Whereas last week’s episode introduced a huge twist into the multi-episode arc of Mycroft (Rhys Ifans), this week’s “On the Line” ignores that revelation and focuses more closely on something that has been absent from the show for over a season: how the rest of the precinct feels about their cases being solved by an intolerable consultant. Spoiler alert: They don’t like it.

“On the Line” introduces a woman, Samantha Wabash, seemingly committing suicide, but in a very odd way. She stands at the edge of a bridge with a gun pointed at her forehead. However, this gun is attached to a weight that is dangling over the railing and there is a towel covering her hands. Only now does it become clear she intends to frame someone. That special someone turns out to be Lucas Bundsch (Troy Garity). 

Wabash had been obsessed with Bundsch after her sister was murdered. Samantha knew it was him, but was unable to prove it. As innocent people are wont to do, Bundsch immediately calls for a polygraph test to clear his name. While that normally would free someone of suspicion, the presence of Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) all but guarantees more serious accusations. This man is a serial killer and Holmes knows it. 

Captain Gregson reopens the case regarding Allie Wabash, Samantha’s sister, and her murder by notifying the ornery Detective Coventry (Chris Bauer). After an altercation with Sherlock, Coventry forcefully alerts Gregson that half the precinct thinks he is crazy for trusting Sherlock. Meanwhile, Watson (Lucy Liu), who is painfully aware of this perception of her colleague, reprimands Sherlock for his inability to expand his “nice zone.” 

Sherlock continues pestering the maniacal version of David Schwimmer until he discovers the killer’s past victims were chosen by their geography, not a physical feature as is often the case. Watson and Detective Bell (Jon Michael Hill) visit the husband of one victim who has participated in an online chat room, a support group for the family members of murder victims. Again, “Elementary” stays topical by including real-life elements into the cases. 

Sherlock and Watson contact a woman from the chat room that claims to have a connection with Bundsch; her daughter dated the man(iac) in high school before disappearing. When the duo heads to Syracuse to meet her, Lucas answers the phone, essentially taunting Sherlock for being a step behind. They consequently contact the authorities, which find the woman. To Sherlock’s surprise, this woman is completely different from the one with whom they spoke. 

READ MORE: 'Elementary' Season 2, Episode 7 Recap: 'The Marchioness' 

The second topical reference arises as Sherlock accuses Bundsch of being a “catfish,” monitoring his victim’s families for their activities with fake online personas. Bundsch responds with monotone threats and conceit that pushes Sherlock to strike him. No assault charges are rendered, but a restraining order is placed on Sherlock and Watson, keeping them at least one hundred feet from Bundsch. Gregson responds by taking them off the case. 

Now at a loss, Sherlock receives a text from Bundsch detailing a crime scene. He brags about taking another girl and there’s nothing Sherlock can do…except resort to the same tactics as Samantha and frame him. While Watson talks Holmes out of it, Sherlock gets the final spark of inspiration. Bundsch had been using his studio as the proverbial basement. There the team finds the newest victim along with the missing wife.

The episode comes to close with Gregson standing firm on his choice to use Sherlock’s abilities and Sherlock making self-deprecating admissions. “I am not a nice man…I am acerbic.” Most of this season contradicts that statement and Watson calls him on it. She sees his nice side and he has an answer for that as well. “I consider you to be exceptional.” As such, he takes great pains to treat her as an equal. The final moments reiterate the same notion that has appeared for weeks. There is a limit to Watson’s ability to support his more negative eccentricities. The levee will break, but if the writers keep teasing without substance the suspense will dissipate. 

Read more by Michael at MHMovieReviews.com.

Reach Staff Reporter Michael Huard here.