Sherlock – The Empty Hearse

After 2 years Sherlock finally came back to our screens on last night with the much anticipated The Empty Hearse.  I, like most of the Sherlock fandom, had built some pretty high expectations for the episode and I am happy to say that the show delivered on everything.  There was action, suspense, Watson’s moustache, theories on how Sherlock faked his death and a return to the mind palace.

The hour and a half episode flew by leaving me wanting more and this is what a good show is always meant to do.  The chemistry between all of the characters was great and there were a number of unforgettable little sayings and scenes.  The one thing that annoyed me a little bit about the episode is that we still don’t really know how Sherlock faked his own death.

On that topic it does seem that Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat have looked at all the theories that are out there and included them in the 13 possible ways that Sherlock faked his death.  We see four different theories in the episode including one that was detailed by Digital Spy.  There was a little throw out there for all the Moriarty/Sherlock shippers.  However, we know that two of the theories are completely wrong because in one Moriarty is still alive and the other Sherlock discarded.  It’s a bit annoying, but you have to give it to the writers when it comes to keeping an audience hooked.

There was also a little nod to some of the other ships for the show.  The Molly/Sherlock shippers had a kiss between the pair and then we get to see Molly’s new fiancé who looks a lot like Sherlock.  There was also a little scene between Mrs Hudson and Watson where Mrs Hudson asked if his new fiancé was different to Sherlock since everyone and Mrs Hudson knows that Sherlock and Watson was a thing.  Honestly, even my mother believes this to be a fact and is shocked that this is not canon.

We also saw a new threat starting in the episode and I have to say that it was very subtle.  The primary threat of the episode actually has nothing to do with the main villain of the series or does it?  Honestly, with Sherlock anything is possible as we saw with the whole Moriarty thing.  The new villain is not even on Sherlock’s radar as far as we know, but then Sherlock does know a lot more than us mere normal people so who knows?

The interaction between all of the characters was believable and simply wonderful.  Although, I do have to say that I was surprised that Mycroft know about Sherlock’s faked death.  At the end of the last episode of season 2 Mycroft gave the impression of not knowing.  The reaction that Watson had to Sherlock being alive was hilarious and probably what most people would do in that situation.  I also loved how Lestrade hugged Sherlock while Sherlock looked uncomfortable and seemed to have no idea what to do. 

Overall, I have to say that Sherlock The Empty Hearse was more than worth the wait.  The two years since the last episode only enhanced the episode when it came out.  My hat comes off to Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat for giving the characters the best come back I have seen in a very long time.  I can honestly not wait for Sunday when the next episode comes on.

If you want to keep up to date with all things Sherlock you can check out the John Watson Blog that is updated to stay in line with the show.  

bbb5d98e74d22b7b06cac56f26933eacac6ebef723c796ca57

Sherlock - The Hounds of Baskerville

On Sunday January 8 the second episode of the current series of Sherlock was aired.  This one was based on the story the Hound of the Baskervilles.  Personally this is my favourite of all the Sherlock Holmes stories and I can say I was a bit worried about how this would be done.  The story line was different to the original but the tone was a bit similar even if the motives behind everything was different.

The episode starts with Sherlock being very bored and wanting a new case.  When Watson says he should check his email he ridicules the case that he found about a girl who wants him to find Bluebell her rabbit who went missing after glowing in the dark.  Luckily Henry Knight comes to see them and brings with him the story of his father’s murder by a huge hound in Dartmoor.  Sherlock in his usual fashion disregards the whole thing apart from the fact that Henry used the word hound.  

The story line of this episode did detract from the original quite a bit but then I don’t see how they could have kept the original story without seeming outdated.  In this story Baskerville is not the name of the affected family but rather a secret military research base.  Anyway Sherlock and Watson go to Dartmoor, which honestly is really beautiful while being totally creepy at night, to investigate Henry’s claims.  

I have to say that the way the characters handled everything added to the eerie feel of this episode.  The scene were wonderfully done as we with you feeling nervous and a little scared for everyone without being terrified out of your mind or bored.  I did feel bad for Watson in this episode because Sherlock was kind of freaking out and was really mean to him.  

There are a host of wonderful scenes in this episode that are just really amazingly done.  The creepiest for me was when Henry is at home and his outside light keeps going on.  Russell Tovey was unbelievable in this scene and you really felt for him.  

All in all this was another wonderful episode from the Sherlock crew.  There were twists because I seriously thought that it was either Henry’s therapist or the doctor who makes animals glow.  There were also good moments between all the characters.

Sherlock - A Scandal in Belgravia

On New Year’s Day Sherlock returned to our screens on BBC 1 and what a return it was.  Honestly I have been waiting for a year for this because Sherlock is excellent.  The first episode was based on the story a Scandal in Bohemia.  When I say based I should probably say loosely based as the characters have been changed to suit the new modern Sherlock look.

That aside the story was once again wonderfully done.  You have to give it to Steven Moffat who wrote this episode.  Not only did he bring in the story of the Scandal in Boehemia but also other storylines only found in Sherlock like the continued appearance of Jim Moriarty and Sherlock’s brother Mycroft Holmes. 

I like how the episode picked up directly where the last, The Great Game, left off.  That is with the stand-off between Sherlock, Watson and Moriarty.  I have to say that I love how Moriarty is portrayed in this show as this mastermind who is a little quirky.  The perfect enemy for Sherlock really.  So Moriarty gets a phone call in the middle of a stand-off which is a little funny because all of them are like sure you can get that.  

Sherlock seems a bit lost after this.  I love how when Sherlock is lost he solves cases and dismisses others.  Unfortunately for Sherlock John’s blog is doing really well and they are now celebrities and we get a picture of Benedict Cumberbatch in the iconic Sherlock Holmes hat.  I have to say he pulls it off rather well.  

The main story of this episode is that a female member of the royal family has been seeing a dominatrix, Irene Adler, who now has compromising pictures of the person.  The government obviously wants the picture to ensure that the royals can’t be blackmailed.  They send Sherlock to get the picture back but he becomes a bit involved with Adler as she escapes when he tries to get the picture.  

Benedict Cumberbatch was again excellent as Sherlock.  He seems to have this ability to bring out the genius in the character while still being someone that is so completely strange to those around him.  I feel that you can really connect with the character even though you most of the time do not get his thought patterns.  In this episode the way he portrays Sherlock’s interest in Adler is wonderful.  He didn’t go down the route of smitten but it was more subtle and you really got to see progression in Sherlock’s character.

Martin Freeman was also wonderful as Watson.  I love how he doesn’t know what Sherlock is going on about but sometimes does understand Sherlock anyway.  Martin Freeman also seems to capture the fact that Watson completely trusts Sherlock without him seeming to have no thoughts of his own. 

Lara Pulver who plays Irene Adler was a great actress for this role.  She is domineering yet approachable at the same time.  I also love how she shows that Adler is interested in Sherlock but at the same time not.  

The characters were unbelievably portrayed and the story was written very well.  There never seemed to be a time when you thought okay where is this all going.  There were a few twists that you really don’t see coming.  I personally like the fact that someone one ups Sherlock and he doesn’t feel stupid about it but rather accepts that there is someone who can match him.  

Overall I would have to say that A Scandal in Belgravia definitely lived up to what I was expecting.  The only problem was that the episode had to end.