What I’m Watching: Elementary

Elementary: Season 3, Episode 2 “The Five Orange Pipz” (B-)

My enthusiasm for this show is quickly dwindling, but I hope that’s just because it’s off to a slow late start. I’m not impressed with Kitty, who had to be crafted as this unlikely successor to Watson as Sherlock’s other half but actually has a deeper backstory that involves a dark past which she has just barely been able to overcome. The main problem I have with her is that her presence is changing Sherlock into a wholly different person, since he surely would have been the one to directly accuse an AUSA of corruption to her face instead of scolding her for such a brazen and bold move. At least Sherlock and Watson are working together somewhat well, which makes things easier, even if the rest of the members of their team need some improvement in that area. This episode featured two guest stars recognizable from sci-fi and fantasy roles. Sonya Walger, who appeared on “Lost” and “Flash Forward,” among other things, was the AUSA who didn’t stand for Kitty’s blunt accusations, and Zak Orth, who played Aaron on “Revolution,” was the father eager to take credit for a murder he didn’t commit so that he might have some hope of winning his wife back. This case started off as extremely interesting, but the resolution was far from startling. I want to be excited about this show again, and I think it needs a fresh and fascinating case, plus a decent recurring storyline to mirror Moriarty in season one, to jump start it again.