Elementary: The Fifth Season

I thoroughly enjoy this series. It is one of the few shows I sincerely have watched since its first season. I ABSOLUTLEY love the cast. Jonny, Lucy, Jon Michael, and Aidan are a breath of fresh air. They work very well together and I genuinely love how their characters seemingly truly care for each other. Take for instance, Marcus and Sherlock. Very rough at first, but they sincerely respect, work well together, and truly care for each other.The writing, the guest stars, and the stories are thought provoking. I usually do not look at a lot of the bloopers, extras, contained on each DVD but I did on season 5. Just one of the producers stating how they challenge themselves as writers to truly stump one of the world's greatest detectives is quite reassuring. I love how intricate little plots are contained to keep this from being run of the mill, ho-hum cases.I enjoyed the late, RIP, Nelsan Ellis as Shinwell Johnson. His story, seemingly, run of the mill, contained interesting plot points and truly showed a man who wanted to change and repent for past sins but was unable to escape from some of his past indiscretions. His last encounter with Sherlock was totally unexpected.I enjoyed Marcus' storyline w/Chantell, too. Kitty's return two -parter was very good. However, my favorite episode was the one with the brilliant, Isaiah Whitlock, Jr. It was brilliantly acted, well crafted(please look at the extras on this episode re: the flashbacks). Lucy and Isaiah were especially solid. There climatic scene in the diner and Isaiah's realization as to what Joan did for him was full of emotion. I was actually brought to tears. It was a very, very, good scene, exchange between the two. Even, Gregson and Joan's summation as to what just occurred in the diner was quite touching. Just a great episode.Robert Hewitt Wolfe, one of my favorite writers from his DS9 days, pens some of the most interesting stories. It continues this season. Just not to single him out because of all the writers do an EXCEPTIONAL job with this show. Again, I am biased because Wolfe was an integral part of one of my all time favorites, DS9.I have to mention the BRILLIANT composer, Sean Callery. His work is always exceptional. Solid work on past series like 24 and Homeland, continues on Elementary this season. His music and the songs he selects for usually closing scenes is just great. 'My Morning Jacket' and their 'Waterfall' album is a favorite of mine as a result of he using 'Tropics(Erase Traces)' at the conclusion of the Isaiah Whitlock episode.Like many have mentioned, I watch all the episodes on CBS and I own every season on DVD, too. This series is a guilty pleasure of mine and I really wish it had better ratings on CBS. I really believe the suits know it is quality but one of these days Les Moonves is going to be forced to cancel it because of its so-so ratings. I know it is a mid season replacement, 13 episode series this fall, so I really hope this is not its swan song. Like Tony Randall told Jack Klugman during the Odd Couple's, five year run on ABC, 70-75, their show will be found and appreciated in syndication. I think this is what will occur with Elementary. Its quality will be appreciated by a larger audience in syndication, DVD purchases, Amazon/Netflix viewing, etc.

The item was as as promised and delivered quickly. Great deal. The best iteration of Sherlock Holmes yet.

Well done with multiple seasons and episodes.

Please bring the cast together and make more seasons! From the writing, to the direction, to the delivery...unbelievably skilled work all around. Unique use of calm and soft speaking juxtaposed to graphic content, just absolutely stunning performances. The writing shows mastery of language, research, humor, attention to detail. All the directors did phenomenally well in ensuring that the thematic body of this work is not destroyed by individual ambition. Jonny Lee Miller..... I don't have words to describe his command on tone, pitch, body language, humor, dialogue delivery, consistency and overall performance! We need more of his work!!

The strength of any television series that manages to make it through at least two seasons is the willingness of its writers to continue developing and deepening it primary characters.In Season Five the writers of "Elementary" have done exactly that. The mysteries are still the primary focus of each episode but there was a concerted effort to help viewers get inside the heads of the main characters. Capt. Gregson, for example, wants to re-marry even though the woman he is in love with has a debilitating illness; Watson feels somewhat unfulfilled because she isn't helping people the way she once did; Marcus Bell has a tragic secret that he has kept hidden for most of his life; and Sherlock has an unexpected issue to deal with.This season also has an ongoing story that ties into some of those efforts to deepen the characters: The introduction of a former gang member that Watson once saved after he had been shot. It is an intriguing storyline for many reasons but chief among them - in my opinion - is the fact that the former gangster is a complex character. The complexity of Shinwell Johnson - the former gang member - throws Sherlock and Watson into a season-long conflict and is interesting all on its own.The mysteries themselves are intriguing including one that re-introduces the character of former Sherlock protegee Kitty Winter.It comes down to this: There is a very good reason why "Elementary" has lasted five seasons and, for me, the refusal of its writers to keep its characters static is that reason.