Sherlock - Series One

The prospects of a brand new take of Sherlock Holmes was something to be excited about, it has to be said, with Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy star, Martin Freeman, in the role of Doctor Watson, and a star I had not heard of before the show, Benedict Cumberbatch (or as a close friend of mine used to call him before she seriously fell for him ‘Cucumber Patch’). Speaking from a generalised viewpoint, overlooking the three episodes of the confirmed first series, Benedict’s take on the legendary protagonist has to be said to be amazing--manic, witty, confident and oh so powerful, traits of Mister Holmes I always expected but never exactly saw pulled off before.

Meanwhile, Freeman’s portrayal of the loveable sidekick was perfectly understated, his amazement at Holmes’ brilliance never put off, even after they became close acquaintances, but able to give Holmes that human voice, human opinion that Sherlock’s character obviously lacks for perfectly acceptable reasons. And of course one cannot forget Mycroft, played by Who star and writer, Mark Gatiss (and may I say his influence on Sherlock has made me forgive him a little of that sorry excuse for a Who episode earlier in the year), who acts the role as a more human, more experienced, character as compared to Holmes himself.

Now, The Study in Pink, the first of the trio of episodes was a brilliant starting point, able to allow the viewers a chance to see, firstly, Holmes in a modern setting, but also to experience how he and ex-soldier, Doctor John Watson first met within the twenty-first century take. Watching the episode and seeing the direction, the way the viewer is allowed a glimpse into Sherlock’s mind via simple text upon the scene is a brilliant new and simple method to excel the excitement and experiences of the new show. The case itself being ever so clever to build up the episode to a simple choice between two suicide tablets, obviously provided by the antagonist of show, Moriarty and of course Holmes found respect in Watson for evidently saving his, Holmes’ life. In all the episode was thrilling, amazing and generally awe inspiring, and if I were to mark it out of ten, a suitable 9.5 would fit lovingly.

The second episode, The Blind Banker, explored the wonder of Chinese traditions, methods and it’s society, bringing them crashing into our very own London and right onto the doorstep of the protagonist and his flatmate. Directionally, we never experienced much of ‘in Sherlock’s head’ via text on screen, but it didn’t spoil the viewing in either perspective. Indeed the story of one of the main characters was a wondrous trip into the dark world of the Chinese Black Market and how it can tear apart families and, in the end, a person. We even got to experience part of an Asian circus and witness Watson and his newly found girlfriend--a lovely nod away from the ‘Sherlock and John are an item’ rumours situated by a particular café scene in the previous episode--within a terrifying hostage situation AND see Benedict fighting off enemies in hand-to-hand combat. Of course, the entire episode kept away from the nemesis references of Moriarty until that final, heart stopping scene. A would be 9 out of 10 episode, in my opinion.

And of course finally we have The Great Game--a exhilarating chase for most part, with ups and down, stops and starts and quite a few casualties. Moriarty became the main villain of the episode, albeit namelessly, giving Sherlock clues to five murders, all of course solved by the Consulting Detective. Heartbreaking scenes are created by each of Moriarty’s victims, who had in turn been placed in bomb suits--is that even the correct term?--and made to read the messages of the nameless Moriarty while been put under the greater threat of sniper guns shooting the bomb prematurely in case they quake under pressures, in which happens to the poor blind old lady in the flat. Exploring the episode a little further, we witness death via an assassin calling himself the ‘Golem’ who indeed looks sinister to the name even in the rather comical fight within the planetarium. All clues, aide the supposed climatic scene introducing Moriarty properly lacked a certain spark--the actor playing the character himself seemed to lack similar--with the script giving forth to blatant references to the seventies show ‘Jim’ll Fix It’ until the finale episode ended itself in a cliff-hanger! Overall a 9 outta 10, but the final scene getting the highest 6 out of 10, sad, but true.

So what now? Will Sherlock, John and Jim Moriarty survive if Holmes shoots the bomb? And how many snipers ARE hidden in that swimming pool area? Since a full series seems to have been commissioned by the BBC, it looks like we will find out, and soon I hope. Sherlock has really helped fill the void that lesser shows have obviously failed. Yet for the first series of Sherlock an overall 9 out of 10 seems appropriate, so lets hope for an equally good and hopefully better second series!