Sherlock

[Hammock Parties]

Holy shit. I love this idea. TIVO!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t4pgh

Co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the new Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his loyal friend, Doctor John Watson. Rupert Graves plays Inspector Lestrade.
The iconic details from Conan Doyle's original books remain – they live at the same address of 221b Baker Street, have the same names and, somewhere out there, Moriarty is waiting for them.


Steven Moffat says: "Conan Doyle's stories were never about frock coats and gas light; they're about brilliant detection, dreadful villains and blood-curdling crimes – and frankly, to hell with the crinoline. Other detectives have cases, Sherlock Holmes has adventures, and that's what matters."
This three part series starts on 25 July.

[Ragged Robin]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

What's weird is that I love this show, but I only think less than half of it is good. The only great episodes, IMO, are the first episode and the three series finales. The other five episodes are muddled and meandering.

That's basically Steven Moffat in an nutshell.

[Anyong Bluth]

I feel like the special is just employing a dreamscape as means to adjust the historical period. Unless I missed the news that they are shifting the time period going forward for the remainder of the series?

[Third Eye]

Delivers once again.

[mnchiefsguy]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

I feel like the special is just employing a dreamscape as means to adjust the historical period. Unless I missed the news that they are shifting the time period going forward for the remainder of the series?

No, this was a one shot deal. Although if the ratings are good, I could see them doing other throwback episodes.

Looking forward to seeing this.

[Third Eye]

Originally Posted by mnchiefsguy

No, this was a one shot deal. Although if the ratings are good, I could see them doing other throwback episodes.

Looking forward to seeing this.

Very doubtful that they would return to Victorian England. You'll understand after you watch it.

[mnchiefsguy]

Originally Posted by Third Eye

Very doubtful that they would return to Victorian England. You'll understand after you watch it.

Yeah I am waiting for a two hour time block to watch it completely removed from reality (ie--the wife and kids). Will probably watch it late tomorrow night.

[DaFace]

How are you guys watching it? I'm not sure where it's available.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by DaFace

How are you guys watching it? I'm not sure where it's available.

It's on PBS, listed as an episode of 'Masterpiece'

If you can't find it locally, PBS.com will start streaming it again on the 11th

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/...minable-bride/

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

It's on PBS, listed as an episode of 'Masterpiece'

Excellent - thanks.

[MMXcalibur]

Did not like the whole

Spoiler!

time-traveling between Victorian era and modern era. Would have preferred they had just focused on the The Abominable Bride case throughout and save the modern era storyline for Season 4.

.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by KCtotheSB

Did not like the whole

Spoiler!

time-traveling between Victorian era and modern era. Would have preferred they had just focused on the The Abominable Bride case throughout and save the modern era storyline for Season 4.

.

But

Spoiler!

they didn't time travel, and the Abominable Bride story was integral to the modern era storyline

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

I feel like the special is just employing a dreamscape as means to adjust the historical period. Unless I missed the news that they are shifting the time period going forward for the remainder of the series?

This guy nailed it.

[Baby Lee]

Not saying I agree, just food for thought.

[DaFace]

Ended up just downloading it last night since I didn't record it when it aired, and I thought it was fun, but kind of weird. I guess I'll spoiler tag this...

Spoiler!

I guess I was OK with the whole "set in the past because it's in his mind" thing, but the resolution was somewhat unsatisfying. Did he solve the case (in his mind) or not? He thought he had it figured out, but then couldn't find the second body, but then that ended up being in his mind, so what actually happened? It just seems like it got a bit lost in its own plot device.

But whatever - it was still a fun watch, and I look forward to the next series.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Not saying I agree, just food for thought.

Definitely not. He's complaining about having to think about what's going on on a mystery detective show, and effectively just wants it all regurgitated back in easy to follow plots and dialogue.

He complains that Christmas specials are supposed to be about attracting new fans with a simple taster episode? No, they’re usually a gift to the fans and typically a bit more lighthearted with some wink to the universe or background easter eggs pertaining to the show.

I say this fully conceding the Sherlock special didn't have the normal payoff, and got somewhat muddled in the concept of jumbling time periods. Perhaps, the quality of the script suffered because Moffitt is being stretched thin with taking on Dr. Who. A bit more time to tighten up the script more than likely would have been a large benefit to satisfyingly pulling off the dream throwback plot wrinkle.

Either way, the episode is still definitely in the top 10 best episodes for the show all time.

Lastly, he complains Dr. Who has become too confusing and used to be a "family" show. WTF is he talking about? I know jackshit about Who, but I do know it's always been out there with a heavy learning curve, and an extensive history that has significance in new shows. It's never been a one off stand alone show format.

Seems to be he's just not a fan of Moffitt's headier style, and wants dialogue more on par with something like Two Broke Girls. Again, I don't think I've ever seen Two Broke Girls, but the promos for the show give a fairly certain indication as to the gravitas of the material.

We definitely got some revelations of upcoming events - such as Mycroft upcoming death based upon the consumption conversation and bet, and then Watson and Mycroft's plea to please look out for Sherlock after a previous scene discussing family and Sherlock's support system.

The diary we get a quick glimpse at that had Redbeard in large letters, as well as Vernet - which is both an old established European family the Holmes are descendants of as well as a syndrome that involves tumorous growths in and around the cranial nerves.

It could be an indication of someone's impending death, or potentially a clue as to why both or one of the Holmes brothers have such an amazing intellect.

Brain tumors have been medically documented to sometimes result in highly advanced brain function through overstimulation of area of the brain that control various functions and processing centers.

It's not uncommon that persons with Vernet syndrome show growth of these cranial nerve tumors but an overwhelming majority of them are benign even though it may have other negative effects such a seizures, ticks, temporary irregular speech patterns, lack of emotional processing, among other things.

Then there's the emergence of Mary and her role and her intellectual prowess. As she says, 'I don’t care if you go or how long you're away, I just don't want to be left behind," to Watson. Possibly an indication of a reinventing of the character and her capabilities - which this episode most definitely touched upon the role of women and the equals to men. Mary certainly showed herself to be an equal peer among the 3 men and her capabilities to be resourceful.

So, Moriarty is 'dead' yet Sherlock says he knows what his next move is?

This episode didn't have the same punch or payoff, but it certainly got the wheels turning to set in motion for the upcoming season(s).

Moffitt has already said that they have tentatively sketched out 8 or 9 seasons, but that is completely dependant on the actors being available and wanting to do it, and for the studio being flexible in allowing for extended breaks between seasons to accommodate everyone's schedule and other obligations / projects.