To the pessimist is the cup half empty or just empty?

Television

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE television programs this season is Elementary. It's a modern day version of the Sherlock Holmes stories set in New York City. Oh yes, I approached it with great skepticism. I am a fan of the original stories and have never appreciated them in films. I expected this take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's masterpieces to be an utter failure. My wife and I were pleasantly surprised.

Unlike the other new series that were produced for 2012, this one didn't waste its budget on sets, scenery, costumes, or stunts. They seemed to have invested every cent in writing intelligent scripts. This Sherlock Holmes deduces clues from the evidence the way that only the original could. 

His partner, Dr. Watson, played by Lucy Liu, is a defrocked surgeon hired as a companion to monitor Holmes and help prevent him from relapsing into drug addiction. Her keen intelligence and dedication quickly secure her a position as a companion, though not a trusted one. Trust must be earned in time.

So many of the shows this season and last have disappointed. Glitz, glamour  stunts, and grandiose sets simply cannot hide poor writing. As we approached the fall premiers, we had a list in hand of the shows that attract our attention. We switched off some after just a few minutes. A laugh track was instant death. We watched others for an episode or two before we made up our minds. In the end, only a very few made the cut. Elementary was one of those.

We have but one complaint. It seems that they even excluded coffee from the budget. I don't think the writers would have minded. They might even be inclined to pitch for a cup or two.

I'm referring to one of our pet peeves: actors drinking from empty cups. This is not a complaint that is unique to Elementary. It seems to transcend all performances. However, the empty cups seem so much more blatant in a production wherein everything else is so excellent.

For example, in the most recent episode, Watson arrives with two cups of coffee in paper cups with lids and insulated bands such as you might get at Starbucks. She's carrying them in a paper tray that is designed for four cups. If they were actually full, she would most likely carry the tray with both cups close to her hand. However, she is holding the tray on the side opposite the cups. Thus, the tray becomes a lever either making it more difficult to hold or running the risk of spillage.

Holmes takes his cup and instantly tips it to his lips, not as though he's about to take the first sip of hot coffee. No, he tips it up as though draining the last dregs of a cold beverage. Watson, sitting nearby, removes the plastic lid and begins stirring an obviously empty cup with a wooden swizzle stick.

Sorry for the lengthy description, but I couldn't find a clip to show you. You'll just have to watch and see for yourself.

And, you should watch it. If you enjoy intelligent entertainment, Elementary is an excellent choice. We can't hold the writers responsible for inept direction and continuity. Besides, actors drinking from empty coffee cups seems endemic on television and in the movies. It's almost as prevalent as actors leaving headlights on when they exit their cars. But, that's another story.