Some time ago I heard about a new adaption of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes on the BBC, called Sherlock. It described the show as being extremely similar to Doyle's style but set in modern times, even employing the use of modern technology. I was intrigued but, having read many of the original stories, kind of wrote it off because of the modernity.
Recently I remembered the story and the show and I was struck with a curiosity to see it. Full episodes were not available on the BBC online, but I a quick Google search revealed a DailyMotion user called moffatholmes had the full episodes (Steven Moffat is a writer/director of the show, but I don't know if he owns the account).
Five minutes into the first episode and I was sold. Blown away, in fact, and immediately informed Joe of the gold mine I had just discovered. He started watching and was likewise impressed and hooked.
What was so good about those first five minutes? Well, for one, we see a PTSD-affected Dr. John Watson, played by Martin Freeman, being instructed to employ writing, or blogging, as therapy, but he has major writer's, and life block. The opening credits and music are perfectly mysterious and suspenseful. Immediately, we're introduced to a number of mysterious and horrible deaths - crimes or suicides?
When we're introduced to Sherlock Holmes, it's from the viewpoint of a body bag, and he proceeds to beat the living hell out of the dead body in order to examine the bruises. We also begin to see his powers of observation, as well as his social ineptitude, though in the book Holmes was a real charmer, but only for his crime-solving purposes, never for personal reasons.
In Doyle's stories and in film adaptions, Holmes is presented as a mature and experienced man, giving one the impression he is older. But this Sherlock, played by Benedict Cumberbatch (what a name!), is young, or appears to be young. Though the actor is actually 46, his long curly hair, slender frame, and smooth skin makes him appear much younger. When I first saw him as Sherlock, I was a little unsure and surprised, but he's definitely grown on me, and I really like his portrayal better than Robert Downey Jr.'s, though not better than Jeremy Brett's.
Watson, in this series, is a little more wounded and worrisome than he comes across as in the book and film adaptations. I have yet to warm up to him, or the actor, I'm not sure if it's the actor's portrayal or the way the character is written. I always imagined Watson to be a bigger, more barrel-chested man, and this one is rather slight and short.
But, too much discussion of the characters and actors, what's intriguing me is the phenomenal writing! This is a 100% modern day adaptation of Doyle's stories, so they are either completely new mysteries or heavily rewritten to work in modern times. That's quite a feat considering the complexity of the stories and the abundance of minute details required for them to work.
The use of texting, blogging and internet, medical and chemical equipment is frequent and well-done. The way they incorporate the texting and other things we can't really see, is pretty ingenious to me - just simple white, low-transparency text that slides onto the screen near the device. I love it! It tells you what's going on without anyone actually saying anything, thereby contributing to the overall atmosphere of the show, which is delightfully dark and snarky! British wit and humour at its best.
If you're looking for an engaging, adventuresome, well-written mystery show, this IS IT. The series started in 2010, skipped 2011, it ran this year and will continue next year. I'm looking forward to it. Totally obsessed in fact.
And, after a bit more "researching" of the show and cast, both Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch will be a part of the new Hobbit film. Great!
Recently I remembered the story and the show and I was struck with a curiosity to see it. Full episodes were not available on the BBC online, but I a quick Google search revealed a DailyMotion user called moffatholmes had the full episodes (Steven Moffat is a writer/director of the show, but I don't know if he owns the account).
Five minutes into the first episode and I was sold. Blown away, in fact, and immediately informed Joe of the gold mine I had just discovered. He started watching and was likewise impressed and hooked.
What was so good about those first five minutes? Well, for one, we see a PTSD-affected Dr. John Watson, played by Martin Freeman, being instructed to employ writing, or blogging, as therapy, but he has major writer's, and life block. The opening credits and music are perfectly mysterious and suspenseful. Immediately, we're introduced to a number of mysterious and horrible deaths - crimes or suicides?
In Doyle's stories and in film adaptions, Holmes is presented as a mature and experienced man, giving one the impression he is older. But this Sherlock, played by Benedict Cumberbatch (what a name!), is young, or appears to be young. Though the actor is actually 46, his long curly hair, slender frame, and smooth skin makes him appear much younger. When I first saw him as Sherlock, I was a little unsure and surprised, but he's definitely grown on me, and I really like his portrayal better than Robert Downey Jr.'s, though not better than Jeremy Brett's.
Watson, in this series, is a little more wounded and worrisome than he comes across as in the book and film adaptations. I have yet to warm up to him, or the actor, I'm not sure if it's the actor's portrayal or the way the character is written. I always imagined Watson to be a bigger, more barrel-chested man, and this one is rather slight and short.
But, too much discussion of the characters and actors, what's intriguing me is the phenomenal writing! This is a 100% modern day adaptation of Doyle's stories, so they are either completely new mysteries or heavily rewritten to work in modern times. That's quite a feat considering the complexity of the stories and the abundance of minute details required for them to work.
The use of texting, blogging and internet, medical and chemical equipment is frequent and well-done. The way they incorporate the texting and other things we can't really see, is pretty ingenious to me - just simple white, low-transparency text that slides onto the screen near the device. I love it! It tells you what's going on without anyone actually saying anything, thereby contributing to the overall atmosphere of the show, which is delightfully dark and snarky! British wit and humour at its best.
If you're looking for an engaging, adventuresome, well-written mystery show, this IS IT. The series started in 2010, skipped 2011, it ran this year and will continue next year. I'm looking forward to it. Totally obsessed in fact.
And, after a bit more "researching" of the show and cast, both Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch will be a part of the new Hobbit film. Great!
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