Sherlock

[Graham Smith]

I've been a fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories for many years. And I've always found that there is enough meat in the stories that they can pretty well stand on their own. As a result, when the character(s) are used in film and TV, I can be highly critical of the results. Most of what has passed for "good" Holmes material has been pretty thin stuff. The Basil Rathbone versions were not terrible but Watson was played as a bumbling fool which seriously diluted them. And some the more recent movies really have nothing to do with the books other than to steal the name. That doesn't make them bad, they just aren't Holmes.

When the BBC took on the stories a few years ago, they tapped Jeremy Brett who became, arguably the best Holmes to ever hit the screen. After that, I became even more critical of anything labeled Holmes. So when I new BBC series aired I didn't expect much - boy was I wrong!

Sherlock is a whole new approach to the stories. Coproduced by the BBC and Masterpiece Theater, it's set in current Britain and rather than trying to redo the books, the writers have taken characters and some plot lines and enough of the personalities of Holmes and Watson to create some really solid stories. The writing is simply superb. And the really great thing is that a Holmes fan can watch and pick up on all kinds of things plucked from the books while a complete neophyte can enjoy the stories for what they are - new.

There are only three 90 minute episodes per season for a total of 6 produced so far. A third season is scheduled for next year. They can be a bit tough to find on TV but if you have Netflix then they have both seasons with the first season available via Streaming Video. If you can, have a look at the first episode, "A Study in Pink". If you like Holmes, you will like this show.

Edited August 14, 2012 by Graham Smith

[Gary1911A1]

I have seen each of the newer Sherlocks on the BBC. It's a little different with them taking place in modern times, but the show is well acted a and I lok forward to the Third Season even if there are only three episodes.

[D.Hayden]

Good series. They adapted it well to present day too

[mpolans]

Awesome show. Well written and good acting.

[Calmwater]

This is one of my favorite new series. I am glad to hear there will be another season.....