S03.E06: Terra Pericolosa

[Athena]

Holmes and Watson search for a thief who committed murder to steal a rare map. Meanwhile, Watson becomes concerned with Sherlock’s escalating interference into Kitty’s burgeoning personal life.

 

[Danielg342]

Watson is back! Yay! She's also having issues with Sherlock's perception of boundaries! Yawn. At this point, I'd like to think Watson knows Holmes by now and thus knows that Sherlock won't ever stop meddling with people...it's what he does. I also wish it wasn't the only thing he's able to do, but I think at this stage, it appears that Rob Doherty is beginning to run out of ideas. Yes, the ratings are in the tank, but can we stop trying to manufacture drama and get some real stories for a change?

Man, Season 1 seems like such a long time ago...

[shapeshifter]

Here in Chicago Bears country this episode is scheduled to air at 3:02 a.m. CDT.

Just so ya know.

[AimingforYoko]

Watson fervently rejected her role as Kitty's 'mother', but that seems to be the role she's playing. Even in the earliest days of Watson's apprenticeship, it never seemed paternal. It's interesting to see this side of Holmes.

As to the central mystery, the rule of the guest star was definitely in force.

[roomtorome]

I can't get past the way JLM is standing and moving - what is happening with him?  He stands with his arms/shoulders towards his back (for lack of a better explanation) and I can't stop looking at him and being gobsmacked by how bizarre it is and how it is recent (this season) - I keep waiting for someone to say something to Holmes and ask him what's wrong with him.  

 

Shallow maybe, but it is so pronounced - Maybe if the episodes were interesting I would be distracted by the story - alas.

[Gregg247]

I can't get past the way JLM is standing and moving - what is happening with him?

 

 

I was wondering the same thing.  In S1, they went out of their way to emphasize that this version of Sherlock Holmes isn't the stuffy guy you remember from old movies.  He was muscular, heavily tattooed, unshaven, worldly, and had lots of lady (of the evening) friends.  This season, he looks like he's ready to go door-to-door to hand out religious pamphlets.  Did he hurt his back?

[thuganomics85]

More Clyde appearances!  He seems to be used more then he was last year.  Maybe TPTB are wising up.  Or the turtle had enough,and demand more screen time, or he was going to not renew his contract.  Maybe he sought out the same talent agent Bear from Person of Interest has!

 

They sure did drop a lot of anvils, about making Sherlock and Joan Kitty's "parents."  Sherlock, of course, is the overprotective one, while Joan is the one who thinks she should be allowed to have friends and, yes, even date again.  Not surprised that it ended with Sherlock relenting.  I'm not against this idea and the three actors are making it work, but it doesn't feel all that original.

 

The case could have been interesting, but wow, did the casting give that a way.  A bunch of people I don't know and Maime Gummer a.k.a. Meryl Streep's daughter?  It was obvious the killer was going to be Maime.  I knew that as soon as I saw her name in the credits.  This show has never done a good job at hiding this, compared to over procedurals.

[MaryHedwig]

More Clyde appearances!  He seems to be used more then he was last year.  Maybe TPTB are wising up.  Or the turtle had enough,and demand more screen time, or he was going to not renew his contract. 

Ms. Hudson needs to sign on with Clyde's agent.  No fair mentioning her and not showing her.

 

I can't get past the way JLM is standing and moving - what is happening with him?

It is very distracting.

[GaT]

The cases are really disappointing this year, I'm not finding them interesting at all, & I knew it was going to turn out to be the woman.

[Writing Wrongs]

I like Kitty more and more. I love that Holmes and Watson act like her parents.

 

Yeah, JLM is playing a Rain Man type Sherlock and it's weird.

[Trey]

I had no idea who the actress was but I still knew the daughter was the perp right from the start. 

 

I would love to see all those old maps.  I like maps.

 

More Clyde! Clyde's toys! Clyde's treats! and, most importantly, Clyde's cozies!

 

I don't think Kitty is going away any time soon.   Which is fine; she adds another layer to Holmes and Watson.

 

I did like that Kitty appreciated Holmes' protectiveness.

[shapeshifter]

I was almost dosing off when I heard NYC has a "Museum of Entomology." Who knew? Perhaps they're going to see this: http://www.amnh.org/our-research/invertebrate-zoology/collections

I can't get past the way JLM is standing and moving...

...It is very distracting.

I don't mind this acting choice for the character, so long as his diction doesn't change. A recent episode was filmed when JLM had a cold--that was distracting for me! About the body language: My guess is that it's supposed to show Sherlock as the stuffy father figure this season.

Speaking of acting/directing choices: Mamie Gummer is such a likely H!ITG! perp, that she really shouldn't have been acting so guilty in all of her scenes.

ETA: I too am liking more regular Clyde appearances. TV writers take note: You do not need to have a baby plot to add interest. Just get a tortoise.

Edited December 5, 2014 by shapeshifter

[paigow]

The cases are really disappointing this year, I'm not finding them interesting at all, & I knew it was going to turn out to be the woman.

There should have been a scene where Sherlock gets confused and shows up at the Newsroom to arrest Hallie

[Primetimer]

Sherlock and Joan aren't Kitty's parents; they just seem a little weird.

Read the story

[ae2]

This episode engrossed me more than Elementary typically does. Maybe because it was a Kitty episode, and I find her interesting, or maybe because the plot revolved around maps, which I also find interesting.

 

The actual motivation for the murder was simple (money), yet quite confusing if you didn't pay attention. It was sort of relieving (in a weird way that comes from watching too many crime shows) that the killer was neither a serial killer nor did she "accidentally" kill the victim. It feels like nine times out of ten on crime shows that the murder was an accident resulting from some fight or misunderstanding. Here it was cold blooded murder from an otherwise upstanding citizen.

 

Not sure why I have liked Kitty so much from the start. But I think she's a good addition.

 

Have any other mainstream shows had main characters who were victims of rape, and addressed that head on?

[Athena]

Yeah, the MOTW was a bit boring though I love maps. I like that they name dropped Ms Hudson and Clyde still appears.

 

I think the Kitty thing is interesting. She definitely adds another layer to the dynamic and it's all well meaning. I was very touched by the way Kitty said, "I felt protected and loved." Which was super sweet and didn't get romantic and is just nice. It's a different sort of affection that Sherlock has for Joan. Kitty's trauma means she is starting at square one for things and since she's left her own family behind (who knows what they were even before), it's natural she would naturally grow to appreciate Sherlock's concern. He has given her a lot and so has Joan. Neither Joan and Sherlock were completely right about Kitty this episode, but it worked out when Sherlock suggested the chaperoned date.

 

Someone in the AV Club review comments quoted the "The Case of the Illustrious Client" which is the story where Kitty Winter is featured. I hope our Kitty doesn't go the way that one did, but this quote applies to this episode:

 

 

I was sorry for her, Watson. I thought of her for the moment as I would have thought of a daughter of my own. I am not often eloquent. I use my head, not my heart. But I really did plead with her with all the warmth of words that I could find in my nature.

[Tarasme]

Amen's to all calling out Johnny's stiff, serial-killer esque attire and body language. Good lord, those shirt collars have buttons for a reason.

I fervently search the other CBS shows I watch for Elementary trailers- because they show the graphics of scruffy, long (relatively) haired completely hot JLM instead of the "I cut my hair like Forest Gump's" version currently on display during this season's eps.

[ramble]

This episode bored me. The best part of the episode was Clyde. It makes me sad how much I am not enjoying this show so far this season.

[roomtorome]

Maybe this (the weird, creepy body language) is JLM's way of passive aggressively signaling what he thinks of the show now - I never thought it was great and just hand waved the notion they were supposed to be Holmes and Watson, but at least there were some decent stories and he wasn't acting so so so - well, whatever the heck it is he is doing.  

 

If he throws those shoulders any further back he may want to work on then rotating his head so it all works better.  

[theatremouse]

He was sort of acting like he had a (new) metal rod in his back and didn't quite know what to do about it. I do seriously wonder if it were just an acting choice or if he might be injured and sort of...working around it or working it into some intentional physicality with the character, but it's just coming out wrong.

[miles2go]

Not a bad episode.  The mystery was pretty routine, but the character interactions made it worthwhile.  More Clyde please!

[roseha]

I didn't mind it but i have to agree that the character interactions were better than the mystery which was disappointing considering that the very subject of a centuries old map and possible hidden aspects to it should have been plenty to build a good story on.  I also more or less suspected the woman and I didn't know who the actress was either.  I do think it would have helped if they had actually had at least one scene with the "old school forger" criminal.  Also, it would have been nice to know exactly why Watson guessed the identity of the culprit when she did.

I did like that they restored the usual intro to the show this week, they'd dropped it the last two, I suppose due to the episodes having longer running times?

Edited December 5, 2014 by roseha

[MaryHedwig]

Also, it would have been nice to know exactly why Watson guessed the identity of the culprit when she did.

I thought it was because she noticed that words "Bray Land" on the map's point of controversy.  We weren't shown it ourselves until the reveal scene. (Which by the way, is always curiously tolerated by the perpetrator and done without a lawyer present.)

 

I did like that they restored the usual intro to the show this week, they'd dropped it the last two, I suppose due to the episodes having longer running times?

The Rube Goldberg was set up differently, correct?  Is was set up the same of Seasons 1 and 2, correct?

[roseha]

I actually could have sworn the Rube Goldberg intro was totally skipped the last two weeks, at least on the New York City CBS station?  I try to turn the channel on early so I don't miss it. 

Edited December 6, 2014 by roseha

[jeansheridan]

I think this show does too much telling, not showing sometimes. I wanted to see Kitty with Zachary rather than just hear about him. I wanted her to have more of a moment with Gregson. And can she hang out with Bell?

I hope the running gag of Joan picking the lock has payoff.

JLM was fairly stylized last season. He hasn't seemed relaxed in any scenes and it might be because we don't get breakfast/waking up scenes anymore. Just ready to go, buttoned up Sherlock.

His great blurting out of emotion when he described Kitty's state when he met her was wonderful and painful. He is not a naturally tactful man and yet taking on Kitty requires great kindness and diplomacy. I think he has been careful not to be sexual around her. He doesn't poke at her as hard as he did Watson. I get more of a big brother vibe than daddy which is good.

I think Joan owes Sherlock an apology for assuming he was being a needy ass rather than merely protective. Joan keeps jumping to the most negative conclusions this season.

[Helena Dax]

I enjoyed it, especially everything about Kitty. I love  their relationship and that last scene with them, when she said she  had felt loved and protected, was  very touching.

 

I still can't stand Watson, though. 

[jhlipton]

Watson is back! Yay! She's also having issues with Sherlock's perception of boundaries! Yawn. At this point, I'd like to think Watson knows Holmes by now and thus knows that Sherlock won't ever stop meddling with people...

 

 

Yes, he meddles with people, and at the end he was still meddling.  What Watson has always done is helped Sherlock set is his boundaries, since he has trouble doing so on his own.  

Have any other mainstream shows had main characters who were victims of rape, and addressed that head on?

 

I think there have been some who have been victims of rape (although I can't think of any off-hand -- Benson of L&O:SVU maybe?), but it's usually handled with brute force.  I like the slow, measured way this show is handling it, and with all the particulars off-screen.

 

I think this show does too much telling, not showing sometimes. I wanted to see Kitty with Zachary rather than just hear about him. 

 

Speaking of keeping things off-screen...  I think it's good they keep him off-screen for an ep or two, especially if he

s just a stepping stone in Kitty's progress.  As long as he doesn't turn into a Vera (of Cheers), I'm cool with it.

[MaryHedwig]

I enjoyed it, especially everything about Kitty. I love  their relationship and that last scene with them, when she said she  had felt loved and protected, was  very touching

Loved that last scene.  Maybe I watch the entire show for the touching last scenes.  I loved how Sherlock jumped in and helped her unload the groceries.

[arrowhead]

I don't know if it's the show or what but I cannot get into this at all anymore and I fell asleep during last three episodes, especially this one. When the new girl comes on screen my brain completely tunes her off. Don't get what her purpose is, does anyone know if she's a character in the books? - thanks!

 

I gave up a couple of interesting shows along the way for this one and now I got no TV on Thursdays; heh. Too bad because I like the actors and even some of the guest actors, e,g, this week's Mamie.

[MaryHedwig]

When the new girl comes on screen my brain completely tunes her off. Don't get what her purpose is, does anyone know if she's a character in the books?

Kitty Winter is the former mistress of a baron, the bad guy, in "The Adventure of the Illustrious Client."  She surprises Sherlock but throwing acid on the baron's face and severely disfiguring him. Makes me wonder if this Kitty Winter will try to avenge her attacker.

Edited December 7, 2014 by MaryHedwig

[sinkwriter]

 

 

Here in Chicago Bears country this episode is scheduled to air at 3:02 a.m. CDT.

Just so ya know.

 

Unfortunately it seems it didn't even start at that time. My DVR was all set to record it at 3 am, but some sitcom was on first, so all I got was the first half hour of Elementary from 3:30 to 4. Watching this was going to be a reward after a very long day yesterday, so... I was ticked. Then again, perhaps CBS will air the ep on their website, so... now not as ticked. LOL. 

[theatremouse]

I think this show does too much telling, not showing sometimes. I wanted to see Kitty with Zachary rather than just hear about him.

While I don't disagree with the argument that more showing less telling is always better on television (and this show often could use a reminder of it), I disagree about it with regard to this plot point. In order for the premise to work we needed to see Watson's interaction with Kitty about it, and Sherlock's behaviour regarding it (sending her on a million errands). Part of the point was the differences in interpretation between Watson and Sherlock in how they responded to hearing she had a new group of friends, and how they both perceived what would be better for Kitty. We needed to not know how Kitty really felt/reacted to being around Zachary, but if we'd seen her with him by now (if they're showing properly) we'd know. The story doesn't work if we know that before the end.

 

The Watson/Holmes blowup in the kitchen, while it did involve a lot of telling, I thought was a good use of telling. We saw Watson react to Sherlock's behaviour and assume his motives were self-centered and she thought she needed to "teach" him not to order Kitty about and impose himself too much on Kitty's life. Without the recent Watson falling out/Mycroft plot, I daresay I think a season 1 Watson might have even suspected that Sherlock was actually sending her on errands in a protective paternal manner, not just as a means of taking over her life and ordering her about, being myopic about casework, or whatever else. But because of their falling out, even though they're repairing the relationship, actually, Joan's the one who's kind of all me-me-me at this point, so ready at the trigger on the defensive, and so projecting her own resentment. That it didn't occur to her that he might be doing the equivalent of telling a teenage daughter she has to do myriad chores, and babysit a sibling and all sort of other mundane household tasks to prevent an interaction with a boy, speaks volumes about Watson's state of mind re: Holmes.

Edited December 6, 2014 by theatremouse

[jah1986]

I'm really liking Kitty. I wasn't sure who the killer was with both Mamie Gummer and Skipp Sudduth on the show. Too little Bell and Gregson for me. Eric Schwieg has aged well.

[sinkwriter]

I think Skipp Sudduth watched a lot of the Apprentice in prep for this role. There were times where I felt like all he needed was a stronger accent and he could have been Donald Trump. Certain mannerisms just reminded me of him throughout his performance. I liked the approach; it was different than his character on Third Watch.

[Danielg342]

I think I liked this one. I think. I mean, I feel this one was pretty convoluted and needed a lot of exposition from the characters just so I could follow along with the crime plot, but, overall, it felt nice. Almost a favourite. Almost.

I agree with theatremouse that not showing Zachary was more effect than showing him, because then it's up to the audience to see who's right- Sherlock or Watson- in their approach to him. If we saw Kitty with Zachary, it would risk slanting the episode towards one approach.

Having said that, I think Watson was incredibly pushy of Sherlock in this one. I think this had more to do with Lucy Liu than the writing, because I think Liu over-emoted badly by treating the lines as if Watson thought Sherlock was an authoritarian dad when Watson was really trying to get Sherlock to recognize that Kitty has grown to the point where she doesn't need 24/7 protection.

That said, I did like how Kitty herself was scared of her new found growth...I think if I was her, I would be too. Change is scary, and I totally understand why she just chose to be Sherlock's lapdog instead of trying to forge ahead with the relationship with Zachary- it's new territory for her, one that she doesn't yet know if she can traverse, so she chose to stick around where she was comfortable. I am hopeful, though, the show doesn't turn Zachary into some kind of cad- that'd be too "easy"- and allows Kitty to keep on growing, because I think if Kitty entered a wonderful relationship and truly emerged happy, it'd be beautiful. :)

(almost as beautiful as Ophelia Lovibond is...but I digress...)

I also think such an arrangement would be triumphant because, as much as I really like Kitty, I think the case showed me that there are too many cast members. Having just Sherlock and Watson working the cases kept everything streamlined, with Kitty involved things get muddied and I feel like the characters just step on each other's toes. Maybe if the writers stuck to some kind of "speciality" it would help because when one talks it would be natural, because the episode's dialogue felt forced at times.

As for the case itself...I thought the lady gave herself away from the start, but I did like the journey to how they got there. We did have a bit of a Deus ex Machina in the career criminal at the end, but it didn't detract from the episode too much. I liked seeing Skipp Suddith- he had one of my favourite roles on Criminal Minds- and thought he did great as the slimy real estate mogul. The idea was pretty nice, even if I actually did need a map to get there. Lastly, though we didn't get much of Bell and Gregson, seeing Bell at the park with the guy terrified that he was chatting with an underaged girl was a great scene.

So...overall, it navigates to a B+.