Murdoch Mysteries 7x04: The Return of Sherlock Holmes [a.k.a. that one show where AG doesn't die]
If there is one work that might impede Andrew Gower's ascension to the position of Sean Bean 2.0, it's this one. It's silly, it's funny and he doesn't die. He doesn't die in The White Queen either (and we have already established that it's amazing), but at least he risks it. In Murdoch Mysteries, he risks nothing but killing his two and a half fans with chronic cuteness. Not much has changed since January: I still don't watch this show, but I can't really say no to Baby Sherlock. It's an interesting symmetry by the way: he keeps appearing in the fourth episode of the season. Should we keep fingers crossed for 8x04 next year? ;)
Previously: 6x04, A Study In Sherlock
1. It's interesting to see how well-adjusted David can be. Yes, he lives in a completely illusory world under the impression that he is Sherlock Holmes. Yes, he dresses like one and kind of weirds people out (not to mention he looks about 20 years younger than Holmes should). But he's got the brains for it and he even has a job now (that of a consulting detective of course). It's kind of heartwarming.
If there is one thing I like about Murdoch Mysteries featuring Andrew, it's that he really does feature. A lot. You see him, you hear him talk (I take it a lot of the show's fans don't like him; well, tough). True, sometimes he sounds like Captain Obvious (but let's not talk about the quality of the dialogue; and anyway, he's not the real Sherlock Holmes, so there's that), but at other times he's funny, and while there's technically not much acting to be done imho, it's still a pleasure to see him in a big recurring role that doesn't call for him to be beaten to death or burnt to a crisp.
2. David also reveals unexpected kindness and compassion, to the point of nearly breaking the character, when he gets angry on behalf of his latest client, the young boy Ben.
Considering his own backstory as presented in 6x04, it's natural, and he does say the boy reminds him of himself at that age. Shallow moment: I like it when Andrew raises his voice. Yes, Andrew, be dramatic. XD On another note, I'm glad he doesn't break the character completely, not enough to revert to his "David Kingsley" self (it would mean the horrendous Canadian accent - Andrew just can't do it).
3. The "mystery" itself seems boring at first but there is a pretty unexpected plot twist at the end. As far as the case went, 6x04 seemed more interesting, but this one isn't completely without charm either. I think I would have liked this show more as a kid. Back then, I didn't think so much about the characters. But if these two eps are any indication, the show barely has any characterizations to deal with. This is actually why I don't like cop shows these days: they focus too much on the case and too little on character development.
4. I love how the cast generally reacts to Baby Sherlock. It goes for the main cast as well as the guest stars and varies from eyerolling to yelling. Murdoch himself seems to more or less like him (at least he doesn't try to chase him away or insist that he's delusional). Still, it's fun to watch Murdoch's facial expressions shift from "seriously?" to "omg not you again" to "lol there he goes again" and the likes.
In this episode, Gowerlock also gets a fanboy - a child named Ben who turns out to be his client. Ben is smart, observant and holds an unquestioning belief in dealing with the real Sherlock Holmes. No wonder David grows protective of him. ("Such an annoying child. I've taken quite a shine to him.") I think it's been w hile (if ever) since someone just accepted David's "cosplay" as the real thing without asking questions, leering, making fun of him or getting angry. He's used to people doubting his Sherlock Holmes persona, but Ben does not only accept it; he poses questions that only Sherlock Holmes can answer and he believes that Sherlock Holmes can help him.
Now I suspect Baby Sherlock should just marry the nanny and adopt the "miniature bloody Sherlock". XD
5. A couple of seriously shallow notes. XD Curly hair! Chipmunk face! Cute! Xd
Moreover, he seems to slouch a bit less than usual and in some scenes he stands remarkably straight-backed. It's easy to forget how tall he is until you're suddenly reminded about it by the sight of a straight back.
And pure for the self-indulgent lulz, Sherlock and "a very special brand of tea":
To sum it up, it was a nice episode. I could potentially imagine a spin-off starring Baby Sherlock. It could be a kids' show. XD Except for the parts where he'd occasionally snap out of it and have angst moments. XD Preferably starring Damien Molony as Moriarty. XD
Previously: 6x04, A Study In Sherlock
1. It's interesting to see how well-adjusted David can be. Yes, he lives in a completely illusory world under the impression that he is Sherlock Holmes. Yes, he dresses like one and kind of weirds people out (not to mention he looks about 20 years younger than Holmes should). But he's got the brains for it and he even has a job now (that of a consulting detective of course). It's kind of heartwarming.
If there is one thing I like about Murdoch Mysteries featuring Andrew, it's that he really does feature. A lot. You see him, you hear him talk (I take it a lot of the show's fans don't like him; well, tough). True, sometimes he sounds like Captain Obvious (but let's not talk about the quality of the dialogue; and anyway, he's not the real Sherlock Holmes, so there's that), but at other times he's funny, and while there's technically not much acting to be done imho, it's still a pleasure to see him in a big recurring role that doesn't call for him to be beaten to death or burnt to a crisp.
2. David also reveals unexpected kindness and compassion, to the point of nearly breaking the character, when he gets angry on behalf of his latest client, the young boy Ben.
Considering his own backstory as presented in 6x04, it's natural, and he does say the boy reminds him of himself at that age. Shallow moment: I like it when Andrew raises his voice. Yes, Andrew, be dramatic. XD On another note, I'm glad he doesn't break the character completely, not enough to revert to his "David Kingsley" self (it would mean the horrendous Canadian accent - Andrew just can't do it).
3. The "mystery" itself seems boring at first but there is a pretty unexpected plot twist at the end. As far as the case went, 6x04 seemed more interesting, but this one isn't completely without charm either. I think I would have liked this show more as a kid. Back then, I didn't think so much about the characters. But if these two eps are any indication, the show barely has any characterizations to deal with. This is actually why I don't like cop shows these days: they focus too much on the case and too little on character development.
4. I love how the cast generally reacts to Baby Sherlock. It goes for the main cast as well as the guest stars and varies from eyerolling to yelling. Murdoch himself seems to more or less like him (at least he doesn't try to chase him away or insist that he's delusional). Still, it's fun to watch Murdoch's facial expressions shift from "seriously?" to "omg not you again" to "lol there he goes again" and the likes.
In this episode, Gowerlock also gets a fanboy - a child named Ben who turns out to be his client. Ben is smart, observant and holds an unquestioning belief in dealing with the real Sherlock Holmes. No wonder David grows protective of him. ("Such an annoying child. I've taken quite a shine to him.") I think it's been w hile (if ever) since someone just accepted David's "cosplay" as the real thing without asking questions, leering, making fun of him or getting angry. He's used to people doubting his Sherlock Holmes persona, but Ben does not only accept it; he poses questions that only Sherlock Holmes can answer and he believes that Sherlock Holmes can help him.
Now I suspect Baby Sherlock should just marry the nanny and adopt the "miniature bloody Sherlock". XD
5. A couple of seriously shallow notes. XD Curly hair! Chipmunk face! Cute! Xd
Moreover, he seems to slouch a bit less than usual and in some scenes he stands remarkably straight-backed. It's easy to forget how tall he is until you're suddenly reminded about it by the sight of a straight back.
And pure for the self-indulgent lulz, Sherlock and "a very special brand of tea":
To sum it up, it was a nice episode. I could potentially imagine a spin-off starring Baby Sherlock. It could be a kids' show. XD Except for the parts where he'd occasionally snap out of it and have angst moments. XD Preferably starring Damien Molony as Moriarty. XD
