User Reviews

One of the most jam-packed episodes with a compelling end. However, every time I watch this episode, I scoff at the scene where Michael ambushes Joan in her basement office. It doesn't make sense that Sherlock and Joan never discussed the possibility that Michael may try to attack one or both of them, even at the house. Also, I don't believe Michael could have made it into the basement without Joan having a clue that something was off. I would have thought that Joan would have had one or more weapons hidden in the basement and/or a booby trap. Ultimately, I enjoyed how the confrontation ended. It would have been nice to see what Michael did to treat the nasty stab wound he suffered. Meanwhile, Sherlock and Gregson visit the murder victim's job nearly 3/4 of the way through the episode, which is weird, and that is where they find the lead the breaks the case open. I don't think police normally wait so long to visit a victim's workplace. Also, it would have been really interesting to see the police interview with the killer's husband (affair with victim) before the killer was confronted. Finally, I don't buy that Joan is the prime suspect in Michael's death before police even leave the crime scene. It appears that only FBI Agent Mallick came to that conclusion. It was unnecessary theater. Joan as a possible suspect, sure, but last we saw her she was in the hospital. I will never be OK with unrealistic crime dramas. It is all to set up the next episode, the season 6 finale, and it is awesome.

A short list of credulity-defying things we learned in this episode:

1) The writers assumed that 2018 audiences would be interested in hearing Sherlock relay propaganda regarding 45 year-old South American events.

2) A shrewd legal professional in the age of ubiquitous surveillance decided that committing murder and framing an at-large serial-killer for the deed was their best means of dealing with an unfaithful spouse.

3) The villain blew his cool over a death that shouldn't unhinge him because he's been portrayed as a remorseless sociopath without a shred of emotion all season long.

4) Joan's smartphone, pepper-spray, taser, and kitchen cutlery all went AWOL right when she needed them.

5) It's a good thing that aircraft propellers are honed to scalpel sharpness just like they are the movies!

6) The FBI assumes that a person that they know has two broken ribs retains the fortitude to beat someone bigger than they are to death and then to drag them to the dump.

7) Jonny Lee Miller has become quite adept at sleepwalking through "dud" episodes without most of us noticing.

Rating: 4 stars, because even a lousy episode of "Elementary" remains better than 90% of television.