Episode Title: “We Are Everyone”
Writer: Michael Pressman
Director: Craig Sweeny
Previously on “Elementary:”
In a story “ripped from the headlines,” Sherlock (Jonny Lee Miller) and Watson (Lucy Liu) pursue “Elementary’s” version of Edward Snowden, putting themselves under attack by a relentless online collective demanding naked pics of Sherlock in silly poses.
Actually, it’s Watson the group called “Everyone” wants to see in the buff, but luckily she avoids such online humiliation when the two bring in the fugitive. Sherlock, however decides it’s in his best interest to give “Everyone” want they want: a picture of him with a shoe on his head.
When Sherlock and Watson are tasked with locating Ezra Kleinfelter, a civil contractor who recently gained infamy for leaking sensitive government documents, the duo employs the usual mastery of such skills as lock picking, reading body language and sleight of hand. But surprisingly, it’s Watson who uses all of the above as she and Sherlock inch closer and closer to Kleinfelter’s hideout.
“We Are Everyone” is definitely a Watson-centric episode. We get to see her showcase her new skill set on the job and Watson also makes a big decision in her personal life when she decides to start online dating at the suggestion of a friend. Watson’s decision brings up the matter of love and her and Sherlock’s opposing thoughts on the possibility of finding it ever again. After what he went through with “Irene Adler” aka Moriarty, Sherlock considers himself “post-love.” However, Watson thinks he has a lot to offer in a relationship.
Despite the topic of the discussion, no real sparks fly between the two, which is a relief. At the same time, Watson tells Sherlock there weren’t “any sparks” on her date. Tying into the theme, we listen as Sherlock reads a letter from someone asking about the possibility of love. Turns out that letter is from Jamie Moriarty.
It’s exciting just to hear the name “Moriarty,” and considering the damage she’s done to Sherlock, her reemergence should bring up some interesting new challenges, both for Sherlock and Watson. Watson doesn’t think Sherlock’s properly dealt with what happened; but as he tells her, he’s already gone through one kind of rehab and isn’t about to take on another.
However, Sherlock may not have a choice if Moriarty decides to swoop in again, especially now when he’s still so vulnerable.
Personal matters aside, this week’s case is a fun one that touches on Sherlock’s beliefs about online social networks (he’s not a fan) and thrusts the two detectives into the unfamiliar world of an underground online collective. In search of leads on Kleinfelter’s location, Sherlock joins one of “Everyone’s” online forums and spends the night butting heads with its members. This leads to an attack on Sherlock and Watson’s digital lives as their phones and online accounts on commandeered by the group. Of course, some comedy comes of it as Watson gets phone calls from men insisting she agreed to let them come over and play with model trains in the nude. And then there’s the twenty plus pineapple pizzas that arrive at their door.
While navigating the forum, Sherlock comes in contact with a wealthy software developer who he believes is planning to help Kleinfelter flee the country. Sure enough, Kleinfelter is nabbed at the airport as he’s about to board the software designer’s private jet to Venezuela.
In a gambit to ensure his escape, Kleinfelter threatens to reveal the identities of fourteen undercover operatives if he is not freed. Captain Gregson (Aidan Quinn) is forced to let him go, but not before Watson lifts his watch. Sherlock appeals to Gregson’s former employer to bring the undercover operatives to safety while the DNA from Kleinfelter’s watch is used to prove he killed one of his associates.
With the agents now safe from exposure, Kleinfelter’s plane is grounded and he’s arrested. At home, Sherlock and Watson are left to deal with personal matters. For Watson, it’s finding a life outside of working with Sherlock and possibly doing some writing on her eccentric partner. For Sherlock, it’s deciding if he is truly “post-love” or more specifically, “post-Moriarty.” Unfortunately, the former “Irene Adler” might be a habit Sherlock just isn’t ready to kick.
