Whatever Remains, However Improbable

After a strong conclusion to the previous so-so season, season 6 came in as what I presumed was to be the last one they make. The show very much had felt like it was in a 'case per week' rut, with the same dynamics but different details, and not much of consequence happening. It was disappointing then to find the show very quickly settled back into that same routine, albeit with Sherlock's illness playing some part in the first set of episodes. The injection of a serial killer into the mix helped a little bit, but not enough was done with him and Sherlock to really make it work. Outside of that, what we get is the same polished and professional show benefiting from a talented cast, but yet having little in the way of heart.

Of course this should not be a surprise by this point; Elementary has always been a network show first and foremost, and as such it is a product being sold. It is a product I enjoy, but it is something I watch rather than really get into. The nature of that impacted on this season directly, with the original order only being 13 episodes, then 21 episodes leading to the series closing out, only then to find that it was recommissioned for a seventh season for 2019. This process line approach means the episodic structure dominates, and it also means that the thread to take the show to the finish line is made lesser by being padded around. It still entertains but it also feels all too tidy and lacking threat; as with previous seasons, the main thread is interesting and gives the season its best moments, but there is too much other material which is only okay.

The cast continue to give good value, and the lead duo continue to work well together in their odd-couple way. Guest appearances are good, although all too often any mystery is taken away by the suspect who is a well-known supporting actor face. Production values are high and generally it is all well put together; it is just a shame that it is so very much a product, because the really good bits get spread thinner than they can cope with, and the whole thing is lesser for it.

The modern FIBBIes in action all you need to know about they operate.

That's emotional ending. nice & cool.

i admire origin writer .

this drama is unique traditional detective drama.

If I judged most American crime series on their realism, I wouldn't have much good to say. I found that the ending to this one made a mistake in its dealings with Michael, the horror on earth serial killer. Plot elements were thrown in that put an entire new slant on the show. How the endearing peripheral characters are dealt with will be interesting.

I have to say I was extremely disappointed by the lazy writing of this episode. Why on earth did the writers have the two main characters, who pride themselves on their intelligence and cold logic, act with a total lack of either. I know that they had to end the season somehow, but it was very frustrating to watch Holmes and Watson act with such mind boggling stupidity and Captain Gregson to behave with such a lack of integrity, when he has shown nothing but that in every other episode. To have all three characters act so out of character made for a very frustrating and difficult to watch episode.