Okay, so something that's really made the Sherlockians up in arms (besides Moffat and Gatniss) is this show CBS is currently getting a pilot for: Elementary. To summarize it, it's pretty much Sherlock IN AMERICA! I have a lot of mixed feelings about this. So, I'm going to express my thoughts:
-Rehab
First things first, the fact Sherlock's a recovering drug addict in this, having just gotten out of rehab, from what I read. In the classic books, Sherlock did smoke a pipe and was mentioned to have a cocaine addiction. HOWEVER, he functions perfectly fine on it (he later goes clean after eventually having a problem with it, but I think he broke it on his own (or with Watson), or so I've heard). And while Sherlock's Sherlock uses nicotine patches instead, there was a brief hint to him possibly having more serious drugs hiding around 221B in "A Study in Pink", during Lestrande's "drugs bust":
As for RDJ!Sherlock, he might, I'm not sure. He does tend to ingest... odd stuff (Jude!Watson: "You do realize this is for eye surgery?"). I actually read a kind of funny debate in the YouTube comments for this clip from Sherlock Holmes (the scene where the duo is in the stocks overnight) as to whether or not Sherlock took a snort of something or was just clearing his nose (personally, I agree with the "nose clearing", that was totally a handkerchief).
I'm not sure how I feel about Sherlock having to go rehab. As I said before, Sherlock was shown to be a functional addict when it comes to this. It's great they've actually shown some research, but Holmes doesn't strike me as a "go to rehab" guy. If nothing else, he'd probably try and break the habit himself. Or at least get Watson's help at the most. Unless Watson was showing some tough love and MAKING Sherlock go, that I can believe.
Hilariously, the thought of Sherlock going to rehab makes me think of this song:
Secondly:
-Female Watson
There is a big change this series, in that Dr. John Watson is now Dr. Joan Watson. Now, don't get me wrong, I like the idea of a girl Watson. Heck, I'd even like to see a girl Sherlock. Yes, part of me screams "BLASPHEMY! WATSON IS A DUDE!", but I'm sort of open to the idea...
BUT, I don't want it just be so Sherlock can have a love interest. I mean, the "female and male crime fighting duo becomes an item" thing's a little used. It would feel a little cliche.
PLUS, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson is the greatest bromance in literary history, and fictional history in general. Both the movies and Sherlock have shown that. Heck, they played it up even in the first episode of Sherlock, when John and Sherlock have only just met (Mycroft: "...And now you're solving crimes together. Can we expect a happy announcement by the end of the week?"). And the movies has Sherlock obviously a little jealous of having to share Watson with his wife. I really don't want the good thing the characters have had for ages to get changed drastically because Watson's a woman in this show.
Now, if Elementary wanted to push they envelope a bit, they could've had the duo remain two guys, but still have them become an item. Don't know how well that would be received, it'd probably divide the fandom a bit and make some people mad, worse case scenario. But IF Female!Watson and Rehabilitated!Sherlock (as I feel the need to call him) get together, it'll probably feel like they wanted to have the duo get together, but were too afraid of the taboo it could cause if it were two men.
Personally, I'm hoping their relationship never gets past "two really good friends". I'd like to see a male and female lead who remain great friends and nothing more. As sweet as "friend-turned-boyfriend/girlfriend" can be, it'd be nice to have some variety of male/female relationships. Heck, they can even have "like an old married couple" moments. I guess what I'm saying is that I want their relationship to remain more or less the way it is. Besides, Sherlock, for the most part, isn't really a "relationship" person, honestly (Except when it comes to Irene Adler in some adaptions, *cough*RDJ!Sherlock*cough*.)
...And it would be awesome if Female!Watson stays an ex-army doctor.
-The Station It's On And The Fear That Comes With All Adaptions
CBS is overrun with Law/Crime/Detective shows. Heck, all of network TV's overrun with those shows. Seriously, if it's not a comedy, it's more than likely a crime show with a hook. Plus, CBS already has a show with a hyper-observer consultant to the authorities. His name is Patrick Jane, and his show is The Mentalist, and it's good, from what few episodes I've seen. Heck, the creator even said Jane is based on Holmes! Is CBS forgetting this? I'm afraid Elementary would pretty much be white noise. Though now I'm liking the idea of a Mentalist/Sherlock crossover, though I know it's impossible.
And, there's the fear they'll just make it a generic detective show with the fact it has Sherlock being more or less just a gimmick. I hope the show sticks to/takes elements from the canon like Sherlock. And not have "boring", "generic" cases you get in every detective show. Nothing Sherlock does should be boring. As Moffat said, about Sherlock's stories:
"...they're about brilliant detection, dreadful villains and blood-curdling crimes... Other detectives have cases, Sherlock Holmes has adventures, and that's what matters."I hope the people behind this keep this in mind, I truly do.
-Predecessors
The guy who's going to be playing Sherlock in Elementary has some high standards set for him. Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch have both knocked it out of the park as the iconic sleuth in their own way. New guy's got a lot to live up to. For me, he needs to live up to the bar set by RDJ and Cumberbatch, AND somehow make his Sherlock stand out in a way. After all, RDJ!Sherock and Cumberbatch!Sherlock are different in ways, but still Sherlock in the end.
Same goes for Watson. She needs to be notable and still live up to the portrayals by Jude Law and Martin Freeman. You know, besides being a woman.
...
Now, I know that it's a little early to be worrying about it. It's just a pilot right now, CBS may not even pick this show up. I want to be optimistic about it. But I'm still wary. And for those worried about it being too much of a Sherlock ripoff, I read that if the people behind Sherlock see the show and find it to be too much like theirs, they'll take legal action. AND they're going to make sure this won't negatively impact their baby.
I'm afraid of there being a Sherlock Overload, too. I don't want this to be overdoing it like the vampire literary craze years ago.
I dunno, I might check it out IF it gets the okay, and only time will tell how this thing will turn out.
Until then, let's enjoy the awesomeness of Sherlock when it comes to the states May 6th, relive Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows when it comes out on DVD/Blu-Ray June 12th, and eagerly await Series 3 and the third movie in 2013. :D
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