Elementary: An Infinite Capacity for Taking Pains

May 2, 2018 9:40 AM - Season 6, Episode 1

As Holmes struggles with a medical diagnosis that threatens his career and sobriety, he meets a man who credits Sherlock for helping him conquer his own addiction; Holmes and Watson are hired by a reformed party girl heiress.

AV Club gives this episode a B

Sherlock is diagnosed with Post-Concussion Syndrome,, and he makes a new friend, who is very devoted to his work, which apparently involves burying bodies in the woods. Clyde is sadly absent from this episode.

posted by litera scripta manet (12 comments total)

I'm curious about the response to Sherlock's diagnosis. It's definitely an interesting choice, and a less obvious one than a brain tumor. One reason I like that they went with post-concussion syndrome is that characters on TV shows get knocked on conscious all the time, seemingly without any long term repercussions. Like, once they regain consciousness, they're totally fine, when in fact, head trauma that causes you to lose consciousness is a serious injury. I'm definitely interested to see where they go with this.

I didn't think the case of the week was particularly interesting, but there was enough other stuff going on in this episode that it didn't really bother me.
posted by litera scripta manet at 9:45 AM on May 2, 2018 [4 favorites]

Also, I hope I'm not stepping on any toes by posting this episode thread. I binge watched this series for the first time in between the S5 finale and the S6 premiere, and I was excited to come talk about it on fanfare. Since it had been a couple days without an episode thread getting posted, I figured I'd go ahead and post one myself.
posted by litera scripta manet at 9:46 AM on May 2, 2018 [3 favorites]

Arg. The moment that the weirdly intense guy told Sherlock that he was devoted to his "work" without mentioning what that work was, I said "He's a serial killer!". Sigh. I obviously watch too much TV.
posted by Mogur at 9:58 AM on May 2, 2018 [1 favorite]

Thanks, I completely missed that there were new episodes.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 1:54 PM on May 2, 2018

I'm still watching the series, but the last couple of seasons eroded my trust in the writers abilities. I'm not at a hate-watch stage, just watching out of habit & low expectations. So, I thought this was a decent enough premiere. They've always done a better job with Sherlock's arcs than with Joan's, so, the post-concussion syndrome has potential.
posted by oh yeah! at 5:53 PM on May 2, 2018

I'm still watching the series, but the last couple of seasons eroded my trust in the writers abilities.

Me too, but as long as the show keeps delivering Jonny Lee Miller looks disgusted by humanity I'm there.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 7:33 PM on May 2, 2018 [2 favorites]

I think I saw that JLM and LL are directing episodes this season so that should make it interesting.
posted by fiercekitten at 9:05 PM on May 2, 2018

Liu has directed 4 episodes already, but this will be Miller's first.
posted by oh yeah! at 5:08 AM on May 3, 2018

I thought this was a decent enough premiere.

I liked it but I'm often leery of "character has some sort of serious problem and it could get better, worse, or stay the same" because I can see it lending itself to lazy writing and basically having Sherlock be infallible except for his One Serious Weakness (besides his addiction which he already had). Did not like serial killer sponsor but we'll see if they turn it into something interesting.
posted by jessamyn at 6:08 PM on May 8, 2018

Very glad you’re posting these! I was annoyed by last season & didn’t want to continue, but now I think I’ll pick it back up.
posted by CMcG at 1:16 PM on May 11, 2018 [1 favorite]

Oh wait just to clarify: I mean Pick back up watching the show! Please continue on with posting the fanfare threads!
posted by CMcG at 1:26 PM on May 11, 2018 [2 favorites]

Oh hey, I missed that this was back! Not my favourite episode, but the speed of the bank transfer did make me laugh.
posted by carbide at 7:05 AM on June 30, 2018