlock started off great but pretty quickly went so far up itself that you couldn't even see the original genius. It's been a while but I recall that I enjoyed the first two seasons whilst the second two were largely unwatchable, confusing drivel.

[Evercross]

biggbn said:

Had never even heard of 'Elementary', sounds interesting, will give it a watch

I thoroughly recommend it (and I was sorry when it ended).

[dave-the-diver]

Started watching Elementary on the advice of this thread.

3 episodes in, and suddenly Amazon wants to charge me £2.50 per episode.

I'm sure I didn't pay for the first 3.

Is this just bad luck, that Amazon have suddenly decided to charge, or something sneakier where they sucker you in and then start to charge (would mean the charge is limited to accounts who have watched a few episodes, and not series virgins, seems unlikely, tin-foil hattery perhaps)?

David

[Lotusgone]

Neither.

Years ago there was a drama-comedy with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon; they were both on a Blake's 7-type sci-fi series, and Steve Coogan's character went off to do something like "Sherlock Holmes in Miami". Which was meant to be popular and awful at the same time. Elementary seems to have followed that idea.

I gave Sherlock five minutes. Until Benedict said that Martin Freeman "had a military bearing". Watson did, but Freeman no more looks ex-military than a miniature poodle.

Why not think of something original instead of "modernising" something good? I saw a dreadful Japanese cartoon once called "Rocket Robin Hood". Elementary and Sherlock, for me, fall into that category.

Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Holmes was probably the best since Basil Rathbone.

[kowalski655]

Brett's is usually considered the most book accurate, and is good too. Rathbone too, till he started fighting Nazis.
Elementary and Sherlock are more reimaginings and personally I like both although Sherlock went a bit wonky in series 3-4