Elementary Review: Gutshot (Season 7 Episode 2)
A crisis brings Sherlock and Joan back into dangerous territory on Elementary Season 7 Episode 2, “Gutshot.”
Well, that didn’t last long. Our consulting detectives are in the States again, and if the end of the episode is any indication, it might already be a permanent stay.
Before we get to why, let’s explore all the emotional baggage to the thing that causes them to take this risk in the first place. Captain Gregson has been shot and spends the entire episode unconscious and in critical condition.
Among other things, we get see the return of Paige, now in a wheelchair due to her MS. With no mention of her or her condition in some time, it’s sobering to see this now, especially with everything else.
Thankfully, limited mobility doesn’t do anything to stop her being as sharp and astute as ever, and that’s of benefit to both Gregson and Sherlock, even if the former isn’t awake to know it. It’s nice to see someone address well-meaning but flawed characters when the audience can’t.
Even if it takes Sherlock about half the episode to forgive his friend (mostly) of his own free will, that’s not going to stop him solving the assault from the start. But that brings us into an entirely separate case.
While the case is interesting enough, I feel like it takes something away from the main focus. We go long stretches without any mention of the reason for investigating it in the first place.
We do at least get a few tense and emotional moments out of it, but it’s not always easy to track actions and motives, which stands out more for a case that looks like it could linger beyond this episode.
On the other hand, Sherlock and Joan consider themselves done for the moment, which should allow them to return to the safety of England. But we would never expect them to do what they should do, would we?
We might not have expected it quite this soon, but it’s no surprise that they’re staying. What might be surprising is Sherlock’s final action of the episode—turning himself into the police.
First, I’m not sure why he’s doing it. While we’re constantly reminded of how much Sherlock and Joan are throwing caution to the wind to rush into a where country they are wanted, they seem to be in very little visible danger.
I admit I’m not all that familiar with FBI watchlists, but it does seem people on them would be, you know, watched. Yet Sherlock and Joan wander all over New York City with not a single confrontation.
Even when Sherlock goes directly to the police station, he has to introduce himself as runaway suspect to get anyone to take him into custody, and there still isn’t any sense of alarm from cops or the general public
From what we’re seeing, he could have practically been relaxing in his brownstone with his feet up this whole time. At the very least, you’d think it would be easier for him to get the electricity and water turned back on.
It may turn out that undoing this whole mess will be the matter of a few well thought out conversations. I do get that that benefits all involved, but it just doesn’t make sense logically or story-wise, given all this lead up.
There’s a good chance a quick end to this story will work toward closure for all involved and get us back to the cases our heroes are so good at, so I can see the logic, so there is a silver lining. But while a part of me likes the idea of little fall out, another part of me worries it would be hard to believe.
What did you think of this episode of Elementary? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Elementary airs Thursdays at 10/9c on CBS.
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Caitlin Wyneken
Caitlin is an elder millennial with an only slightly unhealthy dedication to a random selection of TV shows, from PBS Masterpiece dramas to some of the less popular series on popular networks. Outside of screen time, she's dedicated to the public sector and worthy nonprofits, working to make a difference in the world outside of media.