Elementary season 5 finale: Sherlock’s mother, sickness, and memories

The Elementary season 5 finale was a story with a number of priorities, with the principal one being trying to find a proper way to stop SBK. After all, this was the gang responsible for Shinwell’s death, and one that was threatening another gang war.

Also, this episode had to try and resolve an ever-growing rift between Sherlock and Joan stemming from even before Shinwell was killed. Sherlock refused to see any good in Shinwell due to his past, and he couldn’t get over that. Because of that, he completely abandoned her during much of her investigation, and did not attend his memorial service, either. He didn’t realize that Shinwell wrote out his confession for what happened twelve years ago, and was ready to turn himself in after SBK was brought in to justice.

This episode featured arguably the most relentless side of Joan that we’ve had a chance to experience to date. Herein lies the good news: She was able to bring the ringleader of the gang to justice, all because of some blood that was found in a victim’s esophagus. Because he perjured himself in court, his immunity deal effectively went up in smoke. Chalk this up a win for Joan.

The mystery woman question – This is not meant to be disrespect to the whole SBK storyline, but the question that continued to distract and haunt us personally in the finale was the identity of this woman, who was yet another reason for Sherlock being so detached and haunted from start to finish.

Right when he felt as though he needed her, unfortunately, was when she was gone … and in a ball of flames, no less. What did this mean? At the time of the commercial break, it felt as though this woman was strictly a product of Sherlock’s mind. This was reaffirmed further when he was seemingly getting a head scan in the closing minutes — the woman is in some ways a manifestation of his mother, a conscience designed to help him deal with his problems. The fire was both unfortunate and dangerous, but it may have been the wake-up call he needed to get help.

What did you think about the Elementary season 5 finale as a whole, and some of the surprises contained within? Share in the comments below!

Meanwhile, be sure to head over to the link here in the event you do want to get some additional news on the show and its future. (Photo: CBS.)