First Impressions
Mar. 22nd, 2012 07:51 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
liesmiths.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
elementarycbsA tumblr user has read the script and wrote up some thoughts on it, some plot-related, but most of them about Joan's and Sherlock's relationship.
Here's the link to the original post, but I'm going to post it here as well, as the light grey font on white might be hard to read for some of you.
The text does have some major spoilers though, so if you want to remain unspoiled you should probably skip this.
"It seems Joan was originally conceived as a twenty-nine year old woman. Obviously Lucy Liu is not a twenty-nine year old woman. Couple that with her ethnicity, it is a pleasure seeing they honestly did have an open casting call that lead to Liu’s involvement.
Around page six, Joan and, as an extension, we are introduced to Sherlock Holmes. He’s doing quirky stuff like memorizing all the adverts and programs on television as a memory test while Joan informs him she was hired as his live-in sober companion for the next six weeks. I can already predict Sherlock BBC fans having a meltdown over Joan and Sherlock’s banter over his boredom, to be quite honest. However this mustn’t be too surprising over their issues over Joan Watson wearing sweaters as if that’s not a thing people across the world do. They also discuss the issue of sex. He likes it six feet off the ground and in handcuffs. This later becomes a significant insight into Sherlock’s character, and it is delivered by Joan.
Introductions aside, there are a few moments where Joan is taken back by Sherlock’s ability to read her well-enough. It’s sort of annoying, because how many times are we gonna have to go through this “Oh my god! He’s brilliant” routine, but whatevs. I guess that’s what we deal with regarding pilots. During a car ride, we get Sherlock’s backstory. Worked as a consultant, Scotland Yard. Now he’s doing similar in New York City for reasons. He introduces Joan has his valet after he asks if there’s a particular title people refer her as. She had replied, “You decide.” Not a direct quote, but that’s the basics.
Enough with direct summaries of the action, Crystal. What I really should discuss is the dynamic between Joan and Sherlock because that’s where most of the unrest lies. In the beginning, there are scenes where Sherlock tries to intimidate Joan into stepping down and she handles it quite well, actually. She figures out his game and handles it gracefully, but there’s also moments again where Joan is taken back by his lightening speed deductions; — oh, wait, is that word copyrighted by Moffat. I should look into that.
There’s a brief scene where Sherlock has to get Joan to acknowledge one of his deductions were correct. While there was an element of annoyance, I think it wasn’t out of bowing to his lead, but more out of embarrassment over no longer being legally a doctor. Plus, she blackmails Sherlock later on. To be honest, I am thinking the blackmail scene’s what yesterday’s set photos detailed.
What’s most different between Elementary Watson and Sherlock BBC Watson is the fact the former doesn’t want to be there, — and it is not out of discomfort of Sherlock’s nature; it’s because she hates her job whereas John was supposedly addicted to the rush. That lends itself to a different dynamic between Sherlock and Joan, in my opinion. They have more of a push and pull whereas Sherlock/John always had more of a hero worship vibe. Like, a lot of John’s disappointment comes from Sherlock letting him down, but in the end Sherlock is always right. Where Joan — well, she has a couple moments where her insights into Sherlock’s behavior and motivations cuts deep, and it comes from of frustration because he won’t admit when he’s clearly bested by her. Sherlock later admits it when tries to convince her to help him finish the recently closed case. Which, by the way, she figures out the clue that locks everything in place.
Basically, I have to say I think there’s a more even relationship between Sherlock and Joan in this adaption. In my opinion, she definitely starts playing a more active part throughout the cases as she gets more interested. Keyword: interested. So I think all the worries about that particular power dynamic will be put to rest once people see the pilot, —
But! From what I have read, the cases really do feel like standard police procedurals. Opens with the beginnings of murder, of course. Cuts away to the introduction of Joan and her morning routine. That sort of ridiculous stuff. They all don’t seem clever enough to be a Sherlock Holmes adaption. Actually, it was sort of boring? Depending on that way Elementary is stylized, it could have an NBC-esque feel. (Almost on-par with the late Prime Suspects.) But given it is on CBS, I am not sure if I have hope, and that’s something we definitely must wait to see.
Nevertheless, it is still better than Sherlock BBC. I’ll tell you that much."
Here's the link to the original post, but I'm going to post it here as well, as the light grey font on white might be hard to read for some of you.
The text does have some major spoilers though, so if you want to remain unspoiled you should probably skip this.
"It seems Joan was originally conceived as a twenty-nine year old woman. Obviously Lucy Liu is not a twenty-nine year old woman. Couple that with her ethnicity, it is a pleasure seeing they honestly did have an open casting call that lead to Liu’s involvement.
Around page six, Joan and, as an extension, we are introduced to Sherlock Holmes. He’s doing quirky stuff like memorizing all the adverts and programs on television as a memory test while Joan informs him she was hired as his live-in sober companion for the next six weeks. I can already predict Sherlock BBC fans having a meltdown over Joan and Sherlock’s banter over his boredom, to be quite honest. However this mustn’t be too surprising over their issues over Joan Watson wearing sweaters as if that’s not a thing people across the world do. They also discuss the issue of sex. He likes it six feet off the ground and in handcuffs. This later becomes a significant insight into Sherlock’s character, and it is delivered by Joan.
Introductions aside, there are a few moments where Joan is taken back by Sherlock’s ability to read her well-enough. It’s sort of annoying, because how many times are we gonna have to go through this “Oh my god! He’s brilliant” routine, but whatevs. I guess that’s what we deal with regarding pilots. During a car ride, we get Sherlock’s backstory. Worked as a consultant, Scotland Yard. Now he’s doing similar in New York City for reasons. He introduces Joan has his valet after he asks if there’s a particular title people refer her as. She had replied, “You decide.” Not a direct quote, but that’s the basics.
Enough with direct summaries of the action, Crystal. What I really should discuss is the dynamic between Joan and Sherlock because that’s where most of the unrest lies. In the beginning, there are scenes where Sherlock tries to intimidate Joan into stepping down and she handles it quite well, actually. She figures out his game and handles it gracefully, but there’s also moments again where Joan is taken back by his lightening speed deductions; — oh, wait, is that word copyrighted by Moffat. I should look into that.
There’s a brief scene where Sherlock has to get Joan to acknowledge one of his deductions were correct. While there was an element of annoyance, I think it wasn’t out of bowing to his lead, but more out of embarrassment over no longer being legally a doctor. Plus, she blackmails Sherlock later on. To be honest, I am thinking the blackmail scene’s what yesterday’s set photos detailed.
What’s most different between Elementary Watson and Sherlock BBC Watson is the fact the former doesn’t want to be there, — and it is not out of discomfort of Sherlock’s nature; it’s because she hates her job whereas John was supposedly addicted to the rush. That lends itself to a different dynamic between Sherlock and Joan, in my opinion. They have more of a push and pull whereas Sherlock/John always had more of a hero worship vibe. Like, a lot of John’s disappointment comes from Sherlock letting him down, but in the end Sherlock is always right. Where Joan — well, she has a couple moments where her insights into Sherlock’s behavior and motivations cuts deep, and it comes from of frustration because he won’t admit when he’s clearly bested by her. Sherlock later admits it when tries to convince her to help him finish the recently closed case. Which, by the way, she figures out the clue that locks everything in place.
Basically, I have to say I think there’s a more even relationship between Sherlock and Joan in this adaption. In my opinion, she definitely starts playing a more active part throughout the cases as she gets more interested. Keyword: interested. So I think all the worries about that particular power dynamic will be put to rest once people see the pilot, —
But! From what I have read, the cases really do feel like standard police procedurals. Opens with the beginnings of murder, of course. Cuts away to the introduction of Joan and her morning routine. That sort of ridiculous stuff. They all don’t seem clever enough to be a Sherlock Holmes adaption. Actually, it was sort of boring? Depending on that way Elementary is stylized, it could have an NBC-esque feel. (Almost on-par with the late Prime Suspects.) But given it is on CBS, I am not sure if I have hope, and that’s something we definitely must wait to see.
Nevertheless, it is still better than Sherlock BBC. I’ll tell you that much."
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Date: 2012-03-22 08:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-22 10:44 pm (UTC)But yeah, I'd rather it wasn't as well.
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Date: 2012-03-22 10:50 pm (UTC)Oh, and I guess the idea of him being asexual is out. I mean, maybe him saying something that bizarre is a cover for lack of experience, but why?
no subject
Date: 2012-03-22 10:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-24 10:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-26 07:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-26 08:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-26 08:49 am (UTC)Like every person I have some worries over Elementary but to be honest at the moment they could be all be void - I'll pass real judgement when I can see the project. And while BBC Sherlock is certainly more faithful in terms of Watson being Army Doctor etc for example, Elementary could be a lovely space filler between series. And they have casted fairly well so even if it isn't really Sherlock Holmes it could still be a very good show. Who knows. :)
*hugs the sad panda*
no subject
Date: 2012-03-26 09:02 am (UTC)Seriously though, I totally agree. Sherlock is a wonderful show that I love to bits but, let's be honest, it's not too nice on its female characters. What with Watson being a Joan, I am just hoping that Elementary will make up for what Sherlock lacks in representation, even if other things about Elementary aren't as good as Sherlock instead.
I can totally undestand being wary of it, seeing as the whole copyright issue is still a grey area, but the vocal vitriol and hatred I see everyday just baffles me so much.
HUGS THOUGH. They make everything better. ♥
no subject
Date: 2012-03-26 10:19 am (UTC)Well, it made me laugh and is relevant to American!Sherlock.
no subject
Date: 2012-03-26 09:21 pm (UTC)I guess if we do things the American way Sherlock's Coke addiction was a bit less dangerous.
no subject
Date: 2012-03-27 02:56 am (UTC)