Elementary EP Robert Doherty On Picking Episode 100 Director And If It'll Be Special

Now in its fifth season, CBS' Elementary, a modern-day drama about Holmes and Watson solving crimes in New York, is barrelling towards a milestone: its 100th episode! Congrats!

Several weeks ago, during New York Comic Con, our own Jim Viscardi caught up with Executive Producer Rob Doherty and asked him about selecting John Polson to direct the 100th episode and if viewers can expect any special surprises in it.

Was Polson the obvious choice? "Absolutely," Doherty said without hesitation. "John has been with us as a director for all five seasons. This is his fourth season of being a producer of the show. He's our in-house director. He does so much for the show on the East Coast, when I'm on the West Coast--the other writers and producers are there. So, we wouldn't have anyone but John tackle the 100th. It was really special to have a member of the family tackle such an important episode."

Will the episode be a big event or business as usual? "It's a great episode," he said, "written by Bob Goodman, who has also been part of the show for a long time. It's a lot of fun, but also it's in Season 5, our fourth episode, so even though we want to do something bigger than normal, and we have, it was tough to do something that really dove into Elementary-canon. It was tough to bring somebody back for the fourth episode! As I'm sure you know, it's typically, season-to-season, you want start off with a bang and you want to finish with something important. The fourth episode made it a little challenging in that regard.

"But Bob, the writer, found a great way to honor the work that Sherlock and Joan have done and honor the partnership that has evolved over the four seasons and four episodes that we've got so far. So, I think the fans that tune in will really enjoy it."

Captain Gregson lobbies to include Holmes and Watson when his unit is selected to receive a city commendation for its exemplary work. Also, as Holmes and Watson consult on the investigation into a financial analyst's murder, they are drawn into the world of asteroid research.

The main cast features Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes, Lucy Liu as Joan Watson, Aidan Quinn as Captain Tommy Gregson, Jon Michael Hill as Detective Marcus Bell, and Nelsan Ellis as Shinwell Johnson.

The guest cast includes Owain Yeoman as Julius Kent, Rob McClure as Grant Huber, Richard Thomas as Mitch Barrett, Bridget Ann White as Laurie Barrett, Gordon Clapp as Deputy Chief Prosky, Linda Powell as Congresswoman Salazar, Myra Lucretia Taylor as Shelly, Daniel Cosgrove as Len, Suzy Jane Hunt as Susan, and Maechi Aharanwa as Waitress.

"Henny Penny the Sky is Falling" was written by Bob Goodman and directed by John Polson.

Rob Doherty, Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly and Michael Cuesta, who directed the pilot, are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

The 100th episode of Elementary, which is titled "Henny Penny the Sky is Falling," will air Sunday, October 30 at 10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.