‘Elementary’ Season 5 Spoilers: Shinwell Is Framed For A Gang Killing In Episode 9

Shinwell (Nelsan Ellis) needs Sherlock (Jonny Lee Miller) and Joan’s (Lucy Liu) help in Season 5, episode 9 of “Elementary.”

According to the synopsis for the episode, Shinwell reaches out to the crime-solving duo for help to clear his name after he is framed for a gang killing. Sherlock and Joan, however, only have three days to find out who the real killer is before Shinwell is arrested and sent back to jail.

Shinwell was last seen in Season 5, episode 7, titled “Bang Bang Shoot Chute,” in which Joan learned that the ex-convict has violated his parole when he met with his old gang member Tall Boy (Ruffin Prentiss). At the end of the episode, Joan paid Shinwell a visit to kindly remind him of what would happen to him if a parole officer found out that he was hanging with Tall Boy. To her surprise, however, Shinwell shut her out, telling her that he no longer needs her help.

“Tall Boy is not your problem neither am I. Not no more,” Shinwell told Joan in the episode. “Now I know better. You can’t help me. You think you know everything? You don’t! You just walked into a criminal’s apartment in the middle of night … a basement apartment. You can shoot a gun down here — nobody will hear it. … This world [I’m living in] is not safe. Not for me and especially not for you. So get out while you still can’t. It’s now or never, doc.”

Given what happened between Shinwell and Joan in episode 7, it’s exciting to see how the former is going to humble himself in order to get the help he needs from Joan and her partner.

“Elementary” Season 5, episode 9 is written by Kelly Wheeler and directed by series actor Aidan Quinn, who plays Captain Gregson on the series. This episode marks Quinn’s TV directorial debut.

Debi Mazar also guest stars in the episode. Five weeks ago, Mazar — who plays Detective Cosa in the episode — shared a photo of her with Miller, Liu and Quinn filming a scene for the installment. See her Instagram post below.

“Elementary” Season 5, episode 9, titled “It Serves You Right To Suffer,” airs on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 10 p.m. EST on CBS.