I Am Sherlocked

It's been a while since I've talked about this show. Like, a REALLY long while. I think the last time I mentioned it was right before the second season came out. And if you know about this show, you know that there's about a two year gap between each season. Now in the midst of waiting for season four, I've decided it was time to bring it up again.

For those who are unaware, Sherlock is a modern take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. I'm sure most people have heard of Sherlock Holmes-- that detective with the funny hat… I'll expound: In the late 19th century, the stories are told from Dr. John Watson's point of view as he writes down his experiences and adventures with his flatmate (or roommate to Americans), Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is hyper-observant and highly skilled in deductive reasoning. He is employed by the police as a "consulting detective" and helps them with especially baffling cases.

From the 2015 Christmas special "The Abominable Bride"

So basically, all of this is updated into modern times in Sherlock. Instead of it taking place in the 1800's, it takes place in the 2010's. The characters use phones, laptops, emails, and so on. (There was actually a Christmas special a couple weeks ago where the characters were set in the 1800's, calling each other "Holmes" and "Watson", dressed up in the clothes of the time, smoking pipes, riding in carriages, and all that. It was great!). Everithing's all integrated very well in the show. I've read the original Sherlock Holmes stories and I can say that the show does a spot on job of updating the characters, the stories, the setting, etc. There are many references and shout outs to the original stories. All the episodes are based on at least one, if not more, Sherlock Holmes stories.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original mysteries are already very intriguing and engaging, and the show's writers exquisitely update them without taking away any of the suspense or mystery. If anything, they add to them.

The first episode of Sherlock is "A Study in Pink" which is based on the Sherlock Holmes story,
"A Study in Scarlet", which is the story where Holmes and Watson first meet. The episode sticks closely to the original source material, but still manages to surprise you even if you have read "A Study in Scarlet". The same principal applies to all the episodes. The writers throw in their own twists and original material, making it their own without veering too far from canon.

I love Sherlock and John! They are the best aspect of the show. Complete polar opposites and yet still friends. Sherlock is sort of a jerk a lot of the time with his cold calculated reasoning and obliviousness to feelings so that John is always calling him out on it. Their bantering is too hilarious! But then, their friendship is so real! John is the one person Sherlock cares for. Literally.

Of course there's Sherlock and Moriarty. Wow, the way they updated Moriarty. He is such a maniac! But a genius at the same time. Of course, the ever so famous Reichenbach fall is included (if you know the canon, you know what happens there). That entire episode stressed me out so much!

Then Mycroft… His and Sherlock's relationship amuses me on so many levels. Even though they're both such superior intellects, they're still such siblings making childish jabs at each other. Mycroft's not fat in this version so his first appearance surprised me (but then, I suppose that was the point). But all the references to his weight and his diet crack me up (especially from Sherlock).

Inspector Lestrade is there, Mrs. Hudson (as the landlady rather than their housekeeper, which there are many jokes about), Irene Adler, and more.

(left to right) Molly Hooper, Mary Watson, Dr. John Watson,
Sherlock Holmes, Inspector Greg Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson

The second season covered three of the most famous Sherlock Holmes stories: "A Scandal in Bohemia" (Holmes's run-in with Irene Adler, where he is outwitted), "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (when a nobleman suspects his friend of being killed by a demon dog), and "The Final Problem" (when Moriarty attempts to take down Holmes). Now, I think they writers covering the smaller ones and creating more of their own stories.

Ever heard of Benedict Cumberbatch? He's starting to make a name for himself now. (Smaug in The Hobbit? Khan in Star Trek?) Anyways, he plays Sherlock. He is SO good! He's such a good actor, I mean seriously! He's definitely a favorite of mine. How on earth does he memorize those 5,000 word long deductions and then spew them out at 90mph? And Martin Freeman (he's Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit), plays John. Awesome chemistry! Fo' realsies!

Each season consists of three 90-minute episodes. As I said above, there's about a two year waiting period between each season. It's a lot to ask from the fans, but believe me, it is SO worth it! The episodes are so refined, so polished. Every single shot is eye candy, perfectly framed, perfectly angled. Breath-taking lighting! The actors are SOOOO good! The music is amazing! The scripts are so awesome! The costumes are legit! Everything is just so perfect! I mean, literally! I have no complaints.

TRAILER

And if you were wondering, all the seasons are on Netflix (except for the Christmas special since that just came out a couple weeks ago).