'Sherlock' vs 'Elementary'

This post is about two TV series – ‘Sherlock’ and ‘Elementary’.  First, a short introduction of those TV series.

‘Sherlock’ (2010) is a modern-day version of adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his dear friend Watson. The series stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Doctor John Watson. The TV series is set in London, UK.

‘Elementary’ (2012) is also a modern-day version of  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's detective stories. It stars Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson. Wait…what? JOAN Watson…??!! I will talk about it in a moment.
This TV series is set in New York, USA.

I must admit that after watching BBC version of Sherlock, it was strange to watch new Sherlock, but I think that both TV series have something interesting to show. Firstly, they seem to be similar, but when we start watching we can see that they are different, and create two different portraits of the famous detective.

Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes in the BBC version is cast as an independently wealthy consultant to the Metropolitan Police Service in London. He is a pseudo-ex-smoker who consults both private clients and the Met. He meets John Watson, and later their acquaintance develops into friendship. We can also see Sherlock relationship with his brother Mycroft, and with his parents.
(fun fact: Sherlock's parents presented in Tv series are the real parents of the actor who plays Sherlock - Benedict Cumberbatch)

Cumberbatch’s Holmes is ‘high-functioning sociopath’. There are moments when he is presented as socially inept, he also seems to be absent-minded at times and often deliberately dismissive of those around him.

Jonny Lee Miller’s Sherlock Holmes for CBS version Elementary isn’t much more socially acceptable. Living off a trust fund from his father, Sherlock is a consulting detective for NYPD (only occasionally taking private cases). Earlier, Sherlock was a drug addict, and it is a major theme in this version of Holmes. He stills struggles with addiction; moreover, many of his relationships are in some way connected with his former addiction.

He is not really presented as ‘high-functioning sociopath’ like in BBC’s Sherlock, but instead he is a  highly dedicated pursuer of the mind. There is an emphasis on his work, on what he does in order to train his mind.

As you already found out, in American version Watson is a female. Well... that’s new.  Many people are dissatisfied with this, but when we already have so many adaptations of Sherlock Holmes stories this one seems to be striking and original. 

Moreover, despite the fact that Sherlock and Watson are of the opposite sex they are not involve in any romantic relationship. It is based on friendship, they need each other, professionally and emotionally. So, it is not another sweet story, with love and cuteness everywhere. 

Also the way in which those two Watsons are presented is different. BBC Watson is Sherlock's flatmate, he starts writing a blog about his life with Holmes and their investigations.
In 'Elementary', Joan Watson was hired by Sherlock's father in order to help him in his post-rehab life.

Which version do you prefer? Comment down below and share what you think!