Elementary Review: You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby (Season 6 Episode 11)

In Elementary Season 6 Episode 11, “You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby,” Morland makes a dangerous proposal to his son—who has an unexpected response.

We last left the Holmes family with Mycroft probably truly being dead. It looks like it might really stick this time. But the forces that followed and threatened his life are very much alive.

Moriarty/Irene Adler remains a threat, mainly to Morland, the most dedicated to tracking her down. Now, Morland responds by wanting her dead. Any lingering thoughts of ambiguity on that are quickly eliminated here.

With Sherlock understandably distracted, Joan takes on major portions of the case of the week by herself. Including hiring “The Nose” without his knowledge, much to his consternation.

Joan getting a chance to take Sherlock by surprise, even to a small degree, is probably my favorite part of the case. One again the show does a great job of remembering her independent talents.

All in all, though, with the personal issues being tackled, I find myself paying less attention to the cases themselves. Perhaps the writers aren’t giving them the same attention—or perhaps it’s just me.

I do think the twists here are well handled. The “boys club” of suspects being undercover agents and the circumstances under which two seemingly kill each other are unexpected and grimly intriguing.

Still, neither the motive of cigarette smuggling nor even the pursuit of the real killer holds much interest for me in comparison to what happens with the Holmes family. Like Sherlock, I am more dedicated to Morland.

…But is Sherlock actually dedicated to his father?

When Sherlock first meets with a henchman who may well be planning to assassinate a family member, we wonder for a second where his loyalties lie. It wouldn’t be such a surprising move for the Sherlock we’ve long known.

The only issue is that it doesn’t really fit for the Sherlock we’ve seen since learning of Mycroft’s death. Our hero seems as genuinely committed to letting go of grudges as he is capable of being. This doesn’t line up with that promise.

In the end, we learn the truth is somewhere in the middle. When that middle means taking over in his father’s steed, however, the truth is also very ominous.

Sherlock and Moriarty will hold a stalemate for the remainder of Morland’s life. I’ll set aside my major doubts that she will hold to her terms for a moment. Even if she does, what does that mean?

I can’t believe that, with all this foreshadowing, we’ll be waiting too long to see Irene Adler back on our screens. She may stretch the truth or drop in for a visit regardless. Or, of course, she could just be lying.

More ominous is the factor measuring how long the truce will last. Morland is more aware of his mortality than ever. And Sherlock, despite how unmoved he acts, must be as well.

Whenever Morland dies, Moriarty will return. At that same time, Sherlock will step into a role he may well be ill-prepared for. As his father hints, he might regret a lack of planning when the time comes.

Would the show kill off Sherlock’s last known family member so soon? I think it’s a distinct possibility. It would add a whole new layer to the personal drama that’s being piled on this season.

Either way, though, Irene will be back. I have to believe that Sherlock is about to find himself in over his head. And that’s a whole level of drama all by itself.

What did you think of this episode of Elementary? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

Elementary airs Mondays at 10/9c on CBS.

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!