The Return of My TV Shows

It's January, and the television season will resume with new episodes of favorite series.

Here are the shows whose new episodes I'm looking forward to seeing:

Big Bang Theory - January 3rd
Elementary - January 3rd
Once Upon a Time - January 6th
Castle - January 7th
Nashville - January 9th
Arrow - January 16th
Glee - January 24th
Smash - February 5th
Grimm - March 8th

There's still no word about when Beauty and the Beast is returning. I didn't particularly like it when it first aired, but it's grown on me.

What television series are looking forward to returning?

Elementary: While You Were Sleeping

Okay, this second episode has convinced me to give the series a chance. The crime was interesting and the glimpses into the personal lives of Holmes and Watson were great.

Observations:

First, I have to say again that I love Jonny Lee Miller as Holmes. I love his characterization and his little quirks. He really is great in the role.

I loved the opening scene with Watson attending a AA meeting with Holmes.

It hit me funny when Gregson calls Holmes "Sherlock" because that name has become synonymous for a person who duduces something incorrectly and someone else calls them "Sherlock" sarcastically. It's funny when the person deducing really is Sherlock Holmes. Random thought, I know.

I loved Sherlock's expression when he finds out he's wrong.

I was excited to see the violin, but not exactly happy about what he did with it. I play the cello, and doing something like that to an instrument is just - well, not right.

It was very smart not to show Sherlock playing the violin because it's not an easy instrument to fake playing well, especially a piece of music a difficult as the one he was supposed to be playing.

Quotes:

Bell: You're the new consultant. I heard good things.
Sherlock: Of course you did.

Watson: Is it sad being wrong as often as you're right?

Sherlock: Closed eyes do not necessarily a coma make.

Sherlock: That's okay, but I can't stab her in the thigh.

Sherlock: I'd say you're getting the hang of deductive reasoning Watson.

Sherlock: Stop mucking with my things.

Sherlock (to Ty): Such a pleasure. Joan's told me so little about you.

Ty (re: Sherlock): He's your boyfriend.
Joan: No! Wow, not even close.

Joan: Was this about the violin yesterday? Because I think you made your point when you set it on fire.

TV Review: Elementary

My biggest question about Elementary is “why?”

If you’re going to create a TV show based on Sherlock Holmes, I think the plots should be based on the stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, at least in the beginning while the series is getting on its feet, even if they are only loosely based on Doyle's stories. This first episode was just another detective story. The premiere episode of Elementary was boring. There was nothing to distinguish it from any other mediocre detective/cop series. There wasn't anything surprising about the conclusion. Maybe I'm wrong about it not being based on one of Doyle's stories. If anyone knows if it was based on a Doyle story, please post a comment.

I don’t really want to compare the episode to the BBC’s Sherlock, but it’s so hard not to do because Sherlock is so good. It does such a great job bringing Sherlock into the 21st century. And Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are so good as Holmes and Watson.

The only thing the show has going for it is Jonny Lee Miller as Holmes. He was great, but still there was really nothing that distinguished him as Sherlock Holmes other than his talent to deduce, his quirkiness, and his drug addiction.

I will probably give it one more chance, but if the episode isn't better than last week's, then I think I may be done with it. So disappointing.

New Fall Series: Previews of the Most Promising

Here are trailers for a few new series that look promising (or at least interesting):

Beauty and the Beast - CW



I loved the series from the 80s with Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton. Kristen Kreuk, who played Lana Lang in the CW's Smallville plays Catherine, and Jay Ryan plays Vincent.

Ryan is very good looking, but we'll see what he looks like as the beast, and if he is as good as Ron Perlman was as Vincent. I hope this updated version will be worth watching.

Elementary - CBS



As those of you who read my blog knows, I love the BBC's Sherlock. Elementary also brings Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective into a modern setting. However, this series brings the English detective (Jonny Lee Miller) across the pond to Manhattan. And Watson is a woman (Lucy Liu). Aidan Quinn plays Inspector Gregson. I am a big fan of Aidan, so that makes one more reason for me to watch. I am really looking forward to this series.

Interesting sidenote: Benedick Cumberbatch (who plays Holmes in Sherlock) and Jonny Lee Miller were in a production of Frankenstein last year at the National Theatre in London. The two actors took turns playing the dual roles of Frankenstein and his monster (a tag-team performance that won them the 2012 UK Olivier Award for Best Actor). Frankenstein/Monster, Sherlock/Sherlock.

The Arrow - CW



This new series is a spin-off of Smallville. It has a bit of The Count of Monte Cristo vibe, doesn't it? Superheroes are really big right now, so I hope this one is good and that it sticks around. Who knows, it may last as long as Smallville (10 seasons).

As you can tell, there are only three new series that I'm really excited about right now. Sad commentary on the new Fall season.