Elementary returns to its second-favorite theme in a spotlight episode for Detective Bell. I’ve been asking for more Bell and Gregson, and tonight, Elementary at least gave us more Bell. That’s probably the best thing that can be said of “The Best Way Out Is Always Through”: It delivered some real substance for one of the characters Elementary has been short-shrifting, of late.

Elementary puts out a fine but odd episode as it enters the final stretch of the season.

Elementary stalls with an episode focused on the wrong character.

Elementary puts forward a lot of ideas, and mostly follows up on the wrong ones.

Elementary is lovely when the characters are losing.

Elementary stretches its wings with this week’s mystery, but it doesn’t get much lift.

An amusing but aimless episode of Elementary gets serious in the last two minutes.

Elementary takes on its riskiest episode ever, and knocks it out of the park.

Elementary’s first midseason two-parter isn’t off to a bad start, but it really needs to stick the landing.

This week’s Elementary will be made or broken by next week’s Elementary.

I’d like to see a prestige show make an episode about boredom as un-boring as this week’s Elementary.

A lovely, somber B-plot is weighed down by a heavy-handed and oversimplified case of the week on Elementary.

This week’s Elementary throws a lot of things at the wall, but nothing sticks.

The A-plot is even more boring than usual, but Elementary is turning into an inside-out family drama, and it’s great.

Who would’ve thought a Watson-less episode could be so good?

Shoddy science and wonderful writing on this week’s Elementary.

Elementary’s doing great work with Kitty, but Joan and Sherlock’s relationship is losing out.

This week on Elementary, for better or worse, it’s the Kitty show.

Elementary’s third season is off to a solid start. Now it has to see it through.