By Cookie 'N' Screen
“That Benedict Cumberbatch, he’s a bit alright, isn’t he?
Up until a month ago, this was pretty much my level of expertise when it came to the BBC’s Sherlock.
“A month ago?”
Yes, a month ago.
“But it has been going since 2010.”
I am fully aware of this. Unfortunately, during 2010 I funnily enough had just moved to London and had no internet or television. What I did have was a library card, a blockbuster card and a fresher’s year at University to play around with so you’ll have to excuse me if I was a bit slow on the uptake with Sherlock. It literally escaped me, undetected, up until now.
Also, if you note how easily I can obsess with television shows and films, it was probably good for my own sanity that I didn’t discover Sherlock until recently. But after stumbling out of the second screening of Star Trek Into Darkness with my legs quivering, a great friend handed me over the box set, demanding that I watch it. Now, considering that I just managed to claw back some of my life after the Hannibal television series stole it, handing me a television show such as Sherlock was like giving a drink to a recovering alcoholic. Luckily for me, I slipped off the wagon with what can only be described as the finest scotch created and not the swill I had been drinking before…
“That Benedict Cumberbatch, he’s a bit alright, isn’t he?
Up until a month ago, this was pretty much my level of expertise when it came to the BBC’s Sherlock.
“A month ago?”
Yes, a month ago.
“But it has been going since 2010.”
I am fully aware of this. Unfortunately, during 2010 I funnily enough had just moved to London and had no internet or television. What I did have was a library card, a blockbuster card and a fresher’s year at University to play around with so you’ll have to excuse me if I was a bit slow on the uptake with Sherlock. It literally escaped me, undetected, up until now.
Also, if you note how easily I can obsess with television shows and films, it was probably good for my own sanity that I didn’t discover Sherlock until recently. But after stumbling out of the second screening of Star Trek Into Darkness with my legs quivering, a great friend handed me over the box set, demanding that I watch it. Now, considering that I just managed to claw back some of my life after the Hannibal television series stole it, handing me a television show such as Sherlock was like giving a drink to a recovering alcoholic. Luckily for me, I slipped off the wagon with what can only be described as the finest scotch created and not the swill I had been drinking before…
And I have sipped happily.
For those who, like me, lived in a cave and completely by passed this great show, Sherlock is a modern adaptation of famed detective Sherlock Holmes. Set in present day London, Sherlock, created by Mark Gatiss and Stephan Moffat, is just a delectable piece of fiction. Combining updated technology, solving crimes and the blossoming friendship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson, Sherlock is an energetic, dazzling show that still has the heart of the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories. There are only six episodes to date, spanning two series, with a third one in the making at the moment. Staring Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role and Martin Freeman as the pragmatic John Watson, this show has sparked an international phenomenon with fans pouring across the globe to watch the highly functioning sociopath at work.
If I were to be completely honest, another reason I steered clear of Sherlock was because the detective has been overdone. Countless amounts of adaptations have been done; from his first screen outing in 1900 (although, unrecognisable) Sherlock Holmes has been portrayed by 70 actors in over 200 different adaptations. That’s a lot of good and bad talent putting their stamp on the character. So in the midst of, say, Robert Downey Jr in the 2009 movie and its sequel and Johnny Lee Miller in the American show Elementary, you’ll be forgiven if you were slightly bored of yet another television show of the pipe smoking detective.
Actually, no, you will not be forgiven as I implore you to, if you haven’t, go watch Sherlock now. Because of all the creations and stories that have been at the forefront of popular culture, this BBC series is by far one of the greatest things you’ll ever see. Ever.
For those who, like me, lived in a cave and completely by passed this great show, Sherlock is a modern adaptation of famed detective Sherlock Holmes. Set in present day London, Sherlock, created by Mark Gatiss and Stephan Moffat, is just a delectable piece of fiction. Combining updated technology, solving crimes and the blossoming friendship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson, Sherlock is an energetic, dazzling show that still has the heart of the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories. There are only six episodes to date, spanning two series, with a third one in the making at the moment. Staring Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role and Martin Freeman as the pragmatic John Watson, this show has sparked an international phenomenon with fans pouring across the globe to watch the highly functioning sociopath at work.
If I were to be completely honest, another reason I steered clear of Sherlock was because the detective has been overdone. Countless amounts of adaptations have been done; from his first screen outing in 1900 (although, unrecognisable) Sherlock Holmes has been portrayed by 70 actors in over 200 different adaptations. That’s a lot of good and bad talent putting their stamp on the character. So in the midst of, say, Robert Downey Jr in the 2009 movie and its sequel and Johnny Lee Miller in the American show Elementary, you’ll be forgiven if you were slightly bored of yet another television show of the pipe smoking detective.
Actually, no, you will not be forgiven as I implore you to, if you haven’t, go watch Sherlock now. Because of all the creations and stories that have been at the forefront of popular culture, this BBC series is by far one of the greatest things you’ll ever see. Ever.
Gatiss and Moffat are proclaimed fans of the character and the stories. This instant passion for such an iconic figure becomes apparent within Sherlock. While adding some impressive nods to the original cannon, our two co-creators, with a flair of genius, evolve Sherlock into the here and now, creating the world’s only ‘consulting detective’. The writing is electric, sharp and snappy, full of wit, drama and suspense, each episode is treated as a movie. At 90 minutes long, it’s a great feat that your attention is caught from beginning to end. There is never a dull moment and as famous stories such as The Hound of the Baskervilles is given a wonderful adaptation, our two fanboys, along with writer Stephen Thompson, make Sherlock Holmes their own. Breathing fresh new life into Sherlock, this television series will whip you into a frenzy as you embark with Holmes to solve yet another complex and intriguing case.
But Gatiss, Moffat and an excellent production team are lucky enough to find an impeccable cast. Benedict Cumberbatch is truly breath taking as Sherlock whose speeches move faster than the speed of thought. Adding a somewhat humanity to a character, whose intellect and lack of human connection could falter with audiences, Cumberbatch is charismatic and draws you in to an active mind and life. Martin Freeman, as Dr John Watson, is a brilliant companion and juxtaposition for Holmes. Freeman really excels as Watson, balancing his own life against that of super sleuthing. Layering his character with back story and emotional depth, Freeman is astonishing and captivating. The men together are unstoppable and their chemistry is instantaneous from their first meeting. While the crimes they solve together are clever and complex, it really is the friendship between the two that propels this show into greatness. And never has there been such an influx of emotion throughout audiences as there was with the season two finale.
Within Sherlock, however, there are a whole host of characters and acting that boost the show. Andrew Scott is fantastic as the devilish Moriarty and nearly steals all the scenes he’s in as he makes Sherlock dance around his wicked games. Lara Pulver is great as Irene Adler, a classic character spun into a conniving dominatrix. Detective Lestrade played by Rupert Graves, Mrs Hudson, the landlady, by Una Stubbs, Louise Brealey as Molly Hooper and Gatiss as Holmes’ older brother Mycroft all portray unforgettable characters and play a part in making Sherlock one of the best acted series ever.
But Gatiss, Moffat and an excellent production team are lucky enough to find an impeccable cast. Benedict Cumberbatch is truly breath taking as Sherlock whose speeches move faster than the speed of thought. Adding a somewhat humanity to a character, whose intellect and lack of human connection could falter with audiences, Cumberbatch is charismatic and draws you in to an active mind and life. Martin Freeman, as Dr John Watson, is a brilliant companion and juxtaposition for Holmes. Freeman really excels as Watson, balancing his own life against that of super sleuthing. Layering his character with back story and emotional depth, Freeman is astonishing and captivating. The men together are unstoppable and their chemistry is instantaneous from their first meeting. While the crimes they solve together are clever and complex, it really is the friendship between the two that propels this show into greatness. And never has there been such an influx of emotion throughout audiences as there was with the season two finale.
Within Sherlock, however, there are a whole host of characters and acting that boost the show. Andrew Scott is fantastic as the devilish Moriarty and nearly steals all the scenes he’s in as he makes Sherlock dance around his wicked games. Lara Pulver is great as Irene Adler, a classic character spun into a conniving dominatrix. Detective Lestrade played by Rupert Graves, Mrs Hudson, the landlady, by Una Stubbs, Louise Brealey as Molly Hooper and Gatiss as Holmes’ older brother Mycroft all portray unforgettable characters and play a part in making Sherlock one of the best acted series ever.
Of course, some episodes are slightly better than others. In my opinion (because I believe this time, it boils down to opinion,) The Reichenbach Fall is an episode of perfection (I have a penchant for great villainous roles). Never missing a beat, full of twists and turns as Holmes’ battles Moriarty for the final time and the soul crushing ending, the third episode of season two is a merger of great direction, brilliant writing and jolly good acting. For me, The Blind Banker, Sherlock’s second episode misses the mark a lot especially after an explosive first outing. But as I have said, a lot of Sherlock fans will disagree. Regardless though, no matter what episode you watch, it will still be greater than a lot of rubbish that hits our screens these days.
With that all said, it is with a happy heart I run head first into the Sherlock fandom and wait on tenterhooks for series three to air. After all, the mind blowing end has kept a lot of people’s breaths bated. It may have taken me far too long to catch up, but I sit here gleefully anticipating what the new series has in store. While I will try to make my deductions on what exactly happened in the last series finale, for now I’ll simply say…
With that all said, it is with a happy heart I run head first into the Sherlock fandom and wait on tenterhooks for series three to air. After all, the mind blowing end has kept a lot of people’s breaths bated. It may have taken me far too long to catch up, but I sit here gleefully anticipating what the new series has in store. While I will try to make my deductions on what exactly happened in the last series finale, for now I’ll simply say…
TTFN,
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