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.