Has everyone watched the three episodes of “Sherlock”, the new, modern-day-set, Steven-Moffat-reimagined (!) version of Sherlock Holmes? I have loved it.
I am one of those insufferable Holmes purists, and do not withhold my words against interpretations I dislike (I hated, and railed about, the Guy Ritchie, for instance). But this interpretation has been marvelous. It’s the first I’ve ever seen to have Holmes properly directed and acted as bipolar — which of course he was. Doyle’s depictions, especially in the early adventures, read like case studies. (Or stories of other famous British bipolars, such as Johnson. In fact, I’ve often wondered how much Holmes was based off of Samuel Johnson — doesn’t Watson’s Holmes read like Boswell’s Johnson? Perhaps this is commonly written and I’ve never encountered it; or, worse, is so obvious that everyone recognizes it and no one bothers to mention it.)
In any case, the program is excellent — in writing, directing, and acting — and I cheerfully excuse the liberties taken. The actor playing Holmes has the character’s moods down perfectly. (By the way, yes: “Benedict Cumberbatch” is indeed the name he was born with. I can say this because [1] I researched it and [2] no one in the world has the balls to pick a stage name that posh.)
The estimable (if not indeed inestimable) Martin Freeman, also, has Watson sorted. I feel sorry for any other fortyish English actors of small stature able to play awkward men in a constant state of mild offense: Freeman’s landed John Watson, Arthur Dent, and Bilbo Baggins. Anyone born in the late 60s or early 70s who wanted to inherit the David Suchet roles (the ones Suchet himself received as hand-me-downs from Ian Holm) must be rather sad right now.
A couple moments that struck me: in one episode, a theory of what has happened at a crime scene has been formulated. A character says “Well, it does seem to be the only explanation of all the facts.” Holmes barks: “Wrong! It is one possible explanation of some of the facts!”
In another, a police technician (who hates Holmes) introduces him as a “psychopath”. Holmes gives her a withering look and intones dismissively, “I’m a high-functioning sociopath, not ‘a psychopath’. Do your research.”
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There’s something about the shorter seasons that the BBC uses that really improves the quality of the shows that we’re getting from them. Or maybe it’s like the early days of anime in America, where only the better stuff was making it to the US, before the flood of crap that was unleashed as it became more popular.
In any case, if you haven’t watched Jekyll and Being Human, you really ought to do so.
if you haven’t watched Jekyll and Being Human, you really ought to do so.
Thank you! Will do.
If you’re using Netflix, Jekyll is available to watch instantly. It only has one season, so it shouldn’t take long.
I just watched the first disc of Sherlock. Was it just me, or was the second episode kinda racist? Kinda really racist?