Last Resort / Elementary

[Wynbish]

Posted: 9/27/12 at 12:28pm

Both shows premiere tonight.
Last Resort - 8 p.m. - ABC
Elementary - 10 p.m. - CBS

I'm not sure about Elementary, but I know Last Resort's pilot was accessible on Hulu or iTunes or something. While I understand how it can add to the excitement of a show, it does affect the premiere night's ratings.

Anyhoo, is anyone planning to watch?

[silversurfer2]

Posted: 9/27/12 at 2:05pm

Actually looking forward to ELEMENTARY. Hope it's good.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 9/27/12 at 3:35pm

My friend is reviewing for a TV site and had to review the Elementary pilot. She liked it a lot but also is one of those people who does not bow to the UK program Sherlock or its star Benedict Cumberbatch (who seemed really bitter that they 'Americanized' Sherlock Holmes). I like Jonny Lee Miller a lot so I hope for his sake it is good.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 9/27/12 at 4:14pm

I watched the pilot for Last Resort last night. It's available for free download on iTunes and AppleTV. I liked it although for the first few minutes I had a hard time following what the characters were saying because they spoke quickly and used what I assume to be naval jargon that I was not familiar with. It wasn't anything substantive to the plot but made me feel a little disconnected. Once the conflict of the plot got underway I found it very engrossing. I will definitely keep watching.

Updated On: 9/27/12 at 04:14 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/27/12 at 4:26pm

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[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 9/27/12 at 4:39pm

Elementary leaked in the Summer. It's a typical CBS procedural, really, but I thought it was very strong, in terms of writing and the chemistry of the cast (I'm a big fan of Jonny Lee Miller, though which helps). Pob not a can't miss show for me--I'm more into serialized shows and don't get attached too much to procedurals (I only end up watching Law and Order or CSI if I'm with my Grandma who worships them), but it's a show I'd watch if I was home when it's on. It looks like the critics mainly pretty much agree with that.

I admit, I like Sherlock but I think it's a bit overated, so that may colour my view, too. It is amusing that Benedict Cumberbatch and Miller did Frankenstein together, and swapped roles in some performances (I saw both versions int he cinecasts) and now are both playing modern Holmes.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 9/27/12 at 4:48pm

Daniel Lissing is pretty damn hot too on Last Resort.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 9/27/12 at 4:50pm

Cumberbatch also did not have really kind things to say about Miller doing Elementary- which further put him on my friend's sh*tlist. Not sure what BC's deal is. He also trashed Downton Abbey. Again, he's great in Sherlock but it is not necessarily Grade A programming episode to episode.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/27/12 at 4:52pm

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 9/27/12 at 5:26pm

Wow, I have never seen an interview with Benedict (aside from the making of Parade's End where he only talks about that), but that's disappointing. I just assumed he wa probably a pleasant guy. I do like him on both Sherlock and in Parade's End (as well as Frankenstein), but admit I don't know him in much else.

[Plum]

Posted: 9/27/12 at 5:49pm

No, by an increasing number of accounts Cumberbatch is a comically privileged asshat. Not an actively evil person or anything, just someone who's best experienced solely through his acting work (which I do think is excellent).

I also find Sherlock terribly overrated, and yeah, I fully admit I started pulling for Elementary in opposition to the sexist, racist responses I was seeing to Lucy Liu's casting as Watson, but as it turns out, the pilot is quite decent. Not as stylish or sure-voiced as Sherlock, but not as misogynist or Orientalist, either, and with a Sherlock I can actually believe interacts with the human race on a regular basis without having his head put through a wall. I think the high upside of this show is turning into a heavily character-skewed procedural like the late, great, Life, though I doubt it'll quite reach those heights.

[HoldThatThought]

Posted: 9/28/12 at 11:27am

Here's the diss on Downton by Cumberbatch:

http://tinyurl.com/cv4lhpn

Here's a blurb on his new show called "Parade's End':

http://tinyurl.com/bm9auvk

I thought Jonny Lee Miller was very good in the Elementary pilot last night. His portrayal feels more approachable (less sarcastic) than Cumberbatch in Sherlock. Lucy Liu did better in the sidekick roll than I thought she would and it seems that these two takes on Holmes should co-exist just fine. I find a well done procedural very satisfying!

[Jon]

Posted: 9/28/12 at 12:39pm

It seemed like they were influenced as much by "House" (another modern verion of Holmes)as by "Sherlock". Johnny Lee Miller reminded me of Hugh Laurie . Lucy Liu's Watson was a combination of Wilson and Cuddy.

[wonkit]

Posted: 9/28/12 at 12:57pm

First, an aside. I believe that Cumberbatch and Miller have a cordial relationship since they worked so well on the National Theater switch-roles FRANKENSTEIN. There was an interview in TV Guide a few weeks back in which Cumberbatch was quoted as saying he thought Miller would be excellent as a modern day Sherlock, and that the character allows for multiple versions. So whether you like or don't like Cumberbatch, don't try to make him look like a d*ckhead as he does not seem to warrant it.

I love Jonny Lee Miller (saw him as the creature in the NT FRANKENSTEIN, and also in AFTER MISS JULIE a few years back). His intensity is amazing, and it translates well on the small screen.

As for ELEMENTARY, it is worlds away from the British SHERLOCK because of the New York locale and the female casting of Watson. I still have strong concerns that it will devolve into "will they or won't they" in tone, in spite of the stated intent of its creators that it won't. It's called human nature, or ratings, or both.

The pilot was intelligent; good to see Aidan Quinn getting quite a fair amount of screen time as the modern day LeStrade. But I just have so much trouble watching Lucy Liu. I find her face so disturbing, with her huge eyes - very insect-like. And no, it's not a racial thing - I have difficulty watching Amanda Seyfried for the same reason. Liu is doing a beautiful job, but I cannot get past her looks. But really, it is my resistance to the male/female casting that I am struggling with. I think the series will do very well indeed.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/10/12 at 1:09pm

I caught up on the first two episodes of Elementary last night and found myself really enjoying the show. I'm definitely going to keep watching.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/10/12 at 1:21pm

Totally agree. I think of all the new shows I've seen so far this season, ELEMENTARY is my favorite.


So it'll be cancelled next month.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/10/12 at 1:28pm

Ha. That's my life, too. When I like something, it's usually a goner.

I think I've mostly avoided everything Jonny Lee Miller has been in before, so this show was the first time I've really seen him. He is so fine!

[Wynbish]

Posted: 10/10/12 at 1:37pm

I've only seen him in a few period-piece movies, Frankenstein, and this. He definitely plays Sherlock as someone who could be more relatable and reachable than Benedict's. Benedict's Sherlock seems maybe more focused, but the whole "why was he in rehab?" question of Elementary could play into that.

The show has gotten pretty good ratings for a new series and has led its timeslot both times.

Updated On: 10/10/12 at 01:37 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 10/10/12 at 2:01pm

I saw him playing the underwritten title role in Frankenstein, and before that in the execrable Eli Stone pilot, so I guess this is my first time watching him in an actual good role. I don't think he's Hugh Laurie good - or at least, he's not as vividly at the center of this show as Laurie was for House, perhaps because he doesn't need need to be. There was pretty much no reason to watch early House except the title character. In Elementary the burden is halved.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/10/12 at 2:05pm

I love Miller. Loved him since HACKERS in '95 when I decided I'd watch any and everything he would ever do.

[Plum]

Posted: 10/10/12 at 2:45pm

I know he played Prior in a film adaptation of Regeneration, a book I hugely admire, so maybe I'll stream that on Netflix some time when I'm ready to be traumatized.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/10/12 at 2:47pm

I just looked at his IMBD and literally the only other thing I've ever seen with him in it was Dark Shadows and I don't remember him in that at all. I always remembered his name as being the first husband of Angelina Jolie, though. Considering her next two husbands, I have to wonder if he's kind of smelly and dirty in real life.
Updated On: 10/10/12 at 02:47 PM

[Wynbish]

Posted: 10/10/12 at 2:51pm

Ugh, Dark Shadows. So much hatred for that movie.

He played Roger, David's dad, who took off after Barnabas threatened him. Which (along with almost everything in the movie) would never have happened in the TV show.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/10/12 at 3:09pm

Oh! Now I remember. Thanks!

I didn't really hate the movie. I thought it fell apart at the end, but up till then I thought it was kind of fun.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 10/10/12 at 3:20pm

^ Me too.

I don't usually do hour-long shows but I watched both Elementarys and enjoyed them. I love Lucy Liu.