Sherlock

[Dilorenzo]

So, the wife and I just got through watching the three episodes of the new Sherlock from the BBC on Netflix instant. The one co-created by Stephen Moffat?

All I have to say is bloody hell yes. This is the Sherlock from the Arthur Conan Doyle books, from the uncaring attitude about "lesser" people (everyone that's not him), to the fact that he's downright dangerous to himself and others when bored.

Watson is actually a much more fleshed out character - probably because he's not the one telling most of the stories in this case. He's still the human eyes looking in on a monstrously inhuman intellect, but he is his own, fully storied character, sometimes as cold as Holmes, sometimes abhorred at Holmes reactions.

The writing is pitch perfect, the acting phenomenal, and every character rings true to not only the older books, but to the new modern settings they've been put in.

Every case makes perfect sense, at least once Sherlock has explained things. This isn't a "oh, well it was obviously him" deal, it was a "oh, hell, I only got half of it right" deal.

I'd be interested to see if anyone else had seen it yet, and what you thought of it. If you haven't seen it, I'd highly recommend it.

Then, I'd ask what other thought of Moriarty. I've read some stuff that has folks despising his character, but I personally loved him. Pitch perfect as the opposite to Holmes is all I'll say.

Also, for those who know their Holmes, they do a very nice job of dealing with one particular discrepancy between a characters depiction book to book. I won't say what, exactly, as that'd spoil it, and it's a damn fine moment, even if you see it coming.

[Victoria J]

I enjoyed them, and I'm looking forward to the 3 more that should be here in the autumn. I just rewatched them.

I actually think his coldness is overdone and I object to the suggestion he is a sociopath. He says so himself, but he also lies when it suits him, but it's also suggested by the policewoman and in his reaction to the hostages. I don't think the books do support that level of coldness - he can certainly be callous but he appears to be empathetic to his clients, there are plenty of other intellectually challenging things he could be doing he must have made a particular choose to do something that is moral and helps people, and he has a very particular contempt for bullies. None of which suggest a sociopath.

I like that they haven't fallen into the other traps of the character. People question his relationship with Watson but he isn't gay - just completely disinterested. It annoys me when people try and imply that there is something sexual about their relationship because it miss understands male relationships of the time, and writes out someone who fairly clearly seems to be asexual. He isn't a terrible misogynist, just lacking in politeness to everyone and not showing any sexual interest in women. He's actually fairly respectful to women clients in the stories so I feel it's more in character.

Moriarty - his playing about with his persona is fine, and I don't even object to the over the top campness, but when it descended to an out and out impersonation of Graham Norton it became SOOOOO annoying. (If you don't know Graham Norton, the "Soooooo" is when you can't ignore it being an impersonation anymore).

Also, for those who know their Holmes, they do a very nice job of dealing with one particular discrepancy between a characters depiction book to book. I won't say what, exactly, as that'd spoil it, and it's a damn fine moment, even if you see it coming.

Yes - I liked that.

Funnier was that at least one of the reviewers here was scathing about how they tried to make it relevant with Watson having served in Afghanistan.

Overall it isn't perfect but it is about 500 times better than I would ever have expected.

Victoria J

[Eireann]

I'm fascinated by Sherlock Holmes, and I'm not the only one. A Study in Scarlet was published in 1887, and it's never been out of print since then. From what I understand, the character and his methods had a profound impact on real-life criminal investigations. After all this time, Holmes holds up beautifully.

[Der Cute]

It's strange - I have just finished reading a bunch of e-books by Doyle, and then I see this Sherlock Holmes series! I could predict the endings, duh, but the surroundings, the stories, the characters, VERY GOOD JOB! (plus, the new Holmes is quite good looking!)

I am impressed, I want to watch next season's shows.

[MoonCat]

I thought they were very well done. I've never been a big Holmes fan, but I find the character more interesting this way, can't wait to see the new ones.

[tacohuman]

i loved sherlock! if you enjoyed it, i'd also recommend jekyll (also available via netflix streaming). it's another steven moffat show, this time his take on jekyll and hyde, and brilliantly done. it only ran one 6-episode series, but they were highly enjoyable.

[BroSCFischer]

I collect anything to do with Holmes. I even have episodes of other series like the Ronald Howard/H. Marion Crawford one from the 50's.

This show was excellent IMO, I thoroughly enjoyed making the connections to the original novels (like Watson's watch -> phone). Very well done.

Can't wait for the new ones.

SC

[hornet95]

Watching episode 3 now. Thoroughly pleased.

[JoitheArtist]

I have to confess, I don't like the Sherlock Holmes stories. At all.

But I LOVE the new show!!! The actors are fantastic, the pacing is great, and the scripts are...well, they're Moffat-driven scripts, and any Who fans out there will know exactly what I mean by that.

Also Benedict Cumberbatch has the best name EVER.

[Ironclad Alibi]

I loved the 2010 BBC Sherlock series. I think they did a wonderful job of bringing Sherlock into the 21st century, and keeping a lot of his traditional quirks. I am looking forward to the next three episodes. My only complaint is I have always envisioned Moriarty as being much older than he is in this version.

I have just about all of the previous versions of Sherlock Holmes, both movies and TV series. I am working my way through them chronologically. And I need to read or reread all the books.

[hornet95]

I agree with the Moriarty part. In the books, he was a FORMER professor. That, and Sherlock found him; not the other way around.

[Solumina]

I loved those three episodes but I do think things were a bit too sped up, I really wish they had spent a bit more time playing with the dynamic between Sherlock and Moriarty.

Also I get a kick out of Sherlock constantly ribbing Mycroft about his diet, it is a nice little way to show their attention to detail and their desire to be true to source material while still allowing for change and adaptability.