“Elementary”, starring Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes, is a contemporary twist on the age-old tale of “Sherlock Holmes” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Sherlock Holmes, a recovering drug addict, has just relocated to New York City following a brief stint in rehab. Leaving behind his hometown of London, England, and job at the Scotland Yard, Holmes hopes for a fresh start and wishes to someday bring his nemesis, Moriarty, to justice.

To ensure that his son does not lapse back into his previous drug-addled state, Holmes’ father hires a sober companion, Dr. Joan Watson (Lucy Liu) to look after him. At first, Holmes shows nothing but contempt towards Watson and wishes to be rid of her. However, Holmes soon grows to respect, and possibly even admire Watson, eventually establishing a partnership with her. Together, they become a team of paid consultants working under Captain Gregson (Aidan Quinn) of the NYPD.

Holmes is faced with a plethora of troubles along the way, including the challenge of finding Moriarty, the person who he believed had killed his girlfriend, Irene Adler. Holmes clearly cared for Irene deeply; it was after her death that he became a heroin addict.

Watson also comes with her fair share of problems. Previously a surgeon, Watson resigned after malpractice resulted in the death of a patient. Watson becomes a sober companion in order to save lives; she wants to put her past mistakes behind her.

I originally began watching “Elementary” to shorten the time between episodes of “Sherlock.” I admit, I did not have high expectations before watching the show, but was pleasantly surprised after I did. “Elementary” offers a refreshing take on the age-old story of Sherlock Holmes. The solid cast does nothing but contribute to the general excellence of the show.

One of the best parts about “Elementary” is how Dr. Watson is female; Lucy Liu has proven time and time again to be an exceptional casting choice for the role. She is the embodiment of a powerful woman, often standing up to Holmes’ rude behavior, and dealing with his idiosyncrasies.The banter between Holmes and Watson is quite entertaining, and one of the best elements of the show. Perhaps their banter hints at a future romance?

While “Sherlock” may still be my favorite of the two shows, I admire how Miller’s Holmes is more of an everyman. Viewers can relate to certain aspects of Miller’s Holmes, and empathize with him. “Elementary”’s Holmes is taxed with problems anyone could face; he is short on money, addicted to drugs, dealing with the loss of a loved one, and at one point almost out of a home. “Sherlock”’s Benedict Cumberbatch depicts Holmes as being less flawed (possibly even less human), and is not as easy to relate to. That being said, no one can rival the caliber of Cumberbatch’s overall portrayal of the character of Holmes. One of the only faults I find with “Elementary” is how repetitive certain storylines can be at times. Overall, I definitely enjoyed watching Miller play the part of Sherlock Holmes.

The pilot episode of “Elementary” garnered about 13.41 million views. Rotten Tomatoes users rated the first season at 97%, and the second season slightly lower at 94%, while IMDb’s users have deemed it an 8/10 stars. Among other distinctions, “Elementary” has been nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards.

The talented cast combined with the show’s unique take on the tale of Sherlock Holmes, result in “Elementary” being a must-see. The show is currently nearing the end of its second season, with the season finale set to air on April 24. CBS has renewed the show for a third season, which will likely air in the fall.