From Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original novels to the multitude of film and television adaptations, the stories of Sherlock Holmes have endured years of variations. With each new interpretation, a different actor makes his debut, taking a time-honored character and adding their own personal twist. When comparing the newest adaptations, one must put television series like the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) program “Sherlock” and the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) hit “Elementary” side-by-side to establish an accurate mental pro/con list. Many esteemed actors have successfully risen to the challenge of embodying the iconic character and each has proven to have their respective merits, but it is not the actor alone that defines the success of a Sherlockian show.

Aside from their mutual loathing for Holmes’ signature tweed deerstalker cap and a shared affinity for mentally stimulating supplements, the two most relevant and recent television versions of Sherlock have little overlap. Johnny Lee Miller, as the star of “Elementary,” depicts the quick wit, arrogance and nonchalance of Holmes flawlessly though his delivery may at times grow monotonous as he mutters rapidly through dialogue without taking a moment to breathe. He is the grimmer, more self-possessed Holmes who has come to America to work with the police to dutifully fight crime as well as take on independent cases as in Doyle’s novels, but other unfamiliar characteristics are slotted to his character as well, ranging from a taste for tattoos to a preoccupation with self defense and martial arts. Miller is accompanied by the milder, more docile portrayal of Watson with Lucy Liu commanding the part. Although the effort to replace a typically male role with a female is commendable in this age of women empowerment, Liu’s performance in the show is not nearly as demanding as that typically prescribed to a character of such caliber. Her less dominant behavior and presence is not her fault; the directors characterized Dr. Joan (not John, Joan) Watson as a more emotional character, whose subplots seem more frivolous and filler than potent and involved in the actual overarching narrative. The writing, which relegates Liu to a lesser role but later overestimates her impact on the plot, also struggles with remaining within the bounds of possibility. Considering it is staged in present day New York and there are technological innovations and “clearly” deep set schemes being concocted left and right in the Big Apple, the writers also often overreach, orchestrating unnecessarily elaborate resolutions by implicating Chinese gang members or the Russian mob to bedazzle a seemingly simple plot line with some random international flare. Therefore, Elementary, despite its American charm and rougher appeal, could not compete with its more well-written and executed counterpart, “Sherlock.”

Like “Elementary,” “Sherlock” fast forwards to present day but retains the location of England in all its accented glory. With plot lines tied closely to Doyle’s original novels, there was no lack of cannon fodder to send the show soaring into a global phenomenon. Rather than airing 45 minute episode after episode, week by week until the completion of the season, the BBC shoots and airs three high quality movie length episodes consecutively for each season. By doing so, they are able to ensure that within their limited time they are monopolizing each minute to the best of their ability and making sure that the appropriate combination of plot development, character growth and nuance permeates the script. Episodes like “Sign of Three,” the last full length episode of the third season, boasted a perfect blend of comedy and intrigue, implicating important events in the characters’ lives without detracting from or undermining the case at hand. Last January, they deigned to broadcast “The Abominable Bride,” a special intermediary episode to tide fans over during the time between seasons and leave them wanting more. Each mystery comes in such a way that it uses film flashbacks and slow motion to visually narrate how the crime occurred as it is being verbally solved, a feat that could never be accomplished by a normal television show like “Elementary.” Also, Benedict Cumberbatch’s swift speech and enunciation paired with his haughty yet oblivious appearance, impeccable pacing and focused resting face made him by far the most ideal candidate to play the brilliant yet socially inept detective. All in all, although both have their merits, “Sherlock” undoubtedly triumphs over “Elementary” as the show to best appeal to fans of the classic eccentric sleuth.