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The Best Episodes of Elementary Season 1

Every episode of Elementary Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Elementary Season 1!

Binge this in 17h 15m•Peaking at 8.8/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Elementary Season 1 Episode 24 - Heroine (2)
    8.8/10(1962 votes)

    S1:E24

    As Sherlock reels at the reappearance of his former lover, Irene Adler, a series of flashbacks unravel the tumultuous events that led to his downfall into addiction. Meanwhile, he and Joan once again find themselves in the crosshairs of the enigmatic Moriarty.

    Director:John Polson
    Writers:Craig Sweeny, Robert Doherty

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  2. Elementary Season 1 Episode 12 - M.
    8.7/10(2008 votes)

    S1:E12

    Sherlock is reunited with “M.” a British criminal who appears to have followed Sherlock to New York. Meanwhile, Joan has reservations about leaving Sherlock and taking on a new client.

    Director:John Polson
    Writer:Robert Doherty

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  3. Elementary Season 1 Episode 23 - The Woman (1)
    8.7/10(1724 votes)

    S1:E23

    As Sherlock reels at the reappearance of his former lover, Irene Adler, a series of flashbacks unravel the tumultuous events that led to his downfall into addiction. Meanwhile, he and Joan once again find themselves in the crosshairs of the enigmatic Moriarty.

    Director:Seith Mann
    Writers:Craig Sweeny, Robert Doherty

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  4. Elementary Season 1 Episode 22 - Risk Management
    8.5/10(1576 votes)

    S1:E22

    Sherlock agrees to take a case from a man claiming to be Moriarty, hoping it will bring him closer to finding his nemesis. Meanwhile, Gregson encourages Joan to give up the dangerous line of work she has chosen and go back to being a sober companion.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Elementary Season 1 Episode 21 - A Landmark Story
    8.4/10(1534 votes)

    S1:E21

    Sherlock resumes his hunt for Moriarty when Sebastian Moran reveals that a man who was thought to be dead from a heart attack was actually on the list of intended victims from Moriarty.

    Director:Peter Werner
    Writer:Corinne Brinkerhoff

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  6. Elementary Season 1 Episode 16 - Details
    8.2/10(1620 votes)

    S1:E16

    Sherlock investigates what he believes will be an open-and-shut case after Detective Bell is attacked. However, the case takes an unexpected turn when the suspected assailant is found dead. Meanwhile, Sherlock encourages Joan to learn self-defense.

    Director:Sanaa Hamri
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Elementary Season 1 Episode 3 - Child Predator
    8.1/10(2073 votes)

    S1:E3

    Sherlock and Watson consult on a child abduction case involving a serial killer who is nicknamed "The Balloon Man," because he leaves a signature batch of balloons at each of his crime scenes.

    Director:Rod Holcomb
    Writer:Peter Blake

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  8. Elementary Season 1 Episode 18 - Déjà Vu All Over Again
    8.1/10(1568 votes)

    S1:E18

    Joan investigates her first solo case when a wife disappears. The missing woman left behind a tear-filled video that mentions a murder on a subway platform. While Joan searches for the vanished lady, Sherlock probes the murder.

    Director:Jerry Levine
    Writer:Brian Rodenbeck

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  9. Elementary Season 1 Episode 14 - The Deductionist
    8.0/10(1642 votes)

    S1:E14

    Sherlock pursues Martin Ennis, an unpredictable criminal, before he strikes again. During the investigation, Sherlock is forced to work alongside Kathryn Drummond, the FBI profiler who literally wrote the book on Ennis. Meanwhile, Watson faces eviction from her apartment.

    Director:John Polson
    Writers:Craig Sweeny, Robert Doherty

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  10. Elementary Season 1 Episode 19 - Snow Angels
    8.0/10(1608 votes)

    S1:E19

    Sherlock and Joan try to prevent the largest cash vault in the U.S. from being robbed during a deadly blizzard. Meanwhile, Holmes gives shelter to Ms. Hudson, a transgender woman who is recovering from her latest breakup.

    Director:Andrew Bernstein
    Writer:Jason Tracey

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  11. Elementary Season 1 Episode 15 - A Giant Gun, Filled with Drugs
    7.9/10(1563 votes)

    S1:E15

    When Sherlock's ex-drug dealer, Rhys, comes around for help, Watson is concerned about Sherlock's sobriety after Rhys implies that Sherlock on drugs made a better detective.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Elementary Season 1 Episode 4 - The Rat Race
    7.8/10(1894 votes)

    S1:E4

    When Sherlock investigates what appears to be a series of murders at a top Wall Street firm, he may himself fall foul of a sociopathic slayer. Joan is set up on a blind date and shows investigative instincts.

    Director:Rosemary Rodriguez
    Writer:Craig Sweeny

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  13. Elementary Season 1 Episode 7 - One Way to Get Off
    7.8/10(1720 votes)

    S1:E7

    Sherlock assists with a double homicide that has the same M.O. as a series of murders that took place 13 years ago. Meanwhile, after being frozen out by Sherlock, Watson visits his old rehab center in order to learn more about the mysterious man in her care.

    Director:Seith Mann
    Writer:Christopher Silber

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  14. Elementary Season 1 Episode 8 - The Long Fuse
    7.8/10(1683 votes)

    S1:E8

    While investigating an explosion that kills two people, Sherlock discovers a crime that’s been lying dormant for years. Meanwhile, Watson encourages Sherlock to finally pick a sponsor.

    Director:Andrew Bernstein
    Writer:Jeffrey Paul King

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  15. Elementary Season 1 Episode 9 - You Do It to Yourself
    7.8/10(1635 votes)

    S1:E9

    Sherlock uses his trademark deductive reasoning skills to find the killer of a college professor. Meanwhile, Watson gets a call from a former lover who needs her help in disproving hit-and-run charges.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writer:Peter Blake

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  16. Elementary Season 1 Episode 10 - The Leviathan
    7.8/10(1641 votes)

    S1:E10

    Sherlock is called in to investigate when a supposedly uncrackable bank vault called “The Leviathan” is breached. Meanwhile, Joan is pleasantly surprised when Sherlock meets her family and defends her choice to become a sober companion.

    Director:Peter Werner
    Writer:Corinne Brinkerhoff

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  17. Elementary Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.7/10(2773 votes)

    S1:E1

    Detective Sherlock Holmes, along with his sober companion, Dr. Joan Watson, uses his uncanny ability to read people and analyze crimes to assist the NYPD on some of their more difficult cases. In the season premiere, Holmes consults on a home invasion that resulted in murder.

    Director:Michael Cuesta
    Writer:Robert Doherty

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  18. Elementary Season 1 Episode 5 - Lesser Evils
    7.7/10(1807 votes)

    S1:E5

    Sherlock tries to determine who has been killing weak and terminal patients at a hospital, making it look like they died of natural causes. Meanwhile, Sherlock learns more about Joan’s decision to walk away from her surgical career.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writer:Liz Friedman

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  19. Elementary Season 1 Episode 6 - Flight Risk
    7.7/10(1753 votes)

    S1:E6

    Joan is invited to dinner with Sherlock's father. Meanwhile, Sherlock investigates the crash of a small jet, unraveling a mystery beyond a simple accident.

    Director:David Platt
    Writer:Corinne Brinkerhoff

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  20. Elementary Season 1 Episode 17 - Possibility Two
    7.7/10(1502 votes)

    S1:E17

    Sherlock investigates a case involving a wealthy philanthropist who believes his incurable illness was given to him on purpose. Meanwhile, Sherlock tries to teach Joan his deductive skills by sending her to a suspicious dry cleaning establishment.

    Director:Seith Mann
    Writer:Mark Goffman

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  21. Elementary Season 1 Episode 20 - Dead Man's Switch
    7.7/10(1433 votes)

    S1:E20

    Sherlock and Joan hunt for the accomplice of a murdered blackmailer who targeted families of rape victims. Meanwhile, Sherlock resists celebrating his first year of sobriety.

    Director:Larry Teng
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Elementary Season 1 Episode 2 - While You Were Sleeping
    7.6/10(2085 votes)

    S1:E2

    Sherlock uses his powers of deduction to consult on the murder of a young man who is shot upon entering his apartment. Meanwhile, Watson has dinner with her ex-boyfriend, Ty Morstan.

    Director:John David Coles
    Writer:Robert Doherty

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  23. Elementary Season 1 Episode 11 - Dirty Laundry
    7.5/10(1640 votes)

    S1:E11

    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
    Writers:Liz Friedman, Christopher Silber

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  24. Elementary Season 1 Episode 13 - The Red Team
    7.5/10(1597 votes)

    S1:E13

    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:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Heroine (2)" is the best rated episode of "Elementary" season 1. It scored 8.8/10 based on 1962 votes. Directed by John Polson and written by Craig Sweeny, Robert Doherty, it aired on 5/16/2013. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "M.".