by Cookie N Screen
This article contains spoilers
Roughly about a week ago, the whole country was in a bit of deflation. Quite wrongly. The wedding of John and Mary Watson had happened and people were bouncing some words around; “fluff,” “too soppy” and “where is the drama?” Yes, The Sign Of Three was a lovely affair that focused on the character development, the relationships between brothers, friends and lovers and had bouts of comedy that some (not all,) were left feeling a little bit cheated. Yet tonight, in the action packed series finale, His Last Vow, Mark Gatiss, Stephan Moffat and a team of highly talented people prove that Sherlock is in a class of his own.
This article contains spoilers
Roughly about a week ago, the whole country was in a bit of deflation. Quite wrongly. The wedding of John and Mary Watson had happened and people were bouncing some words around; “fluff,” “too soppy” and “where is the drama?” Yes, The Sign Of Three was a lovely affair that focused on the character development, the relationships between brothers, friends and lovers and had bouts of comedy that some (not all,) were left feeling a little bit cheated. Yet tonight, in the action packed series finale, His Last Vow, Mark Gatiss, Stephan Moffat and a team of highly talented people prove that Sherlock is in a class of his own.
Set a month after the wedding, John and Mary have settled into domestic bliss. However, domestic bliss suits no one and it isn’t too long before Sherlock is whisking them back into the crime solving and murder. This time, however, the criminal at the helm is a master blackmailer, who uses knowledge of his victims to make them cower beneath him. As no man can turn his stomach quite like Charles August Magnusson, Sherlock must use different tactics to infiltrate this man, but is there something more brewing? Is someone about to find themselves on the wrong side of a gun?
Never has an episode of a television show been filled with so much that an hour and a half feels like five minutes. Don’t fear if you are still in a flurried daze, because we all are and I sincerely hope you all have your shock blankets. His Last Vow is a tantalising episode that is so terrifically done. At the helm this time is Stephen Moffat, earning back points that he may have lost due to Doctor Who. That being said, Sherlock is a different gold fish and His Last Vow is the golden jewel of the crown. Constantly turning through well placed and written corridors, this wasn’t an easy episode to deduce. Nearly every ten minutes the playing field was turned upside down and that proves the excellence of the writing here. Well timed and greatly thought through, His Last Vow had mystery, crime and an outstanding series of plots that made the episode breathless and magnificent as well as appreciating the original Doyle series.
Never has an episode of a television show been filled with so much that an hour and a half feels like five minutes. Don’t fear if you are still in a flurried daze, because we all are and I sincerely hope you all have your shock blankets. His Last Vow is a tantalising episode that is so terrifically done. At the helm this time is Stephen Moffat, earning back points that he may have lost due to Doctor Who. That being said, Sherlock is a different gold fish and His Last Vow is the golden jewel of the crown. Constantly turning through well placed and written corridors, this wasn’t an easy episode to deduce. Nearly every ten minutes the playing field was turned upside down and that proves the excellence of the writing here. Well timed and greatly thought through, His Last Vow had mystery, crime and an outstanding series of plots that made the episode breathless and magnificent as well as appreciating the original Doyle series.
Benedict Cumberbatch is truly superb here. Playing many sides from doting boyfriend to gunshot survivor and of course, the ever brilliant detective; Cumberbatch again brings layers and levels to Holmes in just a flicker of an eye or change in facial expression. That level of acting is other worldly, much like Sherlock himself.
But as fine as Cumberbatch is all the awards go to Martin Freeman and Amanda Abbington. Together and against one another, the pair completely act everyone off the screen. With each new turn, they bounce of each other with a tentative relationship that is pulled through the ringer. One scene with the pair actually caused floods of tears and just the dynamics of the two, both characters and actors, are incredible. Although, the edge must go to Abbington who packs punches while still being a doting wife, making her one of the best main character introductions yet. Also, the master villain Charles Augustuss Magnusson is of a different calibre. Played masterfully my Lars Mikkelson, Magnusson is calm, cool, collected and terribly well performed. Like Hannibal Lecter (funnily enough,) he delights in soft mental torture and blackmail, making him sickening and terrifying all at the same.
And while we’re trying to avoid as much spoilers as possible, we must mention that last couple of minutes. Yes, Moriarty is alive (a much welcomed return for Andrew Scott), he is back to terrorise London and arrives only moments before we are all on bleeding hiatus again. Still, that is Sherlock and that cliffhanger finale is that sort of fantastic writing, skilled acting and phenomenal production that lives and breathes from tormenting its fan.
His Last Vow was indeed everything people have hoped for, an edge of the seat thriller with a master villain who chilled and petrified in his brilliance. Once again, Sherlock has set the bar high with a fast paced and intelligent drama that is unlike any other.
Bravo.
Now, can we not wait another two years for an answer? Please.
But as fine as Cumberbatch is all the awards go to Martin Freeman and Amanda Abbington. Together and against one another, the pair completely act everyone off the screen. With each new turn, they bounce of each other with a tentative relationship that is pulled through the ringer. One scene with the pair actually caused floods of tears and just the dynamics of the two, both characters and actors, are incredible. Although, the edge must go to Abbington who packs punches while still being a doting wife, making her one of the best main character introductions yet. Also, the master villain Charles Augustuss Magnusson is of a different calibre. Played masterfully my Lars Mikkelson, Magnusson is calm, cool, collected and terribly well performed. Like Hannibal Lecter (funnily enough,) he delights in soft mental torture and blackmail, making him sickening and terrifying all at the same.
And while we’re trying to avoid as much spoilers as possible, we must mention that last couple of minutes. Yes, Moriarty is alive (a much welcomed return for Andrew Scott), he is back to terrorise London and arrives only moments before we are all on bleeding hiatus again. Still, that is Sherlock and that cliffhanger finale is that sort of fantastic writing, skilled acting and phenomenal production that lives and breathes from tormenting its fan.
His Last Vow was indeed everything people have hoped for, an edge of the seat thriller with a master villain who chilled and petrified in his brilliance. Once again, Sherlock has set the bar high with a fast paced and intelligent drama that is unlike any other.
Bravo.
Now, can we not wait another two years for an answer? Please.
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