Elementary Review: 02 x 11 – Internal Audit
Reviewed by Liz Giorgi
Being Geek Chic For The Baker Street Babes
Alfredo!!!!!!!
Did the Elementary writers hear my calls? Did they see into my dreams? Did they read my tweets? Whatever the reason, I’m so glad to report that Sherlock Holmes’s sponsor, friend and fellow expert lock picker is back. Holmes is still reeling from recent incidents with Detective Bell and a visit to his sponsor’s garage is in order. Talking things out while trying to break into a car? This is therapy, Sherlock Holmes style.
The case this week leaves a lot to be desired. I could have done without it entirely, that’s how lame it is. But here’s a summary: a man pulls a Bernie Madoff like scheme, tries to kill himself, but is beat to it when someone breaks in and murders him before he can do the job. Holmes quickly traces his deeds to thousands of possible clients, but one client catches his eye. It’s a non-profit, which has inexplicably lost none of its money. In true CBS fashion, it’s easy to figure out who the killer is because of how undeniably recognizable the chosen actor of the week is. The unforgettable Richard Musar plays Jacob Weiss, the Executive Director of a Holocaust Survivor Non-Profit, who had been using the services of our dead investment banker. And while Holmes and Watson follow plenty of other leads, all roads, or in this case, all art sales lead to the killer. Mr. Weiss had set up a fake art gallery to launder money from the victims his own non-profit sought to help. It’s a shady, shady scheme and it’s one that just makes your stomach churn.
One of the more confounding plot lines during the investigation this week was the introduction of one of Joan’s previous clients, who was working as a personal chef for the first victim and dated the last victim of the murderous non-profiteer’s scheme. It’s a weird connection and seems too perfect to be coincidental. And while it’s great for the show to share the stories of other addicts living a healthy and productive life, the character’s insistence that Joan reveal not one single thing about her just seems suspicious. I understand the writers were trying to put us off the scent of the true killer, but it ultimately made Joan seem weak and in a way, it put her in the place Holmes was last week: bending the rules for her own convenience. I didn’t understand why the writers would go there so soon. Give it a few more weeks, you know? Are we supposed to think Holmes has done this to her? That working with him has made her more susceptible to living and working in the “gray” areas of morality?
The true high point of this episode is Alfredo’s reintroduction. And not just because I think he’s adorable in his puffy vest. After talking with him about Detective Bell’s injury and Holmes’s desire to help him out, Alfredo thinks Holmes is ready to become a sponsor. “A little empathy crept in,” he says. It’s a lovely line, but Holmes is convinced he has always been empathetic… just towards the victims the crimes he investigates… who are often dead. Yeah, morbid. In this case, Alfredo wants him to feel empathetic to a living, breathing person and has even met someone at a recent meeting who could use his support. Randall is now three months clean and I have a feeling he and Holmes are going to be a great pairing in the coming weeks.
Liz Giorgi is the Baker Street Babes’ Elementary Guru and runs the fantastic nerdy blog Being Geek Chic. You can find her former reviews of Elementary here on her site.
She’s a writer and filmmaker based in Minneapolis. She’s also a contributor for Apartment Therapy and The Mary Sue.
You can contact her at elizabeth@beinggeekchic.com and follow her on Twitter @lizgiorgi
