A family member will pay Joan (Lucy Liu) a surprise visit in the upcoming episode of the CBS series "Elementary."

In "Miss Taken," CarterMatt reports that Sherlock's (Jonny Lee Miller) partner will be clueless why her stepfather (John Heard) has suddenly dropped by to see her. As she has expected of her mother's new husband, he comes bearing an upsetting news. Joan will be horrified to learn that he has used her as muse for his newest crime novel.

Joan's work as an investigator for the New York City Police Department proves to be very interesting for the author that he used it as the basis for his new "masterpiece." Unfortunately, he appeared to have forgotten to inform his stepdaughter of the fact that her "life" will be printed for people to read. Their strained relationship will reportedly be witnessed on this episode, as told by executive producer Rob Doherty via TV Guide.

Doherty commented that Joan does not exactly share a good connection with her stepdad. In fact, the two have "a pretty complicated relationship." It appears that Joan will have the same family problems Sherlock has, what with the latter's continued rejection of his own father. Morland (John Noble) still has not received forgiveness from his son for being absent for a long time.

So far, the older man has not seen any weakening from Sherlock in his persistent attempt to make amends. Sherlock is still smarting over what happened in the past, when Morland sent him to rehab. With Joan's stepdad's arrival, she will know exactly how tiring it is hiding from a determined parent.

Also in episode 7, Sherlock and Joan will take on a new case involving an ex-FBI agent. The man is found murdered and the investigation shows there is a connection between his death and a case he worked on in the past. The partners-in-crime will have to dig deep to find out who wants the former operative dead.

"Elementary" season 4 episode 7 will air on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, at 10 p.m. EST on CBS.