The Worst Episodes of Elementary
Every episode of Elementary ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Elementary!
A modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD's most impossible cases. Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, eccentric Sherlock escapes to Manhattan where his wealthy father forces him to live with his worst nightmare - a sober companion, Dr. Watson.
Lowest Rated Episodes Summary
The worst episode of "Elementary" is "High Heat", rated 7.1/10 from 763 user votes. It was directed by Michael Hekmat and written by Kelly Wheeler. "High Heat" aired on 4/16/2017 and is rated 0.0 point(s) lower than the second lowest rated, "Moving Targets".
7.1/10 763 votes#1 - High Heat
Season 5 Episode 19 - Aired 4/16/2017
Holmes and Watson investigate the murder of a man Sherlock considered one of New York’s worst private investigators. Also, as Holmes stews over being beaten by Shinwell, he decides to take out his aggression by dismantling a local organization of private investigators.
Director: Michael Hekmat
Writer: Kelly Wheeler
7.1/10 771 votes#2 - Moving Targets
Season 5 Episode 22 - Aired 5/7/2017
When a reality show contestant is murdered, Holmes and Watson zero in on another competitor as a suspect, a former war criminal who may be the most skilled killer they’ve ever pursued. Also, for the first time since he attacked Sherlock, Shinwell reaches out to Joan to ask for a favor
Director: Lucy Liu
Writer: Robert Hewitt Wolfe
7.3/10 1,060 votes#3 - Dead Clade Walking
Season 2 Episode 14 - Aired 1/30/2014
Joan discovers an unsolved murder connected to a rare prehistoric fossil when she reviews one of Sherlock's cold cases; Sherlock's responsibilities as a sobriety sponsor cross personal boundaries.
Director: Helen Shaver
Writer: Jeffrey Paul King
7.3/10 829 votes#4 - Rekt in Real Life
Season 5 Episode 14 - Aired 2/19/2017
Holmes and Watson investigate the murder of a former professional eSports video game player who died after being assaulted in front of his fans during a live video stream. Also, Shinwell approaches Joan for advice when his teenage daughter asks to meet with him for the first time in years.
Director: John Polson
Writer: Robert Hewitt Wolfe
7.3/10 782 votes#5 - The Art of Sleights and Deception
Season 5 Episode 20 - Aired 4/23/2017
Holmes and Watson get mixed up in murder and magic when they investigate the death of a magician killed while performing a classic stunt. Also, Watson suspects Bell is being targeted by the ex-husband of his girlfriend, Chantal, after a false allegation lands him the middle of an Internal Affairs investigation.
Director: Ron Fortunato
Writer: Mark Hudis
7.3/10 624 votes#6 - From Russia with Drugs
Season 7 Episode 7 - Aired 7/4/2019
Sherlock and Joan investigate the murder of a criminal who made his living by stealing from other criminals. When Gregson resumes leadership of the precinct, he suspects his interim replacement is responsible for one of his best detective’s suspicious departure.
Director: Michael Hekmat
Writer: Sean Bennett
7.4/10 1,022 votes#7 - The Five Orange Pipz
Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 11/6/2014
When Sherlock and Joan join forces on a double homicide, Sherlock’s new apprentice threatens the investigation when she allows her jealousy of Sherlock and Joan's work rapport to override her better judgment.
Director: Larry Teng
Writer: Bob Goodman
7.4/10 897 votes#8 - T-Bone and the Iceman
Season 3 Episode 17 - Aired 3/12/2015
Holmes and Watson investigate a murder that initially looks like a road rage incident, but takes a new direction when they learn the victim was flash-frozen at the time of death. Also, when Watson’s mother finds out Joan’s brother is cheating on his wife, she puts Joan in the awkward position of confronting him about the affair.
Director: Michael Slovis
Writer: Jason Tracey
7.4/10 791 votes#9 - Dead Man's Tale
Season 5 Episode 18 - Aired 3/26/2017
Sherlock and Joan question how well they know Shinwell when they investigate the possibility he may have gotten away with the unsolved murder of his friend, a fellow gang member. Also, Sherlock and Joan’s latest case puts them on the hunt for a treasure map rumored to lead to a fortune in pirate’s gold hidden around New York City.
Director: Alex Chapple
Writer: Tamara Jaron
7.4/10 691 votes#10 - Pushing Buttons
Season 6 Episode 3 - Aired 5/14/2018
Holmes and Watson enter the world of rare antiquities when they investigate a case in which victim was killed during a Revolutionary War reenactment. Also, as Holmes grows frustrated with the length of his cognitive recovery, he finds solace in his growing friendship with Michael.
Director: Christine Moore
Writer: Jeffrey Paul King
7.5/10 1,428 votes#11 - Dirty Laundry
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1/3/2013
Sherlock and Joan investigate the murder of the general manager of a high-end Manhattan hotel whose body is found inside an industrial laundry machine. Meanwhile, since Joan’s time with Sherlock is almost up, he offers her an apprenticeship.
Director: John David Coles
Writer: Liz Friedman, Christopher Silber
7.5/10 1,390 votes#12 - The Red Team
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 1/31/2013
While on suspension from the NYPD, Sherlock investigates a suspicious hit-and-run accident involving a conspiracy theorist. Meanwhile, Watson tries to broker peace between Sherlock and Gregson.
Director: Christine Moore
Writer: N/A
7.5/10 1,217 votes#13 - We Are Everyone
Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 10/10/2013
When Holmes and Watson set out to track down a civil contractor who leaked classified information, their lives are disrupted when they are targeted by the group of cyber-activists protecting him. Meanwhile, Joan takes the advice of a friend and signs up for an online dating service.
Director: Michael Pressman
Writer: Craig Sweeny
7.5/10 1,039 votes#14 - The One Percent Solution
Season 2 Episode 16 - Aired 2/27/2014
Tensions rise when Holmes and Watson are forced to partner with Gareth Lestrade, Sherlock’s former Scotland Yard colleague, on a bombing investigation.
Director: Guy Ferland
Writer: N/A
7.5/10 1,026 votes#15 - Ears to You
Season 2 Episode 17 - Aired 3/6/2014
Holmes and Watson consult on a case in which a man suspected of murdering his wife years ago receives a ransom demand for her safe return. Meanwhile, Lestrade overstays his welcome at the brownstone and seems unwilling to leave.
Director: Seith Mann
Writer: Lauren Mackenzie, Andrew Gettens
7.5/10 1,012 votes#16 - The Hound of the Cancer Cells
Season 2 Episode 18 - Aired 3/13/2014
When a famous cancer researcher is found dead, Holmes and Watson must determine if the scientist’s untimely demise was tied to his latest cutting-edge invention. Meanwhile, Bell is finally cleared to re-enter the field.
Director: Michael Slovis
Writer: Bob Goodman
7.5/10 978 votes#17 - Rip Off
Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 11/27/2014
Holmes and Kitty investigate the murder of a postal store owner whose death is connected to the illegal diamond trade. Meanwhile, Gregson's career is placed in jeopardy when he hits a fellow NYPD officer.
Director: John Polson
Writer: Jason Tracey
7.5/10 960 votes#18 - Terra Pericolosa
Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 12/4/2014
Holmes and Watson search for a thief who committed murder to steal a rare map. Meanwhile, Watson becomes concerned with Sherlock’s escalating interference into Kitty’s burgeoning personal life.
Director: Aaron Lipstadt
Writer: Bob Goodman
7.5/10 881 votes#19 - One Watson, One Holmes
Season 3 Episode 19 - Aired 4/9/2015
Holmes and Watson find themselves in the middle of a civil war being fought on the Internet when a member of Everyone, the anonymous hacker group they periodically work with, is murdered.
Director: John Polson
Writer: Robert Hewitt Wolfe
7.5/10 834 votes#20 - Down Where the Dead Delight
Season 4 Episode 11 - Aired 2/4/2016
Holmes and Watson must search for a killer without any physical evidence to aid them after a bomb is detonated in the New York City morgue. Also, Watson is suspicious when an NYPD detective she’s in a grudge match with asks her to consult on a case.
Director: Jerry Levine
Writer: Jeffrey Paul King
7.5/10 817 votes#21 - Who Is That Masked Man?
Season 4 Episode 14 - Aired 2/25/2016
When Holmes’ investigation into the attempt on Morland’s life pushes their strained relationship to the breaking point, the identity of Sherlock’s mother is revealed. Also, when three gang members are murdered, Holmes and Watson are amazed when an elderly woman emerges as their prime suspect.
Director: Larry Teng
Writer: Jason Tracey
7.5/10 875 votes#22 - Worth Several Cities
Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 10/16/2016
When the leader of a local street gang abducts Holmes to compel him to find the person responsible for a hit on his men, Holmes and Watson get caught in the middle of an international hunt to recover a centuries old, priceless artifact. Also, Watson debates whether a personal favor Shinwell asks of her is outside her comfort zone.
Director: Guy Ferland
Writer: Robert Hewitt Wolfe
7.5/10 794 votes#23 - The Ballad of Lady Frances
Season 5 Episode 17 - Aired 3/19/2017
The police call in Holmes and Watson to consult on a homicide “heard” by a cutting edge gunshot detection system when they can’t find any tangible evidence that a crime was committed. Also, Sherlock and Joan become suspicious of Shinwell when he’s the target of a drive-by shooting that reveals a connection between him and an unsolved murder.
Director: Aaron Lipstadt
Writer: Jordan Rosenberg, Bob Goodman
7.5/10 703 votes#24 - Once You've Ruled Out God
Season 6 Episode 2 - Aired 5/7/2018
Watson and her half sister, Lin, have conflicting reactions when their estranged biological father dies. Also, Holmes and Watson find themselves on the hunt for a stolen plutonium shipment they fear will be used to make a dirty bomb after a department of energy inspector is killed with a lightning gun.
Director: Guy Ferland
Writer: Robert Hewitt Wolfe
7.5/10 669 votes#25 - Our Time is Up
Season 6 Episode 4 - Aired 5/21/2018
Watson considers a major life change after reading her own therapy file while she and Holmes investigate the murder of her former psychologist.
Director: Guy Ferland
Writer: Liz Friedman