Monday 26 July 2010

Sherlock Episode 1 - "A Study in Pink"

I somehow managed to catch the first episode of the BBC's new modern day version of Sherlock Holmes, titled simply Sherlock. It was really rather good.

Stephen Moffat, fresh from introducing us to the 11th Doctor Who, and Mark Gatiss have somehow managed to retain all of the essential elements of the character, most importantly his ability to extrapolate a life story from observations of the smallest details such as scratches on a mobile phone. I also particularly liked the way they showed his thought process visually such as the words "wet" and "dry" appearing as he examines the coat of a victim.

Mark Gatiss himself appears as Sherlock's "arch enemy". We all expect him to be Moriarty but of course he turns out to be Sherlock's brother Mycroft.

Nice to see other characters from the books appearing such as Inspector Lestrade and Mrs Hudson and also the setting of 221B Baker Street, although I don't remember Holmes and Watson flat sharing in the originals!

Honestly I saw the taxi connection quite early on, but that's probably due to watching Luther a couple of months ago. Phil "Shake me up Judy" Davis is on hand playing the taxi-driver with quiet malevolence.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman did fine jobs as Holmes and Watson and will be good company for the next two episodes.