Elementary: The Second Season

Just as inventive in its own way as the clever British series Sherlock, this American updating of the character of Sherlock Holmes presents Sherlock (Jonny Lee Miller) as a recovering addict starting over in New York City, and Dr. Joan Watson (Lucy Liu) as a former surgeon turned sober companion who proves to be a talented investigator in her own right—with both contributing their skills to the crime-solving efforts of police captain Thomas Gregson (Aidan Quinn). The first season ended by introducing the characters of Moriarty and Irene Adler (in a very inventive way), while the second opens with Sherlock returning to London at the request of his estranged brother, Mycroft (Rhys Ifans), in order to help Sherlock's former Scotland Yard partner Lestrade (Sean Pertwee), who is a rather ineffective detective (without Sherlock pointing the way). Both Mycroft and Lestrade eventually make their way to New York and back into Sherlock's life. Meanwhile, Sherlock has to face the consequences of his arrogance when his actions result in serious injury to his colleague, Detective Marcus Bell (Jon Michael Hill), and the set ends with Sherlock butting heads with Mycroft after they're forced to work together on a case. Offering an interesting reinterpretation of Holmes—allowing Sherlock to evolve and even become a sponsor to another addict—Elementary has garnered solid ratings and loyal fans. Compiling all 24 episodes from the 2013–14 second season, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)