Pimping the US airing of Sherlock.
Since it's going to start airing in the US on Sunday, I figured I should post something today.
Introduction to the BBC's Sherlock series**
If you are completely unfamiliar with the concept of Sherlock Holmes, what planet are you from? he is a freelance detective which has been around in a fictional context since Victorian times (not this one in particular, although that would be cool) and is a kind of one-person CSI. Usually Sherlock Holmes TV shows and movies are set in the Victorian era or a similar historical era [See also the American Holmes movies with that guy from Ironman ;-)], however this one is set in modern day.
This show is the brainchild of two huge Sherlock Holmes fans; Stephen Moffat and Mark Gatiss. Their concept is that when the stories were written, they were set in modern day; that just happened to be the Victorian era at the time. In the original stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock was a man ahead of his time, using forensic science and deductive reasoning in a world where fingerprinting was an extremely avant garde idea, not officially being used in a criminal case until 1892.
Since their original publication, Sherlock Holmes depictions have by and large been inextricably linked to the Victorian era. That's where this is different.
The BBC's Sherlock Series is set in the 21st century. Sherlock uses a laptop and sends text messages. John's service in Afghanistan was in the modern war, not the war happening in the 1800's. Forensic science exists at modern levels, and yet Sherlock is still ahead of the police in solving tricky crimes.
Long-time fans of the Sherlock Holmes mythos may find the concept of a modern Holmes distasteful, or laughable, and I don't blame you at all. I did too before I gave in to the rampant squeeing spreading all over my f-list and watched the series.
The thing to remember is, this series is helmed by two of the most rabid Sherlock Holmes fanboys in existence; Stephen Moffat and Mark Gatiss. They know the original material, they've seen all the versions out there, more than likely, and the entire show came from them tossing Sherlock Holmes meta and AU plot-bunnies back and forth on long train rides while rattling around the UK working on Doctor Who. (Yes, he's that Stephen Moffat.)
They've put together a brilliant world with characters that are very true to the originals (and excellently portrayed by an excellent cast) and honours the original stories in ways a long-time fan of Holmes will appreciate. At the same time, anyone could watch this show with no pre-existing concept of who or what the characters of Sherlock Holmes are and still find it an entertaining and gripping show.
It's funny. It's intense. It's intriguing. The mysteries are fascinating, and most importantly, the bond between the characters is uniquely true to the original material. The stories were never about the Victorian Era. They were about a guy who could solve crimes by extraordinary scientific and deductive means, and they were about the guy who was essentially his only friend and the chronicler of his adventures.
Whether you are a long time fan of Sherlock Holmes, never really liked Sherlock Holmes, or only know of Sherlock Holmes as a cultural reference, give this show a try.
The BBC's Sherlock begins airing on PBS stations in the US, starting with the first episode on October 24th. Times and days may vary by region, please confirm times and channels with your local listings.
**(I might also post an Introductory Picspam if I can get the caps to cooperate)
Introduction to the BBC's Sherlock series**
If you are completely unfamiliar with the concept of Sherlock Holmes, what planet are you from? he is a freelance detective which has been around in a fictional context since Victorian times (not this one in particular, although that would be cool) and is a kind of one-person CSI. Usually Sherlock Holmes TV shows and movies are set in the Victorian era or a similar historical era [See also the American Holmes movies with that guy from Ironman ;-)], however this one is set in modern day.
This show is the brainchild of two huge Sherlock Holmes fans; Stephen Moffat and Mark Gatiss. Their concept is that when the stories were written, they were set in modern day; that just happened to be the Victorian era at the time. In the original stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock was a man ahead of his time, using forensic science and deductive reasoning in a world where fingerprinting was an extremely avant garde idea, not officially being used in a criminal case until 1892.
Since their original publication, Sherlock Holmes depictions have by and large been inextricably linked to the Victorian era. That's where this is different.
The BBC's Sherlock Series is set in the 21st century. Sherlock uses a laptop and sends text messages. John's service in Afghanistan was in the modern war, not the war happening in the 1800's. Forensic science exists at modern levels, and yet Sherlock is still ahead of the police in solving tricky crimes.
Long-time fans of the Sherlock Holmes mythos may find the concept of a modern Holmes distasteful, or laughable, and I don't blame you at all. I did too before I gave in to the rampant squeeing spreading all over my f-list and watched the series.
The thing to remember is, this series is helmed by two of the most rabid Sherlock Holmes fanboys in existence; Stephen Moffat and Mark Gatiss. They know the original material, they've seen all the versions out there, more than likely, and the entire show came from them tossing Sherlock Holmes meta and AU plot-bunnies back and forth on long train rides while rattling around the UK working on Doctor Who. (Yes, he's that Stephen Moffat.)
They've put together a brilliant world with characters that are very true to the originals (and excellently portrayed by an excellent cast) and honours the original stories in ways a long-time fan of Holmes will appreciate. At the same time, anyone could watch this show with no pre-existing concept of who or what the characters of Sherlock Holmes are and still find it an entertaining and gripping show.
It's funny. It's intense. It's intriguing. The mysteries are fascinating, and most importantly, the bond between the characters is uniquely true to the original material. The stories were never about the Victorian Era. They were about a guy who could solve crimes by extraordinary scientific and deductive means, and they were about the guy who was essentially his only friend and the chronicler of his adventures.
Whether you are a long time fan of Sherlock Holmes, never really liked Sherlock Holmes, or only know of Sherlock Holmes as a cultural reference, give this show a try.
The BBC's Sherlock begins airing on PBS stations in the US, starting with the first episode on October 24th. Times and days may vary by region, please confirm times and channels with your local listings.
**(I might also post an Introductory Picspam if I can get the caps to cooperate)